Little, Joseph J. (fl. 1861) to a friend
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02968 Author/Creator: Little, Joseph J. (fl. 1861) Place Written: Van Buren County, Arkansas Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 5 May 1861 Pagination: 2 p. ; 31.8 x 20.1 cm. Order a Copy
Complains of his poverty. Recently joined a volunteer company, thinking it was his last chance to join the army. Comments on fishing, his most common pastime. Writes, "There was a little battle not far from this place at West Point on Little Red River 10 abolitionists killed several more wounded. I think they was sent Down from Memphis Tenn By Abe Lincoln he has an army stationed at the sity of Washington of 30000 men but they will be knocked into a cocked hat before 3 months from this day."
Vanburen County Arkansas May 5th 1861
Dear friend,
I again attempt to write you a few lines to inform you that I am not ded yet, and I am in first rate health As this time hoping these lines may find you enjoying the same blessing I have not done any work yet nor I dont no as I will in some time yet or at least I am afraid it will be some time before I do, do anything I perhaps will leave this state before I am able to do any work of any consequence, I am worse out of heart that I ever was before in my life I have been waiting for an answer from you for some time, & as I have not recd an answer from you I have consented to write you again I have been looking for an answer from some of you for the last month & not the first letter have I recd yet if I dont get one in a short time I shall be at a loss to know the reason, If I do not get some help before long I dont know what will become of me, I can see poverty stairing me in the face plainer than I ever did in my life before, A.G. Harrell has treated me worse than I would of treated a dog. I could almost Remove the last grain of Sand that would launch him into Eternity, for he is the cause of my being a cripple the Ballance of my days,, I can not see for my part what is the reason your Father has not give me some Satisfaction in regard to my money before now for I have written to him several Times in Relation to it & he has not Regarded it Enough to Even write to me, I would like to know the Reason why he has not written to me, under stand me I am not angry yet, nor will not use a single word in a contemptuous manner but there is not some applications made in my behalf, I will be bound from necessity to make some application my self, & I will say positively I do not want to Do that, but however I will be bound from necessity to Do it; I am now needing the money & that Bad, I would of joined A volunteer Company the other day if I had had the money to of borne my expences to Little Rock. Not withstanding I am under No Compulsion whatever to go for I cannot even be drafted & made go, But I want to Be in our army and I think this is my only chance to Ever be in one for this may Be the last opportunity I may ever have .
[illegible]
Jos J. Little
[2] I want you to write as soon as you get these lines. for I am anxious to hear from there & from you. I want you to Show this Letter to your father as perhaps it will save me writing to him, till then that I have not Rec'd many letters from him in some time & in fact I have not Rec'd but 2 letters since I have been here from him & I am anxious to hear from him. I Dont Do any thing but fish there is plenty of fish here if you was here to go with me afishing one time I would show you the the largest fish you ever saw in your life, the way I am situated my Life is a cu[inserted:r]se to me & farther more I am not live this life much longer. I am going to leave this country if I have to Beg my passage, Times is hard here and worse concerning money scarse and none a coming. War is on hand fight or you will be killed a Running, There was a little battle not far from this place at West Point on Little Red River 10 abolitionist killed several more wounded. I think they was sent Down from Memphis Tenn By Abe Lincoln he has an army stationed at the sity of Washington of 30000 men but they will be knocked into a cocked hat before 3 months from this day, Bro. John sends his Respects to you all. he is well and doing well he had made a bought 200.00 this year in the Black Smith Shop, we want to start to sevese [strikeout] County in 2 months from this time if we succedd in getting our money if we dont we cant go but I hope we will not have that for an excuse attal I am hope up with that belief at any rate; you will please excuse my letter for my remarks so I will close for the present. Write soon as you get thes Lines, as I remain your true friend & Ballance of the family til Death
J. J. Little
I wish for a more brief correspondence
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.