West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) to Harriet Moore
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03836.63 Author/Creator: West, Lewis H. (b. 1829) Place Written: Aboard USS "New Ironsides" off Charleston, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 March 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : docket ; 24.4 x 19.2 cm. Order a Copy
References her letter of 14 March 1864. Says her opinion that he is "decidedly blue" is correct. Says it is depressing to have spent 3 years as he has at the age of 35. Speaks positively of the "change of feeling that has been wrought in public opinion as regards the colored troops." Before they were "looked upon with utter contempt and the idea that they would stand fire was thought ridiculous." Says they are now thought of as equal to white troops. References the bravery of the 54th Massachusetts compared to the disloyalty of the New Yorkers who rioted in July 1863. Says that the black troops fighting bravely "has done more for the cause of abolition, than a hundred years of argument and speechyfying." Says they have been taking in many refugees from Charleston as of late. Says there are rumors that they will soon be in action along the South Carolina coast. Mentions a strong gale that swept through the area recently. Written on letterhead of the USS "New Ironsides."
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