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Jones, John (1862-1864) to his wife

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05981.06 Author/Creator: Jones, John (1862-1864) Place Written: Jackson, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 July 1862 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

He says that July 4th (mistakenly written 1st) went quietly. He wanted at least a parade. Hopes to be back home by next year's 4th of July. Writes about the march.

My Beloved Wife
I got yesterday what I have long been expecting, a letter from you…By the way the 1st passed very quietly here, just a national salute fired that is all the stir we made. I do not think much of the proceeding, where there is so many of Uncle Sam's boys. I think we ought to have had a celebration or parade or something of the kind to commemorate the anniversary or our glorious independence, but I suppose our officers were afraid of hurting the feelings of the "Secesh" gentry. I cannot image any other reason, at any rate, and I think we are heandling secession too much [2] with our gloves on. I think it would have a more salutary effect if we threw our gloves off. I went "down town" and looked around some, and got dinner at a hotel seeing that it was the 4th of July and comes only once a year. I had a very good dinner, rather better I think than we got at Woodstock a year ago, price 50 cts. I would have given a good deal to have had as good a time as I had last 4th , and I hope we shall both be spared and that I shall get home by the next 4th.. So that we can enjoy ourselves together again…

Jones, John, fl. 1862-1864

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