Unknown [Union soldier's letter]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08618 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Burkesville, Virginia Type: Letter Date: 18 April 1865 Pagination: 4 p. ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Has very strong feelings against the South. Writes that all traitors in the North should be burned at the stake. Feels that if it had not been for the traitors of the North, the war would have ended a long time ago. The letter is incomplete.
Not cited in standard references; see variant, Evans 26335.
I will now try to quote a few lines to you to inform you that I am enjoying good health at present and I hope that these few lines will find you enjoying the same.... I have learnt since I have been in the service not to let my mind be troubled till trouble comes. Then its time enough.... Father we have heard that President Lincoln has been killed by some traitor in Washington. If that is true I say that we ought to hang every damn rebel in the Southern Confederacy. I go in for killing every one and burn every traitor up north by a stake. I think instead of taken Lee's Army prisoners it would have been better to have hoisted a black flag and butchered every one but now they have paroled them and what are they doing. They are awaiting an opportunity to kill some of our best men. Last Saturday the devilish rebs tried to blow the arsenal at City point but we here caught it because they had done it and some that were paroled and on their way to Richmond tore up the railroad but they were caught and ought to hang and I say they ought to hang every one. I tell you it is a very hard blow for this nation to lose our President at this present time but I still hope it is not true but I fear it is for there are many traitors up North that are first the ones that would kill him. If it had not been for the traitors of the north this war would have ceased long ago but they are trying to destroy this government. They are aiding the South every day. Now, if true, they have killed President Lincoln to aid this rebellion.
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