Raynor HCA 2013-07
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/18/2013
A great war-date Union home front letter, 10pp. 8vo. & 12mo., written by Charles P. Wyeth, [Terre Haute, Ind.], Feb. 8, 1863" to his son Pvt. Edwin R. Wyeth 14th Indiana concerning his views on the Emancipation Proclamation, in small part: "…[?] Toby was taken prisoner at the battle of Murfreesborough, is paroled and has come home. John Mallory was also taken and has not been heard from since. In answer to…your antipathy to the emancipation proclamation I hardly know the best method to disabuse your mind of certain opinions…which…are founded upon erroneous conclusions…I do not see how any unprejudiced mind can look upon it…as a measure prompted by purely patriotic motives…a military necessity…a powerful auxiliary…in crushing out this unholy Rebellion and destroying the poisonous egg that ha hatched Secessionism …I still care as little about slavery as ever but I believe if we ever but down this rebellion we have got to make them feel the strength of very engine that can be brought to bear against them…I do not see why there is not just as much policy and why we have not just as much right to take from a rebel ten thousand dollars worth of negroes as that amount of cotton or tobacco…it would certainly damage him just as much…you say the war has been prolonged in order that this military necessity might arise thus giving the administration a pretext for carrying out a preconcerted plan, but…this prejudice will be considerably weakened by a careful review of Uncle Abe's course in regard to the nigger since he came into power…at the inception of the rebellion did he not give them sixty days to return to their allegiance…when Gen. Fremont issued his general order in Missouri…concerning the slaves did not Mr. Lincoln oppose it and force him to modify it…thus giving the strongest evidence of his non intervention policy…till…September '62 then what does he do…he gives the revolted states 3 more full months to return to loyalty…that there have been serious blunders no one can deny…Mr. Vallandigham caps the climax by his notion to order a cessation of hostilities…thus abandoning all that we have gained…well Ed…look on the sunny side and hope to see the day when traitors at home and abroad shall be foiled and peace and prosperity restored…". The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG
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