Georgian Writes of the Begining of the War

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/31/2004

Autograph Letter Signed, 6p. small quarto, Macon, Georgia, April 12, 1861, written to the Hite family in Virginia, in part: “...many nights do I lay awake thinking that soon you my brothers may be summoned to the battle field for the war is commencing at this very moment they may be fighting in Charleston, the latest news they were expecting it every moment. The Charleston ladies are in Augusta...Lincoln after acting so mean, low and even cowardly, has sent word that he intends to provision Fort Sumpter. Yesterday there were six steamers lying at the Harbor waiting for the tide to rise to enter. If they did enter I hope by this time they are all sunk to the very bottom of the sea. I tell you those Yankees will see sights yet - for every drop of Southern blood will be shed before we are conquered for the people are perfectly furious I never saw men so aroused. A thousand troops encmaped here last week on their way to Pensecola. Gov. Brown was here to review them it was a splendid sight to see them parading such splendid noble looking men. The companies from Augusta were splendidly drilled, all such young men. May the God of Heaven be with them. For they are defending a noble cause...they will have to exterminate the whole race at the South to defeat us for if they kill our mne, the women & niggers will take their places....dispatch came late this evening that they are fighting now at Sumpter. Gen. B demanded the forth this morning & Maj. A refused to give it so at four this morning they fired into the Fort. Maj. A is now returning fire & ere the dawn of another day I hope it will be in possession of S.C....” More. VG.

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