The Causes Of The War

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

1861 Homefront Letter On The Causes Of The War. A 4-page letter datelined "Byron Dec. 29/61," from H. Webster to his brother with an analysis of the causes of the war, 11" x 8", Choice Very Fine. In part (spelling corrected): "There has a great many left this village and vicinity for the War. It has caused the hardest times here that I have ever seen, and the prospect is that hard times has hardly commenced yet. You wished me to give my opinion as to the cause of the War...The first cause; and foundation of the war is the Abolition of Slavery. The Abolition party caused the first sensation in the southern people, but they did not fear them as they was then, but when the Republican party came into existence, they supposed that the North was led on from step to step to overthrow slavery, and they...concluded to revolt whilst they could, but I think they were too hasty about it, and I hope they will be punished for it. So the main cause of the war was the negro. We know not the amount of blood that has, and will be spilled for the Negro. I am acquainted with a young man that was in the Battle of Bull Run. Before he went he was a strong Abolition, but now he says he would shoot an Abolition as soon as he would a Rebel...." There is also an account of the death of his young son and a detailed recipe for a blood cleanser.

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