Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
A great early war-date Confederate Planter's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Horace Moore Polk, Bastrop, [Morehouse Parish, La.], July 15, 1861 to his father-in-law John H. Bills (1800-1871) a prominent Tennessee merchant, plantation owner and Freemason concerning war news from Bayou Bartholomew, reading, in part: "…there is a good deal of sickness here and some of it of a serious character. Some have died in a short time from attacks, accomplished with a stupor…congestion about the brain. I saw a young man this morning (who came out with Mr. D. Hunt) in this condition and I doubt…if he lives through another day…my cotton is not as large as some…but is growing and on the front looking very well. The backland cotton is small. In a few days the planters of our Parish will meet in Bastrop to subscribe to the Govt. cotton loan…the planters will generally subscribe liberally. We cannot wage this war without money. Mr. Lincoln is calling for a large amount, but I think stands much less chance to get it than Mr. Davis. As to his 400,000 men, he will have to double the number before he can…make an impression on the South. In less than 30 days we will have nearly that number (400,000) in the field. And there are 10's of thousand only waiting to see our country invaded to fly to arms. Our governor will not furnish anymore arms to troops unless they remain in the state. We have been furnishing 3 or 4 state liberally and…must look to our own necessities…5 companies were raised…in our parish-2 have gone-1 more is complete-and 2 others not full yet…it would be difficult to raise another unless we are invaded. Our voting population is…less than 800. Ophelia is persuading me to stay home. If I knew what to do with my family I would…be off to the war…Mr. Potts think we should hold on and be ready for their descent of the Miss. River (if they are foolish enough to try it) and any attack they may make on New Orleans from below. We are still on the bayou and will probably stay here…we have recent intelligence of a splendid victory of Jackson's over Speigel [Franz Sigel] in the Southern part of Missouri. I sincerely hope it is so…with McCulloch we will drive them back across the Missouri river without a single check…". Horace M. Polk was a planter on Bayou Bartholomew near Bastrop, Morehouse Parish, La., and senatorial delegate from Morehouse and Ouachita parishes to the Louisiana Secession Convention. He also attended the 1860 Charleston and Baltimore presidential nominating conventions as a supporter of Stephen Douglas. VG to near fine.
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