Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1859-12-09
Letter from Edwin Coppic.

The Davenport Gazette publishes the fol
lowing letter from Edwin Coppic, the youn
man sentenced, with three other insurrection
lists, to be hung at Charlestown, on the 16tl
inst. The letter is addressed to his parents
at Springdale, Cedar county, and of cours
was never intended for publication, though it
psrusal cannot but awaken deep sympathy
in every heart for the unfortunate young man
The Gazette says a petition, signed by ove
two hundred of his old friends and neighbors
certifying as to his excellent character, ant
praying for his pardon, has been forwarded
to Gov. Wise, by special messenger, whose
expenses are paid by the petitioners.
| CHARLEsTowN, Nov. 5, 80.
Dear Mother and Pathsr:-It is with
much sorrow that now address you, and
under very different circumstances than |
ever expected to be placed but have seen
my folly too late, and must suffer the conse-
quences, which suppose will be death, but
which l shall try and bear, as every man
should. 1t would be source of much COM
fort to me to have died at home. It has
always been my desire that, when come to
die, my last breath should be amongst my
friends, that in my last moments they could
be near me to console me; but alas ! such is
not my fate. am condemned, and must die
a dishonorable death among my enemies, and
hundreds Of miles from my home.
l hope you will not reflect on me for what
has been done, for am not at fault, at least
my conscience tells me so, and there are
others that feel as do. We were led into it
by those who ought to have known better,
but who did not anticipate any danger. After
stopping at Harpers Ferry, we were sur
rounded and compelled to fight to save our
own lives, for we saw our friends falling on
all sides, our leader would not surrender, and
there seemed to be no other resort than to
fight. am happy to say that no one fell by
my hand, and am sorry to say that l ever was
induced to raise gun. was not looking for
such thing am sorry, very sorry, that
such has been the case; never did suppose
that my hand would be guilty of raising
weapon against my fellow man. After our
capture, which was on the morning of the
18th, we were kept there until the evening of
the 10th, when we were removed to this place,
where we have been ever since. We are we'll
cared for; the jailor seems to do all he can to
make us comfortable.
Nov. 6th.-I have just finished letter to
John Painter, which expect to send out to-
morrow with this. I sent one, yesterday, to
DR.. Gill; stating to him that it was not worth
while for any of you to come but, on think
ing more about it, l have concluded that /
would like to see some one from there, so to-
intend to telegraph for the Doctor
to come. have written to John Painter and
told him what to do with my land; but what
ever money is spent by any one coming here
| wish to have replaced out of the land. The
Captain has had some apples, pies and pre-
serves sent him from Ohio, by some friends.
presume they do not 60 bad, though have
not had taste. If the Doctor has not started
when you get this letter, and you have any
sweet cakes or other nick-nacks, just send
them along; they will 20 very good here,
between the iron bars. Though we get plenty
to eat here, yet it is not from home it is not
baked by the hands of those we loue at home
Or by those whom expect neuer more to see.
[ do not feel like writing more. I hope and
trust that the Doctor will come If anything
is in the way that he cannot, I hope some
other one will come in his stead. believe I
have nothing more to say. This may be the
last you will ever get from me if it is, think
Of me as one who thought he was doing right. |
Give my love to Briggs and Maxon's folks,
and to all other inquiring friends, for I feel
hat have large circle of them, and trust
hat what have done will not make them
enemies. My love to all of the family. No
more. E.