Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-01-27
A Yankee Girls Letter.

We have been requested to publish some extracts
from lengthy letter written by Yankee girl to her
lover in the army Her lover was killed. and this let
ter was found upon his person by of General j. Z.
B. Stuart's men. 1t will be seen that for school
girl she writes very WE'LL and that she is by no means
extreme abolitonis and is opposed to fighting to
promote the objects of the abolition party 1t will De
seen, ALSO that her brothers opposed to the war;
and that she believes we will not be conquered for the
that fighting for our and hearth
stones" She seems be clever girl, and is to be
pitied for she lost herover by war which she does
not approve:
CT. L. INSTITUTES CLINTON,
Sunday Morning, Sept 18th, '62.
Dear Friend eIacEson -
"Report says that Uncle Ambrose is making great
display with his money at the war meetings. says ne
never was happy as to be father. He has neph-
ew living with him, and he thinks very likely he Will
enlist-quite likely.
ssThe boys have nearly all enlisted from Phelps
My brothers have not yet enlisted, and trust they
will not for, with their idea of the war, sure
there would be no patriotism in SO doing
"The bounty is making great many patriots am
glad, Jack that you enlisted before the bounty was
offered mot that think you less deserving of 1t than
any other young man, but it is satisfaction to know
that you are lighting for your country. prompted by
sense of duty rather than pocket full of money
for is money and the Niger" that keeps the war
going. There are hundreds Of our officers too. who
would grieye to see the war brought to honorable
close to Gay. OF late, when defeated the cry
is, 1--WE have traitors for officers. This is too
true; but treachery is not limited to the feld-it
tends to the very head of the Government, and the
hearts of the Cabinet blacker than the faces of the
negro for whom they pretend to have much charity
"Don't you call me secesh, Jack, Though have
grown familiar with the name. for am not-I love
country and the Union quite well-far better,
trust-than ever can the negro; and the question
at issue now is, which do we love most. | cannot
say that believe in slavery, conducted in our
country; but have taken the best method of abo-
shing 1t? Some may say it is the only 1
can only answer them it must continue: the South
rights and their hearthstones: the North Chat is the
eaders) for money and the negro and also, to show
their authority-which must conquer?
~ guessI had better stop talking now, for / am
getting excited, and may use some words that are
taxed" besides they have sent one Phelptonan to
Fort La Faystte and they have gotn the
they may wish to send others there
81 suppose you have been in some battles long be-
fore this-perhaps you are already among the wound
ed sick. Life and health uncertain at the BEST
but soldiers life is so liable 10 be lost any time
II did not hear of your brothers decease until my
arrival at Phelps, July 18th. had not been in town
more than 20 minutes before was informed that Zone
of Luther Robnson's sons had been brought home q
corpse. My informant was unable to say which one
it was. was not lett long IN suspense; for sent
immediately to Mr.. Nelson, who gave all the in
formation he had obtained. But those few moments
of suspense can never be erased from my heart
Knowing the delicate state of your health and that
Death ever loves shining mark, at once imagined
yourself to be the victim Oh! the thoughts that
crowded through my bran-the agonizing DEATH
scene rendered hundred fold more sad by the abb
OF friendsthe fearful tful ravages of disease
land then the ondrous changei Surely, thought l.
dying will be like going home-our friends are SO
rapidly gathering before us
s'In the death Of your brother, Jackson, you have
met with rreparable loss and yet believe it to
De not only his, but your greatest gain Never in all
my acquaintance have met with noble and
Intelligent band OF brothers than that of which you
are member-a rare, gifted band; and to an older
brother believe you are indebted for great part of
your hign bearing. In him you found true example
OF manlness, to him you ever looked with the ut
most confidence.
"Your parents were proud of their sons; their
pride was just, but their attachment to earth be-
coming too strong. They had too many treasures
here to raise their affections to the Author OF all their
bessngs-they had too much to live for, too little
to think of dying for. believe never so highly
favored as to meet your brother-but once in this
world but we'll do remember his noble bearing, and
have heard much of his virtue and lntegrity-so
much OF his generosity and genuine goodness, that
believe that were to-day freed from this tenement
of clay, should meet, and recognize HIM in
the Elysan fields of Heaven Oh there is something
so beautiful in the thought of DYING | wonder that
people should feel ala, med and shrink from Death
Yet that fear implanted in the heart of man,
and cannot be rooted out Even when the body, the
house live in, Is completely out yet will
cling to it friends will weep over it and oen-tmes
murmur that God should take his children to better
home-"a house not made with hands,
Il was glad for that good long letter, Jack. You
will write another right away, won't you? But it
made me so sad to thing it had been rtten so long
when wished for it SO much. Remember me to
Charley, and write just you can; for shall
not know you get this till you do.
ssAs ever, yours