The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-15
GOVERNOR vANcE's RECORD.
What Ho Thought Of tho War of tho Re-
belIlon In 1864.

WASHINGTON, D. O., Jan. 1.-THE fol-
lowing letter was written by Governor
Vance TO personal friend six months
previous to the arrival Of sherman's army
In Raleigh. Itshows that Vance was OPP
posed to secession ut the outset, But after
ward became an ardent secessionist. It
also demonstrates the fact that the heart
OF the people OF North Carolina never was
wholly enlisted in the success OF the Con-
federate cause, and that good grounds ex-
listed for the threat that General Sherman
claims JEFF Davis made, thatof turning
rebel guns on loyal North Carolinans.
Vance was elected Governor in 1861 as
the "Union candidate" Colonel William
johnson, his opponent, who ran as the
secession candidate, Is now resident OF
Charlotte, N. O., and in the late campaign
was one OF the anti Democratic Coalition
leaders.
The original Of this letter is now in the
hands Of sister Of Solicitor General
Philips, Of Washington:
"RAIEioH, September %, 1864.
II would be glad II could have o long
talk with you. ! never before have been
SO gloomy about tho condition OF affairs.
Early's defeat in the valley. / consider as
the turning point in the campaign, and
confidently, | fear It seals the fate OF Rich.
mond, though not Immediately. twill
require our utmost exertions to maintain
our footing in Virginia till '05 comes in,
and abolitionism is rampant for four years
more. In short, II the enemy
pursues his luck till the close OF the year
we shall not be offered any terms at all,
"The signs which discourage more than
aught else are the utter decentralization OF
the people. With base of communica- |
ton five hundred miles in Sherman's rear,
through our own country, not bridge
has been burned, not car thrown from
It's track, nor a man shot by the people
whose country he has desolated. They
seem everywhere to submit when our ar
mics are withdrawn. What does this
show, my dear sir? 1t shows, what have
always believed, that the great popular
heart is not now, and never has been, in
this war.
ut was revolution OF the politicians,
not the people, aud was fought at first by
the natural (sic) OF our young men, and
liao peCh hSEb SVlhS W 1kaV0 ahA sSShVho'
pride, assisted by that bitterness oil feeling
produced by the cruelties and brutalities
OF the enemy. Still, ! nm not out OF
heart, for, as you know, 1 am Of buoy
ant and hopeful temperament. Things
may come around vet. General Lee
is great man, and has the remnant OF the
best army on earth bleeding, torn and
oyerpowered though it be. Saturday night
may yet come TO all OF our troubles, and
be followed by the blessed hour Of rest
God grant it. Lord, believe, help thou
mine belief in final liberty and indepen-
dence. would fain be doing. How can
l help 10 win the victory? What can
do? How shall guide this suffering and
much oppressed Israel, that, looks to
10 ME through the tangled and bloody
pathway wherein our lines have fallen?
Duty calls me to stand by the new Union
to the last gasp OF truth and loyalty. This
is my consolation: 'The beginning was
bad. | had no hand in III, Should the
end he.had, shall, with Gods help, be
equally blamcless. i am. dear
sir, very truly yours,