Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-08-12
Deane Pendarvis, a New
Junior, Writes of the
Civil War

This is my first letter to the Junior
page and thought would write about
/ the civil war. .
The civil war in America was a great
| struggle from 1881 to 1865 between the
southern states and northern states of
the union
The fundamental cause Of the war
was the growth of the Institution of
slavery in the south after 1t had long
been abolished in the north. This led
to important differences of economic
and political opinion and especially in
the south Of the principal Of states
rights. The outgrowth Of such belief
was the doctrine of secession and this
was ultimately adopted. Between De-
cember 20. 1860 and February l. 1851
seven states of the south. South Caro-
lima. Mississippi, Florida. Alabama,
Georgia. Louisiana and Texas passed
ordinances Of secession. In February
the government of the confederate
states Of America was organized and by
July four other states. Virginia. North
Carolina. Tennessee and Arkansas had
Joined the new union.
In spite Of numerous attempts at
compromise the war was opened by
seizure on the part of the southern
states Of United States forts and ar
senals.
For this great struggle the south was
much better prepared than the north.
The south was united as one man; the
north was divided and full of southern
sympathizers She knew not whom to
trust. Officers Of the army and navy
were resigning every day. The great
department o government at Washing
ton conta ined many men who furnished
information to southern officials. The
main plains OF the north were as fol-
lows: To maintain strict blockade Of
southern ports. thus cutting off the
south from getting supplies from
abroad for carrying on the war; to at
tack and take Richmond: to open low
er mississippi with the Tennessee and
the Cumberland. which the confederate
forts had closed to navigation, and to
break through the confederate line In
the west: march an army through the
Atlantic states. thence northward to
Virginia. -
The first gun was fired at Fl. Sumter
In the Charleston harbor. South Caro-
line. on April II, 1861. The fort sur
rendered the same day. Not a man was
killed on either side during the bonn
bardment Of Sumter. yet the battle was
Famous one, and led to greater conse-
quences.
Many other battles followed. On New
Years day. 1863 President Lincoln is
sued the proclama ton Of characterization
winch gave the war a new character.
Before the north had been fighting sim
ply to restore the union as it was be-
fore the south seeded. but now. it was
TO restore the union without slavery, to
make the nation wholly free.
Inc war ended with the surrenderine
or the southern army to the north at
Appomatox court house April g. 1859.
Inc wild rejoicing which this news
caused at the north was suddenly hush
ed on the following Friday. April IA by
the assination Of President Lincoln
who. because Of his unfailing common
sense and high purposes, had become
the central figure Of the entire struggle
Inc war had lasted four years: It had
commanded the services; all told. of
more than four million men, 40 600
union soldiers were killed in battle. or
died from wounds. while 100000 died
from disease exposure or other causes
The south lost $4,000 men in battle and
nearly 100000 others died in service
mus IN both armies an average of 700
men died each day from the beginning
OF the war to the end.
me material privations and suffering
u tne war fell mainly on the south
EXCEPT at Gettysburg all the fighting
was uone on southern soil. Long before
the mai surrender there was sore want
everywhere throughout the south. The
geatest result Of the whole contest was
ire abolition Of slavey. From the con-
s.ltutlonal standpoint 1t decided that
the United States was to be an "inda-
struct1ble union Of indestructihle
states. i'i'
Deane Pendants. age 70
keosauqua. Ia, r. No, 2