Year: 1863

DAVIS MILLS, Miss, Feb. 2, '63.


Dear Parents:-I have DELAYED an
swering your letter for no other reason
than the want of time, as | am On duty
every day, and have to write by candle
light. [ would much rather have a talk
with you nta-niGht-tha,.-....-;4
long talk with you about the condition of
our country, the prospect of success in
this great cause, &c.


One thing am pretty certain of, and
that is-you and | do not differ much as
to the right course to pursue in regard to
this rebellion. 1t is out of the question
for me to express myself fully on this
great snbiect in this letter; but l will
drop few thoughts for your considera-
ton, and will be glad to have your
thoughts in answer.


This is truly time, if there ever is a
time, when all men should think coolly
and candidly, and, before acting, should
be careful to know whether their actions
will tend to the good or evil of our once
glorious and happy country. The man
who will not now act honest for his coun-
try and for posterity is trul ly void of all


that makes man noble; yet with sorrow


must confess that many who live in


this once and again acill be happy land


of ours-those, too, who know we'll what


a free government is by delightful expe-


rience so completely blinded by


prejudice and party spirit, that they


would rather see our lovely land, our


Paradise on earth, ruled by some mon


arch, or brought to eternal ruin, than to


give up one grain of their prejudice;
rather see our Government fall to rise


no more than that this Administration


should be successful in guiding the Ship


throug the mighty storm of Secession,


and anchoring her safe in the harbor of


peace, safety, and honor TRiays that


not be ths. !; afhiffu these be times when
I the actions of men are recorded IN his


tory that will immortalize their names


with imperishable honor or undying IN


fanny. The past for its honor, the future


for its glory. depend on the issue of


few coming months; then why do men


falter, why try to stop the last caVi.S
through which cur Government mas u
breathe? :, ~
That men who comes out boldly, ahl
declares himself opposed to our govern
; ment, is much higher in my estimation
r r than those, protesting to love our Gov
u ernment, yet oppose our every effort t
u maintain it, and do all they can 10 max


contention and division among the pee
e nIe both at home and in the army. In
= Presidents Proclamation has brought t
'f Tyht the true Union men of our countr.
e We can now tell who loves the Union be
q ter than slavery, because the issue is no
90 made between slavery and the Union.
II Now RIGHT here, | would like to sa
10 o oreat deal, but must pass, by saying
q am in favor of the Proclamation, an
- consider all men who are opposed to
10 as either ignorant of the condition of OF
IS country, or enemies to the best interes
"a of mankind. To protect the property
70 Ioval men, is LOYALTY; but to prote
mt the nroperty of disloyal men is DIsLo
ia NrY / am not John Brown Abo
" ZIONIST. but am in favor, positively, OF
i'll senaration of the two races; and II
,g were n pro-slavery man, l would still
81 in favor of the Proclamation, because
The is, and all loyal, thinking men must
aft nit it, a military necessity. Lincoln
md not freed a single negro of loyal me
mo then why do people grumble? Disl
to alty in its purity-slavery only prete
ora Make the issue p9'"een
the and the Union, and l am disunionl
to hut in no other way. But to close
red will say that l have the same abld
ms faith that this Government will yet sta
,nts the storm; that the now rebellious Sta
sfer will sooner or later be united with