SOUTHERN CIVILIAN LETTER WRITTEN TO SON SERVING IN THE 52ND OHIO INFANTRY — COMMENTARY ON LINCOLN ASSASSINATION

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Item Code: L14501

Dated “21 Apr 1865”, in ink. “Rec’d Apl 26th/ Holly Springs, NC”. From D. A. James to his son, Frank Blakewell James, while the latter was serving in the 52nd Ohio Infantry. 2pp., in ink, on unlined paper measuring 9.125 x 5.5”. Slightly yellowed, with fold-marks, else VG, and entirely legible.

Southern civilian of Union sympathies writes to his son detailing the reaction in his locale to news of the Lincoln assassination. To wit:

“We have been thanking God for victories & the promise of peace until our minds seemed one shout of jubilee. A people could not express more gladness than we did here on Friday & we [the whole town I suppose] went to bed worn out with joy reaction.

You should have seen the change on Saturday morning—the streets were almost as crowded. There was as much excitement that almost needed victims but it was of the deadly kind that as I wrote almost needed victims. The slightest accident would have enabled it to find them. Our Secession sympathizers, even those who would illuminate on Friday night forestalled vengeance by setting an extravagant example of draping there houses in mourning. Whole streets are in black, stores closed & business almost entirely suspended. The murderer is not yet caught but all men agree that the south will be the sufferers.

Whatever may be the new Presidents own feeling he will be driven to harshness, if not, he is no ordinary man. I pray to God to grant him wisdom & self control. It will not do for us to degrade ourselves to the level of men who conduct war with the assassins weapons. I hope besides, though I confess it a faint hope, yet I do hope that the assassination of the President can be proved beyond all doubt to have been the act of a few conspirators, with whom the rebel leaders had no connection or intercourse & this not for the sake of the leaders themselves but for the sake of human nations at large. They merit deep enough damnation without that addition.”

Frank Blakewell James, the son of David A. James, enlisted as a Private at the age of 20 and was mustered into Co. K, 52nd Ohio Infantry on 8/21/62. He was promoted to the ranks, finally reaching the rank of Captain of Co. I on 12/9/64, and Major by Brevet on 3/13/65.  He was mustered out on 6/3/65 at Washington, D.C.  Born on 11/7/42 in Covington, KY, he died on 3/27/1916 in Brookline, MA.

Highly articulate letter recording one southerner’s reaction to the Lincoln assassination. Solid collectible.

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