80th Illinois Infantry - NEW

Item LTR-11921

Description

Original Civil War soldier's letter. 1 page, written in period ink.


Headquarters, 80^th Regiment Illinois Volunteers
Greenville, Tennessee
April 6, 1865
 
J. P. Mann
 
Dear Brother,
 
Yours of the 24th, Altman, came to hand yesterday and found me well as usual. I was sorry to hear that affliction had befallen your family, but the Lord loves them whom he chasteneth. Therefore, shall we not the more readily submit to afflictions?
 
You seem to coincide with everybody in the belief that the white soldiers will all be mustered out of service in six months. I wish that I could see it in that light, but I don't.
 
Although General Grant has succeeded in taking the ditches around Richmond, there is yet plenty of room for digging others. And when I hear of everybody concluding that the war is about over, I just think everybody don't know much more about it now than they did four years ago when they were clamorous with the cry, "On to Richmond." I just tell you, Preston, there are millions of people in the United States who don't realize the true state of things in our government, and the imminent danger we are in by having the whole fabric of our free principles converted to the dark channels of anarchy, and ultimate ruin for those who are wrapped up in the veil of political prejudice, inexcusable ignorance, and willful selfishness.
 
Now, Preston, I never blamed Calvin for leaving the army. I think he was right in that.
 
But I did blame him for letting off so much gas just before he was quitting the army. As to three years of service in the 5th Cavalry, I can't see that. Yet, I don't doubt, but they were on hand and drew big pay for three years.
 
Now, as to killing the bar, I never expect to try to do it by stirring up copperheads. That my brothers feel they have done their duty, I have no doubt. Who would not in these selfish times, when feeling for greenbacks is the principal criterion by which a large majority are governed?
 
I can do no more than my duty as a citizen and a soldier of a free government. Have I done that? Ask my comrades.
 
Your flattering compliments are a source of serious reflection to me. I would not have had anyone overestimate my character as a soldier or a true man. Alas, how far short we all come of filling the proper standard measure of true manliness.
 
As to drawing upon my imagination so strong as to suppose myself the Goliath of the mans, I will only say the idea was extremely new to me when I first read it in your letter. I can only account for it by supposing it sprang from your own prolific imagination.
 
As to somebody blowing me out of malice or want of sense, I will leave that to your decision, as I have but a very limited correspondence, and that almost entirely with my brothers and sisters. You can therefore readily judge of their blowing capabilities, as well as their weight of sense.
 
Now, as to explaining the meaning of my former letter, it would be useless for me to do more than just say, "What of it? You could not understand. Let it rip as a thing of no importance, whatever." For you know that the world lives to move irrespective of what you or I could say or do.
 
So now I close by subscribing myself. 
 
Your affectionate brother, 
 
Jonathan