online catalog

• What's New
• Reduced Price Items
• Artillery
• Books
• Bottles
• Buttons
• Confederate
• Contemporary Artist Prints
  • Framed Prints
  • Unframed Prints
• Currency, Bonds & Tokens
• Documents & Paper Goods
  • Art
  • Broadsides
  • Commissions
  • Discharges
  • Letters
  • Newspapers
  • Signatures
• Edged Weapons
  • Bayonets
  • Knives
  • Scabbards
  • Swords
• Firearms
  • Carbines
  • Cartridges & Gun Tools
  • Handguns
  • Holsters
  • Longarms
• Gettysburg Items
• Identified Items
  • Accoutrements
  • Edged Weapons
  • Firearms
  • Personal Items
  • Photography
  • Uniforms & Cloth
• Medical Items
• Military Accoutrements
  • Buckles/Plates
  • Canteens
  • Insignia & Badges
  • Leather
    • Belts
    • Cap & Cartridge Boxes
    • Haversacks / Knapsacks
    • Holsters
    • Scabbards
  • Spurs
• Personal Items
  • Amusements
  • Cooking
  • Jewelry
  • Personal Hygiene
  • Sewing
  • Smoking
  • Writing
• Photography
  • Albumens
  • Albums
  • Cabinet Cards
  • CDVs
    • Identified CDVs
    • Unidentified CDVs
  • Hard Images
    • Ambrotypes
    • Daguerreotypes
    • Tintypes
  • Stereoviews
• Relics
• Stock Items
  • Books
  • Clothing
  • Riker Cases
  • Shell Bases
  • Wood Display Cases
• Uniforms & Cloth
  • Flags
  • Headgear
  • Sashes & Hat Cords
  • Uniforms
• Veteran Memorabilia
  • GAR
  • UCV
• WWI / WWII
  • Equipment
  • Posters

1860 PRO-UNION CIVILIAN LETTER

• 
• 

This extensive letter captures the tumult of 1860 America in the words of a father to his son written on December 20, 1860.  Though much of the letter deals in personal business between family, the writer outlines his thoughts on the coming secession crisis and the state of the country – shortly after the election of 1860 and the execution of John Brown.

Mr. Luke Loomis writes to his son from “Brownstown” and begins by thanking him for writing consistently, as his mother and family are glad to hear from him.  A few scant updates give way to lament about the situation in the country.

Luke says, “It is dull times with business generally and a good deal of consternation manifested by the older and more thinking part of the community on account of the foolish and mad course of many of the southern politicians about the result of the late Presidential Election.  In a Republican government such as the U.S. used to be, the customs of the times were that the majority should rule, that the laws of the land should be obeyed until repealed.  The President of the U.S. used to be president of the whole nation and sworn into office to faithfully execute and administer the laws of the land agreeably to the constitution etc., but Mr. Buchanan has not it is thought by many, done so. He has suffered certain states to put forth their manifested that they will withdraw from the Union and set up for themselves.  Now such an act is open rebellion against the U.S. and all persons engaged in such acts are traitors and rebels in fact, as much as Benedict Arnold was in the days of the Revolution, when he bargained with the unfortunate Andre to West Point to the British.  I do not know how present difficulties will end, but I feel sure the Northern, Middle, and Western States or their inhabitants will not suffer the wheels of state to be clogged a great while longer without showing the southern portion of the community they are in the wrong, and must turn over a new leaf and do better or else worse for themselves.”

Throughout the rest of the letter, Luke gives advice to his son concerning finances, appropriate behavior, profanity, character, religious observation, and encourages him to read a book that he sent which summarizes the history of the U.S. He explains that the book with give him a chance to learn about his “native land” and will bolster his conversational skills on the state of the Union.

Luke concludes with an update on the recipient’s mother, whose health appears to be failing.  Luke explains that she has difficulty sitting upright and they have moved a sofa into their bedroom at the foot of their bed near the fireplace to accommodate her condition.

This lengthy letter measures 12.5” x 8” and is written on unlined paper.  Writing fills both sides with a short postscript on the reverse. Small, transparent pieces of tape join areas of separation along folding creases.  The condition is otherwise good, with legible and bold writing in period ink with no staining or damage.

A very interesting letter that paints a passionate picture of the American moment in 1860, with all its chaos and uncertainty.  A unique piece for any Civil War era collection.   [cm][ph:L]

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

CLICK HERE FOR OUR POLICIES AND TERMS.

THANK YOU!