1862 – A letter from one cousin to another expressing concern for the Union and worrying about soldiers who had been captured

Fort Wayne, Indiana, 1862. Envelope or Cover. Very good. This four-page letter was sent by Emeline to her cousin in Mary at Bristol, New Hampshire. It is datelined “Fort Wayne Ind. Aug. 23”/62” and enclosed in a mailing envelope franked with a 3-cent Washington stamp (Scott #65) that was postmarked at Fort Wayne two days later.

In this letter Emeline expressed her fear that the Union might not survive and her concern about the fate of captured soldiers that she knew. It reads in part:

“The war is the all absorbing topic. What is to be the result of all our National troubles, God only knows. It seems that we just begin to realise. The excitement here is very great. I think the call will be for be for more men before the wicked rebellion will be crushed & I sometimes fear that we shall not be able to do it. Even after such a sacrifice of blood. I often hear that if the south succeeds, a secession of the west from the east is inevitable. How dreadful the thought of this nation becoming thus dismembered – God grant that light may speedily dawn upon us. . .. Have you read Mr. Owen’s letter to the Secy of War . . . on Emancipation? I am not sure but a ‘declaraton’ must come [and] it will come soon. The President must deeply feel the weight of responsibility resting on him – More much more nerve & wisdom he needs. We can only comfort ourselves with the thought that God will overrule all for good. . ..

“Sometime since I saw in a paper that several U.S. Pay Masters had been taken prisoners by the Rebels and Haselton was one. . .. I felt quite anxious about it at the time. But not hearing any thing since conclude it as among the rumors. . ..”

. Emeline’s thoughts about the war give one pause. Imagine what life would be like today if the United States had split into three parts.

.