Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A great early war-date Southern mother's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by "A. K.", [Anne (Potter) Kidder], Wilmington, [ N. C.], Mar. 8, 1861, to her college student son Edward Kidder. Edward was one of the few Southerners who did not leave Harvard College following the outbreak of the Civil War, reading, in part: "I received your letters from Stock[bridge, Mass.] and Cambridge and was glad to hear directly from the little boys..Gil was glad to hear…from the little boys…he was delighted to se you & with the candy. Gil says "tell Popy the boys thought it the best candy they ever ate & one boy says tell that black woman if she will make me some of that candy I will pay the expenses. Well says Polly "if he is a Black Republican I aint a going too, but if he is not why then I will." So you see Polly has some idea of the cause of our troubles. You wish me to send some wine. The vessel left yesterday with your box…I rec your letter just in time to get more and put [it] onboard. She did not leave until three in the afternoon…tell him I reckon we were more disappointed at his not coming than he was himself. The servants spoke of it with regret. You say you cannot judge anything about our state from the papers. Well the feeling now with the Union men is that we hope not to secede, but the Secessionists say, we must, we will have too. Our governor was down a few days ago & made a very exciting speech saying the state should not be disgrace[d] in his hands & wished any effort [be] made to get a convention & then gain the desired end somehow. So you see our peace congress has done nothing. Mr. Davis was riding with me the day after Mr. D. came from Washington & spoke of his being completely disheartened & although he does not own that he is a Secessionist…he made a speech to a crowded house…amidst the constant applause of all, but the Secessionists…he is our favorite speaker & his opinion influences many that were determined not to change…A. K." Light soiling, else VG
Click on a thumbnail above to display a larger image below
Hold down the mouse button and slide side to side to see more thumbnails(if available).
Click above for larger image.