Description:

Civil War
Frederick Co., MD, July 13, 1862
War-Date ALS Re: Arrests for Speaking Out Against Lincoln, "we must not say a word against Old Abe"
ALS
Autograph Letter Signed, "Mary Curd", 3pp, on lined bifold stationery measuring 4.75" x 7.625", Frederick County, Maryland, July 13, 1862. Includes original transmittal envelope with 3-cent George Washington stamp postmarked Frederick, MD, July 17, 1862. Expected mailing folds and creases. A bit of minor ink splattering. In near fine condition.

Mary Curd pens a densely-packed letter to John L. Koons of Ashland County, Ohio, a Civil War soldier with whom she went to school. She expresses disappointment in not receiving a letter from him and hopes that he hasn't enlisted in Abraham Lincoln's army "to murder the Southerners for ther cause is just..."

In part, with original spelling retained:

"I take my pen in hand to inform you that I am as well as ever and hope when these few lines reaches your hand they will find you in the same state of helth. when I started this letter I hardly knew where to direct it to. when we went to School together you said that you would write to me but you failed to do it. perhaps you forgot it and I am so anxious to hear from you that I was determin to hear from you if possible. I have bin looking for a letter from you ever sense. I herd that you went west. I herd once that you had enlisted in the Army and was under the impresion that you was then a gain I herd that was not.

I thought when I herd it that you had to much sense to enlist to murder the sons of the warm sunny south and I hope you won't enlist in Abes army to murder the Southerners for ther cause is just and in god is there trust and conqueror they must perhaps you don't think so but if you lived in the South to see the deprecations committed on the people you would think so. you men can talk and the papers can print what they please. I see some of the Ohio papers and they talk as bold as leader but here we must not say a word against Old Abe or the papers or we will be wanted on in a mighty short order by some of Abe men. the Citizen and the Hearld of frederick City was both supressed for publishing the truth and a great many has bin arested and a great many has gone over to the Southern army..."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 4.75" x 7.625"
  • Medium: ALS

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