Submitted By: Judith Winston

judhamwin@mindspring.com



Letter by John W. Summers, who was residing in Mt. Vernon, Illinois. This
letter is quoted herewith almost in it's entirety: Judith Winston 



Mt. Vernon, Ill

July 30, 1863


Dear Father,

   I will again write you a few lines but with little
hope however of it reaching you. I have written many letters and tried
every means of conveyance that has presented themselves, with what success
I cannot tell, as I have not received a word from any of you since the
12th of May 1861. The great elapse of time has brought many changes - yes,
many sad changes. My heart feels sad when I begin to think of what changes
may have been with you and the rest of the connection, and that the cold
grave may have forever hid from my view my parents whom I had fondly hoped
to see again, together with others that are near by ties of nature.

   I cannot if I was so disposed, shut my eyes to the
fact that we are fast drifting in the ANARCHY. A citizen is not secure
either in person or property, The course of the Administration has devided
the people to such an extent that it has become necessary to resort to
drafting to fill up the depleted armies or abandon the contest. The conscription
is regarded as UNCONSTITUTIONAL, hence there is opposition to it. In NEW
YORK and other places where an attempt has been made to enforce it there
has been riots and bloodshed; such results will likely follow wherever
the attemts shall be made. The DEMOCRATS are not willing to be the means
of freeing a lot of worthless negroes; they are not willing to lend aid
carrying on a war the object of which is NOT the RESTORATION of the UNION,
but the SUBJUGATION of the SOUTH, and the freedom of the ABOLITIONIST'S
GOD, the nigger. The just PRIDE of the American Citizenship is GONE. He
has not only lost the power to command RESPECT, but he has lost the RIGHT
of REDRESS for WRONGS at home. Newspapers are suppressed for calling in
question the acts of the ADMINISTRATION. Men are taken from their homes
at the hour of midnight by a band of soliers, without warrant or trial,
hurried off to some MILITARY BASTILE, often suffering every indignity that
human devils can invent. They are perhaps torn loose without so much as
knowing the charge on which they have been arrested or their accusor. But
enough of this ----- If I should express all that I feel in regard to these
things, I'd not find room or time to write anything else.These troubles
have so deranged my plans that I have no particular course to pursue. I
am trying to make something to eat on my farm, the MILLING BUSINESS is
done with made but little selling lumber at one dollar per hundred, and
that in LINCOLN GREEN, as we call the GOVERNMENT money. One hundred dollars
in gold would buy 174 dollars in LINCOLN GREEN, No one is trying to make
money except a few speculators; the people have no confidence in the money
they are compelled to take. They as a general thing, aim to spend it as
fast as they make it. This is an easy matter as everything is at the high
water mark.

   The people here are much divided in regard to the policy
of conducting the war. There is a large and growing PEACE PARTY, but all
the power that the ADMINISTRATION can bring to bear is used to put it down.
Things have gone so far that there is no friendly feeling between the two----I
don't think of any more than I can say at present. If I get an answer to
this I will try to write you more at length; but there will necessarily
elapse at least two months if I get an answer at all. I deem it almost
unnecessary to say that I want you to write immediately on the receipt
of this and let me know how you all are and everything that prudence will
allow you to write in regard to the state of affairs in that country. Tell
me where the boys are- to what Regiment they belong, etc.

   Hoping that I may speedily hear from you and finally
see you all in good health, I remain your affectinate son,

                                                                                                            
John W. Summers
To John Summers

Greenville

Hunt County, Texas
P.S. - If you will put your letter in an envelope and seal it, and
direct it to me as usual, then put on another envelope, seal and direct
it to

HON. E.R. HORD (or HOOD)

MATAMORAS, MEXICO