Here’s another letter of interest. It was written on July 4, 1863 (day after the battle of Gettysburg) from Heath, Massachusetts by “Auntie Mary” to her brother. She offers some very interesting points of view concerning the war. This letter is currently on ebay:
Joshua has been sick in a hospital in New Orleans for the past three months. Has been very sick some of the time. Was more comfortable the last letter we had. Mother has worried so much about him that she appears very feeble at time. If he should be taken away I don’t know how she would endure it. I do hope he will be spared to come home to her. I hope Fred has been heard from before this… we know very little about the war in this part of the country or at least we don’t see anything of it. All is quiet. I understand there has been quite a number of deaths among those who have gone from this section. Some have been killed on the battlefield others have sickened and died in camp. There are a great many copperheads about here and they talk loud and long denouncing everything that has been done– calling the war a nigger’s war and after all they call themselves good Union people and try to make it appear to the community that they are such. I met with one of their description not long since. He denounced the President and everything that pertained to the war. Called it a nigger war. Said it was nothing. I listened to him a while then said to him you talk like a copperhead. Said he, that is what they call me. I said I am sorry to hear it for you are on the wrong side of the question. Said he, I have informed myself and I talk just as I read. I said I am fearful you don’t read understandingly. He was so angry he could not speak. There was an old gentleman present who took him out one side and he did not make his appearance again…. If you wish to write to Joshua you will direct to New Orleans St. James Hospital and if not there forward to the Regiment….
