Details
[AFRICAN-AMERICANS IN THE WAR]. MCCAULY, JEFFERSON. Autograph letter signed ("Jefferson McCauly") to "My dear Master," "Camp 8th Arks Regt," 7 April 1863. 3 full pages, 4to, mounting stains along margins of page 1, small hole not affecting text, otherwise fine. RARE.
A RARE LETTER OF A BLACK SLAVE TO HIS MASTER (PROBABLY A CONFEDERATE OFFICER)
A highly unusual letter evidently from a literate slave to his master, with poignant messages for his wife. It is likely that McCauly was a slave serving as batman to a young Confederate officer of the 8th Arkansas: "I have not seen either Armsted or Aaron, neither William nor Larkin but I believe that they are in Tullahoma... He has been taken ill," "like the Cholera Morbus," but "got back into Camp this morning....Harriet, my wife, I hope wont be very much interested for I am getting right smart now. Mother, I am in hopes you all are well. Harriet, my wife, I am in hopes you are well, I am in hopes that my children is well, and I am in hopes that all the rest of the family connexions is well...I am in hopes my dear wife, you will continue to try to be a Christian...I charge you in particular teach my little children the Lord's prayer....Harriet I am in hopes you will try to have this letter answered. I believe that your Master or your Mistress or some of the Children will write a letter for you. I know that you has to feel in talking but...if you dont know enough the necessary words to put in a letter ask your Master or your Mistress one to write a letter about you...Master I wish you would read this letter to Mother and the children...it would be a great accomodation to me if you would read this letter cheerfully to my wife and give her satisfaction and comfort about me." In a postscript: "Tell Miss Mary that Master Ned is well and as fat as a bear, and that he is getting along mighty well."
A RARE LETTER OF A BLACK SLAVE TO HIS MASTER (PROBABLY A CONFEDERATE OFFICER)
A highly unusual letter evidently from a literate slave to his master, with poignant messages for his wife. It is likely that McCauly was a slave serving as batman to a young Confederate officer of the 8th Arkansas: "I have not seen either Armsted or Aaron, neither William nor Larkin but I believe that they are in Tullahoma... He has been taken ill," "like the Cholera Morbus," but "got back into Camp this morning....Harriet, my wife, I hope wont be very much interested for I am getting right smart now. Mother, I am in hopes you all are well. Harriet, my wife, I am in hopes you are well, I am in hopes that my children is well, and I am in hopes that all the rest of the family connexions is well...I am in hopes my dear wife, you will continue to try to be a Christian...I charge you in particular teach my little children the Lord's prayer....Harriet I am in hopes you will try to have this letter answered. I believe that your Master or your Mistress or some of the Children will write a letter for you. I know that you has to feel in talking but...if you dont know enough the necessary words to put in a letter ask your Master or your Mistress one to write a letter about you...Master I wish you would read this letter to Mother and the children...it would be a great accomodation to me if you would read this letter cheerfully to my wife and give her satisfaction and comfort about me." In a postscript: "Tell Miss Mary that Master Ned is well and as fat as a bear, and that he is getting along mighty well."