Civil War, 10 Critical Letters, 1860 to 1862

Civil War Union Letters“...there is not but little danger of any war...”

1860-1862, An excellent group of ten (10) letters, mostly from A. H. Jones in Augusta, Georgia to William G. Porter or Wrentham, Massachusetts, Very Fine.
Seventeen ruled pages total, of various sizes within 10” x 8” range, with nine transmittal envelopes dating between January 2, 1860 and February 24, 1862. Jones, a hardware dealer, in the midst of his business discussions makes some very interesting comments on the boiling dispute. The letters read, in small part: "[October 22, 1860] ... the whole county is in a perfect a perfect furor of Excitement... I do not wish any friend of mine to come South now -- I am no politician -- I never cared anything about it as I have always regarded the leaders on all Sides as corrupt and designing demagogues but storm is gathering now that I fear will burst with fearful fury on the country if Lincoln is elected as there is not doubt he will be -- what the end will be god only knows -- It is hard to find a man here... who doubts for a moment that Lincoln's election will be the Signal for resistance & cecession [sic] -- this is no time for young men to come out from the north... [February 11, 1861] ...No one here thinks or has any other idea than that the Union is dissolved finally and forever -- what we hope is that the two Sections may separate in peace & that their commercial relations may go along with results mutually advantageous... [March 1, 1861] ...My Wrentham friends in particular should regard me as a 'fir eater' I have seen much of both sides... I have Just about as much respect for the Abolitionists who would kill, burn and destroy as I have for... the South Carolina School an that ilk. I know the north is full of good warm hearted people who honesty believe that Slavery is a curse and a sin - many such are my best friends... - I do honestly "think it would be better to separate finally... So may antagonistic interest would soon at best break down from its won weight -- I am glad to see that there is not but little danger of any war... [April 20, 1861] ...I shall send you check for $100 -- he will mail it at Providence - I am afraid to risk the mail no as there is no telling what day it may be stopped... I much fear we have terrible and bloody times ahead -- both ides will fight like devils when they get worked up..." As the war drags on, the letters deal mainly with the guardianship of their son who is in Massachusetts and the difficulties in transferring money north for his support. Most of the letters, seven in total, accompanied by their original transmittal envelopes. Excellent content correspondence. (10 letters)