“I SPENT MY EVENING TEACHING CONTRABANDS HOW TO READ. IT’S WONDERFUL HOW THEY PROGRESS.”
“I SPENT MY EVENING TEACHING CONTRABANDS HOW TO READ. IT’S WONDERFUL HOW THEY PROGRESS.”
(African American, Civil War) Hotchkiss, A.E. A four page manuscript letter from A.E. Hotchkiss to his sister Julia written on U.S. Christian Commission stationary. Hotchkiss was an agent for the U.S. Christian Commission who over the duration of the war provided essential material and spiritual support to Union soldiers. Founded in November 1861 by the YMCA and protestant ministers, it helped support Union recruits through holding religious revivals that converted to Christianity an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 soldiers between 1863-1865. During the course of the war the USCC distributed more than six million dollars worth of good and supplies in hospitals, camps, prisons and battlefields. Included in that six million dollars were 1.3 million hymnbooks, 1.4 million Bibles and over 39 million pages of Protestant evangelical tracts with such titles as “Prepare to Meet Thy God” and “For the Soldiers: Are You Ready/”
Written only three days after Gen. Robert E. Lee’s surrender to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.
An excellent manuscript letter giving the circumstance of life immediately after Lee’s surrender.
City Point, VA
April 12, 1865
Wednesday Eve
Sister Julia,
By this time you have probably received my letter mailed last Saturday. I then expected to be sent to Richmond, but as yet have been remaining here. About 3 miles from City Point there are 20 Batteries stationed to which I am at present consigned. This morn after getting my haversack filled with quantities of Tracts and religious pamphlets and also taking a bunch of papers & C. I started for camps. On my way I met about 1,700 Rebel Prisoners on their way to City Point. I walked into the midst of them and gave to them as they marched along lots of tracts – Papers & C.
I think I never saw men as eager to get reading matter as were the “johnnies” I then went into the Batteries giving away Testaments, Reading matter & co. And found the Soldiers very glade to receive them. Last Monday P.M. I walked to Petersburg to see this place and it was interesting to see buildings riddled with Shot and Shell. Yesterday upon returning I walked until very tired looking at the lines of entrenchment which the Rebs have until a weeks since held held so long, facing which were ours not far from theirs. The “diggings” were mounds on the Battle Field and along the Breastworks were lying scattered over the ground Guns, Bayonets and even puddles of blood and water was more quite conspicuous although the battle was more than a week ago. But lo the Johnnies were not there now. In Petersburg the blue birches occupy the dwelling no longer sleeping in the ditches but putting in their “Yankee swellings” Sister Julia, I am in no mode for writing otherwise I would not _____ such a miserable piece of a letter on your attention. I am in good health though feeling rather tired from my tramp to Petersburg.
7,800 more Rebel Prisoners have just come into this place. It would almost if not quite make you cry to see the “Poor fellows” and yet it’s very pleasant to me to see them under guard of the “nigger Soldiers” In Petersburg 10 or 15 cents will buy $100 worth of Confederate money.
Please write me
Your bro.
A.E. Hotchkiss
U.S. Christian Commission
City Point, VA
I spent my evening teaching Contrabands how to read. It’s wonderful how they progress. I think I shall remain here for the present. Have no money with, so if you are so ___ I would like $1.00 in your next to keep with me.
4 pgs on a single folded sheet, some toning, quite readable and in vg cond.