182. D.O. Kelley.
Civil War Letter Regarding Slavery.

Abraham Lincoln announced the Emancipation Proclamation in September of 1862; it took effect on January 1, 1863. This D.O. Kelley letter is dated in February of 1863, less than two months after emanicpation of the slaves. Written in Kearneysville, West Virginia during a cold winter, Kelley's regiment is welll-fed and comfortably quartered but, apparently, troubled by the ramifications of the Proclamation. In a tone that does not belie his personal feelings, Kelley writes: "Our army is rather demoralised at the present time so far as I can see the nigger question is talked of considerable at the present time in the army I believe that the majority of the Soldiers would rather kill an abolitionist than a secessionist I am afraid that the nigger question is going to ruin our cause as that appears to be the aim of the president to free the negro I am afraid that the South will gain their indipendence from the fact the army will not fight for the abolition of slavery the nigger question causes a great many to desert the army…"
D.O. Kelley's brother, Rush, also wrote about this issue but in a different light. See Lot 184.

200/400     SOLD: $258.75

Condition: Very Good