Anderson, Robert, 1805-1871 to Anthony Thornton
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03748 Author/Creator: Anderson, Robert, 1805-1871 Place Written: Fort Sumter, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter Date: 21 January 1861 Pagination: 3 p. ; 20.2 x 25 cm. Order a Copy
Discusses South Carolinians view of the Union, and worries that America may be punished. States "All give me much more credit for what has been done here, than I deserve...I fear that as a Nation we have taken too much upon ourselves - that we have thought most of self and of worldly vanity and pride than we have of our Maker and that He may now bring us under subjection to his will by severe punishment - Never had a people better reason - if any be needed -than ours to be grateful to God -" Says Charleston's residents "seem to me to have lost all love for the Union, and to think that S. Carolina is all the world to them. The time will come, I think, when their children's children will think kindly of me for having, for a time, at least, saved their ancestors from civil strife - I am heartily tired of my position here." Original signature was removed from the letter. A new signature of Anderson's has been inserted, so the document is not signed, but does contain an authentic signature from Anderson.
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