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Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865 to Robert Weir

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07006.04 Author/Creator: Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865 Place Written: Clarkesville, Tennessee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 2 November 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : Height: 25 cm, Width: 20 cm Order a Copy

Gives details of his movements over the past few days. Brunt has been ordered to "take charge of the Contraband Barracks," where he found and fed freed slaves. He describes the process of enlisting them as soldiers, "how theire eys brighten when they make theire mark to their signatures...No masters whip will ever legally gash theire backs again." Describes his joy at recruiting former slaves as "the privelige of taking one part of the south to whip the rest with yes to take the cause of the Rebellion to crush it with." Mentions the attempts of slave owners to buy back freed black soldiers and how Brunt repelled their attempts. Gives an account of an argument with another Kentuckian, a slave owner, about the war and the freeing of slaves.

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865
Weir, Robert, fl. 1863

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