Lewis, Amos, 1785-1876 to Seth Lewis

Lewis writes an eloquent letter to his nephew Seth, in Marshall, Michigan. Comments on the Civil War, his good health, and his ability to make a good living despite "the high prices of all we have to buy and the low rates of what little we have to part with." Discusses family, noting that of three relatives in the army, none have been harmed. His son, Eber, is due to visit, and his daughter, Esther, is a matron in the Springfield, Missouri hospital. Writes again 21 January, noting that Eber arrived. Requests a copy of the newspaper, "The Statesman," if Seth can afford it. Relates that the Emancipation Proclamation has been issued, and wonders how it will be enforced. Writes a note at the bottom of page two, discussing his loss of patriotic fervor: "When war began I was full of patriotism as my skin could hold, nothing hindered me from taking up arms but age and infirmity, but my skin is so porous it has in a great degree escaped and mingled with the darkened atmosphere that seems to hang like a funeral pall over the nation: My ardor which seemed to burn like torrid heat has turned to the temperature of the frigid zone... does the God of Heaven mean to destroy both north and south for our national Sin the abomination of human bondage." Envelope contains 3 one cent stamps.