The following 8-page letter was penned by 48 year-old James Dempsey (1815-1888) of Knoxville, Knox county, Illinois. His parents were Jame Asen and Susannah (Piper) Dempsey of Chillicothe, Ohio. He was married to Virginia Amos Ferguson (1827-1910) in April 1844 and together they had at least twelve children. The letter appears to have been directed to July A. Dempsey but I believe this was meant for Julie Dempsey.

The letter vividly portrays the intricate dynamics of the internecine conflict unfolding on the home front in rural Illinois during a turbulent period in history. As citizens grappled with the divisive impact of partisan politics, the community found itself increasingly polarized. The aftermath of the Emancipation Proclamation further exacerbated tensions, as the Civil War dragged on, testing the nation’s endurance and stirring fervent expressions of patriotism.

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Knoxville, Illinois
August 23, 1863

Dear Piece,

After absence of nine months, I now write you a few lines to tell you now about things in general. We are all well. The friends are all well as far as I know except Jane Brown who is very low and cannot last very long. Good health generally prevails throughout the country except some small children. We have had a very nice summer—the forepart cool and dry, but the past few last weeks has been very hot. Corn in some places is cut short but in our neighborhood it is pretty good. We have plenty of apples. We have sold about twenty dollars worth of early apples and we have a good many peaches and plenty to eat such as it is.

We hant not much to do at present so we go to see our friends now and then and to church two or three times on Sunday. But church matters here are getting to be regarded as of but little consequence when compared with secret meetings such as Union Leagues. The ladies of Orange have a secret meeting every week held at Wright Woolsey’s. They try to get all the little girls to join that they cab. They were after Salinda a great many times and I told her to tell them that I said she should not join no such doings so they have dried it up. I thought I would make them a little poetry to sing at their league but I have never give it to them yet. I may some day. I will give you a line or two.

It’s old Uncle Abe
Puts de cars upon de track
Takes away de white man
Fetch de nigger back

Takes em down to Dixey
Give em up to Jeff
Or put dem in de prison
And starve dem all to death

Fetch back de black man
Feed him make him fat
Because he loves de kinky head
And hates de Democrat

And when de war is over
De darkies all are free
He will say you colored citizens
You’ll surely vote for me

And when you go to de polls to vote
And see old Sambo grin
Den get away you white man
And let de nigger in

Ye gals who go with us
Stand up to the rack
For don’t you know de colors are
De red, blue, and black

The ladies have what they call the Soldiers Aid Society. They meet every two weeks to make clothes for the sich and wounded soldiers. They invited the Demoract ladies to meet with them and they did for awhile, but they got to insulting, throwing up Copperhead to them, and they don’t like to hear it so they have pretty much dissolved the partnership. Politics sometimes runs very high here—especially after a fiery speech is made on either side. Sometimes you would think there would be war right off. Then all calms down.

I will now give you a little account of a picnic we had not long since Father Abraham gave orders that we should all give thanks on the 6th day of August so friends Chase’s thought they would have a supper at their house and charge 25 cents per meal to be laid out for the soldier use. They invited the Democrats generally to unite with them but as they were to have all the control of the affair and have speakers to suit themselves, the Democrats modestly declined. Margaret Stephens asked Cornelius Dempsey if the Democrats might have the ground by the church and have a free dinner to which he gave his consent. Every exertion was made on both sides to see which side could beat. The Democrats got the promise of the band but they fell out amongst themselves and refused to go.

The day arrived and Cornelius went over to Chase’s in the morning and invited them all over to take dinner with us and said we would take supper with them and have no hard feelings but they were all stirred up like a hornet’s nest and would listen to no compromise. Cuffy was there—yes, Cuffy was there—and like old Mad Anthony, she promenaded the hill before Chase’s door pretty much all day, raging and charging about Copperheads. About ten o’clock the wagons began to roll in from Knoxville and Maquan, Gilson and every other direction but two went to the Democrat side to one that went to the other side. As the two and four-horse wagon loads came in with their flags of Stars and Stripes waving and drove in on our side, the others grew still madder. Several of the Republicans came over and ate with us—old Billy Clark for one—but when they went back [to Chase’s], they were called Copperheads and insulted so I think they made several Democrats that day.

Peter Lacy and his wife [Lucinda] and Adaline thought that they would go to both places but Peter was soon insulted and came to our side. Lucindy and Adaline went back and they would not let their children have a drink of water. Lucindy cried and her and Adaline called them Black Abolitionists and left. If they had any Republican in them, they lost it all and Peter and Cuffy fell out for the first time. We had a table a hundred yards long well filled with good things. After dinner we raised over fifty dollars for the soldiers. Little Flack then made a speech. Some of them made quite a blow about that as he has quit preaching. They say he has been too friendly with the sisters but old Tyler has been making speeches for them and that is no harm in him they think.

Excuse my awkwardness. This is the third page on this sheet. Tommy Godfrey and family are alright. If you were here and see them you would think it was old Tommy yet. Jacob P. is still living down in the brush and Jake has as many notions as ever but can’t keep in one notion long enough to go into any new speculation. Grandmother and Ann still lives near Cornelius and I don’t see as there has been much change in either of them since you left here. Your Uncle Cornelius’s girls are none of them married yet and no prospect of it as I know of.

There was a great Sabbath School Celebration at Galesburg a few days ago. Salinday went. They put the darkies ahead when they marched. Galesburg is growing black very fast with negroes. They all seem to know where their friends are and the white negroes and black negroes all go together. There are a great many strange things going on here at this time and you may not be surprised to hear of a young war in Illinois some of these days. Everything that can be carried on in secret meetings are held here almost every night. Companies are formed on both sides and in many places they are drilling. In Warren county, they are arming themselves and drilling on both sides. Nearly every Democrat carries what he calls a little peace maker belted to his side in the shape of a revolver. A few weeks ago I thought we would have war right away but I think things now looks a little more favorable for peace. This, I think, is all wrong and could be avoided if people had any sense and would mind their own business.

As far as myself, I don’t go to any of their secret meetings and mind my own business and I have no trouble. I was a going to write another sheet to your father but have not time this morning as I have to go to town soon. We had a hard frost last night that killed the corn blades and the vines and I fear the sorghum is gone up. I want you to send me a letter soon and let me know how you are getting along and whether the Knox Observer comes to you regular or not. I like old Illinois better than any other place I ever saw. Anthony Caldwell and Maston have returned home. They say the boys that are in the mines are coming home this fall.

— James Dempsey to July A. Dempsey

August the 30th. I have been so busy I have not had time to finish my letter. Jane Brown was buried day before yesterday. She died on the 27th. I was there when she departed about 8 o’clock at night. About 5 minutes before she died, while her friends were standing thick around her bed—mostly women, the old General, her father, came to see her and rushed into the room where she lay, pushing the women out of the way as he went. The manner in which he came scared the women until they shook like they had the ague. He wanted to be friendly but Mary would have nothing to say to him. He looks quite old and dejected.

John Brown is about grown and think there is a good deal of outcome in him. He has work pretty well this summer. So has Tom and I think the General was quite taken with their looks. Sint too is almost grown and quite a good looking girl.

I will now give you a description of our family. Salida is nearly as tall as her mother and weighs 106 pounds. She has not went to school as much as I have wanted her to do so I think I will send her to the Seminary this fall and winter. She will start perhaps next Wednesday, not because she can’t learn any more in the country but because I think they will keep her closer to it and make her learn. John has grown very fast. You would not know him. He can beat anything spelling that he has spelt with since he came here. He still has the apthisis yet almost as bad as ever. Pat has grown fast this summer and so has the doctor. Charley is still a little sprink but learns very fast at school. Tommy is the most promising of them all. He has a very big head, broad high forehead and looks like he might make a pretty smart man.

Your aunt weighs 160 pounds. She outweighs me. Your old school teacher Lib and Jerry is married at last. They have divided our old school district and are building a new school house. Weeks’ and Woodmans [?] has made some improvements on your old place this summer. Has worked very hard and has very poor health. He only weighs 155 pounds. He wants to sell, he says, but he asks 4,000 dollars for his place. Holloways are poor farmers and my old farm looks bad. Lige Beach looks just like always and is always glad to see me. Old Wester smokes as much as ever and so does Rolly. His wife Casey is not married yet.