The unsigned letter presents a perplexing challenge regarding the identity of its author, with the initial paragraphs raising concerns about the author’s mental state. In contrast, the subsequent paragraphs that discuss Rev. James Jellis Page (1822-1898), an Episcopal minister originally from Virginia who was living in Brownsville, Fayette County, Pennsylvania at the onset of the Civil War, offer a clearer perspective. It can be reasonably inferred that the letter’s author was likely a parishioner residing near Rev. Page. Notably, Rev. Page maintained a residence Pennsylvania until 1867, when he and his family moved to Fulton County, Kentucky.

Transcription

Home
[Month?] 14, 1864

My very dear Lizzie,

I commence this talk (first and foremost) with a confession, viz, that your very able article entirely upset me, brought me “up stoodin” & everything else—(Let me just say too that the pen of such an eloquent, able writer ought not to lie idle—but be giving production of the world).

I was perfectly amazed at myself for the strange sentiments I possessed concerning the continuation & termination of the war. I seemed to have lost sight of the unaltering ordering of Providence in saying or thinking man was prolonging the war. It of course was not an original idea of mine but was however adopted believingly in blindness. Still, man may have it as their motive & use their influence accordingly which although God ordained it so, is not altered in them—(the sin I mean.) And now I remember one of the things I alluded to, which upon reading your letter had entirely escaped my memory.

However, I feel with you that so little dependence can be placed upon people’s word now—that ’tis no more than the wind. Well, ’twas this (only that I still do not remember names). One of our generals made a movement, arranged the army &c. in such a position, so perfectly traitor like that had Lee but known it a little before, the whole Potomac (in action) could have been captured—not would have—which is proven by another traitorous incident. During the P[ennsylvania] raid, Lee (a great many of the rebs think) designedly placed his army in an excellent position to be taken, wholesale, but our general in command said he did not take it because the war would then have “gone up!” The “authority” says if he was power in the South, he would at once hang Lee. “Twas too good for him. I was just going to personate the authority when I remembered that position & enjoined secrecy—will perhaps some day—(lookout!).

I don’t remember any of the other circumstances I alluded to except some “murders” not far from here by guerrillas which I will not attempt to relate, first because they are indistinct in my mind, 2nd because knowing of two sides to so many stories I am “not believing, but faithless,” to use S, concerning a great many things.

But concerning Mr. Page, I will not agree at all. No indeed! I believe as firmly that he did nothing indicating traitorism—that I know all he did and said and that he is perfectly innocent. If ever there was a Christian & a good man, I believe he is one, & that he would utter nothing but the exact truth. With my own ears I heard him say that he never wrote or sent a word to any person across the lines—not even a friendship letter—[and] that he never saw but one Reb that was a prisoner here who hearing that a man by the name of Page lived here [and] thought it might be one of his acquaintance. [It turned out he] was not, when Mr. Page left. That he knew nothing nor ever knew except what was given in newspapers the position &c. of the Rebel army, never had any communication with any part of it, & never aided the rebels in any way. That, I believe, as well as I believe that I am living. He is southern in sentiment—no doubt—but farther than that (which is very common here), he attended to his own business & faithfully preached the Gospel as though no war was raging.

I wrote an account of his arrest in June, but did not send it as I directly received a letter from you & thought it not prudent. As my time is so much occupied, I will just enclose it (I laid it away). Excuse please. You can just read & burn.

Mr. Page writes occasionally by flag of truce, is chaplain in the Southern Army, was in Richmond the last time he wrote, well & growing fleshy.