The following letter was written by Truman Francis Maxim (1845-1934), the son of Jesse Maxim and Louisa Pease (1810-1892) of South Norridgewock, Somerset county, Maine. Truman enlisted on 3 October 1864 as a private in Co. E, 9th Maine Infantry, enrolling himself as a substitute. He remained with the regiment until 13 July 1865 when he was mustered out, ten days after writing this letter.

Upon his return to Somerset County, he took up employment as both a blacksmith and a farmer for several years before ultimately becoming a Baptist minister. It is hoped that his perspective on race shifted toward a more positive stance as he adopted the teachings of Christianity. Truman’s description of the 4th of July celebration in 1865 was brief and racially biased: “It was celebrated mostly by the Negroes. The streets were blacker than a thunder cloud.” A more comprehensive description of the celebration can be found in an article based on a story in the NY Times of 14 July 1865. See “Eyewitness Account of the Joyous First 4th of July Celebration in Raleigh NC since Fort Sumter: A Contrast in Black and White.”

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Raleigh, North Carolina
Monday, July 3rd 1865

Dear Parents and Friends

I have just received your kind letter under date of June 25th and was glad to hear from you again and to know that you are all well. I got a letter from Leander today. He was well. The men whose time of service expired before October 1st started for home yesterday. It took near one half of the regiment. It is the talk that there is another order on the way to discharge all men whose term of service expires before the 1st of January next. If so, it will take me. But if they are as long about it as they were about discharging those other men, I shan’t get home much before my year is out for there is only three months more from today. I expect it will be the longest three months for most all of the boys that I was acquainted with have gone home.

Now, about Harrison’s picture, if you can have it painted perfectly, I should for my choice rather have it than to have the monument as long as his remains are not there. Would not you rather have his picture to look at every day if you want to that to have his name carved out in marble a way yonder in the grave yard and when you look at it can neither see his features and then think here is his name but oh, he is not here. No, I should rather have his face to view and then think, thou once wast [here] but have passed away.

I am glad to hear that Sophronia has gone forward in Baptism. I have written to her two times and have ot heard from her yet. I don’t know whether she neglects to write or don’t get my letters. Where does George keep himself and what is he doing? I have not had a letter from him since May 15th. I should write to him if I had some stamps. If you can send me some, I should be glad to have them as I have but three and Leander sent me two of them in his letter that I got today. I should think that Syrena had brought her pigs to a June market but perhaps I am no judge.

I am glad there is a Sabbath School started in neighborhood and hope it will do some good. I don’t think of much more to write. I suppose you will want to know how the Fourth of July is spent here so I will not send this until day after tomorrow.

Wednesday morning, July 5th

I will tell you about the 4th of July. It was celebrated mostly by the Negroes. The streets were blacker than a thunder cloud. They had just such a time as you might suppose that Negroes would get up with the exceptions of a little fire works just to please the negroes. I don’t know but what you will think I am coming down on the negroes pretty hard but I can’t help that. You know that I am one of these kind that speaks just what I think and when a General will issue and order not to allow an enlisted man in town without a pass signed by Brigade commander, I think it is time to talk. And if that is not enough, it is time to shoot. How circumstances will change in one year. One year ago yesterday I was home. This year I was in Raleigh and on patrol, acting sergeant of the day [even though] I am nothing but a private.

It is reported that the order to discharge all men whose term of service expires before the 1st of January has got to regimental headquarters. I don’t want you to make any calculation on my getting home before my time is out nor do I want you to worry about me but write often and I will do the same. I must close so goodbye at present. This from your son, — T. F. Maxim

I shall hve to send this without a stamp as I have but three and have two other letters to write and want to keep one on hand.