The following letter was written by Joshua B. Parks (1828-1901) of St. Mathews, Jefferson county, Kentucky. He was married in 1857 to Mary Emma Herr (1838-1909) and at the time of this letter (August 1857), had a 3 year-old daughter named Bettie BerthaParks (1859-1886) and a 1 year-old son named John Floyd Parks (1860-1917). Joshua and his father Floyd Parks were large landholders in Jefferson county, farmers and keepers of livestock.

An 1868 article in the Louisville Daily Courier promoted “Josh Parks” as a Democratic nominee for a vacancy in the state’s legislature. His name is as familiar as a “household word” in Jefferson county, the writer proclaimed. He would represent the farming interests of the county despite his young age of 39. A few years later, in 1872, there were notices of his having become bankrupt, however.

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

St. Mathews, Kentucky
August 6th 1861

Dear Cousin,

As I have not heard from you in a long time, I have concluded to indite a few lines to you. I expected to find you in St. Louis last fall when I was there, but they told me you had sold out and was then in Bridgeport. The people in Missouri are having a warm time at present. I seen your old friend Wheeler the other day. He says he is doing as well as could be expected. We are embargoed here on all sides. We cannot buy only what the Lincoln Dynasty chooses to sell us nor can we sell only what they choose to let us to the South—our only customers. The people in this state have been loyal to the government and to the Union believing that the southern states have acted wrong in trying to break up this government. But you may rest assured they are a unit or will be, should the government continue this war for they do not believe that the Union can be restored by force. They are willing—too willing—to compromise this question with both the North and South for they may fight until they ruin both sides and then they will have to compromise at last. Why not do it at once.

I know that the Northern press say, let the South lay down their arms and give up their leaders to be hung, and then we will compromise. But you, my friend, have seen too much of the southern character not to know that they would [not] entertain that proposition for a moment, but say the North, we will whip them back. Now I am no politician and therefore I will not go into the causes which I think have led to a separation of these states, but of one thing I do know, and mark my words, one section of this country cannot be destroyed without destroying the other section. And should this war be continued, the whole country will meet one common fate.

Kentucky has heretofore differed with her southern sisters. They believe (the seceded states) that this is a war for the destruction of African slavery whereas Kentucky believes it to be a war for a restoration of the Union of these states. But as it progresses we find the abolition leaders become frenzied and heap curses and maledictions upon the whole of us. Kentucky too will become frenzied and aroused from her lethargy when she will range herself side by side with old Virginia, the mother of Kentucky, and of Presidents and then 100 thousand sons will draw the sword and throw away the scabbard. She being the last to get in the fight, she will be the last to give it up. We have cried aloud for peace. We want peace now. But if we are forced into war—woe to the wrong doers.

I received a letter from our old friend Homer the other day. He is a straight out No. 1 Greeley-Beecher-Seward-Lincoln abolitionist and no mistake. He says if slavery stands in the way, wipe it out. But as I said before, the people here want peace. They want the Union restored, but they know that war will not restore the Union, and should it continue six months longer, all hopes for a reconstruction will be destroyed forever and forever.

You must write to me and let us know how your family is. What the feeling is in your section. My family are enjoying good health. We have a little daughter nearly 3 years old and a little boy 18 months old—fine looking children. They favor their Pa of course. Write to me soon. Your cousin, — Joshua B. Parks

P. O. St, Mathews, Kentucky

George Baily, Esq.
Bridgeport, Conn.