This Illinois home front letter was written by Alfred Matthews Mann (1837-1912) to his brother, John Preston Mann (1822-1908) who was serving in the 5th Illinois Cavalry. They were the sons of John Beattie Mann (1796-1881) and Albina Bloomer Balch (1797-1882) of Randolph County, Illinois. The letter was datelined from “Pleasant Ridge” near Kaskaskia on 27 November 1863.

John and Albina had five sons that volunteered to serve the Union cause in the Civil War. They were John Preston (“J. P.”) Mann (b. 1822) of the 5th Illinois Cavalry—to whom they addressed this letter, Robert “Clinton” Mann (b. 1824) who served in the 22nd Illinois Infantry and was mortally wounded in the Battle of Chickamauga, James “Luther” Mann (b. 1826) who served briefly in the 80th Illinois Infantry, Jonathan [“Jonta”] Balch Mann (b. 1828) who served in the 80th Illinois Infantry, and Calvin Anderson Mann (b. 1833) who served in the 5th Illinois Cavalry. All survived except Clinton.

When John and Albina settled in Randolph county in the late 1820s, Kaskaskia was the county seat. It remained so until the flood of 1844 forced the relocation of the county seat to Chester—a Mississippi river port about halfway between Cape Girardeau and St. Louis. During the Civil War, the citizens of Randolph county were deeply divided, many of the residents having come from and still had relatives living in Kentucky or other slave-holding states. Located in the region called “Little Egypt,” Randolph county was characterized by strong Democratic (“Copperhead”) sentiment and anti-war agitation. A sizable German population helped to turn public sentiment around in the middle of the war, as stated in this letter.

Alfred became a Presbyterian minister and later moved to Osawatomie, Kansas. He was married to Sallie Hood.

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

Pleasant Ridge, Illinois
November 27, 1863

Dear Brother,

Your kind letter of 6th has come to hand and I will try to answer it. I will commence by answering your question. You will doubtless hear before this reaches you of the fate of Clinton but I will rehearse the sad story. He died October 2nd (the same day you, Father, Mother, & Nancy went to Huston’s) in the hospital at Chattanooga—the same day that he was exchanged, and was buried in a Presbyterian graveyard. The full particulars we have not learned yet but I think we will receive more information soon. Lieutenant Hood wrote to us a long letter about his death but the letter never came to hand. We have written to him and I know he will write again. Martin Ireland told me that “Clinton fell while in the act of crossing a fence and was on the next panel to the one he was on” and that he “never saw him afterward.” Sam Hood sent home all his things, the most valuable of which was a journal from Sept. 1862 to February 1863 which is very interesting. You will be glad to see it when you get home.

Huston has administered on his estate which is insolvent. The boys are still with “Old Ann” and I do not know what disposition will be made of them. They will have a “hard row to hoe” I am afraid. I believe they are entitled to a pension. Sale of property is 5th of December.

You next ask how the “traitors” feel since the election. Well Sir, they feel most awfully used up. We “flaxed” them over 200 votes in Old Randolph County and they are badly whipped. The reason for such a change in our county may be briefly expressed in the language of a prominent “Copperhead,”—“the damned Union League done it all.” That is just the opinion of your humble servant and we will “do it more” next time. I will enclose you a ticket—a real Union ticket. The Union sentiment is stronger in this county than ever before and we intend to keep the wheels rolling till we roll up a large Union majority for President in 1864 (God grant that it may be “Old Abe”).

Next question. Luther is buying produce in Chester and shipping down the river—doing fine. He was out last night and we had a long chat about old camp scenes. Huston has been engaged for the public for the last 15 years and will “cap the sheaf” next week by taking our District School at $30 per month. He will have his patience tried “a few” or I’m much mistaken. You speak of “helping him within the year—as well as me.” Thank you—“Go in Josh, you shant be hurt.” Suit yourself and take your own time and youwill suit me (unless I get i a pinch).

Papa has bought a fine mare—very strong and very lazy. Just suits him. He is very proud of her. I work her when I wish. Mother’s health is good except a severe cold. She has borne the death of Clinton with Christian fortitude and all her anxiety is about the “boys” that still are alive. She got a good letter from Calvin yesterday. He is well and has received supplies from home. Jonta is in the mountains near Chattanooga. Says he “don’t mind wolves howling half as much as bombs bursting.” He is not very well. Sis is having tall times at Ellis Grove. She had a “hot engagement” a few days ago with one Jake Roberts and gained a “signal victory.” Took some prisoners and never lost a man.

We went to Chester to church Thanksgiving. Heard “Bro-Ben” preach a strong Union sermon after which the Ladies of Pleasant Ridge joined the “Ladies Union League” en-masse as they were holding a meeting at the residence of James H. Jones. I spent some time chatting with Uncle B. He takes his election very cooley. Mr. Conant & wife have been spending the day with us today. The old man is getting very feeble. His sands are almost run, I think. The old lady will run sometime yet. Aunt Jane has been spending a few days with us. She returns home tomorrow.

It is going to 10 o’clock p.m.—all asleep but me. Has been raining very hard since noon. The wind has whirled from the northwest—will be snowing before morning and I must close. I hope you will remain in good health till you can come home—be protected from all dangers incidental to a soldier’s life. May we all, by the mercy of God, through Christ our Savior, meet in Heaven—the home of the righteous—to sing the Song of Moses and the Lamb, to all eternity.

P. P. Sallie sends her love to you. Your brother, — Alfred

Write as often as you can. Good night.