Manuscript Database
Creator/Title
Joyes family. Added papers, 1820-1891. 1 cu. ft.
Call No.
Mss. A J89b 17-19
Content
Correspondence from 1861-1863 discusses a variety of aspects of the Civil War. Correspondence from 1861 includes letters offering pro-southern views of the war and descriptions of militmy actions in Virginia (17). Letters from 1862 describe conditions in Virginia and Kentucky (18). On 12 September 1862, Thomas Joyes laments the state of the war and criticizes the "northern Puritans." Letters from 1863 reveal further disillusionment with the war (19) In a letter dated 2 February 1863, T.A. Hoyt discusses his feelings on the war, stating that the Midwestern states want peace but the war continues because of the "insane fanaticism of the 'Yankees"' in New England. He continues to state that the war opposition might succeed, if the war continues to stagnate, if inflation remains high, and if Congress passes "the Bill for arming negroes." In his letter of 1 September 1863, Thomas Joyes criticizes the "destructionist abolitionists" for causing the war and for "murdering & destroying their tribe & kindred of the middle & southern states."