Skip to main content

SCOUT

Special Collections Online at UT

Transcript of 1863 March 9 Letter, undated

 File — Folder: 1, item: 4
From the Collection:

Cyrus Foote's letters deal primarily with descriptions of camp life. By and large, the men of the unit suffered through bad weather, incessant illness (including Typhoid Fever) and constant loneliness. Foote also thanks his brother for his letters, which bring news from home, and tells him that you must write soon and often to your Brother C. S. Foote.

The most interesting aspect of this collection is perhaps Foote's consideration of the issue of race. This discussion occurs in context of Foote's description of two church services that he attended in early 1863. He was not impressed with the first sermon, which was given by a white southern pastor who preached Hellfire + Brimstone. Indeed, this sermon reinforced Foote's poor opinion of Southern preachers in general, who he believes generally drink Whisky, play Cards + Swear. Foote also attended what he calls the Niger Meeting later on, which he was considerably more impressed with. After discussing the meeting proper, Foote says that he really has no right to call it a Niger Meeting, since I would defy any man to show the line between the Black + White or Rather between the Bond + the Free. He concludes that if Slavery was confined to the Color, Black, I am Shure Kentucky would not be troubled with more than half as many Slaves as it is now.

Dates

  • undated

Conditions Governing Access

Collections are stored offsite and must be requested in advance. See www.special.lib.utk.edu for detailed information. Collections must be requested through a registered Special Collections research account.

Extent

From the Collection: 0.1 Linear Feet

Repository Details

Part of the Betsey B. Creekmore Special Collections and University Archives, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Repository

Contact:
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Knoxville TN 37996 USA
865-974-4480