Abraham Lincoln Related
July 7, 1865-Dated Great Letter Written on the Very Day the Lincoln Conspirators were Hung, Regarding the Execution of the Conspirators to the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln "I am in hopes that Jeff [Davis] will be executed..."
LINCOLN ASSASSINATION CONSPIRATORS HUNG, Historic Content 1865 Letter written July 7, 1865 on the very day that the Lincoln Conspirators were Hung in Washington DC, sent from Brooklyn, New York, Choice Extremely Fine.
July 7, 1865-Dated, beautifully handwritten 4 page historic content letter, measuring about 6-3/8" x 7-7/8", dated at Brooklyn, NY, from "Emma" to her friend, Nellie, written on the day that the Lincoln Conspirators were hung in Washington DC (Mary Surratt, George Atzerodt, David Herold and Lewis Powell (Paine). This Letter with great period content about the Hanging that very day, ("are being hurled into eternity to meet their awful Judge), wondering what the condemned conspirators' feelings were the night before, and expressing hope that Jefferson Davis, "that foul traitor" will be executed. This "Dear Nellie" Letter reads, in part;
"Just think Nellie, I was nineteen last Sunday. Does it seem possible and I feel about sweet sixteen. How long it is since I saw you. It seems almost an age, and what changes have taken place since that time. I think such times tend to make one feel older. There are so many, many things transpiring in so short a time. Battles have been fought, peace concluded, the President assassinated, the Arch-traitor captured, the conspirators tried and today executed. -- Oh! just think that while I am seated peacefully at home, those poor wretches are being hurled into Eternity to meet their awful Judge. What must have been their feelings last night when they realized that they had but an allotted space of time to live. I am in hopes that Jeff [Davis] will be executed, although he cannot get his due this side of Heaven. -- If a weary boy on duty was shot simply because he was found asleep, why should not that foul traitor and coward who has caused the blood of thousands of brave boys to be shed be hung higher than ever mortal was before. Is it not a pitiful sight to see large noble looking men coming home with both arms off and perhaps a limb. But I am glad the brave fellows are permitted to come home, where I hope and trust they will be properly cared for by their many friends... I suppose this will be a lively time at the watering places, as the officers are returning and some will be the 'lions of the day'...".
Letters with such outstanding timing are exceedingly rare. This letter is easily readable per its lovely handwriting on fresh, crisp light blue lined wove period paper, apparently only folded for mailing and having never seen the light of day afterwards. The fine deep brown ink is expressive and its key date of July 7, 1865 of significant importance.