Lincoln Letters

Page Three

brave people at the North. If not, there is no glory in defeating the enemy. [3]

I wish money matters would get better; for I do not know what we will do. I hope you will make every effort to get men some more money here. I guess a hundred dollars will bring me home. I do not spend money unnecessarily. If I cannot get enough money to go to school I will have to join the army; my great desire to obtain an education is the only thing that keeps me from the field. I intend to go to Richmond next Feb. to see Jeff Davis inaugurated. I am sorry I did not go to Washington to see old Lincoln put in office. When you write you must give me permission to go to Richmond, for if you do not, the chairman will not give me a leave of absence. Do not forget to give me permission; for I know it will not cost much to go to Richmond. [4]

My room-mate has a very sore throat, and does not go out. Mrs. McKennie came in to see him this morning. She is very kind and attentive when we get sick. We have about ten or twelve boarders. She always sends her respects to the parents of her boarders.

Footnotes

[3] Dr. W. H. Hoge was a Presbyterian minister at Brick Church in New York City before resigning his pastorate to return to Virginia. In order to rally southerners for further sacrifices, Confederate president Jefferson Davis proclaimed nine official days of fasting during the war. The last fast day before Pittman’s letter was November 15, 1861.

[4] Jefferson Davis was inaugurated President of the Confederate States of America on February 22, 1862. His initial inauguration as provisional president of the Confederacy occurred in Montgomery, Alabama, on February 18, 1861.