Fantastic 1861 Letter from 8 - 14 Year Old Boys To The Alabama Governor

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I came across the letter today in the Alabama Archives due to it being from Demopolis. It really blew me away that these boys would form a Co. and send this letter. It say a lot for the sentiment of the times.
 

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Note the cursive handwriting in these 12-13 year-old boys, so much better than most of their age today. Their schoolmaster surely wrote this letter, and they signed thereon. Was this a volunteer cadre, or was it under duress made by their teacher that they signed? Only God knows.
 
Note the cursive handwriting in these 12-13 year-old boys, so much better than most of their age today. Their schoolmaster surely wrote this letter, and they signed thereon. Was this a volunteer cadre, or was it under duress made by their teacher that they signed? Only God knows.
I imagine it was voluntary. The children saw the local teenagers and young adults enrolling in militia companies with uniforms, musical instruments and guns.
 
Although it’s admirable that those young lads wanted to do their bit, I always find it Incredible that the young are so eager to be a part of war, it reminds me of those youngsters that lied about their age just to fight on the front during WW1, they probably viewed the war as an adventure, I hope that those boys who signed the letter all lived to see the end of that war.
 
This scene is a great representation of some of the things that went into the mix during the CW.

The enthusiastic youngsters, the tortuous decision making of the Principal of the Academy, the distraught mother's reaction.

We also see John Wayne duke it out with William Holden as they confront eachother over their differences!


Who knew you could fit so much into a 10 minute clip that pulls all these threads together?
 
Sadly I wonder about those who signed the letter, especially the teens and the 12 year old. Hope if they did serve they come home whole and sane.
Regards
David
Many of the names are of very prominent families here in Demopolis, especially George Whitfield son of the builder of Gaineswood and the largest land and slave owner in Marengo county. I have not been able to find CS service records on half the group I have researched.


The Whitfield Plantation House Ganieswood
1556144341872.png
 
I came across the letter today in the Alabama Archives due to it being from Demopolis. It really blew me away that these boys would form a Co. and send this letter. It say a lot for the sentiment of the times.
What group of records did you find it in?
 
Its in the Alabama digital archives under "Confederate"
 
Thanks, I will see if I can find a reply unless you beat me too it:D
 
Sadly I wonder about those who signed the letter, especially the teens and the 12 year old. Hope if they did serve they come home whole and sane.
Regards
David
hey david, what about the csa soldiers buried at ole miss? do the radicals on campus disturb or try to deface their final resting places? never thot i'd c such radicals at ole miss. obtw been to the grove several times, in all actuality I am a closeted ole miss football fan
 
Many of the names are of very prominent families here in Demopolis, especially George Whitfield son of the builder of Gaineswood and the largest land and slave owner in Marengo county. I have not been able to find CS service records on half the group I have researched.


The Whitfield Plantation House Ganieswood
View attachment 304230
I,d love to buy and rehab the rosemount house at forkland. if I only had the moolah! its a shame its wasting away .
 
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