Camp On Cripple Creek Tenn Apr. 8^th 1863

 

Dear Sister

                                                                                    Yours of the 29^th ult came to hand yesterday I suppose you infer from my last letter that i think all the people in your Country Secesh. You must not put a fals construction on my letter. I believe that you have as good Union men about Harrodsburgh as there is in the Cu your country. But do you remember the language of your letter the one before your last. I will remind you of one sentence. You stated that since the issue of the Proclamation there was quite a change the of Sentiment among the people also stating that the Confederacy had there Sympathy.

 

I intended my letter to touch where ever the folks and not like it but did not write to you as I did on purpose to make you mad I never want to se the day that I cant be on intimate terms with my sisters

 

Here is my sentiments about Slavery I am for my Country with Slavery or I am for my country without Slavery but my experiance teaches me that the Spedient way to settle this difficulty and to make it permanent is to blot out the Institution of Slavery You dont believe that it is right to deprive loyal citizens of their slaves Now let me say to you that where ever I have found a loyal Slaveholder his motto is to destroy Slavery. War is a destructive thing and innocent South / have to suffer with the guilty

 

But if some of those men at home who are takeing up their time in denounceing the President and talking about Negro equality would endure what I have and thousands of others it would cause quite a reaction of sentiment I have endured a great many hardships yet I am not tired and I expect to fight the Devils as long as I retain my physical strength There is no institution that I prize higher than the preservation of our Goverment

 

I am in for no compromise nothing but an unconditional surrender on the part of the Confederacy would suit my views on the manner of settleing this Rebellion

 

I dont expect to change the minds of men at home neither did I write for that purpose Traitors are Traitors the world over but home Traitors are the most undeserving and when convicted of treason should be hung to the first limb that would bear them I believe I could talk to you on this war policy without having a row and if I was permitted to se you I certainly could inform you of facts that you are totally ignorant of in refference to matters pertaining to the war.

 

I hope I may be privaledged to se you all again but cant tell I want you to write as soon as convenient I am not hostile in the least and hope if I have offended you you will pardon me but my sentiments are just as I wrote you before

                                                                                    Silas Grimes

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