May the 8^th/63

 

Well, today I will try to finish my letter.

 

We are now lying anchored in the River, opposite Mound City. the City as it happens is only a village. I have seen some very nice places, along the different Rivers, but where ever I have been, in I could notice the effects of that abominable Curse Slavery. in no kind of improvement, either Agricultural, Moral or Religious, can any, or we may say the best of the Slave States, be compared with the poorest one of the Free States, where I have been, and could see with my own eyes and hear with my own ears. I have found that the poorer classes of people are generally a poor, ignorant, degraded, and as far as politics is concerned, a deluded people, while the rich are artistocratic, selfish, and irreligious. of course I do not include all the rich and poor, but I will say, the most of them, and if Slavery is not the cause of this, what is. are not the most of the Slave states older states than the Free, have they not had the same chance. I say they have had the same chance and if Slavery is such a blessing as the / Copperheads of North, and Secessionists of the South say it is, why of course they have had more chance to improve in any and every way than the North has. What other cause than Slavery can they lay this deficiency of improvement to. as there is and must invariably always be a cause for an effect, then there certainly is a cause for this, and if Slavery is not the cause, then what is, is it a natural deficiency of intellect, or what. I shall lay it to both, Slavery, and deficiency of intellect. Slavery, as I think, the first cause. Nevertheless, considering all the bad effects that Slavery has on our Country, there are still some at the North who are crying, "let Slavery be", "extend it farther" "let Slavery and its curse extend throughout the whole world" if they could have it so. but this also has its cause. you can not find one smart intelligent and religious person in the North that will favor the Rebellion, or Slavery. we can find those who profess Religion, 'who uphold both', but the next question is, do they possess it. we can find smart and intelligent men who favor the same, but I doubt if one can be found that really enjoys Religion, for intelligence, Religion / and Secesh Principles can not remain together in the same Head. You will find that it is only the lowest and most degraded and ignorant class of the North who favor Jeff Davis and band of Traitors. they are even worse than Jeff and his band, and I doubt, if they should this day knock at Jeff's back door and offer him their service, whether he would accept them. (I mean, the back door of his House,) for fear of demoralizing and degrading his men to such an extent, that they would soon be involved in greater crimes and shame than they now are, but enough of this. this I will say, since Old Abe has made the start, let Slavery and the Rebellion die together, and the Copperheads too, for all I care, and that as soon as possible.

 

            Well, what do you think of my speech. I have wrote it some in a hurry, and perhaps made some mistakes. if I have, you have got the Dictionary and Grammer at home, you may correct it. Where we will go to next, or how soon we will start, is more than I can tell. I heard that they were now fighting on the Rappahannock. some say the Rebs are whipping, some say they are getting whipped. I hope the latter is the case. /

 

I am sorry that I can not accomodate Mr Fields now, but he was a little too late. I was unable to go out myself and Express it, and did not care about keeping it in my pocket, so I lent a little. next pay day I will try and accomodate him. tell Mother she need not be surprised if she finds a letter in the P.O. addressed to her. Joann done better than most of the gals can do. now then I will give the Boys the key to write with figures,

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

a b c d e f  g  h i j  k l m n o p q r  s t,

 

            1 2 3 4 5 6

            u v wx y z.

 

8535328          085      3851058          94        085      4159    56            085      55308,

Now I want the boys to tell me what that is which I have wrote, in the next letter you write. write soon, for I feel anxious to hear from you all. I believe I have wrote all I know now and more too.

 

            so much from your affectionate

                        Son,

 

                                    Wm O Albright

 

            My respects to all my friends.

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