Love Letters | History Happens Here

16, February 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: February 16, 1862

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There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

While James remained in Kansas exploring the open prairies, he heard news of several Union victories in other parts of the country. On February 8, Union forces defeated the Confederates on Roanoke Island, North Carolina. Closer to home, on February 12, Union general Samuel R. Curtis won a skirmish at Springfield, Missouri. Finally, from February 12–16, Union naval and military forces worked together to capture Fort Donelson in Tennessee, and Confederate troops evacuated Bowling Green, Kentucky. These last victories led to the rise in prominence of Ulysses S.

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8, February 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: February 9, 1862

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There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

James and his men remained in camp at Fort Leavenworth, where they tried to stay warm in their tents. James’s tent was the place for playing checkers and cards and reading newspapers. He wished for a copy of the Illustrated London News, the world’s first illustrated weekly newspaper, which was first published in 1842. James also mentions "E.A.," "Wm.," the "McPheeters question," and the "Oath." "E.A." refers to Eliza Ann Wilson, James’s cousin and the wife of Molly’s brother William C. Wilson. Read more »

2, February 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: February 2–4, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

Camp Hunter
Ft. Leavenworth Kansas
Feby 2d 1862

My Dearest Eliza

I recd your dear & welcome note yesterday and to day being lazy day in camp, I must commence to answer. Read more »

30, January 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: January 30, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

James and his company remained in a cold, snowy, and icy camp near Fort Leavenworth, waiting to hear a final decision on their regiment and destination. In this letter, James focuses on more personal and cultural matters and seems to respond to news and questions from one of Molly’s lost letters. James mentions a lecture by “Bayard,” which most likely refers to Bayard Taylor’s lecture, “The American People,” given at the Mercantile Library in St. Louis on January 13, 1862. Read more »

18, January 2012

Civil War Love Letters: January 19, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

According to the Supplement to the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, at this time the designation of James’s regiment changed as troops were organized and reorganized in Kansas. On December 31, 1861, James became first lieutenant of the company of men that he recruited. This company became part of the 9th Kansas, or 1st New Mexico, Infantry Regiment. At the time of this letter, the company had reorganized again, to the 2nd Kansas Cavalry Regiment.

Camp Hunter
Jany 19th, 1862

My Dear Molly Read more »

13, January 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: January 15, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

At the beginning of 1862, the future of James Love’s unattached company remained uncertain. He and the other soldiers traveled to camp near Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and waited to hear if they would join a Kansas regiment or go to New Mexico.

Camp Hunter
Fort Leavenworth
Jany 15th 1862

My Dear Molly Read more »

3, January 2012

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Civil War Love Letters: January 3, 1862

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

In this letter, James addresses Molly by her given name, Eliza. He also mentions, for the first time, that his engagement with Molly is a secret, which greatly troubles him. He desperately wants to tell Molly’s family, including her mother, brothers, William and Alex, and sister, Sallie, about the engagement. James worries that Molly was not happy that he was in the grocery business, which he left when he enlisted to fight in the war. Read more »

20, December 2011

Civil War Love Letters: December 25, 1861

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

If Miss Wilson would kindly accept the accompanying accept the accompanying trash - part of which came all the way from Paris, She would relieve my mind of a great relieve my mind of a great embarrassment, - "What to do with it,” & confer a favor on Read more »

3, December 2011

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Civil War Love Letters: December 3–4, 1861

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

After more than a month of inactivity, presumably in St. Louis, James Love finally left for Kansas. Troops were being gathered at Fort Leavenworth for an expedition to New Mexico to prevent an invasion of the state by rebel troops.

North Mo. Depot
12 M. - Decr 3rd/4th 1861 Read more »

17, November 2011

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Before Love Came to America

Disclaimer

There are words, phrases, and statements in these letters that may be offensive to the reader. At the time the letters were written, certain words and phrases were common and even acceptable. We wish it were otherwise. The words are those of the author, James Love, and the attitudes he expresses are those of the time period. We have retained the original language of the letters because we believe that, in spite of their faults, the letters provide an exceptional first-hand account of the attitudes and actions during this horrific period in our nation’s history.

During this period of inactivity in James Loves's letter writing, we are publishing stories about James and Molly's family members. In this post, Missouri History Museum Associate Archivist Molly Kodner traces James Love's family back to Ireland. You can read archived letters here.

In 1630, James Love’s ancestors, four Love brothers, sailed from London and landed in Londonderry in Northern Ireland. Read more »