In the letter Gray discusses the case of Adam Lowry, who was tried and convicted twice, first for stealing a hog and then for stealing a horse. He explains that Lowry "is an object of Executive Clemency" and asks that he be pardoned from serving...
In the letter King discusses his business and the settlement of his father's estate, and he gives his views on the activities of the "fire eaters": "I addressed the people at Cahawba last week, and I think I succeeded in opening the eyes of many...
In the letter King sends news of family and friends, and he discusses the unsuccessful attempts of the "fire eaters," who encouraged the secession of the Southern states: "I have as yet been no where & consequently know nothing of the movements of...
This passage includes a letter written by Gosse, on September 1, 1838. He discusses slavery in Alabama ("a huge deadly serpent"), describing cruel punishments, poor living conditions, and impediments to emancipation. In his view, the institution...
In the first letter, written from the Exchange Hotel on January 10, 1861, Mitchell describes the tension and excitement in the city as they wait for the official declaration of Alabama's secession: "There seems to be no doubt, you may tell your...
This article discusses the likeliness that Alabama will secede from the Union: "A large majority of the members of our Convention will not hesitate a moment to co-operate with South Carolina, Florida and Mississippi in the formation of a Southern...
Proclamation issued by President Abraham Lincoln in response to the secession of seven Southern states. He calls for 75,000 men from state militias to deal with the rebellious states, which are "too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course...
This article responds to rumors that the Confederate capital will be moved from Montgomery, Alabama to Richmond, Virginia. The author argues that no change should be made because Montgomery is a central location with access to river and railroads;...
From May 1861 to early 1862 Bolling Hall, Jr., served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he discusses activities in camp ("while not on guard have been throwing up dirt batteries...I came to the conclusion that I would prefer giving the...
From May 1861 to June 1862 John Hall served in the 6th Alabama Infantry. In the letter he discusses picket duty and small confrontations near Springfield, where the Union forces are gathering: "Our men have little skirmishes with the Yankees near...
During the Civil War, Moore served as a colonel of the 11th Alabama Infantry Regiment. In it he discusses upcoming troop movements and recent Confederate losses: "We have all been disturbed by the defeats at Fort Donelson, Roanoke & other...
During the Civil War, Riggs served in Company G of the 27th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. In the letter he explains that his company has arrived in Mobile, where Martha's husband was already stationed; the two men have been able to see each other...
During the Civil War, Riggs served in Company G of the 27th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. In the letter to Sallie he explains that he is ill again after having just been released from the hospital, and he mentions an anticipated battle with...
During the Civil War, Jones served in Company G of the 41st Alabama Infantry Regiment; he was killed in the Battle of Chickamauga on September 20, 1863. In the letter he explains that he became ill while traveling to Vicksburg and was taken to the...
In the first letter Dr. Cloud reprimands Whitfield because Tuscaloosa County has not provided enough schools for its African American children: "...you have reported 44 white schools, and only 2 colored, which is not in accordance with the school...
This article reports that the German Immigration Society of Birmingham supports the establishment of a state immigration bureau and a commissioner who will be responsible for recruiting white farmers to Alabama. The Society stresses that it does...
This article describes the response of United States citizens and government officials to the news about the Lusitania: "The most significant feature of the situation created in America by the sinking of the Lusitania, as viewed by official...
The two women were officers in the Woman's Christian Temperance Union of Attalla. In the letter they "wish to add our protest to the many thousands already sent in, against the present convict lease system, which we learn has existed (a blot on our...
In the letter Fort states that members of the committee "are not sentimentalist," nor are they "influenced by union labor." Rather, their sole interest is the "welfare of our State" and the belief that "convicts should be treated sensibly and...