Scope and Contents:
The letter included in this collection was written by J. F. Emery of Wapella, Illinois, on April 21, 1861. He wrote to J. C. Jacobs on the creation of a committee to stop the shipment of produce and other goods from DeWitt County to the Confederate and seceded states. The committee requested Emery halt his outgoing shipment of grain and potatoes. Emery expressed concern over shipping grain and produce to the south as he did not believe the committee would stop.
Biographical/Historical Context:
Wapella, Illinois, is located in DeWitt County. DeWitt County is in central Illinois and was formed in 1839. During the Civil War, citizens were generally supportive of the Union, with many men joining the Union army. Other citizens of the county participated in their own activities against the Confederacy, such as the stopping of shipment of goods as described in this collection’s letter.
Subjects (links to similar collections)
Submit request (Aeon)
