Louisa and Joseph Lovell 1861

Title: Louisa and Joseph Lovell letters
Author: Louisa Lovell

Date: September 21, 1861

Subject: Second Creek Plot

Type: Letter

Source: Quitman Family Papers


 

 

LOUISA AND JOSEPH LOVELL LETTERS

 

THE DAUGHTER OF A PROMINENT POLITICIAN WRITES

ABOUT INSURRECTION IN NATCHEZ TO HER

HUSBAND, IN THE ARMY . . .

 

Monmouth

Sept. 21, 1861

[ . . . ]

            We have been kept in a great state of excitement for the last week with stories of insurrections etc. There has indeed been some reason for apprehension in N. and neighbourhood—a large number of plantations on second creek were implicated--.  The Home guard and Vigilance Committee have been constantly on the alert arresting and confining suspected individuals _.  Many around us have been found guilty and hung, as now for instance as [at] Capt Martin’s –Now this state of things never happened here before, and I have never really been alarmed before – It is indeed unsafe and dangerous to be so left alone as we are – I wrote you in my last letter how we were frightened a few evenings ago, by a man’s showing himself out the front gallery, just before the door. They say that a miserable, sneaking abolitionist has been at the bottom of this whole affair.  I hope that he will be caught and burned alive for no torture is too good for the [one word illegible] wretch – I should not be surprised if it had been he, lurking about here the other night[.]  Mr. Voor has been very active in keeping up a strict watch – We now have sentinels around us every night and the “Guard” are posted in the lane between Linden and us.  Every now and then I hear the report of a gun at different points – and we have taken every precaution out here to be ready for an emergency.  It is indeed a tumultuous time – no on is safe – Last night there was a large fire in N – the whole square near Baker’s including all Kisee’s stables were burned to the ground[.]  There was a great excitement in town…

 

…AND CAPTAIN LOVELL REPLIES FROM THE FRONT  IN VIRGINIA

Fairfax Court House

Oct. 6, 1861

[…]

            I have been greatly troubled by the news you give me of the difficulty among the negroes, but perhaps as the thing has turned out it as well, as no doubt the ones implicated will meet with a fearful retribution, such a one as will put an end to all such attempts for a long time to come, how horrible would have been its success.  I am strongly of the hope that the discovery will so awaken the people at home to the possibility of such dangers that they will keep up the necessary vigilance to prevent it in future.You must charge Mr. Voor to keep careful watch…

 

Source: Louisa Quitman Lovell to Capt. Joseph Lovell, [Monmouth near Natchez], September 21, 1861, both in Quitman Family Paper, UNC