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Note: Union Lt. killed in battle of Fredericktown, MO, Civil War. One of 6 Union soldiers to die in this battle.
Letter From John Quincy Adams Jones to Martin Van Buren & Mariah Vaughan Jones:
Havana Sept 25th 1858
My Bro & Sister
Once more I will addrefs you and acknowledge that if I could ever get a letter in reply it would be a great pleasure to me to write. My wife joins me in sending to your our kindest regards and good wishes for your present future and Eternal welfare I have live in this place - the County seat of Mason County for one & 1/2 years and have during that time gained a livelihood in the practice of Law For the last week I have been stumping the county in favor of S A Douglas & Popular soverignty. I notice in one of your letters you the name of your Boy & if I remember right it was Charles Fremont - are you a Black Republican I was also[?] but have adopted a different creed - being now able to vote. hereafter you will find me giving no encouragement to sectional parties of any description - and do pledge myself and all others over whom I may have influence that we will maintain the power of the People - in the exercise of their inherent rights - restrict the legislation of Congress on questions in which their authority to legislate must be presumed or it does not exist - and leave the actual bona fide citizens within the Boundaries of the United States whether residing in States or Territories to decide for themselves the question of the allowance or prohibition of domestic slavery. I consider it the great American Principle which underlies the formation and construction of all popular governments wherein the will of the people make [must?] construe perpetuate or abrogate conditions[?] on vested authorities and compel their public agents high in authority to yield obedience to their own convictions of right & wrong.
We here consider S A Douglas as the Great American Statesman - and as occupying the same relation and position towards the State of Illinois that Clay and Webster occupied toward their respective states. But be that as it may he is my choice and the man upon whom I rely as the [?] of my political salvation come what may I am for him. I have one of the best women in existence she is just sixteen or was when we were married consequentally she is in her prime - E R Jones's family was well when I was there some two weeks since. he is not making much money this year. The wheat crop throughout the State was a complete failure, hardly paying the expense of putting it in corn sells at 50 cts per Bushel and some sales range as high as 60 cts &c. Mother is enjoying better health now than she has been for some time. She is living with me and I expect will continue so to live as long as she and I exist no preventing providence. I should be very glad to see you once more - & perhaps when we get a Pacific Rail Road my wishes will be gratified. My vocation now makes me about Two Hundred Dollars per month and is increasing rapidly all the time. A large comet the one first observed in the reign of Charles the Twelfth makes its appearance at this time in the western horizon, almost over the region you inhabit Douglas men take it or would in Olden time that it was the forerunner of Abraham Lincoln's election while Black Republicans would regard it as an indication of the election of Hon S A Douglas, each regarding either as a great calamity - to the country exceeding the pestilences famine or war. It is said to be four leagues in length and presents a very singluar appearance - It is the first thing of the kind that I ever beheld. I am expecting E R Jones and his family here soon on a visit Whether they will come or not I now cannot tell.
This county is very sandy - produces good watermelons wheat rye &c and also very good corn
Hoping to hear from you soon
I am as ever
Your Brother
J Q A Jones
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Last Battlefield Letter from JQA Jones to his wife, courtesy of Evie Bradford
Headquarters June 22nd 1861 Dear Wife
Your letter of the 16th just came to hand to day. I am well and was very glad to
hear that you enjoyed the same blessing. We're in camp here about 2 miles from the river
bank. This is a great deal different country from that. High rugged bluffs � deep ravines.
Abundant thrifty-timber and clay soil interspersed with any amount of rock and gravel.
Yesterday we bathed in the Mississippi, the Father of Waters. Every day we are
expecting to be ordered into the field to march against our enemies and the (?) of our
country. I have not had an opportunity to get the music you wanted. We left Peoria too
soon and I have not been in Alton since we landed here. If ever I get time it shall be sent
you.
I never am so happy as when I get a letter from you. You desired me to be a good boy, I
will so far as in me lies. I forgot none of our newly acquired customs of thanking the
great and good giver of every good and perfect gift for his blessings. Neither could I do
otherwise while rests in my memory and love my dear wife and child at home. God grant
that their home may not be made desolate. They cannot deserve it. If I was only for
myself alone my prayer would rather be that if any lives must be lost that I might be
among the first to be slain. That I might be permitted to give my life for my country even
as it is I have placed my trust in an all(?) providence (?) let my fate be what it may. A
kind of presentiment has fastened itself upon me that I am not to outlive this struggle, and
I cannot shake it off. Great Father how can I go and leave the grief stricken hearts behind.
Thy will be done. To die to live that is question. To live at most is only to lighten our
trials on earth middst toil and trouble a few days. To die is to enter sooner upon the joys
prepared for the blest from the foundation of the earth. Is but hastening us before the
Great White Throne to ask of our Father for the sake of Jesus to receive us like wanders
home. Come life come death naught but joy await us to either. Then let us hasten forward
with alacrity. I am sorry Harry cannot tell his grief and suffering to his Pa. Poor little
soul how hard it is to leave there to the uncharitable mercies of a cold ungrateful world.
My son, my darling son ever mindful ever free adopt as thy motto Virtual truth and rear
as thy banner the nobleship of Honor and liberty. Be ye proud of your character and now
and never forget. Though you never again see your earthly Father, Your Father which art
in heaven, Cannot Mother write to me? I used to read her letters with the same relish you
did. Will she not write? I would be glad to hear from all, every one of you.
Kiss Harry for me. Love him for we. Train him for God and remember your
Loving Husband, J. Q. A. Jones 1st Lieut. Company K 17 Regt. Illinois Volunteers Alton Illinois
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