Family History: Letter from Joseph Woollens to Mrs. Margarett Wherry (1861): 
Chester County, PA

Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Terry Mossop.

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August 29, 1861
Joseph Woollens Letter From Mexico

Mrs. Margarett Wherry Dearest Sister,
Now having the first opportunity in over two months of dispatching you a
letter I _____ you a few lines feeling you are all some what uneasy about me
= The road from here to the city of Mexico has been blockaded for near 3
months and mails and stage lines being stopped for that time back remains of
the once powerful reactionary party being for a long time in possession of
the mountains which the road from here to the capital passes through
consequently it was not safe for any one more especially a foreigner to pass
South from here, But as there has just passed through here from Guanajuato A
large party of liberals destined to clear the road below.  I am in hopes it
will be open and safe in the course of a week and then I will make for the
city of Mexico with all possible dispatch: It is said that tomorrow there is
a mail agoing to venture So I send you these lines just to keep you quiet
for a couple of weeks when I hope to be in Mexico and I will make straight
for the Post office to get my letters which are certainly there awaiting for
me from all of you and if they only give me glad tidings of the health and
prosperity of you all then I will be fully repaid for all retentions and
vexations here.  I can get no reliable news from your dis United States, no
letters no newspapers, but from what few verbal responses are flying I
brought from Verra Cruz I fear your beautiful Country is now involved in
bloody warfare and a War (if I am not mistaken in yankee spirit that to
compared with the skirmishes here one may not venture to call the great
Mexican revolution mere school boys play.  I would just now give five
dollars for a late New York Herald or a Phila. Ledger as to news from the
north - one might as well be in the middle of the Arabian Desert and I
suspect I could get news from you sooner from you there than here, but I
will soon be in Mexico there I soon know something definite.  I hope you are
not affected by the war although you are so near the Maryland line I have
some fears.  Pop's land adjoins Mason & Dixon line and if Maryland has
seceded - then I fear it may be bad for your neighborhood yet I still hope
the seat of war is not yet in your vicinity - there is a flying report just
from Mexico yesterday late news from Verra Cruz saying the latest news from
New Orleans says has been a tremendous fight between the north and south in
Virginia and that the South was victorious, twenty thousand slain I hope it
is not correct, one thing certain it is Southern news from New Orleans and
they would not send news to Mexico that was not favorable to their side even
if they had to manufacture a few lies to make it so.  I know the north can
whip the South and they have got to do it.  If I have heard anything like
the truth the South is entirely to blame particularly on account of the
declaration of war.  But I hope once this it is finished but it is not
likely that the South can ever reconciled with the north again, the
dissolution is certain and perhaps for centuries, but let her go she is of
no use to the north except for her cotton and any quantity of the finest
quality can be raised in Mexico in South America, Brazil and many other
parts of the world.  I hear that the negros have not raised to assist in
fighting for their freedom But I can know or hear what little happened here
when I get to Mexico I can form some idea how matters progresses.  Please
address letters to City of Mexico.   I perhaps not stay there long I ought
to have been home by this time but it was impossible then also that the
yellow fever is raging in Verra Cruz of course I will not go there until it
is over also it is reported that the gulf is full of Southern cruisers and
privateers if so I have got to be a little particular how I sail from Verra
Cruz.  I will probably take the English Packet to Havanna and from there to
New York.
Give my profound respects to Joseph your husband and love to all friends
tell Pops and Mother I am all right and still doing a passable business in
typing and if this letter finds them and all the rest of you well and doing
well and contented then I am perfectly happy and in perfect health and
spirit - Tell mother not to be uneasy about me I always make out to do care
of number one, will be home soon.
                                    From your most affectionate brother,
                                              J.O.S Woollens