My Dearest John                                                    September 21, 1861

Cairo, Illinois

You have just gone not more than a month ago and yet I miss you more than ever. I am writing to inform you that my dearest sister Tilly has gone ill. The doctor says there is no hope and she will be gone within a week. I’m scared John, Tilly has been bedridden, not even able to eat. I read her stories every night to keep her sane but I am worried it is not enough. Today we tried to get her on her feet, I felt her body fall limp on mine and she was not able to walk. 

The war is not far, and I fear that you will be hurt or killed. I do not agree with war. But I am glad that you are fighting to end slavery. I fear that if we win the war, nothing will happen. As far as I can tell the only thing war brings is death and hardship. I do hope that those poor people in slavery get equality. I wish for you to encourage others to become abolitionists like we are.

I must tell you that the other day I have been harassed by the men passing by. They were on their trains in their uniforms of war. I should’ve yelled at them or told them off. But instead, I kept quiet and continued to walk up the hill to our cottage. I’ve been keeping myself busy by making lots and lots of pies. Since I cannot eat all of the pies I make, I have been giving them to our friends in town. I suppose that making pies is the only way I have kept my humanity without you. I miss you so much and I do hope you can find time to write back. 

Yours truly,

Lucy Calligon