Letter Set 2 —“Southern Indiana Democrats on the Homefront ”
Excerpted from “Democratic Attitudes in Johnson County during the Civil War Era: A Look at the Demaree Papers,” edited by William Eidson and Vincent Akers, IMH, vol. 70, March 1974
In the first decades of the 19th century, Samuel and Rachel Demaree raised thirteen children on their farm in Kentucky. Two of those children, grown to adulthood, moved to southern Indiana: Peter, their 4th child, and Susan, their 7th child, who married farmer William Shuck.
Both Peter Demaree and William Shuck were active in the Presbyterian Church and the Indiana Democratic party. Like other southern Indiana Democrats, they were strong supporters of states' rights and suspicious of any far-reaching laws passed by the federal government. They did not like Abraham Lincoln and strongly opposed many of his war policies. By 1864, many hoped for the election of former General McClellan, the Democratic candidate for president, whom they expected to negotiate a quick peace with the South. Many southern Indiana Democrats, like the Demarees, had family in the border state of Kentucky, or in states that had seceded from the Union, and they often expressed sympathy for the Confederate cause, even though few offered active support or fought on the Southern side. Many also avoided fighting for the Union in the war, as did all of the drafted men in the Johnson County township where Peter Demaree lived.
Johnson County, Indiana, November 13, 1861
Peter Demaree to George W. Demaree (Peter's younger brother)
Dear Brother:
I have been thinking of writing to you for some time but have neglected it. I now make the attempt.
We are in usual health at present. There are a good deal of sickness about. Fever of typhoid form seems to predominate, then there are other grades of fever and a good deal of diphtheria and sore throat
I am very sorry that Kentucky has become the seat of war. War such as the present one is the greatest calamity that ever befell a nation. My advice to you to act as much as possible with a Christian spirit, not act rashly neither in word or deed
You know how I stand. I have been greatly troubled about government affairs but I find it is no use to fret. I try to be reconciled as much as possible, believing that God will be with the right.
May the Lord keep us and help us to live faithful to the end.
Yours as ever, P. Demaree
Johnson County, Indiana, December 23, 1861
William Shuck to George Demaree
Dear Brother and Sister,
After long delay I shall address a few lines to you in the way of news. I shall just write to you on such subjects as though we were together.
As the war is uppermost in every man's thoughts, you will please pardon me if I should write you a random shot letter, that is, miss the subject I aim at and lead off on the war.
We have had a beautiful fall of fine warm weather which gave the farmers a fine chance to build, repair, dig, and wall wells, gather in their corn, and get up their winter wood ...
We finished gathering corn the 17th. We have cribbed near 1000 bushels of corn. We husked some 85 bushels on the stalk. Then we made a husking, filled our crib, and yet have a large pile on the floor. Put up 7 loads in a pen for our hogs ...
The war. Well, we have had several months of war with bloodshed, death, and distress but whether we are any nearer greatness than at the start I cannot tell. It is very strange that as intelligent a people as the Americans are they cannot settle a question without resorting to the sword.
The papers say the Wild Cat Battle in Kentucky was the greatest Union victory that has been achieved since the war began. As we get but little Southern news, you will give me a history of all the affairs of your state, as we are deeply concerned about Kentucky as that is our Mother country.
Well, G. W., we have another fine boy, born the 31st of August...
The old lady has quit smoking except once a day. We are all in usual health. The kinfolks are generally well.
Hoping that this will find you and yours in the enjoyment of health and prosperity and that I shall hear from you soon,
I remain yours as ever, W.T. Shuck
Johnson County Indiana, October 12, 1864
Peter to George
Dear Brother,
I received a letter from you a few days ago and owing to the pressure of work I have not had a chance to write you
The people of this state has just passed through a draft. Our township raised money by subscription and hired substitutes. We had 30 men to furnish. They cost $400 each, making 12,000 dollars and this saved our township of a draft. There was 3 other townships done the same. The rest of the county was drafted. They are all trying hard to get substitutes. Cousin D. D. Banta was drafted ...
I see from your last letter that you are not pleased with McClellan. It makes but little difference who is the candidate for they will elect Old Abe at all hazards and McClellen had as well be slaughtered as any other man. If there was any chance to elect a Democrat President I would rather have another man but I have no hopes. I think the sun of American liberty is about setting, never to raise again.
We are in usual health. Yours as ever, Peter Demaree
Johnson County, Indiana, May 2, 1865
William Shuck to George
Dear brother and sister,
Perhaps you will think I am in a hurry in writing you so often, but the many great changes that have taken place since we saw each other afford plenty of news.
It seems that the Rebellion is over, that the spirit of the Southern people has departed, and they are only fit subjects for the yoke and chains that have been prepared for them. Their doom is yet untold. Their case is deplorable in the extreme. If they could be allowed to return home in peace and follow their daily occupation with their slaves around them, they would be doing well, but their slaves are proclaimed free, their country destroyed, their lands to be confiscated, the public debt perhaps to be saddled upon them. Woe to their misery and their folly. I fear they will be a people without a country.
There has been a great ado here about the death of President Lincoln who has been shamefully assassinated. His corpse was at Indianapolis Sunday last. They say there was 40,000 people there although a very rainy day. Rumor says there was thousands of dollars worth of bonnets and dresses spoiled. But they all braved the storm and mud to see the chieftain.
It seems from the best proof that poor Booth has paid the penalty that is laid down in Holy writ, woe to our nation and our beloved country.
We are having quite a wet spring. Most of the farmers has but little [ground] broke for corn, from 5, 10, to 15 acres. Some few are done but there is but little planted yet. Some hardy ones are plowing up the mud, but it may be dry after awhile. Wheat has come out beyond all expectation. Grass is plenty.
Susan has been quite complaining with pain in her side and back for several days but is better.
We are all in usual health. Write soon. I remain yours affectionately,
W. T. Shuck
Our George boy is growing fast and fine.
We have broke 15 acres for corn. We sowed some oats. We broke 10 last fall. We wish to plant 36 acres.
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