Scott Family Letters
contributed by Jennie Scott
Abner A. Steele to Pleasant Scott
[Pleasant Scott, son of Joseph and Esther (Green or Steel?) Scott, resided at McCracken Co., KY]
Lewisburg, Marshall County
September 9, 1865
Pleasant Scott,
I have frequently written to Kentucky– but never got a line in reply- I suppose my letters failed to reach their destination. My health and that of our relations generally are good – and I have never known more peaceable times here than we are having since the close of the war- Say to Aunt Esther that Aunt Rachel and Aunt Jane are both well- and to Uncle Jo that James Scott died August 1861- his youngest son, Martin V.B. Scott died at Jackson, Mississippi in the Confederate Army, in November 1862 and Newton Scott of Louisville County, Ala. was murdered at his home by a straggling gang of guerrillas in January 1865- And of Aunt Rachel’s son, Levi J.- died in Camp Morton prison in February 1862- John T. was killed at the second fight at Fort Donelson in February 1863- James died in Insane Asylum at Nashville in August 1861- and William, they younger son is living with her and Mrs. Louisa Gibson and family. Aunt Jane is living with Sam C. Scott near Columbia, Tennessee- her daughters Lucinda Barnes and Polly Carter live in the vicinity of Cedar Springs in this county- and the two other daughters Elizabeth and Lucretia are unmarried- I saw John and James Steele and Royal in Nashville about 5 weeks ago-
Having resigned my office connected with the U.S. Internal Revenue last spring, I have since that time been practicing law- except when attending the Legislature– which meets again in October. The profession of law promises to pay, and pay handsomely. Edmund Cooper, Esq., the member of Congress from this district is my law partner. We would do a very heavy business were it not that he has to be absent at Washington and I at Nashville, this coming fall and winter.
My politics have undergone no change- I am a Conservative Anti-Slavery man- not a Copperhead- nor a wild Radical- and think that the Representatives from the Southern States should be admitted- and that the States, and not Congress, have the control- each for itself, of the suffrage question– I am glad that Slavery is at an end– though what is to become of the Negro, I am not yet able to say–Time alone can solve the difficult question of Races–each free and living in the same country.
Our crops this year are short- owing to the long drought- Money is scarce- and a great deal of suing is going on- I would like for you to address me at Nashville- House of Representatives- and give me the information in regard to your wife and children and my relatives and friends, if I have any in that Democratic Country-
What has become of Mr. Eby and family- Reeves and Frank Harris and families and if Loui is married yet– Is Mr. Black’s family well– How I would like to see them all again– and as that is not possible now- they can write to me-
I intend for me and my wife to come to Kentucky sometime next year and see you all– If I were to tell you I was married, I suspect you would not believe it- I know how incredulous you are on that subject, and will leave you in doubt till you get other satisfactory proof-
This morning, I was trying to recollect the names of your children- Mr. Black’s- and others- and failed. Such exciting times since I saw them- that memory fastens on other scenes and thoughts- with a deeper impression- Mr. La Rue is dead– James D. Euing is in bad health.
Hoping this may reach you, my dear “Pleas”- and that you will quit thinking about tobacco and greenbacks long enough to write me a letter acknowledging this one, I remain as ever,
Yours,
Abner A. Steele