“South Carolina is all excitement.”

“The militia of the state are called out tomorrow for the purpose of getting volunteers…
those who are anxious for a fight can have it now… everyone says they are going, so Charleston
will be crowded with citizen soldiery… I will let you hear from me at the Seat of War…. Invoke
your prayers for my safe deliverance from the hands of Northern Fanaticism.”

This letter 6 pages, beautifully written in ink comes with its original “Laurens C. H., S.C. Jun. 8” cancelled cover with embossed 3 cent Washington stamp.  The writer is Captain Thomas Henry Pitts, Company I, 3rd South Carolina Infantry. 

·        “She was perfectly delighted on getting home and when she saw the little Negros running out
to meet her, and welcome her back again.  She involuntarily exclaimed that this is the brightest
spot to me on earth and I would not leave it under any and all circumstances for any place in the
known world.  I do not think I have ever seen any one so much attached to home as Mag.  She
certainly loves it dearly.” 

·        “South Carolina is all excitement I have never seen people so unsettled in all my life.  I have heard
nothing since my return but war, and the rumors of wars.  We have fallen in troublesome times
 beyond all sort of doubt and I do hope Georgia has given a decided majority for secession at once
and forever Charleston is greatly excited, and a thousand and one rumors are in circulation as to the
state of affairs in that city.  I saw some friends as we came home who say that everything is pell-mell.
  Pickens our Governor is overwhelmed with business, in one form or another.  He is perplexed and
 does not seem to know what to do.  Some dissatisfaction seems to exist as to some of his actions what
the result will be God only can tell.” 

·        “The militia of the state are called out tomorrow the 8th for the purpose of getting volunteers in
accordance with an ordinance of our legislature, that the state should raise (10,000)  ten thousand
men.  So you see that those who are anxious for a fight can have it now.  Everybody say they are
going, so Charleston will be crowded with the citizen soldiery.  I still think that the whole matter
can be honorable and amicably adjusted all that is necessary is cool, deliberate and determined
action upon our part.  I fear some will act decidedly precipitately as they are anxious for a fight and
hence bring upon us this worse of scourges.  I hope not however.  If it comes to actual war we will all
 have to take a part and as a matter of course I shall make one…  I will keep you posted and should it
 become necessary that I should assist in fighting the battles of my country I will let you hear from
me at the Seat of War until I shall have passed that “bore me from whence no traveler has ever
returned.”  I invoke your prayers for my safe deliverance from the hands of Northern fanaticism.”

Letters from South Carolina’s independent statehood are very desirable and this one is great!

#HC109 – Price $495

        Transcription:                            
                  
                              

                                                                                                    Laurensville, So. Ca. Jany. 7th/61

My dearest Cousin,

            Nothing is half so pleasing to me as the privilege I now enjoy that of
writing to you.  I have always delighted to hold sweet communion with distant
friends and relations but when I am permitted to look upon you as never was
my prerogative to esteem anyone before, that pleasure and happiness that
naturally arises is mudered twice more intense and I would to the “Great I am”
that our separation could have been avoided, but we are forced to submit to the
decrees of Him who knows, and has fashioned all things.  Yet it seems hard
indeed when we reflect that our separation will be so long.  Ten months seem to
 me like so many years, only think of it.  I am not to see you until next fall, it
never will come, but passive obedience is the fate of all “so must it be”.

            You will discover that I write from our village.  I came up this morning
with sister Evie, who has been at home spending Christmas and returned today
to College.  Mag and myself got home safely on Saturday as expected, no accident
 occurred with us.  The Lauren’s Rail Road treating us more kindly than when
you was aboard and did not run off.  There was a deranged man on board from
Branchville to Columbia that frightened Mag so much that I could not leave her
for a moment.     She is very much troubled just now at the idea of her dearly
beloved William Garrett going to war.  He has volunteered and anticipates
 leaving Friday next.  Of course she thinks he will be killed the very first fire.  I
think the most of her trouble is pretense at least I can say one thing that Mag
shall never marry him if I can control her.

            The small pox is no more it was a false alarm, as is generally supposed. 
I don’t think Uncle Sam ever had it at least he was not confined to his bed.  So
it was remarkably light.  None of the neighbors have taken it.  Aunt Sallie was
a little sick a few days since but has recovered without anything serious.  You
know she is quite delicate anyway hardly ever well.  All your relations are in
the enjoyment of perfect health and Dr. John who I met at Clinton and the most
astonishing fact to me on record is, that John T. met me so friendly.  I have never
 seen him more so.  I don’t know how to explain it.  He certainly thinks he will
play the part of a very great friend and I will divulge something to him if so he
 is mistaken if he wishes to be friendly all night I have no series obligation.             

            South Carolina is all excitement I have never seen people so unsettled in
 all my life.  I have heard nothing since my return but war, and the rumors of
wars.  We have fallen in troublesome times beyond all sort of doubt and I do hope
Georgia has given a decided majority for secession at once and forever Charleston
is greatly excited, and a thousand and one rumors are in circulation as to the
state of affairs in that city.  I saw some friends as we came home who say that
everything is pell-mell.  Pickens our Governor is overwhelmed with business, in
 one form or another.  He is perplexed and does not seem to know what to do. 
Some dissatisfaction seems to exist as to some of his actions what the result will
be God only can tell.  The militia of the state are called out tomorrow the 8th for
the purpose of getting volunteers in accordance with an ordinance of our
legislature, that the state should raise (10,000)  ten thousand men.  So you see
 that those who are anxious for a fight can have it now.  Everybody say they are
going, so Charleston will be crowded with the citizen soldiery.  I still think that
 the whole matter can be honorable and amicably adjusted all that is necessary
is cool, deliberate and determined action upon our part.  I fear some will act
 decidedly precipitately as they are anxious for a fight and hence bring upon us
this worse of scourges.  I hope not however.  If it comes to actual war we will all
have to take a part and as a matter of course I shall make one, I shall not volunteer
 tomorrow however.  I will keep you posted and should it become necessary that
I should assist in fighting the battles of my country I will let you hear from me at
 the Seat of War until I shall have passed that “bore me from whence no traveler
has ever returned.”  I invoke your prayers for my safe deliverance from the hands
of Northern fanaticism.

            Dr. John told me he did not know when he would be in Georgia not before
summer and possible not at all, I don’t think he is going.

            Cousin Lizzie do write me if I could only tell you how much I desire to hear
 from you.  I know you would answer this letter at once, but language fails me. 
So I will leave it for you to conceive as I cannot letter it. 

            My humble prayer to almighty God, is that the richest blessings of heaven
 may be showered upon you.    

                                Yours ever truly devoted,  

                                Thomas H. Pitts.