Writing from the famous “Mills House” Hotel in downtown Charleston on Sunday morning April 29th, 1860, Delegate Edward S. Bragg writes home to his wife.  The content in this letter is nothing less than spectacular!  The letter is 3 pages in nice dark ink and is in fine condition. 

The Democratic National Convention began on Monday April 23rd and adjourned on May 3rd.  Read up on this historic event… it’s fascinating!  What a privilege it is to have an actual firsthand account by an attender… a future Union General no less!   

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Transcription:

                                                                                                                                           Mills House
                                                                                                                    Charleston, Sunday A.M.

My dear Wife,

            After much tribulation I am here upon the battle ground – weary, tired, but
full of hope that we shall succeed in nominating our candidate.

            The morning after I wrote you from Washington, we left by steamboat down
the Potomac en route for Charleston.  The route upon the river for forty miles was
delightful – saw Mount Vernon in the distance.  It is a beautiful spot, worthy of being
the repository of the ashes of Washington.  On the return trip I hope to visit it & spend
a few hours upon the homestead of the father of this country.

            From Aquia, where the boat landed we took passage in the cars to Richmond. 
The country is almost a burn.  Slavery is not the cause, as Republicans so lowly talk. 
Nature stamped its impress upon it long before the tons of Africans ever stepped upon
 our shores.  Richmond appeared like an active city – Some beautiful places we saw,
as we crossed the city.  But everything was terrible & antiquated.  From Richmond we
 came to Wilmington in North Carolina, where we breakfasted yesterday morning &
from thence came to Florence in South Carolina & thence here, when we arrived at six
 last evening.

            There are no little hamlets along the road but mile after mile we rode along
without seeing anything but occasionally a stray Negro.  A stray Negro fat, lazy
trugging along with a donkey.  Sometimes we saw them at work in the field.  All looked
 comfortable and happy – little thinking of the galling chains which Northern
philanthropists hear clanking in their breath.  The cities in the South were delightful. 
The plantation residences are delightful, but the balance of the country we have passed
 through is forlorn enough.

            If you want to see the country & the places we have passed through, look at the
sketches in the Harper’s by “Porta-Crayon” – they were true to the life – nigger –
 country & all.  Yesterday for instance we passed a nigger sitting in the hot sun fishing
 in a mud hole – self satisfied, happy as a clam, waiting for and wanting nothing but a
bite.

            Last evening, the entire North Western delegations – from Ohio, Michigan,
Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota & delegates from other states held a grand council & were
 addressed by members from the different delegations.  Your husband spoke on behalf
 of the democrats of Wisconsin & was well received. 

            This afternoon I am going to church, more as a matter of curiosity, than devotion.
  Although I ought to be thankful & am deeply so that I am safely here.

            Tomorrow I propose to give this list a good looking over & to go down to Fort
Moultrie which is a place marked in history for its gallant defense in the War of the
Revolution, against the naval force of Britain.  Before I come home I propose to go to
upon the plantation and see the nigger as he is – hear him sing and him dance – I
 expect some spirit.

            The mercury stands from 90˚ to 110˚.  Hot enough to roast potatoes.

            How are the children?  Give them much love from their father who loves them
dearly & will feel very bad if they do not mind their mother & be good children. 

                                                                                             
                                                                                                       With much love I am affectionately,

                                                                                                                                                    Edwd. S. Bragg

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