Rowley, Ridgeway Letter MC359
Vanessa Cardona Ocegueda
University of California, Davis Library, Dept. of Special Collections
2023
1st Floor, Shields Library, University of California
100 North West Quad
Davis, CA 95616-5292
Telephone: (530) 752-1621
Fax Number: (530) 754-5758
speccoll@ucdavis.edu
Contributing Institution:
University of California, Davis Library, Dept. of Special Collections
Title: Rowley, Ridgeway Letter
Creator:
Ridgeway, Rowley
source:
Auger Down Books
Identifier/Call Number: MC359
Physical Description:
1 letter
10 x 7 ¾ inches
Date: May 5, 1861
Abstract: A letter written by Ridgeway Rowley to an unnamed sister in 1861, a month after the start of the Civil War.
Physical Location: Researchers should contact Archives and Special Collections to request collections, as many are stored offsite.
Language of Material:
English
.
Collection is open for research.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Purchased from Auger Down Books.
[Identification of item], Rowley, Ridgeway Letter, MC359, Archives and Special Collections, UC Davis Library, University of
California, Davis.
Vanessa Cardona Ocegueda created this finding aid with information supplied by bookseller Auger Down Books.
A letter written by Ridgeway Rowley to an unnamed sister in 1861, a month after the start of the Civil War. According to a
family history, Rowley emigrated to California during the gold rush and opened a law office in 1864. His brother, A.B. Rowley,
fought in the conflict as a Colonel and eventually moved to California as well. Originally from Cortland, New York, Rowley
writes his sister about the danger of her relocation to Philadelphia. In a passage that illuminates Rowley's racial attitudes
about the conflict, he writes:
"Why, you have 'jumped out of the frying pan into the fire' surely by leaving Cortland for Philadelphia! Ain't you afraid
Jeff Davis will have your head off? If I was in your place, I would run back home immediately for fear of that 'great Southern
Army' marching into Philadelphia to the tune of 'Dixie' with the glorious 'Palmetto Flag' flying to the breezes - accompanied
by 10,000 n—----- all fighting for their masters, who will proceed to dance the 'Essence of old Virginy' on the steps of Independence
Hall, where they will be immediately turned loose to eat up the inhabitants of your doomed city. I think you had better retreat
or make up your mind whether you prefer being cooked whole or in slices?? Of course the progress of Civil War in your latitude
is watched with intense interest here. The 'Pony' comes through now twice a week, in about nine days with telegraphic news.
Since the taking of Fort Sumter, this state is strongly for the Union. The Stars & Stripes are floating everywhere. The few
secessionists here are compelled to keep perfectly quiet."
Full Transcript
Aviso Mills, May 5, 1861
Dearest Sister,
Your ever welcome letter came duly to hand, also one from Ma. Was glad to learn that you are in much better health, wish I
could say the same. This town of Alviso don't agree with me, am always sick in it, but Geo. Adams will soon be back, then
I will leave, and expect to improve as I did before when I left.
You have probably seen Geo. Adams, as he wrote us that he had been to Cortland.
Why, you have 'jumped out of the frying pan into the fire' surely by leaving Cortland for Philadelphia! Ain't you afraid Jeff
Davis will have your head off? If I was in your place, I would run back home immediately for fear of that 'great Southern
Army' marching into Philadelphia to the tune of 'Dixie' with the glorious 'Palmetto Flag' flying to the breezes - accompanied
by 10,000 n—----- all fighting for their masters, who will proceed to dance the 'Essence of old Virginy' on the steps of Independence
Hall, where they will be immediately turned loose to eat up the inhabitants of your doomed city. I think you had better retreat
or make up your mind whether you prefer being cooked whole or in slices?? Of course the progress of Civil War in your latitude
is watched with intense interest here. The 'Pony' comes through now twice a week, in about nine days with telegraphic news.
Since the taking of Fort Sumter, this state is strongly for the Union. The Stars & Stripes are floating everywhere. The few
secessionists here are compelled to keep perfectly quiet. I suppose before this something decisive has been done by government.
Our latest news is the arming of the entire north, and the concentration of troops in Washington. Civil War is anything but
agreeable, but let it come, for come it must, sooner or later. I don't suppose there is much fight in the folks at Cortland.
If I were home I would enlist sure.
I direct this letter to you at Phila. judging from your letter that this will find you there. Tell me whether Aunt Matilda
has ever heard anything from 'Jake' and how does Grand Ma get along, give her my love as well as to all enquiring. Are you
as a 'Country Cousin' amongst 'rich relations in the City'. I suppose you are in no particular want of the 'needful'. What
does Alexander do now, and how does the Doctor & Clare, & Aunt Reid do. I think I will write a letter to them before long.
I would before now if I thought they would have cared anything about it. -
What in the Wo--.
I thought you said something about getting married this spring, and now you talk about coming to California, how is it?
Does Lizzie Bronson keep home? and what does her husband do. Has anybody seen George Billger's wife yet. What is Bronson doing
in Phila. and is Billy keeping store in Carbondale yet or not. Why don't you write me such new. Is Sam in Honesdale &c.
I have been 2 years in California, 8 years more and you may see me home. [..?..] place is looking splendid just now, ripe
strawberries by the cart load.
Tell Joe to write to me.
From Your Affect. Brother,
R. G. Rowley.
All applicable copyrights for the collection are protected under chapter 17 of the U.S. Copyright Code. Requests for permission
to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Archives and Special Collections. Permission
for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the University of California as the owner of the physical items. It is
not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the researcher.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Correspondence
United States-History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
Auger Down Books