My dear Son [J. H. Gilmer Jr.]
Virginia has seceded. War,
civil war, with all its attendant
horrors, is now inevitable. Strife
and contention–will usurp the place
of prudence and reason. Passion
will assume the garb of patriot-
ism, and flaunt her gaudy plu-
mes, in the face of all past expe-
rience. There is a gloomy picture
immediately before us, and the
gloom will thicken and inten-
sify, as years pass away, only
noted by national ruin, indivi-
dual suffering, and increased
corruption. the strong arm of mi-
litary power, will rule for a long
time, and under trying circum-
stances. Trading politicians and
low demagogues, will only leave
their accustomed haunts, to re-en-
act their tricks, in the ar-
my, and as government em-
oloyees.
I may not live through
the “fiery ordeal” into which, as
a people we are now precipitated.
I will therefore address you this
letter–not to be read, until the
cessation of hostilities, or my re-
pose in the grave. I may be wrong,
[reverse side of page 1]
in my gloomy anticipations. Indeed
I hope I am. But, such as they
are, I will here reduce t hem to
writing, that you may read them,
when the hand which writes them,
may be cold in the grave, and the
mind which dictates them, in a-
nother and more congenial sphere
of action. They will serve, at least,
to call to our recollection, the re-
flections of one–to whom you are
very dear, and may not be unpro-
fitable, to you, in after years. Such
as they are, you at least, will ap-
preciate them, as flowing from
a mind and heart, which have
always sought elevation, from
a familiar acquaintance with
the writings and works of the
“fathers of the Republic”–and have
ever despised that infectious breed
of low demagogues, who have so
long cursed, and have now ru-
ined our country.
In what I shall now write,
I merely propose to glance at the
probably course and ultimate ter-
mination of the war–which is
now inevitable; and which, in
its developments, will assume
proportions far beyond the ex-
pectations of either government,
rulers, or people. It is well, in
our own persons, to render death
[page 2]
familiar to our thoughts, by constant
and serious reflection, upon its cer-
tain approach. this remark ap-
plies, with equal force to national
disintegration–or political death.
[ten pages of predictions by Gilmer follow including:]
[from page 2]
This war will last much
longer and be far more ruinous,
in its consequences, than is any where
believed. Both the Federal and
Confederate government, will, for
a while profess adherence to the
cardinal principles, on which the
rupture is made. But ultimately,
both governments will cease to
act on them–until finally, in
the heat of mutual combat, both
governments will abandon them,
and assume dictatorial powers….
Both the Federal and Con-
federate government, will display
their want of self-reliance, by co-
quetting with foreign powers. The
South, to procure recognition. The
North to prevent it…..
[from page 4]
Mr Lincoln, is in point
of fact, a mere man of straw. He
will, illustrate his true character,
by maneuvering, for a while, be-
tween the rival parties of the North,
the democratic and Black Repub-
lican. In these his vacillations,
he will, after a while, be jostled
out of his Administrative equine-
mity. In his effort to please both
he will displeasure all men of both
parties, and thus be driven to the
assumption of arbitrary power, as
the commander in chief of the
[page 5]
army and navy, in order to keep
his seat. Mr. Seward, is the real
man of power….
Defeated.
as the united states will be in their
unholy effort to conquer the South,
faction after faction will arise
which will not only weaken the
government, abroad, but will,
in a great measure render it des-
picable in the eyes of a great por-
tion of the northern people…..
Under this aspect of matters–
local, general and pervasive, it
will become necessary for Mr Lincoln
to take sides. As to his elect-
ion, those who have at all con-
sidered the man–will be at no
loss to know, where he will find
himself–in the arms and under
the control of the Black Republi-
cans. He will proclaim univer-
sal emancipation, and thus bid
high for English sympathy. He will
assume dictatorial powers–
issue proclamations–make war on a
nation of his own people–open
wide the gates of his dungeons–In a word,
he will seek to destroy all indi-
vidual and domestic freedom….
[from page 6]
When we turn to the
Confederate states–or rather, The
South, and consider the true
character of the people and
our institutions, all would ap-
pear bright, and promising,-
guaranteeing a brilliant re-
sult, were it not for the real
character of Jefferson Davis…
Mr. Davis is a politi-
cal anomaly–bold, selfish, ar-
rogant, self willed, full of con-
ceit, cunning to a fault, and
without the first conception of
party or personal generosity…At heart a tyrant
….
[from reverse side of page 6]
Fortunately for us, the
People of the South, will not,
even in civil war, barter away
their liberties, for a mere shadow.
[from page 7]
This is my only hope. But for
this assurance I should even
now despair. For I think I
know the heart and purposes of
Mr. Davis. The one is as cold
and selfish, as the others are dark
and sinuous….
Mark my words. Time will
fulfill them. Virginia will
fall a prey to the schemes of
Mr Davis, unless her sons shall
take timely warning, and pro-
perly appreciate his real cha-
racter, For one, I shall watch
hm closely, and mark him
well….
[from page 8]
It is my opinion, that he will
ultimately fail, and from two
causes. 1st From the high spirit of
the southern people and arm. 2nd
from his inability to force upon the
states his peculiar military views.
In the progress of events, he will
disgust the people, and arouse the
states….
[from reverse side of page 8]
Then peace parties will spring
up–north and south. Fresh issues
will here arise. New men will come
into power–in the different states.
Combinations will be formed. In
both the Federal and Confederate
governments, the power will
pass from them, and diffuse its-
elf, among the states….
The first, propositons of
peace–will come from the North,
and for t his reason. The people of
the North–will not lose all–to
please the Black Republicans.
The commercial and manufac-
turing interests of New York and
Pennsylvania–are more binding
upon the hearts of their people, than
their hatred to slavery.
[from page 9]
It is impossible even to con-
jecture the closing scenes of this ap-
palling national tragedy. All real
power will have departed, from the
Federal and Confederate govern-
ments. Two vast political ma-
chines run down; and no self-cor-
recting balance, at the disposal of
either….the instinct of self pre-
seration, may dictate the only
[from reverse side of page 9]
true solution of pending difficulties.
Which is–let each state resume
its original powers, and draw its
energies within itself. Assume what
of right belongs to it–supreme pow-
er–when necessary for its own pre-
servation–over its own people and
territory, and announce its inten-
tion to form a new Federative go-
vernment–by a new and un-
trammeled compact.
This and this alone, in
my opinion, will be the only re-
liable solution of this war. It may
be otherwise. God alone can foresee….
I have thus my dear son…communicated to
you, my most secret thoughts, on
the existing state of things. God
grant my picture may be too dark.
Be my thoughts right or wrong, al-
low me, in conclusion, to impress on
you one lesson. through life, keep
your affections centered on Virginia
[page 10]
and her destiny. She is a noble state.
Her people are worthy of a better fate. Stand
by her flag. Never allow her soil or honor
to be sullied by a foreign or domestic foe….
God bless the old dominion!
Her people are as free as they are brave,
as pure as they are patriotic. They will
yet, inact, int this war–a role as bril-
liant as it will be permanent, and
in the last scenes of this revolution,
her people–will not dishonor the me-
mory, or mar the historic portraiture
of their Washington.
Should you survive this war–
when peace returns–thence forward,
eschew politics and beware of politi-
cians. Devote yourself to the law.
Seek to be a good and great lawyer.
In this capacity, you can better serve
your country, than as a politician.
Above all–Be a consistent, hum-
ble follower of Christ.
Your devoted Father
John H. Gilmer
[John Harmer Gilmer of Ivy, Albemarle County, Va., survived the war, dying in 1879; His son John H. Gilmer, Jr., a V.M.I. graduate served in the CSA Army as an engineer. His health was broken by the war and he died in 1867.
