Letter signed James P. Groot, St. Louis, to his sister, Jessee, and aunts. ". . . . I am as yet living in the state of Mo. or City of St. Louis but no [know] not how long I will remain here as cessessionism [secessionism] is growing very warm and makes it very unpleasant for a person born in a free state to live in or among slave state[?] at the present time. . . . The appearance of the many military companies parading the streets & the numerous tents at different points (of observation) on the outskirts of the city & around the arnsnel [arsenal] would make it appear that there is a foe in the land. . . ." (Letter is written on illustrated stationery.), 1861 May 28

Item — Box: 1, Folder: 8

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

The collection consists primarily of Groot family correspondence. Most of the letters were written by James P. Groot. Notable content includes three letters signed Rachel Mull to her sister Maria—dated September 2, 1855, April 5, 1856, and February 25, no year—that describe the abusive relationship with her husband, Barney Mull. The collection also includes 12 Civil War–era letters signed James P. Groot describing affairs in St. Louis and his military service in the 6th Iowa Infantry.