War Through the Eyes of a Young Sailor


John G. Dillingham letter to wife, May 9, 1861

John G. Dillingham letter to wife, May 9, 1861
Item 19269   info
Freeport Historical Society

Returning from a voyage to San Francisco in early 1861 Capt. Dillingham and Monroe stopped at the Chinchas Islands (Peru) to load guano for transport to Europe.

There they first learn that an American civil war is imminent. On December 20, 1860, South Carolina had seceeded from the Union, the first state to take that step.

John writes: "You seem to be quite war like on your side it is as quiet as can be on this and I hope the war will be all over before I get round Cape Horn although I have but little fears that the Southerners will trouble us."

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