Good Content Early War New Jersey Letter

War-date Autograph Letter Signed, 4p. octavo, Jersey Shore, May 6, 1861, and reads in part: "...my mind has been so much occupied by teh convulsions which have lately shaken our land to its center, that I could not settle myself, long enough at a time to write a letter, and will not promise you much now; for my thoughts tonight are in Camp Curtin, with the poor soldiers who have to brave the tempest tonight...There are two companies there from Williamsport, and among them many of my friends; no less than seven Lawyers from there, which is my profession. Our friend S.A. Hepner arrived here from the South on Saturday evening, he was you may be assured, a very welcome visitor; they had given up looking for him, and reconciled themselves to their fate; when he came, his was the unexpected but not unwelcome guest; he is looking very well, and has been amusing us, since his return with accounts of Southern life....Our friend Mr. Russell has joined the company here and is awaiting orders to leave; the company boards at the Hotel, hence we have been deprived his company at our table for time past, they expect to go in Camp at Lock Haven soon,...The War has completely roused the people of this town from their slumbers; the excitement which prevailed here for a time, was intense; nothing was thought of, talked of, or dreamed of, but the Union and the insult, which had been offered to our Flag. Speeches were made, and flags raised all over town; all the ministers, lawyers, doctors, and schoolteachers (excepting females) monted a dry good box and spoke to the crowd in loud and stirring tones; which awoke the spirit of seventy-six, the old forgot their age! and the watchword with all, was 'The Union now and forever.' The excitement has abated considerable, business is very dull..." Fine.