Virginia Memory, Library of Virginia
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THIS DAY IN VIRGINIA HISTORY

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November 24, 1863

John Snyder Carlile, Letter, 24 November 1863, Accession 39535, Personal Papers Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia. John Snyder Carlile, Letter, 24 November 1863, Accession 39535, Personal Papers Collection, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

John S. Carlile Wrote a Letter

In this letter to a friend, John Snyder Carlile (1817–1878) derided the Gettysburg address and the idea of emancipation of African Americans. He also questioned the honor of Federal troops fighting in the Civil War. An ardent Unionist, Carlile participated in the formation of the reorganized Virginia state government in Wheeling after the secession of Virginia. Elected a United States senator, Carlile backed the establishment of West Virginia as a state. He removed his support from the statehood bill when it was amended to require abolition of slavery in the new state.