Letter from John Ludlow Gunter

This letter was written 2 years after the Civil War ended. It was from John Ludlow Gunter to his sister Cansadia and her husband Israel M. Harkey. It was published in one of the Arkansas genealogy publications. Jeanette Cobb sent this copy to me. Michael J. Jones of Plano, Texas has the original.

1866
State of Arkansas
Yell County September the 10

Dear Brother an Sister I seat my Self to let you know we are all well. I was at Eli Harkey. They are all well. John Life taken by the rebs and Shot Roalla was killed by U2 men. Martha Harkey married John Nemin. Cath Westmoreland married Love Stinet. He was killed by the rebs. Old Mosey was killed by the rebs. Wilson was killed by the rebs. Levi was killed by the rebs. John Rody was killed by the feds. Madison Wiggins died. Altison Carroll died. Alexsander Carroll died. Jesse Jones died. Eli Harkey died. Martin Harkey died. Jackson Rowland died. Old Adam Wiggins wife died. George Fink was killed by the rebs. Henry Harkey died. Dock Moore died or killed himself. Levi Westmoreland died. Clark Weems was killed by the rebs. Sam Coleburn was killed by feds. Carroll Tompkins was killed by the feds. Gim Moudy was killed by the rebs. Bill Bole died. I recon thare ant mutch account given of him. Olde Johnny Jones died. All these of this township made so by the War since 61.

Crops is verry good here. Wheat is selling at 2 dollars per bushel. Corn 7 dollars per bushel. Milk cows from 15 to 20 dollars per hed. Horses from 50 to 100 dollars per hed. Thare is tolerable plenty of every thing here. Times is peaceable now though thare is 2 parties here. The union and rebble or radical and conservativ.

I hav not went to work yet. Not a day since I have bin here. Caleb Jones is in this settlement. He is unsettled in his mind what he will do or he sais he is. They are all talking of going back to Texas. I don't no what else to rite. If you want any more come after it. I remain yours ever
John L. Gunter
To I.M. Harkey
and familey