Yesterday, April 12th, marked the 150th anniversary of the bombardment of Ft. Sumter, the event that began four years of bloody Civil War.

In this letter from Special Collections’ Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, Sara E. Ker Butler of Le Carpe Plantation, Terrebonne Parish, La., writes her sister-in-law, Margaret Butler, and relates news of the bombardment and war excitement in Houma: "those who wished to go (nearly all had signed an agreement to that effect, among them some who ought to be home, taking care of their wives and children)." She also relates news of the capture of Ft. Sumter, thankful to hear none were killed on either side and credits U.S. Major Robert Anderson "with trained gunners must have tried not to hurt anyone." She discusses how she feels it is impossible to have enthusiasm for "our side," admitting we should defend our rights but a war of brother vs. brother is awful.

View Butler's letter in its entirety in the Louisiana Digital Library:

http://www.louisianadigitallibrary.org/u?/p15140coll10,609

This letter is from the Margaret Butler Correspondence, Mss. 1068, Louisiana and Lower Mississippi Valley Collections, LSU Libraries, Baton Rouge, La.