Remarkable original Civil War-era manuscript essay titled “The North and the South,” written by John G. Phelan, later a well-known Connecticut judge and Northford figure.

The manuscript can be dated unusually closely from its own contents.

Phelan writes:

“There are fifteen Slave States. Eight have left the union the other seven will go at any moment…”

Virginia became the eighth slave state to adopt secession on April 17, 1861, while Arkansas became the ninth on May 6. The wording therefore strongly suggests that this essay was written in approximately late April or very early May 1861, during the opening weeks of the American Civil War.

John Garvin Phelan was born April 1, 1848, making him approximately 13 years old when this was written.

The essay is an unusually thoughtful contemporary response to the secession crisis by a young Connecticut writer. Phelan discusses the dangers of civil war, political party spirit, sectional division, the fifteen slave states, secession, Northern “fanaticism,” George Washington, Jefferson, Adams and Monroe, and the need for compromise and national unity.

Among the more striking passages are:

“Civil war the worst of all wars is passing like a dark Cloud over the land…”

“This union founded by such men as Washington, Jefferson; Adams, and Monroe… is now threatened by civil war…”

“There are fifteen Slave States. Eight have left the union…”

“We must know no party no North no South no East or no West.”

“It cannot be done by fighting.”

“We must have a union of hearts a union of hands and a union forever United.”

The reverse is inscribed “John Phelan No 1,” suggesting that this may have been an early school composition or written exercise.

Phelan later became known as Judge John G. Phelan and remained closely associated with the Northford and Wallingford, Connecticut area.

This is particularly interesting as a primary-source record of how a young Northerner was thinking about secession and the preservation of the Union at the very beginning of the Civil War. Rather than being a later reminiscence, the essay appears to have been written while the secession crisis was actively unfolding.

Original manuscript on lined paper, several pages written on a folded sheet.

Condition is worn but entirely readable, with substantial toning and staining, old folds, handling wear, small edge losses and other age-related defects as shown. Ink remains generally dark and legible. Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.

An unusual Civil War manuscript combining secession content, Union sentiment, political philosophy, Connecticut history, and the remarkable perspective of an approximately thirteen-year-old writer during the opening weeks of the conflict.