(CIVIL WAR) Zurishaddai Circular letter blaming recent Union

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(CIVIL WAR.) "Zurishaddai." Circular letter blaming recent Union losses on a lack of religious faith. 2 printed pages, 10 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches, on one folding sheet; separations at folds, archivally repaired tears. Philadelphia, 29 April 1864

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This letter is addressed to "Mr. President, Governor, Clergyman, Editor, and Fellow Citizen." It blames the Union's recent reverses at Olustee and Fort Pillow on a lack of religious faith, using examples from the history of Judaism, and calls upon every American to take "a vow of returning allegiance and eternal fidelity to God (thereby securing the permanent prosperity of our country)." The people are called on to denounce liquor, swearing, "Polygamy or Mormonism," and "all human bondage or oppression." It is headed with biblical quotations: "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse. . . . Keep thee from every wicked thing." Added in pencil are the words "Copperhead A. McCoy or any other sinner." The Historical Society of Pennsylvania has a copy of this unusual letter, but none are traced in OCLC or at auction.