In this transcribed letter written by one Lt. C. P. Davis to my G Grandfather George Washington Coatney there is a good first hand account of how slavery was viewed by him. Don Coatney Unknown Date SIXTY-SIXTH INDIANA REGIMENT Hd. Qrs. Co. F 66th Ind. Pulaski, Tenn. Friend George: I with gratitude and respect- again resume my seat to address you. I hope you will pardon my long delay in writing for the shifting scenes of war, the multiplecity of Gen. Orders, the requirements of Red tape are at least good reasons why I have not written sooner, but I can give you the fullest assurance that my regard and respect for you has been as fervent as if I had been writing every day. There is one noble trait in your character not to refer to others which I greatly admire and which will ever claim for you an abiding place in my affections and that is your adhesion to true honesty. There is no man who is able to approach you and accuse you of deceiving him through the instrumentality of a hypocritical religion. O: how few can claim to be guided by an enlightened Christianity but what such charges can be legitimally applied. George the old proverb "The longer a man lives the more he learns." This is a fertile region the fields and hills presenting the appearance of the fair fields of Indiana. There are plenty of hogs and cattle here and not frequently you meet negroes who are all most white. I was never in a country so poluted in amalgamation as this There are not a few who are now held in abject slavery who are no as white as common people. I saw a little girl in town last week whom I took to be the master's own child but was told she was his slave. This case and many others which I have witnessed has caused my moral faculties to exclaim to Hell with such a system of slavery. I have no important news to chronicle from this point. The news from Grant and Burnsides is highly interesting. The Rebellion is fast playing out. I see that Colfus is elected speaker Congress fully organized and we may hear of that body doing something in the way of peace. Well George as I have no doubt wearyed yours patience by my hasty written letter. I will close hoping to hear from you soon. My health is very good. The boys are well. Respectfully yours Lt. C. P. Davis