Historians in S. Ind. town hope to buy rare letter

MADISON, Ind. (AP) - - A group of historians in a southern Indiana city are hoping they can purchase a Civil War soldier's rare letter describing a bloody battle and his vision of free blacks.

The letter set for auction March 21 in New York City was written by Morgan Carter, the son of an African-American grocery store owner in the Ohio River city of Madison who helped move slaves to freedom along the Underground Railroad.

The Madison Courier reports the historians have created a fund to purchase the letter penned by Morgan Carter.

Historian and genealogist Janice Barnes says, "We want this document back in Indiana."

The group is seeking donations for the letter-buying effort. Donations can be dropped off at the Jefferson County Historical Society office or mailed to the office.

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Information from: The Madison Courier, http://www.madisoncourier.com