CENTRAL ILLINOIS TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES NEWSLETTER December 2008 The Confederacy

Welcome to the 20th issue of the Central The war had taken a toll on Lincoln, not Illinois Teaching with Primary only as President but in his home life. Sources Newsletter, a collaborative Because his wife was from Kentucky, most project of Teaching with Primary Sources of Mary Todd Lincoln’s family supported Programs at Southern Illinois University the Confederacy during the war. This was Edwardsville and Eastern Illinois hard for Mary to bear, supporting her University. husband meant disagreeing with her family in Kentucky. With this issue and continuing through February President Lincoln granted a pass 2009 the theme each month to Martha Todd White half-sister Galbraith Map Illinois will reflect primary sources of Mary Todd Lincoln, to travel of the Abraham Lincoln i n t o t h e U n i o n . A l m o s t Contents Calendar. You can immediately stories and rumors Introduction—pg 1 download and print a copy of of Martha smuggling contraband the calendar at http:// back to the south emerged. More Beyond President www.eiu.edu/~eiutps. controversy followed when Emily Lincoln—pg 2 Todd Helm, another half-sister of Library of Congress Eight days after Abraham Mary, attempted to cross Union Topic Connections— L i n c o l n w a s e l e c t e d lines. Emily was married to pg 2 president, South Carolina Benjamin Hardin Helm, a Lesson Plans, succeeded from the Union. This was the general in the Confederate army. When Activities and beginning of the Confederate States of General Helm died in battle, Emily wished Resources—pg 4 America. The Confederacy elected to return to her family in Kentucky. For a What’s New at Jefferson Davis to be their President. while she stayed with President and Mrs. www.loc.gov?—pg 5 After his inauguration Davis sent a peace Lincoln, to have a Confederate widow in commission to Washington, however the White House outraged many. Activity-Test Your President Lincoln refused to see the Knowledge-pg 6 representatives from the south. Lincoln issued an amnesty and loyalty oath Image Sources—pg 7 for Emily Todd Helm so she could pass In April 1860, President Lincoln sent Union lines and supplies to Fort Sumter, a Union fort enter the south to Contact surrounded by Confederate states. Davis attend to her Information responded by ordering an attack on the property. The am- fort which signified the start of the Civil nesty was condi- Amy Wilkinson War. Davis believed he could find allies tional on Emily [email protected] in England and France, as both countries taking the loyalty Cindy Rich already recognized the Confederate oath to the Union, [email protected] States of America. In November 1861, which she never Jefferson Davis sent James Mason and did. When she Editor John Sidell to appeal to England and returned to Wash- Melissa Carr France for support of the Confederate ington the follow- [email protected] states in the war. Union soldiers ing fall to acquire Websites apprehended the diplomats and returned a license to sell them to the United States as cotton she www.eiu.edu/~eiutps prisoners. England owned in Missis- www.siue.edu/ was furious and sippi, Lincoln refused to grant it education/tps considered this unless she affirmed loyalty to the Union. action as a violation Rather than doing that, Mrs. Helm re- of their neutrality. turned to Kentucky and after one angry Lincoln also found letter, was never again in contact with the himself in the Lincoln’s. Library of Congress American Memory position of avoiding accessed 11.03.08 a w a r w i t h England. Page 2 The Confederacy

Beyond Lincoln

On April 9, 1865 General Lee surrendered Davis and his family were put onboard a ship, bringing an end to the Civil War. For several along with Confederate Vice-President weeks the Union Army had been in pursuit of Alexander Stephens, and taken by sea to Fort Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. Davis plan Monroe, Virginia. On May 22, 1865, Davis was an escape by sea from the east coast of was taken ashore in shackles and placed into Florida sailing to solitary confinement. He was indicted on the Texas where he charge of treason but never tried, and was hoped to establish a released two years later in May 1867. Davis new Confederacy. never requested or was granted a His dream of a new pardon for his Confederate nation actions. Library of was crushed on May Congress Today in History 10, 1865 when he accessed 10.03.08 Library of Congress America’s was captured by Library accessed 10.03.08 Union Soldiers. V a r i n a D a v i s , feeling her husband A s D a v i s had been wrongly cabinet disbanded, portrayed as a coward in the north- they took gold from the treasury. With rumors ern newspapers, wrote a letter to Montgom- spreading among southern troops of the ery Blair, a family friend and Post Master defeat of the Confederacy, Davis was General under President Lincoln, detailing in hourly anticipation of the capture of her husband. Varina Davis attacks by Confederate was imprisoned at Savannah, Georgia and soldiers in search of later joined Davis at Fort Monroe. (http:// treasure. Expecting lcweb2.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ these soldiers, Davis mcc:@field(DOCID+@lit(mcc/005)) was not prepared for the Library of Congress American Memory accessed Union soldiers that 11.11.08 charged upon their camp.

Topic Connections

America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Southern Voices http://memory.loc.gov/ Song Sheets http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ ammem/award99/ncuhtml/ncuhome.html amsshtml/amsshome.html The toils of southerners and Confederate Song sheets, not to be confused with soldiers during the Civil War can be found in sheet music, are mass produced sheets diaries and letters in this collection. It with lyrics but no music. Song sheets were includes a range of individuals telling their first popular in the British Isles as early as stories, from Confederate the 1500’s. They found their soldiers, a Virginia girl during height of popularity in the the War to a Confederate United States during the early Chaplin. nineteenth century. These song sheets provided entertainment The Civil War diary of Miss Belle during a time when there was Edmondson of Shelby County, little happiness in people’s lives. Tennessee, is available in this The country needed a diversion, collection. Belle recorded news especially the south towards the from the front, local skirmishes and rumors, end of the war. Their way of life troop movements, the running of contraband and all they knew was through federal lines and activities of family destroyed, their government and slaves. According to family legend, which had collapsed and t h e i r appears supported by diary accounts, Miss president was Edmondson was a Confederate spy. trying to avoid capture from the Union. The song sheets in this These diaries and stories tell of a life that are collection tell that story from at risk of being forgotten. Primary sources “The Bonnie Blue Flag” to “The such as these are a connection we have with Capture of Jeff Davis”. this devastating time in our history. The Confederacy Page 3

Topic Connections Cont.

An American Time Capsule: Three to return. Sheet music provided a form Centuries of Broadsides and other of entertainment during the Civil War. Printed Ephemera http://memory.loc.gov/ Like music today, songs of the Civil ammem/rbpehtml/ War were meant to be listened to over Broadsides, leaflets, pamphlets and tickets and over. Unlike CD’s and MP3’s sheet are examples of printed ephemera that were music shows wear over time and originally meant to be read or used and then some sheets are discolored or torn. thrown away. It is amazing that so many have been saved. The Library’s collection of printed ephemera contains 28,000 items. The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress http:// It is almost as if you can follow the rise and memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/ fall of Jefferson Davis through broadsides. malhome.html From a Virginia electoral ticket boasting There are many letters to and from Jefferson Davis for President to addresses by President Lincoln concerning the Davis to the people of the free states as well Confederacy, most dealing with peace as the Confederacy. negotiations or rumors of peace. A letter to Lincoln from Prince de Joinville, a member of There is a May 2, 1865 proclamation from the House of Orleans, explored the rumor that President Andrew Johnson offering a reward the Confederacy was about to make a of $100,000 dollars for the arrest of Jefferson declaration of emancipation of their own. Of Davis. This proclamation states that “the course, there were strings to the Confederate murder of the late President Lincoln and the emancipation; it wouldn’t actually take effect attempted assassination of the Honorable for twenty to thirty years. There were even William H. Seward, Secretary of State, were rumors of an attack by the south on incited, concerted and procured by Jefferson Washington D.C. and that there was not an Davis” and his cabinet. office in the Union not saturated with friends of Jefferson Davis. Being bombarded with After Davis capture and arrest he spent two diverse and rampant rumors and opinions years in prison before allowed bail. Davis bail on a daily basis had to bond with original signatures and an eight place additional pressure page leaflet from Gerrit Smith one of the and burdens on President men who signed Davis bail bond justifying Lincoln during the war. his signature brings to an

end Davis presidency. Lincoln had to run a country Apparently even the in the middle of a Civil War P r e s i d e n t o f t h e but as president also Confederacy is not beyond conducted foreign affairs. being poked fun at in The possibility that England advertisements. One and France, who each humorous advertisement recognized the Confederacy, asks the question “Why might come to the aide of does Jefferson Davis look the south was a threat that so thin? Why is Stephens so would extend the war beyond the United boney?” to find the answer go to http:// States boarders. The Union did not have the memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/ manpower needed to fight another enemy. rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band This was a war that had to be fought between (rbpe+20506100)). the states, without foreign interference.

Of all the letters in the Lincoln papers, there Historic American Sheet Music 1850- are none from Lincoln to Jefferson Davis and 1920 http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/ one from Davis to Lincoln. The subject of Davis award97/ncdhtml/hasmhome.html letter is the capture of the vessel Savannah With marches, polkas and anthems, the and an offer of exchanging prisoners. An music of the Confederacy during the Civil War interesting point in the letter; Davis addresses is abundant. Not to be confused with song Lincoln as sir and not Mr. President, yet signs sheets, sheet music may not contain words to the letter Jefferson Davis, President and Com- the songs. There are upbeat tunes written to mander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the lift the spirits of soldiers and songs played in Confederate States of America. southern homes while waiting for a loved one Page 4 The Confederacy

Topic Connections Cont.

Civil War Maps http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/civil_war_maps/index.html There are a numerous maps in this collection so a simple search for Confederacy will find a map for every southern state. Finding specific maps such as Confederate States of America transportation, army or campaign maps are easier to locate by using the index and browsing by subject.

Camp Lawton, a Confederate prison camp, once confined approximately 8,600 prisoners. One prisoner was Robert Knox Sneden. Sneden was paroled by Isaiah White a surgeon for the camp who made Sneden his assistant. Sneden created a map of Camp Lawton with great detail containing the exact location of the camp, hospital and the number of dead buried in the camp. Robert Knox Sneden also created a map showing the route he took as a prisoner of war from Richmond, Virginia to Camp Lawton in Andersonville, Georgia.

William Henry Fitzhugh, a member of the 4th Virginia Calvary, was wounded and captured during the battle at Williamsburg. While recuperating he created a map designed to aid in his escape. The map is of the James River and depicts the area of the Virginia Peninsula between Williamsburg and Richmond.

The Library has two special collections of Civil War Maps. The Hotchkiss Maps created by Major Jedediah Hotchkiss, a topographic engineer in the Confederate Army, these are detailed battle maps used by Generals Robert E. Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson. The Sherman Map Collection which consists of 210 maps and three atlases belonging to General William T. Sherman.

Lesson Plans, Activities and Resources

Exhibits: Battle of Fort Sumter http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm117.html Ruins in Richmond http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm110.html

America’s Story: Jump Back in Time: Robert M. T. Hunter was Born http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/nation/hunter_2 Jefferson Davis Elected President of the Confederate States of America http:// www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/davis_1 Charleston Surrendered http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/charlstn_1 Lee Surrendered http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/surrender_3 Jefferson Davis was Captured http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/jeffdav_1

Special Presentation: Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America 1861-1865 http:// memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwcc.html

Local Legacies: Jefferson Davis Days http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/KY/200003058.html

Wise Guide: A Confederacy of Copyrighters http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/may07/confederacy.html A Confederacy of Maps http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/oct05/maps.html The Confederacy Page 5

Lesson Plans, Activities and Resources Cont.

Learning Page: Lesson Plans:

Ladies, Contraband and Spies: Women in the Civil War http://memory.loc.gov/learn/ lessons/01/spies/index.html

Features and Activities: Civil War and Reconstruction: The South During the War http://memory.loc.gov/learn/ features/timeline/civilwar/southwar/south.html

Today in History: Jefferson Davis Elected http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov06.html Jefferson Davis Captured http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may10.html Andersonville Prison http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov10.html I am a Southern Man http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr21.html The Fall of Atlanta http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/sep01.html

What’s New at LOC.GOV

Celebrating Lincoln’s 200th Birthday Even though President Lincoln’s 200th birthday is still two months away, the Library of Congress is preparing for a spectacular exhibit. On February 12, 2009 the Library will open “With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition”, an exhibit celebrating Lincoln’s 200th birthday. The exhibit will contain items from Lincoln’s early years as a lawyer through his assassination. This exhibition will include many of the abundant Lincoln items in the Library’s collections.

Although still in developmental stages, items have arrived at the conservation department for preparation. In the LOC blog on October 30, 2008 you can see an example of items going on display. The objects Lincoln had in his pocket at the time of his assassination which most of you have seen in the online exhibit “Artifacts of the Assassination” http://www.loc.gov/ exhibits/treasures/trm012.html in the picture below showing how items are stored. Making a rare appearance is a seed pearl and gold necklace and bracelet often worn by Mary Todd Lincoln. Although these items have been displayed before, to view all of them in one exhibit will be extraordinary.

This exhibit will have something for everyone. Personal items, letters, military and campaign items, the Lincoln family Bible, political cartoons and photographs will be included. These items may show a new perspective of who Abraham Lincoln was, as president and a man.

A companion volume to the exhibit will be available through the Library. “In Lincoln’s Hands; His Original Manuscripts with Commentary by Distinguished Americans” will feature original essays about the most important Lincoln documents, including the Gettysburg Address and Lincoln’s Second Inaugural address. The Library will also offer a Lincoln Symposium and Teacher Institutes to better equip educators for using primary sources relating to Lincoln.

Library of Congress; LOC Blog by Matt Raymond, October 30, 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008 Library of Congress; News from the Library October 28, 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008 Images provided by Matt Raymond on LOC Blog October 30, 2008. Accessed October 30, 2008 Page 6 The Confederacy

Test Your Knowledge...

Draw a line connecting the correct word and phrase. There is not a match for each word. Create a phrase for the remaining words.

1. South Carolina 1. He offered $100,000 reward for the arrest of Jefferson Davis. 2. Emily Todd Helm 2. President of the Confederate States of America. 3. April 9, 1865

3. Where Mary Todd Lincoln’s family lived. 4. England and France 4. Confederate Prison Camp. 5. Texas 5. First state to succeed from the Union. 6. Belle Edmondson 6. Where the Civil War started.

7. Kentucky 7. Mass produced sheets with lyrics but no music. 8. Sheet Music 8. Davis sought these countries as allies. 9. Pardon 9. Where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned. 10. Camp Lawton 10. Confederate spy.

11. Jefferson Davis 11. Date Jefferson Davis was captured.

12. Fort Sumter 12. Topic of only letter found in the Lincoln papers from Davis to Lincoln. 13. Song Sheets 13. Delegate for Confederacy. 14. May 10, 1865

15. Andrew Johnson

16. Fort Monroe

17. “Savannah”

18. Varina Davis

19. James Mason

The Confederacy Page 7

Image Sources

Library of Congress Jefferson Davis, full-length portrait, seated Prints and Photographs

The Library of Congress Abraham Lincoln Prints and Photographs

The Library of Congress The starting point of the great war between the states. Inauguration of Jefferson Davis Prints and Photographs

Library of Congress The true story of the capture of Jeff. Davis Prints and Photographs

Library of Congress The casemate, Fortress Monroe, Jeff Davis in prison Prints and Photographs

Library of Congress Jeff. Davis in prison Prints and Photographs

Library of Congress The capture of Jeff. Davis. By DeWolfe. [n. p.] [n. d.] American Memory-America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets

Library of Congress The bonnie blue flag. H. De Marsan, Publisher, No. 54 Chatham Street, New York, [n. d.] American Memory-America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets

Library of Congress Jeff Davis' dream. Air--Lord Lovel. Johnson, Song Publisher, Stationer &c., Phila. [n. d.] American Memory-America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets

Library of Congress Illustration from The Heart of a Soldier as Revealed in the Intimate Letters ... by George E. American Memory-Southern Voices

Library of Congress Election, Wednesday, November 6th, 1861. For President. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi. For Vice President, Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia. Electoral ticket for the state at large ..... [Virginia 1861]. American Memory-An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Printed Ephemera

Library of Congress Secession march; Op. 17. 1860 American Memory-Historic American Sheet Music 1850-1920

Page 8 The Confederacy

Image Sources

Library of Congress Pertinent questions'. Why does Jefferson Davis look so thin? Why is Stephens so singularly boney? .... The fact that neither of them have ever called at M. Samstag's Nos. 462 and 464, Seventh street and consequently neither have ever tasted his American Memory-An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Printed Ephemera

Library of Congress God save the South; Our national Confederate anthem. 186- American Memory-Historic American Sheet Music 1850-1920

Library of Congress Jefferson Davis to Francis P. Blair Sr., Thursday, January 12, 1865 (Peace Negotiations) American Memory-The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress

Library of Congress "Camp Lawton" at Millen, Georgia : about 8,600 prisoners confined here 14th November 1864. American Memory-Civil War Maps

Library of Congress Map showing route taken by U.S. prisoners of war, Feby. 1864, when sent from Richmond, Va., to Andersonville, Georgia. American Memory-Civil War Maps