DOCSLIB.ORG

The Civil War Letters of Elizabeth Blair Lee. Edited by Virginia Jeans Laas

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
The Civil War Letters of Elizabeth Blair Lee. Edited by Virginia Jeans Laas Lee, Elizabeth Blair. Wartime Washington: The Civil War Letters of Elizabeth Blair Lee. Edited by Virginia Jeans Laas. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1991. Secession speeches in Congress, Iverson, 14-15 Social ostracism of Republicans, 14 Christians and civil war, 15-16 Middle states, Republicans, 16 Benjamin F. Wade speech, 18 Buchanan, 18 Robert Anderson, 18 South Carolina secession, 19 Lincoln’s possible cabinet, Seward, 19 Anderson, Buchanan, Slidell, Jefferson Davis, Moutrie, Pickens, 20 Secession, Douglas, Crittenden, 22-23 Virginia convention, 24-25 Young women and Washington society, 25 Seward peace overture, 25 Southern senators leaving, 27 Rumors about the forts, 28 Corwin’s peace proposition, 28 Missouri politics, 28 Kentucky, 29 Missouri politics, secession, 31-33 Davis and Stephens, turn against secession, 33 Tennessee and secession, 36 Bad men leading secession, father expects peace, 37 Peace congress, 37 South Carolina discontent with Jefferson Davis election, 38 England and the war, blockade, 40-41 Black deportation, 41 Raw soldiers, campaign plans, 43 Simon Cameron, 44 Joseph Holt, Kentucky, 44 Missouri, Claiborne Jackson, 48 Harpers Ferry, 48 Frank Blair candidacy for speaker of the House, 52, 56 Secessionist violence in Baltimore, 53 John C. Frémont, Jessie, 53-54 Simon Cameron, 54 Naval officers, blockade, 58 Congress and military delay, 60 Western Virginia, McClellan, 61, 63 Seward, European powers, England, 62 John C. Breckinridge attack on Lincoln, 63 Maryland, 64 Bull Run, 65 1 Philadelphia, 68 General Patterson, 69 Bull Run, 69-70 Criticism of Blair family, 70 Wilson’s Creek, 71 Washington defenses, 72 Confederates moving, additional Union soldiers drilling, 72 Church service, love feast, 74-75 McClellan, 75 Strong business in Philadelphia, 76, 82 Kentucky, 77 Jessie Frémont, John C. Frémont, 78-79, 81 Jessie Frémont, 85 McClellan, 86 Frank Blair and John C. Frémont, 86 Impending advance of McClellan, 87 Southerners would give up if they could see northern prosperity, 88 Frémont, Sigel, Sturgis, Hunter, Sterling Price, Missouri, 89 Thaddeus Stevens accused Frank Blair, Jr. of deserting the Republican party, 91 Shooting of a deserter, 91 Senator Doolittle, 91 Radical in Congress, Frank Blair, Jr., 93 Christmas, White House, 93 Trent affair, England and France, 93-94 Regiments into Missouri, Frémont, 94 Prayer, 96-97 Nathaniel Banks 97 General Lander, 98 General Stone’s arrest, McClellan, Stanton, 100, 102 Chase, turn states into territories, 100 Captain Goldsborough, 101 Hitchcock and Halleck, 102 Kentucky and Tennessee, 103-4 Mary Lincoln and Willie Lincoln, 104 Frank Blair pessimistic, 104 General Lander’s death, 105 Frank Blair, Lincoln, Chase, Frémont, 105-6 Frank Blair making Frémont speech in Congress, George Washington Julian, 107 10th Massachusetts foray against Confederates, foraging, destruction, 107-8 Frémont in mountain division, McClellan, 109 Frémont appointment, Chase and Lincoln, 109 Start of Peninsula campaign, 110 Varina Davis, 110 Confederates retreating everywhere, 111 False rumor about removal of McClellan, 111 Slow movement of troops to Washington, 112 2 Naval building, ironclads, 114 Valley, attack on Shields, Keyes, Sumner, Wadsworth, McDowell, Banks, 116 Blockade of the Potomac, McClellan, Francis Preston Blair, 117 Rumor about Kentucky regiment refusing to enlist and being slaughtered by Confederates, 117- 18 Fanny Kemble reading, 118 Social calls, 121 Mrs. Trumbull said the Joint Committee on the conduct of the war was down on McClellan, 121 Military developments in Virginia, 123 Emancipation bill senate, 125 Shiloh, 125-26 McClellan, siege of Yorktown, 125 Optimism, 125-26 Still see southerners as her countrymen, 126 Yorktown, Confederate numbers, McClellan needs more troops, Stanton, 127 Letter from McClellan, Francis Preston Blair, Lincoln, 129-30 Baltimore, Washington emancipation bill, 130-31 Owen Lovejoy, 130-31 Shiloh, 131 Slavery, emancipation, colonization, 132 Surrender of New Orleans, 134, 138 Orphan asylum board, 138 Zachariah Chandler, McClellan, Trumbull, 138-39 Lincoln and Yorktown, 139 New Orleans, 140 Lincoln at Old Point, 140 Williamsburg, 141 McClellan and Halleck, 144 Francis Preston Blair, English and French intervention, 145 Confederate women, Winchester hospitals, 146 Farragut, prayer orders, 146 Fleet on James River retreats, 147 Van Buren, 147-48 McDowell and Stanton, 150 McClellan, McDowell, Banks, 151 Valley campaign, 151-52 Preston King, Wendell Phillips, Doolittle, 152 New Orleans has stopped talk of foreign intervention, 153 Beauregard, Halleck, Corinth, 153-54 New Orleans, 154 Wool and Goldsborough have hampered McClellan, 154 Silas Casey undisciplined soldiers, 154 Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, Casey, 155 Defeat of French in Mexico, 155 Missouri, Governor Gamble, Home Guards, Sterling Price, 156 3 Rumor of Beauregard in Richmond, intrigue against McClellan, Shields, Frémont, Banks, McDowell, McClellan, 159 July 4, day of mourning for heavy losses, 160 Halleck, Beauregard, excuses for not reinforcing McClellan, 161 Rumors of Vicksburg’s capture, 162 Dinner, 162 Francis Preston Blair, Halleck, McClellan, 166 Joseph Holt, emancipation, James F. Speed, John Hunt Morgan, 168 Death of Van Buren, 170 Arrest of secessionists, 171 McClellan and Army of the Potomac. 177 Railroad cut in Baltimore, 177 Army reception for McClellan, McDowell, 178-79 Ironclads, 179 McClellan reception in Maryland, 181 Assessment of McClellan, 181 Confederates have left Maryland, election, 183-84 Still fears McClellan is too slow, Stanton, 184-85 Bragg, Bull Nelson, 186 McClellan, 186 Lincoln and Emancipation Proclamation, 186 General Stone, McClellan, Stanton, 188 Expects move by McClellan, Halleck, Buell, 189-90 Charles Sumner, 190 Elections, Democratic generals, Seymour, Wadsworth, 194-94 Pleasonton, Stoneman, Stuart, 194-95 Buell, McClellan, cavalry, 196 Frank Blair, Jr., election 196 Confederate cavalry at Gordonsville, 200 Frank Blair, Jr. election results, abolitionists, 202 Removal of McClellan, Burnside, 202 Mrs. McClellan and Mrs. Franklin, 203-4 McClellan, Burnside, anxiety about battles to be fought, 204 McClellan, Fitz John Porter, Franklin, Baldy Smith, 206 John Van Buren, Democrats, 206-7 Mrs. Trumbull, McClellan, 208 Dennison, Sumner, discontent with Lincoln’s annual message, 211 McDowell court, Pope, 214 Fredericksburg, 214, 216 Cabinet crisis, Stanton, Seward, 217 Congressional reports, doubts about generals, 219 Christmas, 220 Montgomery Blair, Seward, Emancipation Proclamation, 225 Sherman, Vicksburg, Frank, 225-26 Montgomery Blair, post office appointments, 226 Frank Blair, Vicksburg, 226 4 Asylum board, 228 General French, Fredericksburg, 229 Alexander McCook, 230 England, France, possible intervention, cotton, 231 Pictures of Jefferson and Varina Davis, Judah Benjamin, 232 Deserters, soldiers and blacks, 234 Thomas Hicks, General French, 234 Admirals, Dahlgren, 235 Fitz John Porter and McClellan, Francis Preston Blair, 235 Hooker, Sumner, Franklin, Burnside, McClellan, religion, 236 Black soldiers, 237 Preston King, Edwin Morgan, race question, 237 Senators, 243 Gideon Welles, 243 Democrats and Frank Blair, 246=47 Dennison, assessment of Demcoratic senators and Confederate strength, 247 Gustavus Fox, Welles, admirals, 247, 249-50 Vicksburg rumors, 248 DuPont and Indianola, 248 Frank Blair, generalship, politics, 250 Frank Blair and Frémont, 251 Senate opposition to Frank Blair, 252 Washington, poor people and Virginia refugees, 253 Frémont and black soldiers, 254 On Richmond, Lincoln reviewing troops, Benjamin F. Wade, 256 Samuel F. DuPont, Gustavus Fox, 256 John Key, Stanton, 259 Hooker and McClellan, 260 Monitors, 261 Dislikes black race, 262 Fox, Dix, Foote, gunboats, 263 Halleck, 264 Chancellorsville, Hooker, Stoneman, 264-68 Kate Chase, Governor Sprague, Hooker, Meade, Birney, Sedgwick, 269 Grant, Rosecrans, 270 Lincoln, McClellan, Hooker, 276 McClellan, Hooker, 276 38th Ohio, 277 Hooker, Meade, 278 Washington defenses, 278 Meade and discipline, 281 Lee, Hooker, Davis, Meade, Lincoln, 283 Army of the Potomac, rations after Gettysburg, Lincoln, Baldy Smith, 284 July 4, Gettysburg, Vicksburg, 285 Dix, Hooker, Milroy, 286 Navy, David Porter, 287 5 Missouri, emancipation, 289 Vicksburg, 290 DuPont, Dahlgren, Gilmore, 290-91 General Griffin, Lincoln, 291 Fall campaign plans, 291-92 John Hunt Morgan, 292 John J. Crittenden death, 292 Texas, Frank Blair, prospect of war with France, 293 Robert E. Lee correspondence, 293 Expected pursuit of Lee, 293 Germans, Gettysburg, Schurz, 293 Bishop, prayer, 294-95 Vallandigham, Morgan, Ohio election, 295 Conflict between Lee and Jefferson Davis, Halleck, 296, 298 Fox, DuPont, Dahlgren, Charleston, 297 Demoralization and revolt in Confederacy, French commerce, 298-99 Grant, Sherman, Vicksburg, 299 Joseph Johnston, Frank Blair, John C. Breckinridge, 300 Charleston, Blockade, Wilmington, Fox, Gilmore, DuPont, 302-4 Panic, removal of cattle above us, 305 Rumors about Charleston and Army of the Potomac, 307 Conscription, 307 European powers and Confederacy, 307 Washington society, 309 Emancipation, Maryland, Francis Preston Blair, compensated emancipation, Chase, Sumner, 310 Dennison, Wade, Chase, 311 Home repairs, 312, 314 Reports of battle, sounds of fire, 313 Uncertain news about Meade Lee, 315 Henry T. Blow, Frank Blair, Chase, 316 Frank Blair, corps command, Chase, 320 Philadelphia, Thanksgiving, 321-22 Social life, 323 East Tennessee, 325 Radicals and House of Representatives, Lincoln message, 325-26 Cotton,
Load more

Recommended publications
  • William Seward and the Trent Affair
    William Seward and the Trent Affair http://civilwar150.longwood.edu In late December, 1861, the Trent Affair continued to dominate national and international news, with President Lincoln and his secretary of state, William Seward, both playing major roles in ending the controversy. Born in Orange County, New York in 1801, William H. Seward was one of the most prominent anti-slavery politicians of the mid-1800s, first as a Whig and then as a Republican. He had studied law at Union College in 1820 and within a few years entered the world of politics. Starting in 1830, Seward served in the New York state senate, and in 1838 he became governor of New York for the first of two terms. Even though Seward was born into a slave owning family, his abolitionist stance made him well known and in 1849 and 1855 he was elected to the U.S. Senate. In the aftermath of the Compromise of 1850 he had gained prominence for his “Higher Law” speech opposing the expansion of slavery. Seward hoped to obtain the Republican nomination for president in 1860, and was disappointed when the party chose Abraham Lincoln as its standard bearer. After Lincoln won the presidential election, Seward accepted the position of Secretary of State, hoping he could influence the less- experienced president. Seward and Lincoln clashed over various issues during the early months of the administration, but he eventually developed into an able and loyal cabinet member. In early November 1861, Captain Charles Wilkes of the U.S.S. San Jacinto had seized Confederate diplomats James Mason and John Slidell from British ship Trent.
    [Show full text]
  • Abraham Lincoln Papers
    Abraham Lincoln papers 1 From Britton A. Hill to Abraham Lincoln , October 3, 1864 1 Britton A. Hill practiced law in Washington with Orville Hickman Browning after the latter had been unseated in the Senate in 1863 by a Democratic Illinois General Assembly. Confidential Washington Oct 3d, 1864 Mr President; 2 It gives me great pleasure to state, that Mr Browning has been misrepresented as to his speech 3 4 in Quincy— “He merely said, that if Genl. Fremont or Genl McClellan were elected he would not commit suicide; but would endeavor to support the govt faithfully, as he had done under your 5 administration”. He has spoken always in favor of yr administration & reelection. 2 Orville H. Browning 3 At the end of May 1864 a convention primarily composed of Radical Republicans and German-Americans met at Cleveland and nominated General John C. Fremont for the presidency. Fremont withdrew from the campaign in September. 4 General George B. McClellan was the 1864 presidential nominee of the Democratic Party. 5 Republicans were eager to obtain Browning's endorsement, but his support for Lincoln's reelection was lukewarm at best. In an October 3, 1864 letter to William D. Henderson, Browning stated his desire to see the rebellion crushed, however he refused to endorse either Lincoln or McClellan. While Browning admired McClellan's patriotism, he could not support the platform of the party that had nominated him. This refusal to support the so-called “peace plank” of the Democratic platform was the closest Browning came to an endorsement of Lincoln. Browning's letter to Henderson was published in the newspapers and Republican wags spun it as an endorsement.
    [Show full text]
  • Diplomacy and the American Civil War: the Impact on Anglo- American Relations
    James Madison University JMU Scholarly Commons Masters Theses, 2020-current The Graduate School 5-8-2020 Diplomacy and the American Civil War: The impact on Anglo- American relations Johnathan Seitz Follow this and additional works at: https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/masters202029 Part of the Diplomatic History Commons, Public History Commons, and the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Seitz, Johnathan, "Diplomacy and the American Civil War: The impact on Anglo-American relations" (2020). Masters Theses, 2020-current. 56. https://commons.lib.jmu.edu/masters202029/56 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the The Graduate School at JMU Scholarly Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses, 2020-current by an authorized administrator of JMU Scholarly Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Diplomacy and the American Civil War: The Impact on Anglo-American Relations Johnathan Bryant Seitz A thesis submitted to the Graduate Faculty of JAMES MADISON UNIVERSITY In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of History May 2020 FACULTY COMMITTEE: Committee Chair: Dr. Steven Guerrier Committee Members/ Readers: Dr. David Dillard Dr. John Butt Table of Contents List of Figures..................................................................................................................iii Abstract............................................................................................................................iv Introduction.......................................................................................................................1
    [Show full text]
  • LINCOLN's OFFICIAL FAMILY-Bffiuography
    LINCOLN LORE Bulletin of the Lincoln National Life Foundation -- --- Dr. Louis A. WarreniEditor Published each week by The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company, Fort Wayne, ndlana Number 753 FORT WAYNE, INDIANA September 13, 1943 LINCOLN'S OFFICIAL FAMILY-BffiUOGRAPHY Sometimes the appearance of a new Salmon P. Chase, 1861-1864 Seward, F. W., Stward at Wa8hington book will call to the attention of the 1.18 Senat<w and Secretary of State, public a considerable number of titles Schuckers, J. W., Life and Public Serv· ices of Salm<m Portland Clwse, 1846·1881, 650pp., 1891. with which it may be classified. Gideon Seward, F. W., Seward at Washington \Velles, Lincoln's Navy Department, 669pp., 1874. is such a book. Chase, S. P., AgaimJt tl~ Re,Jealof the as Sent~.t<w and Secretary of State, Missottri Prohibition of Suwery, 1861-187!, 561pp., 1891. Just outside the pale which separates 16pJ>., 1854. Bancroft, F., Life of William H. Sew· Lincolniana from a general library is ard, 2 vols., 1900. an indefinite number of books called Luthin, R. H., Salmon P. Chase'tt P(}o­ collateral items. A bibliography of this litical Career Bef&re the Civil ll'ar. Seward, 0. R., William H. Seward's (23) pp., 1943. Travel• Arormd the World, 730pp., large number of Lincoln J'cference 1873. items has never been attempted, except Chase, S. P., Diary and Cor-rcttpon· in Civil War compilations, where many tlence of S. P. Cl1.0.11c, 2 vols., 1903. Seward, W. H., Recent SpeecJwg and of them properly belong, yet, most of Writing• of William H.
    [Show full text]
  • John AJ Creswell of Maryland
    Dickinson College Dickinson Scholar Faculty and Staff Publications By Year Faculty and Staff Publications 2015 Forgotten Abolitionist: John A. J. Creswell of Maryland John M. Osborne Dickinson College Christine Bombaro Dickinson College Follow this and additional works at: https://scholar.dickinson.edu/faculty_publications Part of the United States History Commons Recommended Citation Osborne, John M., and Christine Bombaro. Forgotten Abolitionist: John A. J. Creswell of Maryland. Carlisle, PA: House Divided Project at Dickinson College, 2015. https://www.smashwords.com/books/ view/585258 This article is brought to you for free and open access by Dickinson Scholar. It has been accepted for inclusion by an authorized administrator. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Forgotten Abolitionist: John A.J. Creswell of Maryland John M. Osborne and Christine Bombaro Carlisle, PA House Divided Project at Dickinson College Copyright 2015 by John M. Osborne and Christine Bombaro Distributed by SmashWords ISBN: 978-0-9969321-0-3 License Notes: This book remains the copyrighted property of the authors. It may be copied and redistributed for personal use provided the book remains in its complete, original form. It may not be redistributed for commercial purposes. Cover design by Krista Ulmen, Dickinson College The cover illustration features detail from the cover of Harper's Weekly Magazine published on February 18, 1865, depicting final passage of Thirteenth Amendment on January 31, 1865, with (left to right), Congressmen Thaddeus Stevens, William D. Kelley, and John A.J. Creswell shaking hands in celebration. TABLE OF CONTENTS Foreword by Matthew Pinsker Introduction Marylander Dickinson Student Politician Unionist Abolitionist Congressman Freedom’s Orator Senator Postmaster General Conclusion Afterword Notes Bibliography About the Authors FOREWORD It used to be considered a grave insult in American culture to call someone an abolitionist.
    [Show full text]
  • Information to Users
    INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UMI films the text directly fi'om the original or copy submitted- Thus, some thesis and dissertation copies are in typewriter face, while others may be from aity type of conçuter printer. The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. Broken or indistinct print, colored or poor quality illustrations and photographs, print bleedthrough, substandard margins, and improper alignment can adversely affect reproduction. In the unlikely event that the author did not send UMI a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if unauthorized copyright material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. Oversize materials (e.g., maps, drawings, charts) are reproduced by sectioning the original, beginning at the upper left-hand comer and continuing from left to r i^ t in equal sections with small overlaps. Each original is also photographed in one exposure and is included in reduced form at the back of the book. Photographs included in the original manuscript have been reproduced xerographically in this copy. Higher quality 6" x 9" black and white photographic prints are available for any photographs or illustrations appearing in this copy for an additional charge. Contact UMI directly to order. UMI University Microfilms International A Bell & Howell Information Company 300 North Zeeb Road. Ann Arbor. Ml 48106-1346 USA 313/761-4700 800/521-0600 Order Number 9427761 Lest the rebels come to power: The life of W illiam Dennison, 1815—1882, early Ohio Republican Mulligan, Thomas Cecil, Ph.D.
    [Show full text]
  • Chapter 11: the Civil War, 1861-1865
    The Civil War 1861–1865 Why It Matters The Civil War was a milestone in American history. The four-year-long struggle determined the nation’s future. With the North’s victory, slavery was abolished. During the war, the Northern economy grew stronger, while the Southern economy stagnated. Military innovations, including the expanded use of railroads and the telegraph, coupled with a general conscription, made the Civil War the first “modern” war. The Impact Today The outcome of this bloody war permanently changed the nation. • The Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery. • The power of the federal government was strengthened. The American Vision Video The Chapter 11 video, “Lincoln and the Civil War,” describes the hardships and struggles that Abraham Lincoln experienced as he led the nation in this time of crisis. 1862 • Confederate loss at Battle of Antietam 1861 halts Lee’s first invasion of the North • Fort Sumter fired upon 1863 • First Battle of Bull Run • Lincoln presents Emancipation Proclamation 1859 • Battle of Gettysburg • John Brown leads raid on federal ▲ arsenal at Harpers Ferry, Virginia Lincoln ▲ 1861–1865 ▲ ▲ 1859 1861 1863 ▼ ▼ ▼ ▼ 1861 1862 1863 • Russian serfs • Source of the Nile River • French troops 1859 emancipated by confirmed by John Hanning occupy Mexico • Work on the Suez Czar Alexander II Speke and James A. Grant City Canal begins in Egypt 348 Charge by Don Troiani, 1990, depicts the advance of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry during the Battle of Chancellorsville. 1865 • Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse • Abraham Lincoln assassinated by John Wilkes Booth 1864 • Fall of Atlanta HISTORY • Sherman marches ▲ A.
    [Show full text]
  • The Democratic Party and the Transformation of American Conservatism, 1847-1860
    PRESERVING THE WHITE MAN’S REPUBLIC: THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE TRANSFORMATION OF AMERICAN CONSERVATISM, 1847-1860 Joshua A. Lynn A dissertation submitted to the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Department of History. Chapel Hill 2015 Approved by: Harry L. Watson William L. Barney Laura F. Edwards Joseph T. Glatthaar Michael Lienesch © 2015 Joshua A. Lynn ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii ABSTRACT Joshua A. Lynn: Preserving the White Man’s Republic: The Democratic Party and the Transformation of American Conservatism, 1847-1860 (Under the direction of Harry L. Watson) In the late 1840s and 1850s, the American Democratic party redefined itself as “conservative.” Yet Democrats’ preexisting dedication to majoritarian democracy, liberal individualism, and white supremacy had not changed. Democrats believed that “fanatical” reformers, who opposed slavery and advanced the rights of African Americans and women, imperiled the white man’s republic they had crafted in the early 1800s. There were no more abstract notions of freedom to boundlessly unfold; there was only the existing liberty of white men to conserve. Democrats therefore recast democracy, previously a progressive means to expand rights, as a way for local majorities to police racial and gender boundaries. In the process, they reinvigorated American conservatism by placing it on a foundation of majoritarian democracy. Empowering white men to democratically govern all other Americans, Democrats contended, would preserve their prerogatives. With the policy of “popular sovereignty,” for instance, Democrats left slavery’s expansion to territorial settlers’ democratic decision-making.
    [Show full text]
  • Lincoln Lore
    Lincoln Lore Bulletin of the Loui.s A. WatTen Lincoln Library and Museum. Mark 1-:. NeeJy. Jr., Editor. Mory Jane Hubler. Editorial Assistant. Published each month by the June, !980 Lincoln National Life lna:uranoeCompany, 1-"ort Wayne, Indiana 4680l. Number 1708 BLAIR The elder statesman is a familiar ft.xture on the Washington triumph of their conservative-even react.ionary- constitu· political seene U)day. In recent years, the names of Clark tional ideas after Lincoln's death has not endeared the Blairs Clifford and Averell Harriman have often appeared in the to modern historians. Eight years ago, when I asked a college headlines at times of national crisis. Abraham Lincoln's professor what was the point of his lecture on Reconstruction administration was one long crisis, and Francis Preston Blair in an American history survey course, he replied humorously. was the Civil War•s elder statesman. A relic of the Presidency ''To hell with Montgomery Blair." Smith's biography, which of Andrew Jackson, Blair was innuential because of his is particularly strong on the Blair familyjs inner workings. is prox_imity tQ Washington. his blurred partisanship, his many a valuable corrective to this hostility absorbed by so many political connections, and his age and experience. At last he historians in recent years. It is most illuminating to discover has a modern biographer, Elbert B. Smith, who gives consid· how personally likable the old man was. Even tbe unbudging erable stress to the Civil War years in Francis Preston Blair Charles Sumner never took personal exception to attacks on (New York: The Free Press, 1980).
    [Show full text]
  • Meigs Chapter 8
    CHAPTER 8—1861 [FEB.] 20TH. To Washington, where I had again the happiness of em- bracing my wife and children. Finding them all well and rejoiced, like myself, to be once more together. As I left Washington on the 22nd of October, I have been just 4 months absent, less 2 days. [FEB.] 21ST. To Engineer office. General Totten took me over to see the Secretary, 1 who received me most kindly. Complimented me upon my conduct and said he was glad to see me back again in Washington, in my right place. He told me that Floyd had told the cabinet that he had a long rigamarole of a letter from Captain Meigs, that pestilent fellow who got trouble wherever he went, and that it was perfectly ridiculous that he wanted men and guns to defend the Tortugas and some heap of rocks, perfectly indefensible. And the cabinet, not being prepared to expect false representations from one of their colleagues, believed him, thought me a silly fellow, and did not read my letters. Soon after Floyd’s exposure, General Scott 2 came. One of the first things he called attention to was the great importance of holding with sufficient garrison and stores the fortress of the Tortugas and of great asset. Then Floyd’s speech about my letters was told to him. He ad- vised them to read my reports, that he had a letter from me which was very much to the point and not at all rigamarole. On reading them, Mr. Holt says he is astonished at the vision they showed.
    [Show full text]
  • Blair Family Papers
    Blair Family Papers A Finding Aid to the Collection in the Library of Congress Prepared by Paul Ledvina and Margaret McAleer Revised and expanded by Michael Spangler Manuscript Division, Library of Congress Washington, D.C. 2003 Contact information: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/mss.contact Finding aid encoded by Library of Congress Manuscript Division, 1998 Finding aid URL: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.mss/eadmss.ms998026 Latest revision: 2010 March Collection Summary Title: Blair Family Papers Span Dates: 1755-1968 Bulk Dates: (bulk 1829-1892) ID No.: MSS12930 Creator: Blair family Extent: 19,050 items; 73 containers plus 1 oversize; 29.5 linear feet; 49 microfilm reels Language: Collection material in English Repository: Manuscript Division, Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. Abstract: Prominent family in nineteenth century national politics. Correspondence, speeches and writings, legal files, financial records, historical research files, printed matter, and estate records documenting principally the careers of Francis Preston Blair, journalist and presidential advisor, Frank P. Blair, soldier and politician, and Montgomery Blair, lawyer and cabinet officer. Selected Search Terms The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the Library's online catalog. They are grouped by name of person or organization, by subject or location, and by occupation and listed alphabetically therein. People Andrew, John A. (John Albion), 1818-1867--Correspondence. Barnard, J. G. (John Gross), 1815-1882--Correspondence. Benton, Thomas Hart, 1782-1858--Correspondence. Bernays, Charles S.--Correspondence. Blair family--Correspondence. Blair family. Blair, Francis Preston, 1791-1876. Francis Preston Blair papers. Blair, Frank P. (Frank Preston), 1821-1875.
    [Show full text]
  • Abraham Lincoln Papers
    Abraham Lincoln papers From Thomas Worcester to Abraham Lincoln, May 16, 1864 Dear Sir, It is a constant subject of thankfulness with me, that you are where you are. And it is my belief that the Divine Providence is using your honesty, kindness, patience and intelligence as means of carrying us through our present troubles. 1 I see that you hesitate with regard to retaliation, and I am glad of it. Your feelings of kindness and regard to justice do not allow you to take the severe course, which is most obvious. Now I feel great confidence that you will be led to the best conclusions; but while you are hesitating, I am tempted to offer a suggestion. 1 This is a reference to the Fort Pillow massacre that occurred on April 12 when black soldiers attempted to surrender and were given no quarter. Lincoln carefully considered an appropriate response to this outrage. On May 3, he convened a meeting of the cabinet and requested each member to submit a written opinion that recommended a course of action to take in response to the massacre. At a cabinet meeting on May 6, each member read his opinion on the case and after receiving this advice, Lincoln began to draft a set of instructions for Secretary of War Stanton to implement. Apparently Lincoln became distracted by other matters, such as Grant's campaign against Lee and these instructions were neither completed nor submitted to the War Department. For the written opinions of the cabinet, see Edward Bates to Lincoln, May 4, 1864; William H.
    [Show full text]