Posted on 10/08/2019 7:45:33 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
Wrote wife and children about Bell and Martha, and to write John.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 521
CHAMBERSBURG, PA., Oct . 8, 1859.
DEAR .WIFE AND CHILDREN, ALL, — Oliver returned safe on Wednesday of this week. I want Bell and Martha both to feel that they may have a home with you until we return. We shall do all in our power to provide for the wants of the whole as one family till that time. If Martha and Anne have any money left after getting home, I wish it to be used to make all as comfortable as may be for the present. All are in usually good health. I expect John will send you some assistance soon. Write him all you want to say to us. God bless you all!
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 532
Never heard of "sacred" Sunday Dance, but it does look interesting!
“More Trouble Ahead in Utah”. Terrible times yet I wonder if it is really any better now. Mitt comes to mind.
Dimas returned to Mrs. Ritner's. Wrote J. B., Jr. Saw Watson, and appointed meeting for Thursday eve. Saw Carlisle about purchases.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 549
Wrote William Still. Wrote to S. Jones, sending men off. Leary and Copeland arrived.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 549
Received letter from Merriam, dated Baltimore.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 549
The Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, an autobiography
Sent telegram to Merriam at Baltimore
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 549
We have only two black men with us now; one of these has a wife and seven children in slavery. I sometimes feel as though I could not make the sacrifice; but what would I want others to do, were I in their place? . . . Oh, Bell, I do want to see you and the little fellow [the young babe born in the father's absence] very much, but I must wait. There was a slave near here whose wife was sold off South the other day, and he was found in Thomas Kennedy's orchard, dead, the next morning. Cannot come home so long as such things are done here. . . . I sometimes think perhaps we shall not meet again. If we should not, you have an object to live for, — to be a mother to our little Fred. He is not quite a reality to me yet. We leave here this afternoon or to-morrow for the last time. You will probably hear from us very soon after getting this, if not before. We are all eager for the work, and confident of success. There was another murder committed near our place the other day, making in all five murders and one suicide within five miles of our place since we have lived there; they were all slaves, too. . . . Give my regards to all the friends, and keep up good courage: there is a better day a-coming. I can but commend you to yourself and your friends if I should never see you again. Believe me yours wholly and forever in love.
1 Watson was just twenty-four, and had been married for three years to Isabel Thompson, whose brothers William and Dauphin Thompson, like her husband and brother-in-law, were killed at Harper's Ferry.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 549
If you read this Douglass excerpt and Robert Toombs’ speech to the Georgia legislature after Lincoln’s election you realize how inevitable the Civil War was.
I should have added to the post that it is the first of three excerpts from Douglass. Two and three to come tomorrow and Wednesday. The final one is his description of the event at Harper’s Ferry and the implications for himself.
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