
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American 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
https://www.freerepublic.com/tag/by:homerjsimpson/index?tab=articles
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
Link to previous Harper’s Weekly thread
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3958133/posts
Diary of William Howard Russell: May 18, 1861 (Dinner with Judge Campbell, late of the USSC, discussing Dred Scott and slavery. Also: “no where is the influence of women greater than in America.”
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-william-howard-russell-may-18.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 18, 1861 (“To-day I had another interview with the President. He advised me to see the Secretary of the Treasury without delay; but the Treasury would not answer so well for my Diary.” That’s it. That’s the entry.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-18.html


The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence 1860-1865, edited by Stephen W. Spears
Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes, May, 19, 1861 (“We find a good deal of difficulty in getting new companies or regiments accepted for the war, but we shall persevere.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/diary-of-rutherford-b-hayes-may-19-1861.html
Private Daniel L. Ambrose: May 19, 1861 (“On the nineteenth of May, private Harvey, of Company A, died—the first death in the regiment. The first soldier in the first regiment to offer his life for the flag and freedom.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2019/12/private-daniel-l-ambrose-may-19-1861.html
Diary of William Howard Russell: May 19, 1861 (Russell visits an immigrant German merchant of Montgomery, and describes the flora on the grounds of that man’s property.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/06/diary-of-william-howard-russell-may-19.html
Lieutenant-Colonel John T. L. Preston to Margaret Junkin Preston, May 19, 1861 (Officer on Col. Jackson’s staff has been reconnoitering positions around Harper’s Ferry.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/02/lieutenant-colonel-john-t-l-preston-to_10.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 19, 1861 (Jones gets a job working for Secretary of War Leroy Porter.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-19.html

The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence 1860-1865, edited by Stephen W. Spears
Governor John A. Andrew to John M. Forbes, May 20, 1861 (Send chocolate to the troops.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/11/governor-john-andrew-to-john-m-forbes.html
Diary of Caroline Cowles Richards: May 20, 1861 (“Every one learns war poems now-a-days.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/09/diary-of-caroline-cowles-richards-may.html
Diary of William Howard Russell: May 20, 1861 (Mobile to New Orleans by steamer. Secessionist spirit strong in NOLA.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/diary-of-william-howard-russell-may-20.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 20, 1861 (Jones describes his new boss, Secretary of War Leroy Walker. “I predict for him a short career.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-20.html
North Carolina’s Ordinance of Secession

The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence 1860-1865, edited by Stephen W. Spears
Charles Russell Lowell to John M. Forbes, May 21, 1861 (Lowell wants to be replaced as an agent for Massachusetts in Washington so he can get into a fighting unit.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/10/charles-russell-lowell-to-john-m-forbes_18.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 21, 1861 (Jones is impressed by Confederate “Minister of Justice” - Attorney General Judah Benjamin.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-21.html
Diary of Judith W. McGuire: May 21, 1861 (McGuire hopes that Richmond is not attacked directly. She applauds secession.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/12/diary-of-judith-w-mcguire-may-21-1861.html
Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, May 22, 1861 (“It is by no means certain that we shall get in, but we shall keep trying and sooner or later I suspect we shall succeed.”)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/05/rutherford-b-hayes-to-sardis-birchard_29.html
Diary of William Howard Russell: May 22, 1861 (95 in the shade in New Orleans. Russell meets merchants who have unrealistic thoughts on British recognition of the Confederacy.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/07/diary-of-william-howard-russell-may-22.html
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: May 22, 1861 (Confederate cabinet members debate best way to wage the war. Secretary of State Toombs is more bellicose than Secretary of War Walker.)
https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/diary-of-john-beauchamp-jones-may-22.html


With Lincoln in the White House: Letters, Memoranda, and Other Writings of John G. Nicolay, 1860-1865, edited by Michael Burlingame