[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.

Link to previous Harper’s Weekly thread

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Only for Something to Say – 2
Rats in the Hospitals – 2-4
Editorials – 4-5
The Lounger – 5-6
Little Maggie – 6-7
The Convention – 8-9, 21
Captain Brand of the Schooner “Centipede,” by Lieut. Henry A. Wise, U.S.N. (Harry Gringo). Part I, Chapter X-XII – 10-14
Domestic Intelligence – 14-15
Foreign News – 15
Bloody, Brutal, and Blackguard Prizefight in England between Heenan and Sayers, on April 17, 1860 – 16
The Uncommercial Traveler, by Charles Dickens, No. VII – 17-18
Humors of the Day – 18
The Hon. John Minor Botts, of Virginia – 18-20
Hon. Erastus Brooks, of New York – 19-20
The Woman in White, by Wilkie Collins, the Housekeeper’s Narrative continued – 19, 22-24

[C19fan]

Those poor Democratic delegates having to sleep on cots.
Boxing pre-Marquuess of Queensbury was nasty with bare knuckles, with holds and throws allowed. I saw a boxing reenactment from the Regency Period. The boxers could spear each other. There was no rounds. A match would not end until a knockout or an opponent got too injured to go to the start position.
How come Lincoln is at the bottom row of the picture of Republican POTUS contenders.? Hee hee I am assuming Seward is most prominent because he was the heavy favorite.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from May 3 (reply #20).

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Bruce Catton, The Coming Fury

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from 5/3 (reply #21.)

The Diary of George Templeton Strong, Edited by Allan Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from March 15 (reply #10). On this date Chase wrote to supporter James A. Briggs and made the observation cited in the last sentence of the following excerpt.

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Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from March 30 (reply #19). On this date William Tecumseh Sherman wrote to his brother, Rep. John Sherman, that “this year’s presidential may be a dangerous one; may actually result in civil war. . . “ (second paragraph of the following excerpt.)

James Lee McDonough, William Tecumseh Sherman: In the Service of My Country, A Life

[Homer_J_Simpson]

George L. Stearns to Mary Hall Stearns, May 8, 1860

[May 8, 1860.]

Yesterday a black man was kidnapped from this place, which set the people in some commotion, but the real abolitionists are the exception. Have seen most of the latter class. They are a sturdy race.

Ames, the United States marshal who was shot at Topeka, was the same who previously tried to arrest Montgomery and there has been no second attempt, as I supposed, to arrest him. All is quiet here, and I do not think there will be any trouble in this territory this year. It is generally understood that it was an attempt on the part of the marshal to get some money, instead of which he got a ball.

Conway is here, but will leave with us for Chicago to attend the convention. I never saw him in so good health as at present. I am glad I came out here, and hope some time to come again with you. I think in another year we can accomplish it. They are having a fearful drought here. It has hardly rained at all since last September. Their winter wheat all dried up, and the corn does not even swell in the ground. If it continues there will be a famine here.

Of course all is dust, but it is not troublesome to me, at least as it would be to you. I send you samples of it in this paper, which was clean when I began to write.

May 9. So busy last night that I forgot to put this in the mail. My visit has been eminently successful, but not exactly as I supposed. I stay here to-day to get letters from home. Hope to get one from you.

SOURCE: Preston Stearns, The Life and Public Services of George Luther Stearns, p. 224-5

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from February 28 (reply #14).

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David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Abraham Lincoln had his photograph taken today.

“Abraham Lincoln was in Decatur to attend the Illinois State Republican Convention. Local photographer Edward A. Barnwell wanted to take a picture of "the biggest man" at the convention and invited Lincoln to his People's Ambrotype Gallery at 24 North Water Street to pose for this portrait. The next day, after Richard Oglesby introduced the "Rail Splitter", convention delegates unanimously endorsed Lincoln for President. On May 18 the National Republican Convention meeting in Chicago nominated him as the party's candidate.”

List of photographs of Abraham Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from March 5 (reply #10).

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals