[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]

Visit of the Prince of Wales: Our Concluding Pictures – 1-3
Viola-A Love Story – 3
Editorials – 3-4
The Lounger – 4-5
Humors of the Day – 5
Our Recent Visitors, The Prince of Wales and Suite-at Brady’s Gallery, New York – 6
Gavazzi Preaching in Sicily – 7
Faristan and Fatima – 7-8
Down a Crevasse – 8-9
The Old Story – 9
Domestic Intelligence – 9-11
Foreign News – 11
Spirit Rapping Made Easy – 11, 13
Embarkation of the Prince of Wales at Portland, Maine, on October 20, 1860 – 12
The Uncommercial Traveler, by Charles Dickens – 13-15
A Score of Years Ago – 15
A Day’s Ride: A Life’s Romance, by Charles Lever. Ch. XV – 15, 17-18
The City of Portland, Maine, on the Occasion of the Departure of the Prince of Wales, October 20, 1860 – 16
How to Make an Armstrong Gun – 18
Anticipated Scenes in the Life of a Prince who was very fond of Dancing – 19

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I forgot about this book and missed a year’s worth of entries. The last one I posted was on November 6, 1859 (reply #6) . William T. Sherman to Mrs. Sherman.

Home Letters of General Sherman, edited by M.A. DeWolfe Howe, 1909

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 2 (reply #17).

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Not a direct continuation. Last excerpt from this book was on October 29 (reply #9).

Bruce Catton, The Coming Fury

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 25 (reply #22).

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

George N. Eckert to Abraham Lincoln, November 5, 1860

Philada 228 South Broad St
Novr 5, 1860 Hon Abm Lincoln

Dear Sir,

The result of the election to morrow in our State is not a matter of doubt, but of absolute certainty. Your majority will probably exceed fifty thousand If your own State and Indiana will go with Penna – & N. Jersey then your election is certain. In that event I wish to say to you that under no circumstances or contingency will it answer to even dream of putting Simon Cameron in the Cabinet. He is corrupt beyond belief. He is rich by plunder – and can not be trusted any where. The particulars I can give you on some convenient occasion. He being our Senator you should and must know him. I had intended to make you a visit this week for the express purpose of putting you on your guard against Genl Cameron, but circumstances forbid my absence.

Very truly yours

Resptflly

Geo N Eckert

SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

James Louis Petigru to Mrs. Jane Petigru North, November 5, 1860

Summerville, November 5, 1860.

* * * Miss Cunningham,* through one of her assistant secretaries, writes me that Lincoln's election is likely to blow up Mt. Vernon, for though the purchase money is paid there is nothing to stock it, and contributions are almost at a stand. Before we hear from one another the die will be cast, but I don't think the hazard so great as many do, for it is not easy to undo the complicated machinery of that great engine or government. Adieu.

YOUR BROTHER.

_______________

* Miss Ann Pamela Cunningham, Regent of the Mount Vernon Association. Mr. Petigru was always her legal advisor, and wrote the constitution of the Mount Vernon Association in 1856.

SOURCE: James Petigru Carson, Life, Letters and Speeches of James Louis Petigru: The Union Man of South Carolina, p. 361

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

Richard Hackley* to John Albert Broadus, November 5, 1860

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA, Nov. 5, 1860.

MY DEAR MASTER: As I feel like writing a few lines, and to show you that I think of you very often, I take the present opportunity of doing so. I am quite well now, thank the Lord, and we are all so far as I know, and I hope when these lines reach you that you and yours may be quite well. I heard from Mr. Saint Clair's yesterday — all well. My dear master, I hear much of the coming election. I hope that Mr. Lincoln or no such man may ever take his seat in the presidential chair. I do most sincerely hope that the Union may be preserved. I hear through the white gentlemen here that South Carolina will leave the Union in case he is elected. I do hope she won't leave, as that would cause much disturbance and perhaps fighting. Why can't the Union stand like it is now? Well do I recollect when I drove a wagon in the old wars, carrying things for the army; but I hope we shall have no more wars, but let peace be in all the land.

I have been wanting to go up to see my wife, but have not been able, but will do so soon, I hope. Next year I should like to live nearer her. With my best respects to you and mistress, I am as ever, your devoted servant.

_______________

* Servant of John A. Broadus, the well-known “Uncle Dick.”

SOURCE: Archibald Thomas Robertson, Life and Letters of John Albert Broadus, p. 177

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from September 11 (reply #5).

David Herbert Donald, Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 25 (reply #21).

Doris Kearns Goodwin, Team of Rivals

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 31 (reply #15) .

William J. Cooper, Jr., Jefferson Davis, American

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 5, 1856 (reply #22)

Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant, Volume One

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from February 6 (reply #5).

Douglas Southall Freeman, Lee, an abridgement by Richard Harwell

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from October 1 (reply #5).

David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Previous posts for today:

Reply #14 – Catton, The Coming Fury
#15 – David Donald, Lincoln
#16 – Team of Rivals
#17 – John G. Nicolay papers
#18 – Jefferson Davis, American
#19 – Memoirs of U.S. Grant (we haven’t heard from him since the election of 1856)
#20 – Southall, Robert E. Lee
#21 – George Templton Strong
#22 – Blight, Frederick Douglass

Continued from March 2 (reply #21) .

Nicole Etcheson, Bleeding Kansas: Contested Liberty in the Civil War Era

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Diary of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow: November 7, 1860

Lincoln is elected. Overwhelming majorities in New York and Pennsylvania. This is a great victory; one can hardly overrate its importance. It is the redemption of the country. Freedom is triumphant.

SOURCE: Samuel Longfellow, Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow With Extracts from His Journals and Correspondence, Volume 2, p. 358

civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com

[Homer_J_Simpson]

New source.

Mary Chesnut’s Diary, Edited by Isabella D. Martin and Myrta Lockett Avary