[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

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/3906799/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Scenes in Charleston, S.C. – 1-2
The Return – 3
Editorials – 3-4
The Hut on the Vacant Lot – 4
The Lounger – 4-5
Humors of the Day – 5
Charles Dickens – 6
Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens, Ch. I-III – 7-10
The Explosion of the Propeller “Globe” – 10
The Principal Boarder – 10
Domestic Intelligence – 10-11
Foreign News – 11
Patriots of the Olden Time – 12-14
A Beautiful Devil – 14-16
A Head of Hair for Sale – 16, 18
Possible Effects of Disunion upon New York City Life – 17
A Day’s Ride: A Life’s Romance, by Charles Lever. Ch. XX-XXI – 18-20
De Gustibus, &c – 21
Caution to Young Ladies who ride in Crinoline on Small Ponies – 21

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Governor Joseph E. Brown to John B. Floyd, November 24, 1860

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
MILLEDGEVILLE, Georgia,
November 24th, 1860.

Hon. JOHN B. FLOYD,
Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

SIR: Being desirous of having manufactured in Georgia a supply for the State of certain military equipments, I am compelled again to trespass upon your kindness to ask of you the favor to help me in some way — by sale or cause to be advanced to our State as a part of Georgia’s quota of arms, etc., for the coming year — two sample sets of each of the following equipments, viz:

First. Equipment for riflemen, consisting of knapsack, cartridge box, and belt, complete.

Second. Equipments for infantry, complete.

Third. Saber equipment, complete, including pouch for Colt revolvers. All of the latest and most approved styles and patterns adopted by the U. S. Army.

I dislike to trouble you with this small matter, but really I know of no other method of obtaining, with certainty as to kind, etc., samples or patterns of the equipments desired. I would prefer to purchase the articles to obtaining them otherwise, if I knew where they could be obtained. Be pleased to cause the sample sets, two of each, furnished me, in some way least troublesome to yourself, of the said equipments, and you will lay me under renewed obligations for your kindness.

I am very sincerely, your obedient servant,
JOSEPH E. BROWN.

[First indorsement.]

QUARTERMASTER-GENERAL’S OFFICE
December 1st, 1860.

I respectfully report to the Secretary of War that such of the military equipments asked for as belong to this department can be furnished without inconvenience, viz: Two knapsacks, $5.56; two haversacks, 78 cents; and two canteens and straps, 92 cents.

J. E. JONNSRON,
Quartermaster-General.

[Second indorsement.]

ORDNANCE OFFICE,
December 1st, 1860.

Respectfully returned with the report that the State of Georgia, having drawn her full quota, including that for 1861, cannot obtain the accoutrements by issue, on that account, from the Government supply, nor can such articles as are wanted be sold by the Government.

There will be no difficulty, however, in Governor Brown’s obtaining them, if he will write to Maj. W. A. Thornton, U. S. Arsenal, New York, and request him to purchase for the State two sets of infantry accoutrements, complete, two saber-belts and plates, complete; two saber-knots, two holster pouches for Colt belt pistols; all of the latest U. S. Army patterns.

I doubt not that Major Thornton will make the purchase for the Governor with pleasure.

WM. MAYNADIER,
Captain of Ordnance.

SOURCE: Allen D. Candler, The Confederate Records of the State of Georgia, Volume 3: Official Correspondence of Governor Joseph E. Brown 1860-1865 inclusive, p. 3-5

Link to source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/governor-joseph-e-brown-to-john-b-floyd.html

[Morgana]

Where was the Dakota terratory?

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Photograph taken today, November 25, 1860, in Chicago.

“An 11-year-old girl named Grace Bedell wrote to Lincoln, asking "let your whiskers grow ... you would look a great deal better for your face is so thin. All the ladies like whiskers and they would tease their husbands to vote for you and then you would be President." and the president-elect responded "As to the whiskers have never worn any do you not think people would call it a silly affection if I were to begin it now?" Regardless, the next time he visited his barber William Florville, he announced "Billy, let's give them a chance to grow."[66] By the time he began his inaugural journey by train from Illinois to Washington, D.C., he had a full beard.”

List of photographs of Abraham Lincoln (Wikipedia)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_photographs_of_Abraham_Lincoln

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 18 (reply #X).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3906799/posts#10

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Charles Russell Lowell to John N. Dennison, October 25, 1860

BURLINGTON, October 25, '60.

I know I may assume without vanity that you will be sorry to hear I have resigned my place on B. & M. — I know it because I am sorry myself to tell you so, though I am changing to a business which has always had the strongest attractions for me.

I have never got over the "iron-fever," and when a place was offered me at Mt. Savage, though the pecuniary prospect was no better than at Burlington, the chance to become an iron-master was too good to be refused.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 191

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2014/08/charles-russell-lowell-to-john-n.html

Pete Muggins to Abraham Lincoln, November 25, 1860

Fillmore La Nov 25th 1860

Old Abe Lincoln

God damn your god damned of hellfire of god damned soul to hell god damn you and god damn your god damned family’s god damn hellfired god damned soul to hell and god damnation god damn them and god-damn your god damn friends to hell god damn their god damned souls to damnation god damn them and god damn their god damn families to eternal god damnation god damn souls to hell god damn them and God Almighty God damn Old Hamlin to go hell God damn his God damned soul God all over everywhere double damn his God damned soul to hell.

Now you God damned old abolition son of a bitch God damned you I want you to send me God damn you about one dozen good offices Good God almighty God damn your God damned soul and three or four pretty Gals God damn you you

And by doing God damn you

Will Oblige

Pete Muggins

SOURCE: Hate Mail for Old Abe Lincoln, Adam Matthew Blog, posted August14, 2014, accessed August 1, 2020

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/08/pete-muggins-to-abraham-lincoln.html

[C19fan]

What joy it brings to me to see perhaps Charles Dickens’ greatest work and my favorite Dickens’ novel “Great Expectations” in its original serial illustrated form. I have seen various movie and TV adaptations. Some of my favorites are the David Lean 1946 version with a young Jean Simmons as young Estella, the gritty BBC miniseries with Ioan Gruffudd, and the 2012 movie with Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham, I tried to watch the Ethan Hawke version set in modern days but I proverbially threw a brick at the TV when Estella decided to sleep with Pip called Finn in this movie. That one moment destroyed the whole point of the Pip-Estella story line. I wold imagine perhaps people reading this was a type of escape from all the political turmoil engulfing the United States.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

William Henry Trescot to Governor William H. Gist, November 26, 1860

(STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.)

WASHINGTON, November 26, 1860.

Dear Sir: I am aware (and I do not deem it necessary to specify my source of information) that apprehensions exist in the mind of the President that before the State acts in convention some attempt will be made to take the forts in Charleston harbor. Feeling that his personal honor would be involved in such an attempt, he may make his apprehensions the pretext or ground on which to order an increased force to those posts. This order will be resisted to the very last, and at any cost, by the Southern members of the Cabinet, but they would be incalculably strengthened in their position if you were at liberty to say directly to the President that you could answer, on your responsibility, that so long as no change was made in these garrisons, so long as no additional force was sent there and the State remained in the Union, no such attempt would be made, and that any increase of force made in the face of this notice would lead to instant collision, and that for every drop of blood shed under such circumstances he, and he alone, would be responsible.

I wish you distinctly to understand that there is no possibility of such an order being issued without the dissolution of the Cabinet and your receiving ample notice. While I answer for this, I write with the confidence that such an assurance will prevent any hasty and indiscreet movement on the part of the State. Believing that you agree fully with me that, for the sake of the State and of the South, our move toward secession ought to be regular and orderly, and that all collision should be avoided, and feeling that the Southern members of the Cabinet are entitled to the support of the State, I write to you to indicate how you can support them. To that point alone, this letter is addressed. If it becomes necessary for the State to look to itself, you shall know promptly and certainly.

If, therefore, you can write such a letter as I indicate, the Southern members of the Cabinet can rest upon it triumphantly no such order will be issued in the face of it, and if it is, you will be free to act, will have ample information as to the necessity of action, and the whole responsibility of what comes will be, not on the head of South Carolina, but of the President of the United States.

If so, your letter must be here by return mail, directed under cover to me. Telegraph me also when this is received, and if you intend to answer yes or no to my proposition. Details I cannot give you, but trust that my signature will command your confidence.

I am, yours respectfully,

WM. HENRY TRESCOT.

TO GOVERNOR GIST.

SOURCE: Samuel Wylie Crawford, The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p. 30-1

My source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/william-henry-trescot-to-governor.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 10 (reply #7) .

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3904291/posts#7

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Joseph Casey to Leonard Swett, November 27, 1860

Harrisburg, 27 Nov. 1860.

Hon. Leonard Swett,

Dear Sir,

From some things that occurred when I was at Springfield, my mind has since been in doubt, as to whether Mr. Lincoln has been made fully acquainted with the conversations and understandings had between you & Judge Davis on the one side, & myself, on the other, at the Tremont House, the night before the nomination. That understanding of course, I was compelled to communicate to a few of Genl. Cameron's most initmate and confidential friends, in order to counteract other schemes, and overcome other inducements, proceeding from different quarters. Should the assurances I then gave, fail to be realized I should be utterly ruined, in the estimation of many of my most valuable friends. As some of them would probably prefer to believe that I had deceived them, instead of being disappointed in my own expectations. Feeling, as you may suppose, a nervous anxiety on this matter, I submit it, to the better judgment of yourself and Judge Davis, whether it would not be better, that Mr. L. if he is not now, should be put in possession of the whole matter before he finally acts in the premises. Having unlimited confidence in the honor and integrity of you both, as well as your prudence and discretion, I merely make the suggestion, leaving you to act in such way as you may deem best.

Since my return, I have been constantly occupied in Court, and will be for some weeks to come. But I can assure you, that outside of Phila. there is but one sentiment in this State, and even in the City, outside of a small, noisy, powerless clique the same feeling prevails

Let me hear from you soon —

Yours very truly

Jos Casey

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

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/09/joseph-casey-to-leonard-swett-november.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 21 (reply #23).

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3906799/posts#23

Henry Jarvis Raymond is founder and owner of the New York Times.

Abraham Lincoln: Speeches and Writings 1859-1865, edited by Don E. Fehrenbacher

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Continued from November 23 (reply #X). William T. Sherman to Mrs. Sherman.

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/3906799/posts#29

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

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Governor William H. Gist to William Henry Trescot, November 29, 1860

[CONFIDENTIAL.]

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
COLUMBIA, S. C, November 29, 1860.

MR. W. H. TRESCOT.

Dear Sir: I take the liberty, from your general character and without the pleasure of a personal acquaintance, to ask if you have any objections, in the event of your connection with the Federal Government ceasing, to remain in Washington and act as confidential agent for this Department. It is important to have some one at Washington to give me the earliest information of what transpires affecting the interest of this State, and I know no one so acceptable as yourself. It is probable that the Convention will want some one on the spot through whom the information of its final action can be authoritatively communicated to the President at the earliest moment and an answer received. If you remain I will inform the Convention that you are in Washington, and suggest that you be selected to perform this delicate and important duty. If there is any inquiry as to the course South Carolina will pursue, you may safely say that she will not permit any increase of troops or munitions of war in the forts or arsenal, and, considering it an evidence of intention to coerce and an act of war, she will use force to prevent it, and a collision must inevitably ensue. I have had great trouble, as it is, to prevent an attack upon the forts, and will not be able (if willing) to prevent an attack upon them if another soldier is sent there. Of course, I do not expect you to act in the premises until your duty to the Federal Government ceases, but I cannot but anticipate such a result soon. An early answer is requested.

Very respectfully and truly yours,

WM. H. GIST.

SOURCE: Samuel Wylie Crawford, The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p. 32

Source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/governor-william-h-gist-to-william_8.html

Governor William H. Gist to William Henry Trescot, November 29, 1860

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
COLUMBIA, S. C, November 29, 1860.

MR. WM. HENRY TRESCOT.

Dear Sir: Although South Carolina is determined to secede from the Federal Union very soon after her Convention meets, yet the desire of her constituted authorities is, not to do anything that will bring on a collision before the ordinance of secession has been passed and notice has been given to the President of the fact; and not then, unless compelled to do so by the refusal of the President to recognize our right to secede, by attempting to interfere with our exports or imports, or by refusal to surrender the forts and arsenals in our limits. I have found great difficulty in restraining the people of Charleston from seizing the forts, and have only been able to restrain them by the assurance that no additional troops would be sent to the forts, or any munitions of war. Everything is now quiet, and will remain so until the ordinance is passed, if no more soldiers or munitions of war are sent on. That is to say, I will use my utmost efforts to effect that object, and believe I will succeed; but the Legislature and myself would be powerless to prevent a collision if a single soldier or another gun or ammunition is sent on to be placed in the forts. If President Buchanan takes a course different from the one indicated and sends on a reinforcement, the responsibility will rest on him of lighting the torch of discord, which will only be quenched in blood. I am under a pledge to sanction resistance, and to use all the military power of the State to prevent any increase of troops in these garrisons, and had to make the pledge to restrain the people, who are restive, and hope no necessity will arise to compel me to redeem the pledge. I write to you knowing that, while you will be faithful to the Government of the United States as long as you hold office under it, yet you are also a South Carolinian, and would desire, by all means, to avoid the needless shedding of blood. If you think there is no impropriety in showing this letter to the President you are at liberty to do so, for I do not wish him to be mistaken and act in such a way as to bring upon the country a bloody war, without the most imperious necessity.

Very truly yours,

WM. H. GIST

SOURCE: Samuel Wylie Crawford, The Genesis of the Civil War: The Story of Sumter, 1860-1861, p. 31-2

Source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/01/governor-william-h-gist-to-william.html

Jonathan Worth to Joseph John Jackson, November 29, 1860

RALEIGH, Nov. 29, '60.

You will have seen that all the important elections are over excepting that of Senator. The papers announce that Clingman has received the caucus nomination. I am confident that this is a mistake. On the contrary the understanding here is that the Caucus laid on the table the motion to nominate a Senator. I presume Union Democrats are unwilling to vote for him. I hear that some of them prefer Bedford Brown. I am not in the secrets of those that can control the election, but should not be surprised if Brown should be the man. The Disunion influence here is less potent than it was at the opening of the session. I hope no action will be taken as to our Federal relation before the Christmas holidays and that we shall then adjourn until the inauguration of Lincoln. If he should pledge himself to execute the Fugitive Slave Law, and do it, I care nothing about the question as to Squatter Sovereignty. If he adopt the Southern doctrine that a State may disregard an act of Congress at pleasure and such State should not be coerced—If S. C., for instance, seize the U. S. magazine and refuse to pay duties or seize the public arms in the National Capital Arsenal and he refuse to coerce the obedience—it follows that he ought not to enforce the execution of the Fugitive Slave Law in the nullifying free States——and in that case there is virtually no Union to dissolve; upon this idea we have no government, and it will be expedient to establish one.

SOURCE: J. G. de Roulhac Hamilton, Editor, The Correspondence of Jonathan Worth, Volume 1, p. 124

Source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2020/09/jonathan-worth-to-joseph-john-jackson.html

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Leonard Swett to Abraham Lincoln, November 30, 1860

Bloomington
Nov 30, 1860

Dear Lincoln

I received, yesterday the enclosed letter from Sanderson I suppose it was intended for your eyes, more than mine, and therefore I forward it to you. I am annoyed, a little, that these applications of Cameron's friends are made so prominently through Judge Davis & myself. Yet, on the whole, from what occured at Chicago I think they have a right to do it. My objection is that it seemingly puts us in the advocacy of Cameron and leaves the inference of our interest to do so This is not the truth about it The truth is, at Chicago we thought the Cameron influence was the controlling element & tried to procure that rather than the factions The negotiations we had with them, so far as I can judge was one of the reasons, which induced the Cameron leaders to throw the bulk of that force to you. That having been done and a correspondence having been kept up by us with them, during the summer, they naturally seek the same channel to get back to you. This is all the only reason I know of, why they write to us.

While I arrogate to myself no might to my opinion, yet if they want it, opinions are cheap & in this instance certainly wont do harm.

This flurry at the South it seems to me can be got along with, but I dont think it ought to be helped with. The Country wants firmness & justice Cameron has the negative merit of not being offensive to them the South.

If it is conceded Penn. should have a Cabinet officer the weight of party there, all other things equal, should, I think, indicate him. Cameron would seem to satisfy the majority Reed, or any other man, only a minority A reason for this may be, that in adition to Cameron's real strength the politicians can heal their local differences by having two vacancies in the Senate to fill.

My belief is that no man, other that C. can be selected there without considerable dissatisfaction There is also the argument too that the Cameron influence, as much as any thing nominated you, while the other influences there did & could do you no considerable good The arguments against him I dont fully know, for my intercourse has been with his fends The only exception to this is Joseph Lewis of West Chester & I think he is a fussy old fellow who doesn't amount to much

Is not the fact that Seward may be satisfied with a mission to England worthy of consideration Tis true he undertands the foreign relations of the Gov & would be of great service but the domestic relation are the ones most complicated—

I understand that Cassius Clay is anxious to get into the Cabinet Does not this complicate matters It seems to me, he would be more odious to the South than any man but Seward[.] Putnam has written me two very long letters. He wants a second class foreign mission & has asked me at a proper time to name it to you

Yours Truly

Leonard Swett

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

Source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2016/08/leonard-swett-to-abraham-lincoln.html

Major John Sedgwick to his Sister, November 30, 1860

FORT WISE, BIG TIMBERS,
November 30, 1860.

My dear sister:

A mail will leave here in the morning, in which I will start this note, but there are some doubts whether it will succeed in getting through; the snow is very deep, and it is very cold, and for nearly two hundred miles there is not a stick of wood. We have to-day heard, by way of Denver, the result of the election. It seems to have been all on one side. The news was brought by a messenger, and I suppose cannot be accurately relied on. He says Douglas has not carried a State. I can scarcely conceive this to be true. Hurrah for Lincoln! I say. It is not likely that our next mail will bring us the result, as our latest dates are up to October 19. I shall send to Fort Larned in a few days for a mail, where I expect to hear more than is agreeable. I am still living in a tent, which is rather cold at night, and the weather is such that we can do but little work on our quarters. A few pleasant days would enable us to finish them.

It has been a long time since I have heard from you. I do not recollect the last date, but it was in August or early in September. I hope the next mail will bring two or three letters. I have never mentioned the subject of our seat in the church. I wish you to keep the one our father and mother always occupied. It is for yourself and Philo's family, whenever they choose to take it. Also the seat in the Hollow Church. This I would pay for as a matter of charity.

Write often, and believe me, as ever,

Your affectionate brother,

JOHN SEDGWICK

SOURCE: George William Curtis, Correspondence of John Sedgwick, Major-General, Volume 2, p. 28-9

My source follows.

https://civilwarnotebook.blogspot.com/2015/05/major-john-sedgwick-to-his-sister_13.html