AFFAIRS IN RICHMOND: Experiences of a National Chaplain in the Rebel Capital; DETERMINED TEMPER OF THE REBELS (7/27/1862)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 7/27/1862

[Homer_J_Simpson]

HARRISON's LANDING, Tuesday, July 22, 1862.

Father O'HAGAN, of the Excelsior (Sickles) Brigade, who was taken prisoner by the rebels on the 30th of June, at Fair Oaks, has been unconditionally released, and joined his regiment in good health at this place, on Sunday morning last. He was confined a Richmond by order of the rebel Secretary of War one night, when through the intercession of the Catholic Bishop of that city, he was released and permitted to retire to the residence of his friend, the Bishop, who, aside from being a warm Secessionist, was imbued with a spirit of Christian charity toward his guest.

During his residence with the Bishop, he had frequent opportunities of conversing with all classes of the enemy, from the greatest to the humblest, and he says that but one spirit animated them all -- that of an unflinching determination never to yield while an arm was left to strike. The feeling was universal among those with whom he mingled, and he was assured they but reelected the sentiment of the entire South. They deny the existence of any Union feeling of character and influence in the South, and seriously ridicule the plea of being subjugated. His treatment was extremely courteous while under the protection of the Bishop, and the character and events of the war were freely canvassed and discussed in a cool, dispassionate manner, which partook more of an amicable social interchange of opinion, than of clashing and clamorous enthusiasm. Their denunciations of the National Government, although severe, bold and unrestricted, were dressed in polite terms and words divested of offence; but the emphasis, the gesture, the look and effect, were like iron on the senses.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: 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: May 2025.
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 New York Times thread

https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4081053/posts

[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Affairs in Richmond: Experiences of a National Chaplain in the Rebel Capital – 2
The Army of Virginia: Important Forward Movement of Troops – 2-3
The Guerrillas in the Southwest: A Bold Raid on Florence, Ala. – 3
Important from Washington: Proclamation of the President Under the Confiscation Act – 3-4
The War on the Mississippi: Guerrillas Above Vicksburgh – 4
Base Ball: Excelsior, of Brooklyn, vs. Union, of Morrisania – 4-5
Editorial: Our Military Position – 5
Queries for Quidnuncs – 5

[RWGinger]

Interesting that a union Chaplain could speak of civility in discussions of Confederates in a war for their homelands
And we today can’t have civil discussions on less important topics

[Stosh]

I thought it was pretty neat that the pitcher batted lead-off for the Brooklyn Excelsiors. Even with Ohtani unavailable at the time.

[Homer_J_Simpson]

I wonder how he did, overall. They left AB and H out of the box score.

[M Kehoe]

Hi Professor.

Berkeley plantation should have been mentioned considering where Harrison Landing is/was. Hey, wasn’t the plantation McClellan’s HQ?

See, during floods on the James River, the Landing disappears from time to time.

Fwiw.

5.56mm