February 13, 1864: Letter to John Riddle Warner

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. This letter refers to a lecture he developed on the Battle of Gettysburg. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Phila, Feb. 13/64

My dear Brother

Both your letters were duly rec’d—I am doing everything in my power to secure a good audience. The newspaper advertisements thus far amount to near $50, & it will take $20, or $30 yet to see it through. Yet this is the main point and the only way of getting it before the Public—The sale of Tickets will commence on Monday the 15^th at 9 o’clock at Martiens 600 Chestnut St and then only can we tell how the lecture will be patronized. I am so fully of anxiety that I can do little else but plan and work & pray about the whole affair, and yet I am very hopeful. I have no fears about the lecture being well received and yielding great satisfaction, my anxiety is about a crowded house—nothing less will satisfy me, for your sake.

I had a letter from Gov. Curtain, stating that he “regretted” that he could not be present, as he had to be in Washington the week before, & his executive duties on his return forbid his absence just at that time—I shall attend to this matter the best I can—I think I can get Gov. Pollock, Gen’l Meade is now in the city—I shall see him and invite him to be there. The request of Mr Carson will be attended to. I have secured a box for him. It is to the side of the stage and on a level with it. It contains 15 seats in all but is only rented, as a whole, for 8 persons, or as many or as few as the renter chooses to put into it. Its rent on lecture occasions the managers of Academy say, is $6 for the evening—It is the best box of the six boxes for private parties—Let me know if he will have it, as soon as possible as it can be rented to others if he should not come. I will look for you on Saturday—shall I? Write me definitely when. My guest, of course, you will be unless you prefer another place—Then I will say—thy will—The individual who made the remark about the crucifixion is a very respectable Presbyterian, but just thought that remark might be better modified I think he did not understand it, the thought you compared it with the crucifixion, which I assured him you did not—He was much pleased with the lecture & you need not feel uneasy about it. It was that you might leave the term out that I mentioned it to you. I suppose you knew who the author of that “puff” in the Presbyterian was. I see the star has it in All things are working charmingly—dont forget to strengthen your voice Don’t trust to acoustics in Academy—Trust to acoustics on your lungs & throat & mouth

Ever yours

Wm McElwer

Citation: William [McElwee?], autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Philadelphia, 13 February 1864. Moore VI:6:2