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November 30, 1860: John Henry Brown’s Journal

John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.

Transcription:

At Mr Buckleys childrens picture.

It is now almost certain, that this glorious union, will be torn asunder and some of the brightest stars obliterated from the folds of the American flag.

A number of the Southern States have already called conventions for the purpose of taking into consideration their separation from the north. With the purpose & platform of the Republican party as they have stood for the last four years and as they now stand before the Country, this Union cannot be maintained. This party must lower its antislavery standard and retrace its steps, or this glorious, blood bought Union, will fall to pieces.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

November 27, 1860: Ambrotype of Jennie Craig Warner

Jennie Craig Warner lived in Gettysburg with her husband Rev. John Riddle Warner. She would be the grandmother of poet Marianne Moore. The photograph is undated, but her hairstyle and bodice suggest a date in the early 1860s. Jennie would die of typhoid in 1863.

Citation: Unknown photographer, photograph of Jennie Craig Warner. ca. 1860. 2006.7644

November 24, 1860: Letter from J.A. Hendson to Elmer Ellsworth

Col. Elmer Ellsworth was a lawyer and soldier and friend of Abraham Lincoln who would become one of the first casualties of the Civil War. As a colonel of the Chicago National Guard Cadets before the war, Ellsworth introduced French-inspired Zouave uniforms and drills to the unit. He worked in Lincoln’s law office in August 1860 and assisted him during the fall campaign. After Lincoln’s election he helped organize troops, including the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was shot and killed on May 24, 1861 while removing a large Confederate flag from a tavern in Alexandria Virginia.

Transcript (excerpt):

New Orleans

Nov 24. 1860

[Excerpt middle of p2]

Times are hot here and if they do get into open conflict with the north Greek will meet Greek. These fellows are strong courageous young men and as hungry for blood as a nigger catching hound. They are used to it you see and they need the excitement. They are generally excellent shots with the Mississippi Rifle & dont fear the devil himself. I have seen young fellows jump into a crowd with his knife in his teeth and drive out a house full of irishmen—all around too. Its shoot or cut at the word go here and the law seldom punishes them for it.

[Excerpt p3, last paragraph]

You are favorably known here but your Zouaves are called boy soldiers & their excellent drill is said to be because they did nothing else. This is the peoples opinion and not nice for I know I see an admirable photograph of you on Camp Street and if abolition was not so all in all in your state you would have more credit. They would not recognise you here as an officer unless you came here to stay or “declared your intentions” for a northern man has a poor show for anything here just now unless he has many personal friends here. This is the extent of my information as I am not well posted anyway

Truly Yours

J. A. Hendson
Citation. J.A. Hendson, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. New Orleans, 24 November 1860. AMs 811/2.5

November 22, 1860: John Henry Brown’s Journal

Transcription:

At Mr Buckleys childrens picture.

Some of the Southern States seem determined to leave the Union.

The Banks of Philadelphia, suspended specie payments today. There is no excitement attending, it, as the public have full confidence in them. Their action is regarded as right in the present condition of things. The pressure is coming.

If this is the bud &blossom of Republicanism, what will its fruit be.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

November 19, 1860: John Henry Brown’s Journal

Transcription:

At Mr Buckleys childrens picture. There are indication of a general prostration of business, arising from the unsettled state of the public mind, in the South, caused by Mr. Lincolns election.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

November 17, 1860: John Henry Brown’s Journal

Transcription:

At Mr Buckleys childrens picture. The news from the South is worse & worse.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

November 15, 1860: Daguerreotype of Henry Warner (?) and John Riddle Warner

The man on the right is the Rev. John Riddle Warner. He was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The man at the left is probably his brother, Henry Warner. The photograph is undated, but the ages of the sitters suggest late 1850s or early 1860s. Warner family letters will feature later on in Today in the Civil War.

Citation: Unknown photographer, daguerreotype of Henry Warner(?) and John Riddle Warner. 2006.7637

November 12, 1860: Letter from H.D. Laflin to Elmer Ellsworth

AMs 811-2-5 p3 HD Laflin to Ellsworth (Large)

Transcript:

Col E E Ellsworth

Springfield, Ill

Dear Col

I have written you twice since I have been here— but I know you have been busy- ever since you quit Chicago—and see by the New York papers that you still have enquiries in regard to the Zouaves—and have been stumping it for our President—and I am very glad he is elected—I had no vote—but I never went in for the Fusion. I enclose you a slip of paper— I do not believe that they will be the best company there—if you have a mind to say the word—for I will be on hand—to do what I can—and if there is to be any sport why I think the Zouaves should be in and I hope things will turn up so our company can go to Washington and do honour to our President. I drill every day with the beautifull musket you gave me—and would give anything I have got to see you once more—I wish you could come down here and make me a visit I will see you well entertained. My Father is as strong Lincoln man as there is in the state- and he says he hopes our company will go to Washington- and I think we can raise the funds, at any rate count me in for I will convince you I have not forgot all you taught me about a musket—give my best respects—to Capt Cook—and Bunn—and the rest of the Boys. I hope to be out and see you soon—my best respects to all— and believe me as ever

Your Friend

H. D. Laflin
Citation: H. D. Laflin, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. Springfield, Illinois, 12 November 1860. AMs 811/2.5

November 10, 1860: John Henry Brown’s Journal

Transcription: At Mr Buckleys childrens picture.The news from the South is very bad. As the Senate + House of Representatives is opposed to Mr. Lincoln, I think the South a little too hasty. Judge Read has kindly presented to Mr. Sartain + myself, the plate from Mr. Lincoln’s picture. About three thousand impressions have been sold. My profits from the sale is about fifty dollars.

Citation: John Henry Brown (1818-1891), autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 574/14.1

November 9, 1860: Charleston Mercury

Transcription (excerpt):

(p1 top center column)

Fashion in New York.

Our New York Correspondence

New York, November 5, 1860

Should any incoherencies or discrepancies be apparent in the bulletin of La Mode for this month, please credit it all to the important fact that I am writing upon the eve of election day, to which my own restlessness gives double zest.

I am fully aware that to be a woman, especially a young one – that is, one who has yet to discover a wrinkle, fading roses, and a gray hair – is to be a little feminine animal, just “conscious of pearls and purple,” chicken and cream, Tennyson and Bulwer, until resigned to Point lace, orange blossoms, a complete trousseau, and a husband.

I own to transgressing the law, to breaking through the conventialities that hedge in woman, to positively forget Fashion, in the rage for Politics.

Pray don’t accuse me of a desire to vote, or of being in the faintest degree an advocate of woman’s rights, or anything of that sort. Heaven forefend! But I say it, and I say it boldly, that a woman is not worth a sous if she has not influence and fascination enough to control votes, minister to minds diseased, and cleanse the brains and masculine hearts of that foul black dye threatening us like a pestilence. Thus is happens that your correspondent has been excessively busy during the last month, making converts, sacrificing friendships, wondering how Charlotte Corday felt once upon a time, and, in fact being accused of downright haughtiness. N’importe, Messieurs of the South – born among you, I am yours heart and soul.

Being a dear lover of the dolce far niente, I cannot but feel all this turbulence and warfare excessively annoying, while dreamily pondering over the curse of Kehama, especially the line:

“Days after days, unvarying come and go.”

utterly beyond my comprehension, at present, but for the realization of which I would be glad to yield my very last new love of a bonnet.
Citation: Charleston Mercury, 9 November 1860. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .C477