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May 18, 1861: New York Herald

Transcript (excerpt): Page 1, Upper Half

Arrest Of A Suspected Spy

Washington, May 17, 1861

A man by the name of Wood, from Newark, was arrested as a spy yesterday by order of General Scott. Wood commenced his operations by tampering with the members of the Newark regiment, through which means he obtained an introduction to General Runyon, and thence to General Scott, who became fascinated with his plausible story, and employed him as a secret agent of the government to go South. Wood received some money from the secret service fund to pay his expenses. Before leaving the city he expended a portion of his funds in liquor, and while under the gay and festive influence of the same he pitched into several members of one of the Newark companies for taking up arms against the South. This threw suspicion upon him, and he was immediately reported to General Runyon, who was astounded, but immediately ordered him under arrest, and that his person and property in his room be searched. This was done last night, but nothing was found upon him but money. The Colonel of the Newark regiment ordered that a guard be kept over him all night, supposing that the report this morning would release him; but before General Scott read it he ordered Wood to be delivered over to the Marshal of the district and lodged in jail to await further orders. The supposition is that General Scott is in possession of other evidence than that alluded to, upon which the prisoner is held.

Wood is a man about forty years of age, and is said to be a secessionist. He is one of many such not only in this city, but in other places, who are receiving salaries under the government.

Citation: New York Herald. 18 May 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .N56792

May 17, 1861: Springfield Republican

Transcript (excerpt):

What the Negroes are Thinking About

A gentleman from Virginia, in whose account the New York Times puts entire confidence, states that the negroes in that state comprehend very well the position of affairs, and are deeply interested in the war. A prevalent opinion among them is, that this war is a fulfillment of the prophecy recorded in the eleventh chapter of Daniel. They have their revolutionary and patriotic songs, which they sing in private. They hold secret religious meetings, the burthen of their prayers being that the Lord will help the North, and hasten the day of their emancipation. “A few days ago I was traveling in the interior of Virginia. Night overtook me in the neighborhood of a farm house, where I was entertained until the next day. That night I chanced to hear the evening devotions of the slaves in one of their huts. I was an unobserved spectator. I heard them pray for the success of the North, and one old woman wept for joy when told that the northern armies were soon coming to set them free. ‘Oh good massa Jesus,’ said she, ‘let the time be short.’ During this time they heard the clang of arms in their master’s house, for two of his sons were members of a troop of horse, ready to start in the morning for Richmond, and were practicing with the broadswords. To their masters, the slave pretend entire ignorance of this whole movement, but to white men in whom they confide, they reveal their hopes, fears, desires and plans. They have no arms, and could not use them if they had, but they have other means of destruction more potent and fearful, which no power can prevent their using. When the time comes for them to act, they will know no love stronger than the love of liberty.”

Useful Hints for Volunteers.

The governor has ordered the publication of the following important sanitary riles. Prepared by Dr Ware of Boston, which will be communicated to the Massachusetts troops in active service:-

Soldiers should recollect that in a campaign where one dies in battle, from three to five die from disease. You should be on your guard, therefore, more against this than the enemy, and you can do more for yourselves which nobody can do for you.

1. Avoid especially all use of ardent spirits. If you will take them-take them rather after fatigue than before. But tea and coffee are much better. Those who use ardent spirits are always the first to be sick and the most likely to die.

2. Avoid drinking freely if very cold water, especially when hot of fatigued., or directly after meals. Water quenches thirst better when not very cold and sipped in moderate quantities slowly- though less agreeable. At meals, tea, coffee and chocolate are best. Between meals, the less the better. The safest drink in hot weather is molasses and water with ginger or small beer.

3. Avoid all excesses and irregularities in eating and drinking. Eat sparingly of salt and smoked meats, and make it up by more vegetables, as squash potatoes, peas, rice, hominy, Indian meal , &c, when you can get them. Eat little between when you can get plenty of meals.

4. Wear flannel all over in all weathers. Have it washed often when you can-when not, have it hung up in the sun. Take every opportunity to do the same by all of your clothing and keep everything on your person dry, especially when it is cold.

5. Do not sit, and especially do not sleep upon the ground, even in hot weather. Spread your blanket upon hay, straw, shavings, brush-wood, or anything of the kind. If you sleep in the day, have some extra covering for you.

6. Sleep as much as you can and whenever you can. It is better to sleep too warm than too cold.

7. Recollect that cold and dampness are great breeders of disease. Have a fire to sit around in the evening and after rain, and take care to dry everything in and about your persons and tents.

8. Take every opportunity of washing the whole body with soap and water. Rub well afterwards. If you bathe, remain in the water but a little while.

9. If disease begins to prevail, wear a wide bandage of flannel around the bowels.

10. Keep in the open air, but not directly exposed to a hot sun. When obliged to do this, a thin, light, white covering over the head and neck in the form of a cap with a cape, is a good protection.

11. Wear shoes with very thick soles and keep them dry. When on the march, rubbing the feet after washing with oil, fat or tallow, protects from foot sores.

Citation:Springfield Republican. Springfield, Mass; 17 May 1861. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .S769

May 16, 1861: Henry and Mary Warner to John Warner

Henry and Mary Warner lived in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, now part of Pittsburgh. They are the great-grandparents of poet Marianne Moore. By the 1860s they had three surviving children: John, Henry, and Annie. Their letters to John, a Presbyterian minister living in Gettysburg, are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Allegheny City Thursday May 16/61—4 P.M.

Our Dear Children

Anne and the two children have just arrived safe & sound and in good health—left on Tuesday—was glad to hear of the safe arrival of her two Boxes & Bag of feathers—we are all overjoyed at the safe arrival—Kind remembrance to Jennie I remain

Your affectionate father & mother

Henry & Mary Warner

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John and Jennie Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 16 May 1861. Moore VI:04:18

May 13, 1861: Henry Warner to his Parents

Henry Warner Jr. was the younger brother of John Riddle Warner, the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore. In 1862 Henry would join the Pennsylvania Independent Artillery, Battery G and would serve until 1865. These family letters are preserved as part of the Marianne Moore family papers.

Moore VI-4-18 p1 Henry Warner to Parents 5-13-61

Transcript [excerpt, bottom p1]:

I feel glad you take Annie’s case more calmly than you have done, no doubt but everything will turn out all right yet—And as for John I have not the least shadow of a doubt but he is safe too—that is—if he will still keep his horse harnessed—I think you had better send him my Shot Gun of the garrett & some ammunition—In this benighted part of the country we hear nothing about the war—comparatively speaking—I really believe—if the secessionists were to take Washington, hang Lincoln & Gen Scott the only remark it would occasion here would be “I wonder how it will affect the price of oil?”—I sometimes think it is perhaps a providential thing that I am up here at this time—as I think I could hardly have borne the war excitement that was in Pa while I was there, any longer without perhaps engaging myself for at least a three months trip from home—perhaps forever—

Citation: Henry Warner Jr., autograph letters signed to Henry and Mary Warner. Titusville, 13 May 1861. Moore VI:04:18

May 10, 1861: Mark Delahay to Abraham Lincoln

Mark Delahay was an early supporter of the Republican party and long-time friend of Lincoln’s although others would accuse him of ineptitude and using Lincoln for his own gain. In 1861 Lincoln would name Delahay as Surveyor-General of Kansas.

Transcript:

May 10^th 1861

Dear Lincoln,

I would be very glad to get to see you about two matters of business, and to be importunate at a time when your whole time is occupied with big matters, is very distasteful and unpleasant to me. But it is of great importance to our People and myself that I should see you before I leave for home. if you can, will you oblige me by naming an hour between now and Monday when I can see you

Truly your friend

M W Delahay

Citation: Mark William Delahay (1817-1879),correspondence with Abraham Lincoln. Washington D.C., 10 May 1861. AMs 527/4

May 10, 1861: Letter from Samuel Boone to Col. 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, which was composed of fire fighters. He was shot and killed on May 24, 1861 while removing a large Confederate flag from a tavern in Alexandria, Virginia.

Transcript:

Chicago May 10^th 1861

Col EE Ellsworth

Dear Sir.

I telegraphed you from Springfield a day or two since with regard to position in your Command- have not recd an answer and so concluded to write.

Fergus spoke to me about going with himself and Coats and I should have gone then had I recd any direct word from yourself. The Zouave Regt of Chi- is trusted only four of the companies by straining every nerve getting into the 13^th Regt or rather the 14^th of the second State call- and so enlisted for only 30 days. I suppose you have heard that Jo Scott has been elected Col- Thed Harding Lt Col & Baldwin Major- of this Regt- With regard to myself- I have thrown up my situation in the Marine Bank with the intention of going to war- and now that I have gone into the thing I dont want to back down without an effort- and I believe I had as [illeg] jerk a philthy musket with you as any man I know of- When I went into this business it was the understanding with all the boys that you were coming on here to take charge of the affair- and (without soft [soap?]) I am confident that had you done so we would have been all right- Now Col I hope you wont read this letter and throw it aside- but if you can do anything for me I would be extremely obliged- and if you cant I am very sorry for it’s a damned shame (to use a hardy expression) when a man wants to fight or his country- that he shouldnt have a chance- If you will answer immediately by telegram I will pay all expenses- and be very much obliged

Very truly yours &c

Saml S. Boone

Citation:Samuel S. Boone, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. 10 May 1861.AMs 811/2.6

May 9, 1861: Letter from Harriette Read to Col. Ellsworth

Transcript:

Washington House & City

May 9” 1861

Colonel-

It was once the ill fortune of my mother, Mrs Read, and myself to know the aid of the New York Firemen- it was our good fortune that they rendered their aid promptly and effectively-

Therefore should any illness or mishap in you Regiment require the care of a woman, I beg leave herewith to report myself for orders, which will be obeyed to the utmost of my ability.

With high Consideration, I remain […]

Harriette Fanning Read

Citation:Harriette Fanning Read, autograph letter signed to Elmer Ellsworth. 9 May 1861.

May 8, 1861: 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.

Transcript:

At Com: Conovers picture.

Tennessee & Arkansas reported to have left the Union. A Philadelphia Regiment left here for Washington.

Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1

May 8, 1861: Henry & Mary Warner to John Warner

Transcript:

Allegheny City Wednesday May 8^th 1861 Back kitchen 9 ½ A.M.

Our Dear Children—Breakfast & business of the morning over, I sit down to write to the folks in Gettysburgh—Mother on my left hand & Isabella on my right hand sewing, as house cleaning is done, & glad I am of it, Mother says I need not be so glad, as the least of it fell to my share, we are all in excellent health & cheerful, the letter from Anne I herewith send, I received this morning, we wish you to forward it to Henry, and dont let it lay about until you get time. We hope Anne has Henry’s letter by this time, I mean the one we sent to you, Mother is anxious she should have it, as such things cheer her up, for from home among strangers. We suppose by this time the Penna border is pretty well secured against rebels, from present appearance the rebels will have enough to do without troubling the folks in either Gettysburgh or Chambersburgh, or any other place along the border; they will soon find themselves in a tight place. We have no news, Mr. Zug is at Harrisburgh I suppose on business about the Western Penitentiary, as he is one of the managers of that institution, and the investigation of old office affairs connected with the Estate of John Lindsay is laid aside for the present. I am therefore much at home—we have had much rain latterly—the sun is just now come out—Allegheny is very dull, hardly a soul stirring, over in Pittsburgh it is quite a contrast, a great many strangers are in the city. People seem busy walking backwards & forwards, but little or no draying & very little doing in the stores—very few arrivals or departures of boats for ports below Cincinnati, although the rivers are in a good stage of navigation—We think it rather a risk for Anne to send any thing by rail or river to this place, as I can muster up no more news for you I will conclude

I remain your Affectionate father & mother Henry & Mary Warner

Kind remembrance to Jennie

Citation: Henry and Mary Warner, autograph letter signed to John and Jennie Warner. Allegheny City [Pittsburgh], 8 May 1861. Moore VI:04:18

May 6, 1861: John Henry Brown’s Journal

Transcript:

At Com: Conovers picture.

These are fearful times. A silent, but nevertheless perfect, reign of terror exists here. Those who do not approve of a settlement of our troubles, by the sword, are, for prudential reasons, obliged to remain very quiet. This prudential silence has created a seeming oneness of sentiment in the north, which really does not exist.

Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1