Today in the Civil War

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

Transcript:

Chester Pa

March 17^th 1864

Rev. J.R. Warner

Dear Bro—

Yours addressed to Mr. Jno. Cochran, a ruling Elder in my church, I had the pleasure of reading on its receipt this morning. I was not aware of his writing to you and from the character of your reply suppose than he could not have been definite enough in specifying the object whose benefit he designed in the delivery of your lecture. It was his primary intention that it should be for the benefit of the Presbyterian Church—which at the present time is making a special effort to liquidate in whole or in part a debt which hangs upon it, and which is rendered the more necessary as an effort will be made before long to commence a new enterprise, which will more or less affect the present organization. I fear very much that the terms which you state may be beyond what we ought to undertake—knowing as I do the character of the Community. Of course I would hesitate to suggest a change—and yet interested as I am in the Church, and desirous as I am to promote the spiritual interests of the Community, untrammeled with debt, I could wish them different.

As Mr Cochran has advertised the lecture of Friday Evening 25^th we expect to hear it for whatever cause— I myself am anxious to hear the lecture

1. Because of its intrinsic excellence—

2. Because of the relation of that bloody field to my own personal safety, and to a disappointed foe

3. Because the scene of the conflict has been indelibly stamped on my memory by reason of the suffering witnessed there during 3 weeks ministry, in the service of the Christian Commission, among the wounded and dying—of wh. resulted in a lingering typhoid fever to myself

4. The Community I am sure will take an interest in the Lecture, as a number of our own citizens there offered up their lives as a sacrifice in the defence of their country

While I know your interest in the various organizations, now in operation for the supply of the temporal & spiritual wants of our noble soldiery—I do not suppose that your interest in Presbyterian is less, & therefore feel that you would not be unwilling that the benefits of your lecture should go towards the debt of our Church—

If you can modify your terms I am sure the act would be appreciated—but we abide your own decision.

Yours fraternally

A.W. Sprouall

Pastor of Pres Ch

Citation: A.W. Sprouall, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Boston, 17 March 1864. Moore VI:6:3

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

119 Harrison Avenue

Boston March 11 1864

Rev. John R. Warner

Gettysburg Penna

Rev & dear Sir:

After consultation with Mr Martin Rev. Dr. Schenck & others of Philadelphia, who are deeply interested in the effort to establish our church enterprise permanently in Boston, I take the liberty to ask you to repeat in the Music Hall in this city your address on the battle of Gettysburg which I have heard mostly highly commended by those who have heard it. We have had a series of lectures for the benefit of our church (1^st Presb’n) by Rev Drs. Rice, Bellows, Hitchcock & M.H Milburn of New York and others. And the committee of the ch. are very desirous to secure one or two more during the present coming months. I very earnestly desire you to come if possible. I think I can get Hon. Edward Everett to preside at the meeting, and so arrange it as to be both pleasant to you & profitable to our struggling church. I will pay all your expenses and shall ask you to accept $25 for your kindness & trouble. I feel ashamed to offer you so small a sum, but as we did not receive enough to pay the expenses of Dr. Bellows lecture (we actually lost $100 by it) we are afraid to commit ourselves to more liberal terms upon the experiment. Perhaps we can do better. Will if we can. Do come if possible. Please give me an early answer & oblige

Yours fraternally & truly,

Randolph A. DeLancey

Please mention the time which will suit you.

N.B.

Philadelphia March 12, I am in this city & Rev Dr. Schenck suggests that if you could procure the use of the map which Mr. ___ the lawyer has who is making an effort to raise a stock company to purchase the battlefield it would add to the interest & attraction of the address. If you can get the loan of it I will pay for the use of it.

Citation: Randolph A. DeLancey, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Boston, 11 March 1864. Moore VI:6:3

Rev. John Riddle Warner was the grandfather of the poet Marianne Moore and during the Civil War, he lived in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. These letters are preserved as part of Marianne Moore’s family papers.

Transcript:

Wilmington, Del.

Feby. 29^th 1864

Rev. John H. Warner,

Dear Sir,

You are doubtless aware that on the 22^nd of the present month Lectures or Orations were delivered in many cities of the loyal States—the proceeds of which are to be applied to the support and education of the orphans of soldiers and sailors who have fallen in the defence of our country. The Hon. J.R. Doolittle, U.S. Senator, from Wisconsin, visited this city and addressed our people in behalf of the above object—In consequence of several other entertainments on the same evening the receipt were small, and the committee of arrangements have instructed me to ask upon what terms you will deliver in this city your lecture on “The Battle of Gettysburg”—The only suitable Hall here is engaged, until the 17^th of March—If you can come I would suggest Monday March 21^st Tuesday 22^nd or Thursday 24^th . Please answer without delay—as the com. wish to give timely notice.

The proceeds of the Lecture are of course, to be devoted to the above mentioned object.

Perhaps I ought to mention that the committee having this matter in charge was appointed at a public meeting of our citizens at which the Mayor of our city presided.

Very respectfully

Yours &c

Jas. F. Wilson

Cham. Of Com.

The other members of the Com. are Saml. Biddle, Wm. Canby, Edw. J Bellah and Dr. L.P. Bush

Address your reply to

Jas. F. Wilson, M.D.

Wilmington,

Delaware

Citation: James F. Wilson, autograph letter signed to John Riddle Warner. Wilmington, Del., 29 February 1864. Moore VI:6:2