tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77266188400082567562011-04-21T20:46:22.594-04:00notes on the American Civil Warwalkernoreply@blogger.comBlogger681100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-2703162317009106942009-04-26T15:56:00.003-04:002009-04-26T15:59:23.280-04:00

"It was the saddest affair I have witnessed in the war. Such opportunity for carrying fortifications I have never seen and do not expect again to have."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-83603967054266081462009-04-22T12:45:00.003-04:002009-04-22T12:50:35.080-04:00

from Recollections of a Private Soldier in the Army of the Potomac, by Frank Wilkeson, published by G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1886: "There was an unwritten code of honor among the infantry that forbade the shooting of men while attending to the imperative calls of nature, and these sharpshooting brutes were constantly violating that rule. I hated sharpshooters, both Confederate and Union, in those days

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-86492206714388394682009-04-22T12:34:00.004-04:002009-04-22T12:41:33.804-04:00

"For Heaven's sake, at least face us in the right direction, so we shall not march away from the enemy and have to go around the world and come up in their rear!"

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-26082791921232397232009-04-04T14:35:00.003-04:002009-04-04T14:39:56.869-04:00

"I know that Kilpatrick is a hell of a damned fool, but I want just that sort of man to command my cavalry on this expedition."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-82039890562800695952009-03-10T12:42:00.007-04:002009-03-10T12:52:15.378-04:00

Maj. Gen. John Watts de Peyster re John Buford's dragoon tactics: "The hero at Oak Ridge was John Buford... he not only showed the rarest tenacity, but his personal capacity made his cavalry accomplish marvels, and rival infantry in their steadfastness... Glorious John Buford!"

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-15346118410226493072009-01-13T18:52:00.002-05:002009-01-13T18:57:18.044-05:00

"He sat in a room in full uniform with his maps before him. When you went in he would point out one line or another in a mysterious manner, never asking you to take a seat. You left without the least idea of what he meant or what he wanted you to do."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-48474884375895553912008-11-30T10:54:00.002-05:002008-11-30T15:20:46.464-05:00

"I propose that we break up the railroad from Chattanooga forward, and that we strike out with our wagons for Milledgeville, Millen, and Savannah. Until we can repopulate Georgia, it is useless for us to occupy it; but the utter destruction of its roads, houses, and people, will cripple their military resources. By attempting to hold the roads, we will lose a thousand men each month, and will

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-23993095873677086022008-11-28T17:01:00.002-05:002008-11-30T10:57:01.343-05:00

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., September 14, 1864.General J. B. HOOD, C. S. Army,Commanding Army of Tennessee:GENERAL: Yours of September 12 is received and has been carefully perused. I agree with you that this discussion by two soldiers is out of place and profitless, but you must admit that you began the controversy by characterizing an official act of

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-39565843378971369352008-11-28T17:00:00.001-05:002008-11-30T10:57:01.347-05:00

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF TENNESSEE,September 12, 1864.Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN, Commanding Military Division of the Mississippi:GENERAL; I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th [10th] instant, with its inclosure, in reference to the women, children, and others whom you have thought proper to expel from their homes in the city of Atlanta. Had you seen proper to let the

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-9068544893695660472008-11-28T16:57:00.000-05:002008-11-30T10:57:01.351-05:00

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISION OF THE MISSISSIPPI,In the Field, Atlanta, Ga., September 10, 1864.General J. B. HOOD, C. S. Army, Comdg. Army of Tennessee:GENERAL: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of this date [9th], at the hands of Messrs. Ball and Crew, consenting to the arrangements I had proposed to facilitate the removal south of the people of Atlanta who prefer to go in

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-18219393927890888052008-11-28T16:53:00.001-05:002008-11-30T10:57:01.355-05:00

HDQRS. ARMY OF TENNESSEE, OFFICE CHIEF OF STAFF,September 9, 1864.Maj. Gen. W. T. SHERMAN.Commanding U.S. Forces in Georgia:GENERAL: Your letter of yesterday's date [7th] borne by James M. Ball and James R. Crew, citizens of Atlanta, is received. You say therein "I deem it to be to the interest of the United States that the citizens now residing in Atlanta should remove," &c. I do not consider

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-76614624683704634952008-11-28T16:44:00.002-05:002008-11-30T10:57:01.358-05:00

HDQRS. MILITARY DIVISON OF THE MISSISSIPPI,In the Field, Atlanta, September 7 1864.General Hood,Commanding Confederate Army:GENERAL: I have deemed it to the interest of the United States that the citizens now residing in Atlanta should remove, those who prefer it to go South, and the rest North. For the latter I can provide food and transportation to points of their election in Tennessee,

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-34516550845137676052008-06-30T15:54:00.003-04:002008-06-30T15:57:58.052-04:00

"I am of the opinion that everything is being concentrated against General Lee and yourself."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-15930803529355016042008-06-29T11:14:00.001-04:002008-06-29T11:17:11.569-04:00

"You I propose to move against Johnston's army, to break it up, and to get into the interior of the enemy's country as far as you can, inflicting all the damage you can against their war resources."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-37311358919531899002008-06-29T11:11:00.001-04:002008-06-29T11:17:47.744-04:00

"I will not let side issues draw me off from your main plans in which I am to knock Jos. Johnston, and to do as much damage to the resources of the enemy as possible."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-45580390326308020892008-06-28T11:47:00.009-04:002008-12-09T04:56:40.502-05:00

"In peace there is a beautiful harmony in all the departments of life—they fit together like the Chinese puzzle; but in war all is ajar. Nothing fits, and it is the struggle between the stronger and the weaker; and the latter, however it may appeal to the better feelings of our nature, must kick the beam. To make war we must and will harden our hearts."––Charles A. DanaU.S. Assistant Secretary

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-25033188661621918492008-06-26T11:56:00.009-04:002008-12-09T04:56:40.685-05:00

In mid-March 1864 Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. Sherman met in "Parlor A" of Cincinnati's Burnet House. They spread out their war maps and devised the strategy that resulted in the devastation of Georgia and South Carolina. "Yonder began the campaign," Sherman was to say a quarter century later, standing before the hotel on the occasion of a visit to the Ohio city. "He was to go for

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-2685971539477452502008-06-26T11:53:00.001-04:002008-06-29T11:18:26.033-04:00

"... the nailhead that held the South's two halves together."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-72108794080314257472008-06-23T15:24:00.003-04:002008-06-24T10:08:52.635-04:00

Nashville, TennesseeMarch 4, 1864DEAR SHERMAN : The bill reviving the grade of lieutenant-general in the army has become a law, and my name has been sent to the Senate for the place. I now receive orders to report at Washington immediately, in person, which indicates either a confirmation or a likelihood of confirmation. I start in the morning to comply with the order, but I shall say very

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-31337026067923971282008-06-21T18:19:00.004-04:002008-06-29T11:18:51.033-04:00

"I am a much brighter man than Grant; I can see things much quicker than he can, and know more about books than he does, but I'll tell you where he beats me, and where he beats the world: he don't care a cent for what he can't see the enemy doing, but it scares me like hell!"

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-71452955424355015032008-06-18T13:39:00.004-04:002008-12-09T04:56:40.926-05:00

The Cornfield, site of some of the bloodiest fighting during the Battle of Antietam (near Sharpsburg, Maryland).Photograph taken by the writer in April 2007, while touring the battlefields with Professor James McPherson.

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-40670555578723525132008-06-18T13:12:00.007-04:002008-06-24T10:11:00.607-04:00

As the Battle of Antietam came to an end, General Robert E. Lee encountered Brigadier General John Bell Hood while inspecting the Confederate left flank. Lee reportedly asked: "Great God, General Hood, where is your splendid division?" Hood replied, "They are lying upon the field where you sent them, sir." (Roughly two-thirds of Hood's brigade had been killed or wounded fighting in "The Cornfield

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-50020006938890603942008-06-16T13:52:00.006-04:002008-12-09T04:56:41.001-05:00

"Have you seen Sherman? Try to picture Sherman—seamy, sinewy, in style—a bit of stern open air made up in the image of a man."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-16978548913095391292008-06-10T17:00:00.005-04:002008-06-10T17:20:16.585-04:00

HEADQUARTERS DEPT. OF THE TENN.,Vicksburg, Jan. 31, 1864.MAJOR E. M. SAWYER,A. A. C. Army of the Tenn.,Huntsville, Alabama.Dear Sawyer : In my former letters I have answered all your questions save one, and that relates to the treatment of inhabitants known or suspected to be hostile or "Secesh." This is in truth the most difficult business of our army as it advances and occupies the Southern

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-27880075019389920332008-05-09T17:50:00.007-04:002008-12-09T04:56:41.119-05:00

from the New Georgia Encyclopedia: Alfred H. Colquitt, an active secessionist and brigade commander in the Civil War (1861-65), was a prominent political leader in his home state until his death. During his long career, the veteran officer was a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate, as well as the governor of Georgia.Alfred Holt Colquitt was born in Walton County [Georgia]

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-90045076528353533892008-05-09T17:43:00.005-04:002008-05-09T18:56:18.000-04:00

Report of Brig. Gen. A. H. Colquitt, C. S. Army, Commanding Brigade. APRIL 27-MAY 6, 1863.--The Chancellorsville Campaign. O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXV/1 [S# 39]NEAR FREDERICKSBURG, May 15, 1863.Captain [G.] PEYTON. SIR: Herewith I submit a report of the part taken by my brigade in the recent engagement at Chancellorsville and the affairs connected with it. On the morning of April 29,

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-70025433892561292692008-05-07T18:42:00.003-04:002008-05-07T18:49:04.278-04:00

from Meade's Headquarters, 1863-1865: Letters of Colonel Theodore Lyman, published 1922, The Atlantic Monthly Press: HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF POTOMACWednesday, May 18, 1864. . . Lee is not retreating: he is a brave and skillful soldier and he will fight while he has a division or a day's rations left. These Rebels are not half-starved and ready to give up — a more sinewy, tawny, formidable-looking

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-75740353823799591502008-05-07T18:22:00.006-04:002008-12-09T04:56:41.365-05:00

from The Civil War, Vol. III, by Shelby Foote, Random House, 1974, p. 204: Studded with guns at critical points throughout its convex three-mile length, Lee's Spotsylvania line was constructed, Meade's chief of staff declared, "in a manner unknown to European warfare, and indeed, in a manner new to warfare in this country." Actually, it was not so much the novelty of the individual engineering

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-83529074849410739512008-04-28T09:17:00.008-04:002008-12-09T04:56:41.522-05:00

Speech to the U.S. Senate, March 4, 1858:In all social systems there must be a class to do the menial duties, to perform the drudgery of life. That is, a class requiring but a low order of intellect and but little skill. Its requisites are vigor, docility, fidelity. Such a class you must have, or you would not have that other class which leads progress, civilization, and refinement. It

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-90920113214954860472008-04-28T08:59:00.005-04:002008-04-28T09:08:23.530-04:00

"They are fighting for different motives from us. We are fighting for the Union . . . a high and noble sentiment, but after all a sentiment. They are fighting for independence and are animated by passion and hatred against invaders. . . . It makes no difference whether the cause is just or not. You can get up an amount of enthusiasm that nothing else will excite."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-91898863938685433192008-04-24T18:53:00.007-04:002008-04-28T09:08:41.212-04:00

Some years after the affair on the Plank road, General Hancock said to me,"You rolled me up like a wet blanket, and it was some hours before I could reorganize for battle."(from From Manassas to Appomattox, by Lt. Gen. James Longstreet, CSA)

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-39757169756408904822008-04-23T18:40:00.010-04:002008-12-09T04:56:41.647-05:00

John Brown Gordon was one of Robert E. Lee's most trusted generals during the Civil War.Although lacking any military education or experience, Gordon was elected captain of a company of mountaineers and quickly climbed from captain to brigadier general (November 1, 1862) to major general (May 14, 1864). Gordon was an aggressive general who, when in command or leading a charge, was never defeated

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-53852928229818493862008-04-15T18:14:00.003-04:002008-04-15T18:17:23.071-04:00

“Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.”

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-83810166825960582472008-04-15T18:08:00.003-04:002008-04-15T18:13:24.796-04:00

"My God! It is horrible--horrible; and to think of it, 130,000 magnificent soldiers cut to pieces by less than 60,000 half-starved ragamuffins."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-2367308051638921822008-04-15T17:50:00.006-04:002008-04-15T18:19:43.453-04:00

In the midst of one of his most brilliant maneuvers, Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson was mistakenly shot by his own men on the night of May 2, 1863 during the the Battle of Chancellorsville. Dr. Hunter H. McGuire performed surgery on Jackson in a field hospital near Chancellorsville, where he amputated Jackson's twice wounded left arm and removed a ball from the General's right

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-71063671268527845032008-04-14T15:44:00.009-04:002008-12-09T04:56:41.978-05:00

from Stratford Hall Plantation, Robert E. Lee Memorial Association, Inc.: Traveller was used by General Robert E. Lee thoughout most of the Civil War. The iron gray horse was born in 1857 in Greenbrier County, which is now in West Virginia. He was first called Jeff Davis by Andrew Johnston, who raised him. He was renamed Greenbrier by his next owner, Captain Joseph M. Broun. Lee bought the horse

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-69263813784815436642008-04-14T12:28:00.009-04:002008-04-15T18:20:12.995-04:00

Chancellorsville, May 1863, according to a staff officer: "The fierce soldiers with their faces blackened with the smoke of battle, the wounded crawling with feeble limbs from the fury of the devouring flames, all seemed possessed with a common impulse. One long, unbroken cheer, in which the feeble cry of those who lay helpless on the earth blended with the strong voices of those who still fought

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-72925144753841723742008-04-13T17:25:00.004-04:002008-04-13T17:36:05.313-04:00

The Union boys are moving on the left and the right, The bugle call is sounding, our shelters we must strike, Joe Hooker is our leader, he takes his whisky strong, So our knapsacks we will sling, and go marching along. chorus:Joe Hooker is our leader, he takes his whisky strong, So our knapsacks we will sling, and go marching along. Marching along, marching along, With eight days' rations we'll

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-30851920141388655402008-04-09T12:42:00.001-04:002008-11-30T10:57:01.362-05:00

“I will commence this holy day dearest Mary by writing to you. My heart is filled with gratitude to Almighty God for His unspeakable mercies with which He has blessed us in this day, for those He has granted us from the beginning of life, and particularly for those He has vouchsafed us during the past year. What should have become of us without His crowning help and protection? Oh, if our people

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-16080909796234211952008-04-09T12:14:00.008-04:002008-12-09T04:56:42.148-05:00

from the U.S. Centennial Of Flight Commission: Both the Union and Confederate armies used balloons for reconnaissance during the American Civil War, marking the first time that balloons were used in the United States for reconnaissance. The professional aeronaut John Wise was the first to receive orders to build a balloon for the Union army. However, the balloon never was used because it escaped

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-86992254458250856292008-04-08T18:31:00.006-04:002008-04-28T09:31:50.767-04:00

"I am heartily tired of hearing what Lee is going to do. Some of you always seem to think he is suddenly going to turn a double somersault, and land on our rear and on both our flanks at the same time. Go back to your command, and try to think what we are going to do ourselves, instead of what Lee is going to do."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-83388231808728293722008-04-08T18:21:00.004-04:002008-04-15T18:19:00.209-04:00

"May God have mercy on General Lee, for I will have none."

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-43260060843116069422008-04-08T18:01:00.008-04:002008-04-28T09:34:58.671-04:00

HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,Near Fredericksburg, Va,, December 16, 1862.Hon. JAMES A. SEDDON, Secretary of War, Richmond, Va. SIR: I have the honor to report that the army of General Burnside re crossed the Rappahannock last night, leaving a number of his dead and some of his wounded on this side. Our skirmishers again occupy Fredericksburg and the south bank of the river. Large

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-69917299763495021102008-04-08T17:51:00.013-04:002009-01-13T18:58:37.740-05:00

Report of General Robert E. Lee, C.S. Army,Commanding Army of Northern Virginia, Battle of FredericksburgHEADQUARTERS ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA,December 14, 1862.Hon. SECRETARY OF WAR, Richmond, Va. SIR: On the night of the 10th instant, the enemy commenced to throw three bridges over the Rappahannock, two at Fredericksburg and the third about 1 1/4 miles below, near the mouth of Deep Run. The

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-15782123881611449732008-04-08T17:42:00.008-04:002008-04-28T09:34:58.674-04:00

Report of Maj. Gen. Ambrose E. Burnside,U. S. Army, commanding Army of the Potomac, Battle of FredericksburgHEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAC,December 17, 1862.Maj. Gen. H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief , Washington, D. C I have the honor to offer the following reasons for moving the Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock sooner than was anticipated by the President, Secretary, or yourself,

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-28816722480493340772008-03-29T17:09:00.003-04:002008-03-29T17:15:00.093-04:00

"The perpetrators won't live it down , nor will the victims. But my wish is that, generationally, [we] won't call it closure. We will just realize that, ultimately, we all went through it, and we all had to survive it."(from the PBS series African American Lives 2)

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-1770242407077250152008-01-28T09:22:00.000-05:002008-01-28T09:39:00.159-05:00

Ephesians 6:5-95 Slaves*, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-27156892299782192772008-01-26T16:41:00.000-05:002008-01-26T17:06:52.925-05:00

The First Congress, 1790; debates re House Committee Report on the Quaker slavery petitions, March 17-23, 1790: MR. SMITH.— ... As the laws of the United States were paramount to those of the individual States, the Federal regulations would abrogate those of the States, consequently the States would thus be divested of a power which it was evident they now had and might exercise whenever they

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-39979406090815897322008-01-26T16:21:00.000-05:002008-01-26T17:06:26.605-05:00

The First Congress, 1790; debates re House Committee Report on the Quaker slavery petitions, March 17-23, 1790: MR. BURKE animadverted with great freedom on the past and present conduct of the Quakers. He denied that they were the friends of freedom; he said that during the late war they were for bringing this country under a foreign yoke; they descended to the character of spies; they supplied

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-5631580163695499172008-01-26T16:03:00.001-05:002008-05-09T18:23:59.775-04:00

The memorials were referred to committee by a vote of 43 to 14. On March 16 the committee made its report, which was that the Constitution expressly restrained the general Government from prohibiting the importation of slaves until 1808, and, by fair construction, prohibited Congress from interfering before that date with the emancipation of slaves, or the regulation of slaves by the States; the

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-23862175809020678332008-01-26T15:59:00.000-05:002008-01-26T16:09:18.430-05:00

PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. GERRY thought the interference of Congress fully compatible with the Constitution, and could not help lamenting the miseries to which the natives of Africa were exposed by this inhuman commerce. He never contemplated the subject without reflecting what his own feelings would be, in case himself, his children, or

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-89683834870328723832008-01-26T15:55:00.000-05:002008-01-26T16:13:23.514-05:00

PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. PAGE was in favor of the commitment. He lived in a State which had the misfortune of having in her bosom a great number of slaves; he held many of them himself, and was as much interested in the business as any gentleman in South Carolina or Georgia, yet, if he was determined to hold them 
in eternal bondage he

walkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7726618840008256756.post-69077349135096683182008-01-26T10:37:00.000-05:002008-01-26T10:48:35.861-05:00

from This Republic of Suffering, by Drew Gilpin Faust, pub. Alfred A. Knopf, 2008: The number of soldiers who died between 1861 and 1865, an estimated 620,000, is approximately equal to the total American fatalities in the Revolution, the War of 1812, the Mexican War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, and the Korean War combined. The Civil War's rate of death, its incidence in

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. W. SMITH, of South Carolina, insisted that it was not in the power of the House to grant the prayer of the petition, which went to the total abolishment of the slave trade, and it was therefore unnecessary to commit it. If gentlemen can assign no good reason for the measure, they will not support it when they are

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. BALDWIN was sorry the subject had ever been brought before Congress, because it was of a delicate nature as it respected some of the States. Gentlemen who had been present at the formation of this Constitution could not avoid the recollection of the pain and difficulty which the subject caused in 
that body. The

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. JACKSON differed with the gentleman last up, and supposed the master had a qualified property in his slave. He said the contrary doctrine would go to the destruction of every species of personal service. The gentleman said he did not stand in need of religion to induce him to reprobate slavery, but if he is guided

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. SCOTT.—I cannot entertain a doubt but the memorial is strictly agreeable to the Constitution; it respects a part of the duty particularly assigned to us by that instrument, and I hope we may be inclined to take it into consideration. We can, at present, lay our hands upon a small duty of ten dollars; I would take

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERY–ContinuedHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 12, 1790MR. TUCKER was surprised to see another memorial on the same subject, and that signed by a man who ought to have known the Constitution better. He thought it a mischievous attempt as it respected the persons in whose favor it was intended. It would buoy them up with hopes, without a foundation, 
and as they could not

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On February 12 the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery, of which Benjamin Franklin was president, presented a memorial, not on the abolition merely of the slave trade but of slavery in general. This declared: From a persuasion that equal liberty was originally the portion and is still the birthright of all men, and influenced by the strong ties of humanity and the

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 11, 1790MR. TUCKER.—Congress has no authority, under the Constitution, to do more than lay a duty of ten dollars upon each person imported; and this is a political consideration, not arising from either religion or morality, and is the only principle upon which we can proceed to take it up. But what effect do these men suppose will arise

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 11, 1790MR. SMITH.—If I understood it right on its first reading the petition prays that we should take measures for the abolition of the slave trade. This is desiring an unconstitutional act, because the Constitution secures that trade to the States, independent of congressional restrictions, for a term of twenty-one years. If,

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 11, 1790MR. HARTLEY thought the memorialists did not deserve to be aspersed for their conduct if influenced by motives of benignity. They solicit the legislature of the Union to prevent, as far as is in their power, the increase of a licentious traffic; nor do they merit censure because their behavior has the appearance of more morality

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 11, 1790MR. STONE feared that, if Congress took any measures indicative of an intention to interfere with the kind of property alluded to, it would sink it in value very considerably, and might be injurious to a great number of the citizens, particularly in the Southern States. He thought the subject was of general concern, and that the

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PETITIONS AGAINST SLAVERYHOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 11, 1790MR. MADISON.—I apprehend gentlemen need not be alarmed at any measure it is likely Congress will take, because they will recollect that the Constitution secures to the individual States the right of admitting, if they think proper, the importation of slaves into their own territory for eighteen years yet unexpired; subject,

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from Great Debates in American History, by United States Congress, Great Britain Parliament, Marion Mills Miller, published 1913, Current Literature Publishing Company: That the questions connected with slavery had not been settled by the compromises on the subject in the Constitution was shown by a petition presented to Congress in its first session, praying for the abolition of the slave

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The Congress of Delegates from the seceding Southern States convened at Montgomery, Alabama, on February 4, 1861. They quickly adopted a provisional Constitution, and in less than a month, devised and approved a permanent Constitution, which was adopted March 11, 1861.The original signed manuscript consists of five vellum sheets pasted together into a roll 148 1/2 inches long. This manuscript was

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South CarolinaR. Barnwell Rhett C. G. MemmingerWm Porcher Miles James Chesnut, Jr.R. W. Barnwell William W. BoyceLawrence M. Keitt T. J. WithersGeorgiaR. Toombs Francis S. BartowMartin J. Crawford Alexander StephensBenjamin H. Hill Tho. R. R. CobbE. A. Nisbet Augustus R. WrightA. H. Kenan FloridaJackson Morton J. Patton AndersonJas. B. Owens AlabamaRichard W. Walker Robt. H. SmithColin J. McRae 

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This letter, signed by Abraham Lincoln, is of the utmost rarity. It resulted from the meeting of Lincoln and Alexander Stephens at the secret Hampton Roads Conference held on a boat in Virginia the night of 3 February 1865, to discuss terms of a possible peace settlement. Lincoln and Stephens were old friends, having served together as Whigs in the U.S. Congress. Although peace terms were not

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