Posted on 08/13/2019 7:43:22 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1855-1860: Seminar and Discussion Forum
Bleeding Kansas, Dred Scott, Lincoln-Douglas, Harper’s Ferry, the election of 1860, secession – all the events leading up to the Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts
First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: Sometime in the future.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.
Posting history, in reverse order
To add this class to or drop it from your schedule notify Admissions and Records (Attn: Homer_J_Simpson) by reply or freepmail.
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Wrote wife and John, Jr., for instructions, etc.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 520
CHAMBERSBURG, PENN., Aug. 16, 1859.
DEAR WIFE AND CHILDREN, ALL, — I left all well at home yesterday but Martha, who was complaining a little. Am in hopes nothing serious is the matter. I will only now say I am getting along as well, perhaps, all things considered, as I ought to expect. We all want to hear from you; but we do not want you all to write, and you need only say all is well, or otherwise, as the case may be. When you write, enclose in a small envelope such as I now send, seal it, and write on it no other directions than I. Smith & Sons. Enclose that in a stamped envelope and direct it to John Henrie, Esq., of Chambersburg, Franklin County, Penn., who will send it to us.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 531-2
BRENTVILLE, August 16th, 1859.
DEAR HUSBAND:
Your kind letter came duly to hand, and it gave me much pleasure to here from you, and especely to here you are better of your rhumatism, and hope when I here from you again you may be entirely well. I want you to buy me as soon as possible, for if you do not get me some body else will. The servants are very disagreeable; they do all they can to set my mistress against me. Dear Husband you ___ not the trouble I see; the last two years has ben like a trouble dream to me. It is said Master is in want of monney. If so, I know not what time he may sell me, an then all my bright hops of the futer are blasted, for their has ben one bright hope to cheer me in all my troubles, that is to be with you, for if I thought I shoul never see you this earth would have no charms for me. Do all you can for me, witch I have no doubt you will. I want to see you so much. The children are all well. The baby can not walk yet all. It can step around everything by holding on. It is very much like Agnes. I must bring my letter to a Close as I have no newes to write. You mus write soon and say when you think you can come.
SOURCE: H. W. Flournoy, Editor, Calendar of Virginia State Papers and Other Manuscripts from January 1 1836 to April 15, 1869, Volume 11, p. 311
Wrote Jason for box, etc.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 520
[Rochester, New York August 17, 1859.]
On my way up to our friend's1 house, I met his son Lewis, who informs me that his father left here on Tuesday, August 16, via New York and Philadelphia, to make you a visit.
1 Frederick Douglass.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 538
Wrote F. B. S[anborn] and other friends.1
1 This was about the time that Douglass visited Brown at Chambersburg. The purpose of Brown's letter to me was to raise three hundred dollars more, since he was delayed for want of money; and I undertook to raise it. On the 4th of September I had sent him two hundred dollars, of which Dr. Howe gave fifty; on the 14th I had all but thirty-five dollars of the remaining hundred, Colonel Higginson having sent me twenty dollars. I think the balance was paid by Mr. Stearns, who on the 8th of September had written thus to Higginson: “By reading Mr. Sanborn's note to me a second time, I see that the enclosed ought to have been sent to you with his note. Please read it and enclose again to him. I hope you will be able to get the fifty dollars. We have done all we could, and fall short another fifty as yet.” The “enclosed” here was an urgent appeal from Chambersburg for money.
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 520
BROOKLYN, Aug. 18, 1859.
ESTEEMED FRIEND, — I gladly avail myself of the opportunity afforded by our friend Mr. F. Douglass, who has just called upon us previous to his visit to you, to enclose to you for the cause in which you are such a zealous laborer a small amount, which please accept with my most ardent wishes for its and your benefit. The visit of our mutual friend Douglass has somewhat revived my rather drooping spirits in the cause; but seeing such ambition and enterprise in him, I am again encouraged. With best wishes for your welfare and prosperity, and the good of your cause, I subscribe myself
SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 538
David W. Blight, Frederick Douglass: Prophet of Freedom
Very interesting. It makes me grateful that I have a really dull life with no earthshattering conflicts or decisions to make.
Now, read about this weekend in Portland, Oregon... You just might be living through history repeating itself.
People fighting is nothing new. It will always happen.
I was thinking of Frederick Douglass, who believed so deeply in emancipation (of course!) and even in slaves taking violent measures, but couldn’t bring himself to participate in John Brown’s initiative because - as I interpreted this excerpt - he was sure it would accomplish little except to get the participants killed.
I wonder if he’d told himself the time would come for a great slave uprising, he’d worked toward it, here they were on the brink ... and he realized that even though this was the best possible chance, it was still doomed. It had always been doomed.
Pikes Peak or Bust!
I haven’t been to Sharpsburg, myself. DP and I were going to go to Emmittsburg, MD, once, but we got lost and went to Manassas, VA, instead. The battlefield was closed because of one of those budget battles, but the city museum was neat, and there were shops.
Although it was counted as a Union victory, the battle highlighted McClellan's utter incompetence as a commander in the field. At least at one time the Battle was taught at West Point as an example of a commander breaching several of the Army's Principles of War, especially Mass and Unity of Command. Not to mention that McClellan sat on his butt for more than a day after Lee's detailed battle plan fell into his lap.
I recently read Bruce Catton’s narrative on Antietam in “Mr. Lincoln’s Army.” Much of the book is about McClellan and it gave me the most complete picture of the man I have read, since I never read a dedicated McClellan biography. Catton sees the battle as a major turning point, as far as what kind of war it was going to be.
Bummer, my library doesn’t have it!
My father and I went over Gettysburg with an Army War College guide. It would be interesting to have a personal tour, though.
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