The House on Caroline Street

Looking for Chandler

2011-03-19T18:10:00.005-04:00

In the published version of Elizabeth Lindsay Lomax's diary there is a young man named Chandler (Mrs. Lomax does not give his last name). Chandler is courting Victoria Lomax and in fact proposes to her several times, only to be rejected.

Here is what I know about Chandler from the diary:

Chandler is living in Washington from at least 1854 to 1861.
December 22, 1854: Chandler is going to Philadelphia for the holidays to join his father, "who is our ambassador to Spain". (page 30) The US Ambassador to Spain at that time is Pierre Soule, but I can find no record of him having a son named Chandler or of any Chandler Soule.
April 6, 1858, page 85: Chandler is to attend Mrs. Senator Gwin's fancy dress ball on April 9, 1858 costumed as Sir Walter Raleigh. I have checked the NY Times article of 4-12-1858 about the ball, and neither Chandler nor Sir Walter Raleigh is mentioned.
July 1, 1858: Chandler is going to South America (page 88).
Entry for April 22, 1861, page 151: Chandler joined the Federal Army, commissioned as a 1st lieutenant.
Entry for June 19, 1862, page 200: Chandler was in the hospital in Fredericksburg severely wounded.
July 21, 1862, page 205: Chandler is still desperately ill.
August 2, 1862, page 206: implies that Chandler died. If he died in Fredericksburg, it is possible he is buried there in the National Cemetery. No person with the given name Chandler appears on the list of Union soldiers buried at the Fredericksburg National Cemetery.

Does anyone have any idea who this Chandler is?

A Visit to "Professor" Maury

2011-03-09T19:17:00.002-05:00

The following is from A Belle of the Fifties by Virginia Clay-Clopton. She doesn't give a date, but the event clearly took place before June 1861. "Professor" Maury (she seems to have forgotten his full name, Matthew Fontaine Maury) was still the director of the Naval Observatory in Washington at the time of the visit she describes. I find her description of Mr. Maury rather unkind.

I remember an amusing visit paid by a party from our mess to the observatory of Professor Maury. It was an occasion of special interest. Jupiter was displaying his brilliancy in a marvelous way. For no particular reason, in so far as I could see, the Professor's great telescope seemed to require adjusting for the benefit of each of the bevy present. I noticed Professor Maury's eye twinkling as he went on with this necessary (?) preliminary, asking betimes: "What do you see? Nothing clearly? Well, permit me!" And after several experiments he would secure, at last, the right focus. When all of his guests had been treated to a satisfactory view of the wonders of the sky, Professor Maury delivered himself somewhat as follows:

"Now, ladies, whilst you have been studying the heavenly bodies, I have been studying you!" and the quizzical expression deepened in his eye.

"Go on," we assented.

"Well," said the Professor, "I have a bill before Congress," (mentioning its nature) "and if you ladies don't influence your husbands to vote for it, I intend to publish the ages of each and every one of you to the whole of Washington!"

Reminder - Betty's Diary published

2011-03-02T21:34:00.002-05:00

A reminder that the Civil War Diary of Betty Herndon Maury, newly transcribed and annotated, has been published by the Central Virginia Battlefields Trust in its journal Fredericksburg History and Biography, Volume 9. Scroll to the bottom of the page to see Betty's portrait on the cover. Instructions for ordering are on the left column

Literature in the South Since the War - Thomas Nelson Page

2011-02-26T10:31:00.002-05:00

Literature in the South Since the War
by Thomas Nelson Page
Lippincott's Magazine, Volume 48, 1891, page 740

Along the Lower James

2011-02-25T19:15:00.003-05:00

Along the Lower James
by Charles Washington Coleman
Century Magazine, Volume 41, page 323, January 1891

A long article about historic homes along the James River in Virginia with beautiful illustrations.

Virginia Illustrated by David Hunter Strother

2011-02-23T10:33:00.002-05:00

Virginia Illustrated
by David Hunter Strother
New York: Harper & Brothers, 1857

Some wonderful illustrations!

Mr. Corbin Courts Nannie

2011-01-13T13:03:00.003-05:00

The following is from Leaves From an Old Washington Diary, 1854-1863 by Elizabeth Lindsay Lomax, first published in 1943, edited by Lindsay Lomax Wood.

Friday, February 29, 1856
. . . Mr. Corbin is on a courting expedition and seems a trifle nervous -- He is very attentive to Nannie Maury, but as yet no one knows if she smiles upon his suit or not -- I imagine he is uncertain of his own fate.

Elizabeth Lindsay Lomax was a widow living on G Street near Lafayette Square in Washington DC when she wrote these lines in 1856. She had several unmarried daughters at home, and so she was in the loop on the events in their circles of friends.

The "Mr. Corbin" referred to is probably Spotswood Wellford Corbin. Nannie Maury is Betty Herndon Maury's younger sister Diana. Diana was most likely living at the Naval Observatory in Washington at this time where her father, Matthew Fontaine Maury, was its first director. Diana/Nannie does eventually accept Mr. Corbin's proposal and they were married on April 28, 1858. Their home near Fredericksburg, Virginia, known as Farley Vale, is mentioned frequently in Betty's diary, as is, of course, Diana/Nannie.

William Maury's actions during the war

2011-01-07T16:01:00.004-05:00

I have found more information about the actions of Betty Herndon Maury's husband, William Arden Maury, during the opening months of the American Civil War. He was involved in procuring land patents and certificates for land patents, as revealed by seizure of contraband mail by the U.S. Government in December 1861. See The War of the Rebellion, Series II Volume II, page 1309. This link will take you to page 1307; Will is mentioned on page 1309.

Note that the text of The War of the Rebellion text is unclear about the relationship of Rutson Maury to Betty's father - or to her husband. The Rutson Maury who was arrested for mail and document smuggling in November 1861 was most likely the Rutson Maury born in 1835. His brother, another Matthew Fontaine Maury, born in 1834, was also arrested and imprisoned for mail and document smuggling. On November 24, 1861 Betty reports the arrest of "Fontaine Maury, Nannie's old sweetheart . . ."

From Betty's diary it appears that Will was not sharing with her much about what he was doing.

Publication of Betty's Diary

2010-11-06T21:55:00.002-04:00

This is to announce that The Civil War Diary of Betty Herndon Maury will be published by the journal Fredericksburg History and Biography. The entire diary, together with annotations, will be available in early 2011.

Mrs. Gwin

2010-10-12T15:37:00.005-04:00

This is a photo of Mrs. Gwin, she who gave the famous costume ball described in Virginia Clopton Clay's memoir, A Belle of the Fifties. I wrote about this ball in an earlier post, which you can read by clicking here. In the earlier post there is a link to a New York Times article describing the ball.

A Southern Girl in '61 [1861]

2010-10-12T15:35:00.000-04:00

Publisher's Weekly, Volume 68, page 567
Review of A Southern Girl in '61 by Louise Wigfall Wright

Four Remarkable Biographies

2010-10-11T19:49:00.002-04:00

Confederate Veteran, Volume 28, 1920, page 420
Four Remarkable Biographies

Reviews of the books of four southern women of the 1860s who have written biographies and memoirs:

Memoirs of Jefferson Davis by Varina Davis
Memoirs of Stonewall Jackson by Mary Anna Jackson
Reminiscences of Peace and War by Sara Agnes Pryor
Recollections Grave and Gay by Constance Cary Harrison

Lincoln in Richmond in 1865

2010-10-08T19:21:00.002-04:00

The President Enters the Confederate Capital
Part II of With Lincoln From Washington to Richmond in 1865
by John S. Barnes
Appleton's Magazine, Volume 9, January - June 1907, page 742,

Matthew Fontaine Maury's war work

2010-10-06T08:22:00.002-04:00

The work done by Matthew Fontaine Maury, Betty's father, during the American Civil War is chronicled in this book by his son, Richard L. Maury, the brother referred to as Dick in Betty's diary.

A Brief Sketch of the Work of Matthew Fontaine Maury During the War 1861-1865
by Richard L. Maury
Richmond, Whittet & Shepperson, 1915

Clicking on the link in the book's title will take you to Google Books where the book may be downloaded (free).

Charles and Ann Hite McGruder

2010-06-16T16:19:00.005-04:00

Finally I have found the McGruders' graves at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia. I went looking for them once before but without success. I was hoping to get more information about the McGruders from the gravestones, but unfortunately the stone(s) were so worn I could not read a word. I know I found the right place, for I had the Section and Lot identifiers (Section K, Lot 44) from the cemetery's web site; and there was another McGruder buried in the same lot whose name I could read.

Charles and Ann Hite (Maury) McGruder were relatives with whom Betty and Will Maury stayed in 1861-2. They lived in Henrico County, Virginia, which is next to Richmond. In February 1862 the McGruders told Betty and Will that they must leave and live somewhere else. According to Betty, the McGruders offered no explanation for the eviction.

I have not had much success in learning more about the McGruders. They apparently had no children, so genealogical research has yielded no results other than to tell me the names of Charles McGruder's parents. I know more about Ann, as she was a Maury by birth, but that doesn't tell me anything about what happened to her and her husband after the Civil War.

I'm not quite sure who this Mary L. McGruder is. The dates of birth and death are wrong for it to be Charles' mother, Mary Mallory (Woolfolk), who was born in 1799 and who died in 1833.
Perhaps Charles' father, Sublett B. McGruder (1781-1853) married again after the death of Charles' mother. It won't have much, if any, impact on the Maury family history, but my curiosity is aroused and I will try to track it down at some point.

And I want to express my gratitude to the man and woman at Hollywood Cemetery today who took the time to help me locate the McGruders' graves. Thank you!

Sarah Mytton Maury

2010-06-06T16:10:00.004-04:00

Tombstone of Sarah Mytton Maury,
her husband and son.

City Cemetery
Fredericksburg VA

Inscription transcribed below.

IN
MEMORY OF
WILLIAM MAURY
OF LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND;
BORN Feb. 5, 1799,
DIED OCT. 15, 1849
ALSO HIS WIFE,
SARAH MYTTON MAURY
BORN NOV. 1, 1801.
DIED SETP. 21, 1849
THEIR REMAINS LIE HERE
ALSO THEIR SON
CHARLES WILLIAMS MAURY
BORN DEC. 8, 1837.
DIED OCT. 30, 1857;
WHOSE REMAINS LIE
IN THE STRAITS OF SUNDA
_________
There remaineth therefore a rest,
To the people of God.
_________
"And the sea gave up the dead
Which were in it."

A New Blog - Fredericksburg Remembered

2010-06-05T10:03:00.002-04:00

A new blog called Fredericksburg Remembered has been created. The first two posts concern the slave auction block at the corner of Charles and William Streets in Fredericksburg and present a fascinating discussion of the disputes over this stone. This blog will surely become a valuable resource for preserving and disseminating the history of Fredericksburg, Virginia.

Mrs. Hart Identified

2010-05-02T15:50:00.002-04:00

I have been working on annotating the Civil War Diary of Betty Herndon Maury, and as an aid to that effort I have been compiling genealogical charts in an effort to identify various people Betty mentions. It is a difficult task, as so many names are repeated through the generations; and Betty sometimes uses the words cousin, aunt, uncle and so on in ways other than those I am familiar with.

Betty several times refers to a Mrs. Hart in Fredericksburg, and I had not been able to figure out who she was until I discovered Betty had given a clue as to her identity: Mrs. Hart was Susan Crutchfield's cousin. Using this clue and the genealogy charts I was finally able to identify Mrs. Hart as Jane Blake (Minor) Hart (1830-1900), wife of William Timothy Hart (1822-1885). Susan's father (Oscar Minor Crutchfield) and Janes mother (Malvina (Crutchfield) Minor) were brother and sister.

Susan, who later married Betty's brother Richard was staying with Jane and William Hart at the time Betty was writing her diary there.

As small a matter as is the identity of Mrs. Hart in the grand scheme of things, it has given me a great sense of satisfaction to be able to pin down her identity. I wish I knew more about her!

Civil War Graffiti

2010-04-28T09:35:00.003-04:00

Today's posting at the Mysteries and Conundrum's blog addresses graffiti created by Civil War soldiers. I have noticed such graffiti in many locations I have visited in Virginia. The author of today's post has asked: ". . . there must be many antebellum structures in the Fredericksburg area that still retain names, messages, and drawings from soldiers who visited them so long ago. If you are aware of any surviving graffiti in the area, and would like to share it, please let us know." I, for one, will now start collecting such information to relay to the National Park Service historians.

Ashes of Glory - Richmond at War

2010-04-26T18:31:00.002-04:00

I am reading Ashes of Glory - Richmond at War by Ernest B. Furguson. It is a fascinating view of how Richmond and her citizens fared during the American Civil War. Highly recommended.

Fredericksburg Battlefield blog

2010-03-31T10:28:00.002-04:00

Mysteries and Conundrums, "exploring the Civil War-era landscape at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP in an unofficial sort of way."

This is a wonderful resource!

Betty's Brother Matthew

2010-03-02T21:04:00.002-05:00

As I continue work on annotating the Civil War diary of Betty Herndon Maury, I continue to encounter wonderfully helpful people in libraries. The Central Rappahannock Regional Library in Fredericksburg VA has helped me on several occasions. And now the Cincinnati Library is helping me in my quest to learn about the death of Betty's brother, the one she refers to as Matsy in her diary, more formally known as Matthew Fontaine Maury. Some people have appended Junior to his name, as his name is the same as his father's, but I'm not sure that is correct. There have been so many of that very same name that it's hard to keep them straight.

Here's what I know about Matsy. He was born January 9, 1849. His father called him Matsy, Boy, and Brave. On December 18, 1877 Matsy married Rose Robinson (1856-1937). Matsy was a cartographer, and the Library of Congress web site displays at least one of his maps. Matsy died on December 31, 1886, just short of his 38th birthday. I found one reference which said he is buried in Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati, Ohio.

And this is where the wonderful people at the Cincinnati Library come into the picture. They are searching to see if they can find Matsy's obituary for me. Thirty eight is young to die, and I would like to know what the cause of death was. So far I have not been able to learn anything more about his death, and it might be that no obituary was ever published. The help of the Cincinnati Library is much appreciated, whatever the outcome.

Ink in the Civil War

2010-02-25T12:50:00.003-05:00

I went to the Virginia Historical Society library today to look at a fragmentary diary kept by Betty Herndon Maury's sister-in-law, Susan Crutchfield Maury. The library's record for this diary says it was written in 1864. By chance, I had read the following extract from Virginia Clay-Clopton's memoirs, A Belle of the Fifties, where she describes how women in the south during the American Civil War had to make their own ink. Reading that was fortuitous, for when I saw Susan's diary, the "ink" was so faded that I could not read the words. The kind reference librarians at the Virginia Historical Society copied the diary pages for me on a copy machine which darkened the letters somewhat. I am going to scan the copied pages and see if I can darken the written words even more so that I can transcribe Susan's diary. I don't know what Susan used to make the "ink" she used to write the diary. What is left of it is a light brown color.

A Belle of the Fifties
Virginia Clay-Clopton
London, Wm. Heinemann, 1905

Page 227: "We made our own writing fluids, our commonest resource being the oak ball, a parasite, which, next to the walnut burr, is the blackest thing in the vegetable world. Or, this failing us, soot was scooped from the chimney, and, after a careful sifting, was mixed with water and 'fixed' with a few drops of vinegar. Sometimes we used poke-berries, manufacturing a kind of red ink, or, made thin with water, some bit of miraculously saved shoe polish provided us with an adhesive black fluid."

Richmond - Hollywood Cemetery

2010-02-15T15:42:00.002-05:00

The weather was not particularly cooperative today - cold and overcast (raining now). Nevertheless I decided to see if I could find Hollywood Cemetery again. It is 7.5 miles from where I live, and I got there with no difficulty. I stopped to purchase a map of the cemetery for $1. A map is absolutely necessary for this 135 acre cemetery. I've gotten lost there in the past when I did not have a map. I stopped at the iron dog to say hello. There was snow on the ground which showed dog footprints of a size to match the iron dog walking away from the grave. It was too cold to get out and walk around, but this will be a frequent destination for me once the weather warms up. I have found another place I am excited about visiting once spring arrives: Belle Isle. Both of these places will be good for walking and getting some exercise.

I had my camera with me, but the pictures were out of focus. I discovered that a button on the lens had been moved from its autofocus spot. I have now put it back in the correct place, so hopefully my return trips will yield focused photos. I wish I wish the photo of the dog footprints had turned out.

Richmond - Maupin-Maury House

2010-02-14T18:02:00.002-05:00

Having moved to Richmond, I have been excited about the prospect of exploring this historic city. My first excursion was today. I set out armed with the address of the Maupin-Maury House, the house where Betty Herndon Maury's father, Matthew Fontaine Maury, stayed when he was in Richmond during the Civil War. I found the address, 1105 East Clay Street, in Mary Wingfield Scott's book, Houses of Old Richmond. It's location was near the White House of the Confederacy (1201 East Clay Street) which I had visited in the past. I don't remember when I was there, but I had in my mind a vision of the location.

It turns out that there has been a lot of construction in the area since I was last there, and I did not recognize the area at all. Furthermore, the Maupin-Maury House was not there. I did some research after I got back home and discovered that the house was moved in 1992 to 1016 East Clay Street to make way for the construction of new Virginia Commonwealth University and Medical College of Virginia buildings, which now dwarf the White House of the Confederacy. There has been talk of moving the White House of the Confederacy as well, although the experience of moving the Maupin-Maury House seems to have given pause to this idea. The Maupin-Maury House could not be moved intact. It was disassembled and then reassembled in its new location. As a result the house was removed from the National Register of Historic Places and the Virginia Landmarks Register. It left me feeling sad.

Mrs Senator Gwin's Fancy Ball

2010-02-12T07:54:00.003-05:00

On April 12, 1858, Mrs. Senator Gwin, wife of Senator William Gwin of California, gave a fancy ball which was the talk of Washington Society for decades afterwards. This ball is mentioned in many memoirs of the era. Most recently I have read a wonderful account in Virginia Clay-Clopton's memoir, A Belle of the Fifties (available for free download from Google Books in pdf and epub formats). The New York Times for April 13, 1858 also gives a comprehensive account of the ball.

Of note in the New York Times article is the following account of Mrs. Greenhow's costume and character at the ball: "Mrs. Greenhow, of Washington, as a Housekeeper of the Old School, was an admirable representative of a gossiping, agreeable person, acquainted with everyone present, and with everything that was going on." Presumably this is the same Mrs. Greenhow who was later a Confederate spy.

So ready were we . . .

2009-12-12T10:04:00.002-05:00

From Richmond During the War
by Sallie Brock Putnam
University of Nebraska Press, 1996, page 87

"So ready were we to catch at the faintest shadow of hope which promised us independence and peace, that we gave credence to many ridiculous reports, and as deceitful as ridiculous."

Illustration - Lincoln and Tad

2009-12-11T19:25:00.001-05:00

Letter from Matthew Fontaine Maury, 1-19-1862

2009-12-10T14:54:00.002-05:00

Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies
In the War of the Rebellion
Series I - Volume 6
Washington, Government Printing Office, 1897
Pages 632-635

Preliminary report of Flag-Officer Goldsborough, U.S. Navy, February 14, 1862:

. . . I forward herewith a very remarkable letter from Mr. M[atthew] F[ontaine] Maury, late of our Navy, to Flag-Officer Lynch, which was found among the papers of the latter gentleman when his vessel, the Sea Bird, was captured by our forces. . .

Special Service,
Navy Department, January 19, 1862.

Dear Lynch: In my judgment the greatest loss to us since the war occurred yesterday, when Mr. Tyler died. It is to him that we are mainly indebted for these new sinews to our naval arm. Your own letter was apropos. It helped the cause along. I am very solicitous that the enemy should not be aware as to the extent of our preparations, for there is no necessity of letting contractors or anyone else, except the few persons engaged with this armament as a whole, know the extent of it. More is already publicly known of it than I could wish, and I fear the keeping of it to ourselves is out of the question; still the best secrecy is celerity, and we must drive ahead. Minor has the guns in hand; most of the engines and boilers are provided for, and by the end of this week I hope to be able to say that in ninety days or less all the hulls will be ready for the machinery - I should have said the last hull. These difficulties being overcome, this, the great one, that of providing officers and men for 100 steam launches, commences. Pray take the matter up, think it over, and let me have the benefit of your thoughts. Here is where we are at present: A call has been made upon the Army for a transfer to us of all the sailors in the State, and a law has been passed offering a bounty of $50 to all who will ship for the war; also a law for the appointment of 50 lieutenants and masters during the war. The crew of each boat will be about 40, all told. Thus, both officers and men have to be trained and drilled. Indeed, it may be said that the whole force, nearly, has to be created, for most of the officers have to be made and educated; still, with proper encouragement and facilities, that, you will agree with me, is not an impossibility.

We want 100 lieutenants to command these boats. Where are they to come from? Judging from the way things look at present we shall not, I fear, be able to get more than 20 from those now in the Navy. The new law for 50 will, I suppose, give us, say, 30 who were formerly in the old Navy, and who, resigning before secession commenced, have not been admitted into the C[onfederate] N[avy]. Where are the rest to come from? My own thoughts suggest as a source of supply the educated youth of the land, young men of the best blood, between the ages of 18 and 25, who have pride, ancestral renown, and family reputation to encourage them and to be sustained. The choice lies between this and merchant captains, pilots, and watermen generally.
Then there are wanting 100 second lieutenants, to be rated as such, or as masters or mates. The rating is immaterial; they are to be second in command and are also to aim the guns. Some of these will come from the Navy and some from those who resigned more than a year ago from the old Navy. For the rest, as in the other case, I would draw upon the blood of the land. By "blood" I mean, as you are aware, no particular condition in life, but all, however humble their condition, whose hearts glow with patriotism, and who, in such a cause, have the spirit to dare and do. These are the "bloods" for me.

Some of the boats are already in a state of forwardness. As soon as they are ready, convert them into school and training and practice ships, send these young aspirants of both grades to them for drill and training. As more are launched, send out the cleverest of them to help as drill masters. Receive on board also the engineers and crew. Have a receiving ship near and draw from her every hour or so, from sunrise to sunset, a fresh set to be drilled and put through with all the motions. All of which is to be done under the eyes of regularly qualified officers of the service.

Now, considering our means and resources, that all the vessels are steamers of the same model, and that they are intended for bay and river navigation only, I think that we can manufacture a pretty good set of officers and capital guns' crews.

Nevertheless, my friend, we shall, in this, have among our brother officers, I fear, old notions and professional prejudice to contend with. "What, make a man a lieutenant who has never been at sea, and then give him command of a gunboat!"

It is to you and such men as you are, my friend, who are capable of viewing such things by the lights of an unbiased mind and judgment, that I look for support and encouragement in this scheme. If you can chalk out a better, pray let me have it. But if no better plan suggests itself, pray assist me with your influence in gaining countenance and support for this.
The whole expedition is to be subdivided into divisions of five or ten boats each, under the general charge each of a regular navy officer, so that, as a rule, the boats will always move in squads, and the "bloods" will always have their leaders to follow. It is to be ready for sea in one hundred and twenty days, I hope.

Not only so, I want your assistance in another respect: I wish you would point out to me such young men as, in your judgment, would make good lieutenants and masters after this fashion. I can not promise appointments myself, but I can bring their names at the proper time before those who can bestow such appointments.

I expect my son John, your pet, here in a day or two. I shall propose to him to try for a master's place in one of these boats. He has been giving his attention to drill, naval gunnery, etc. If he fancies the idea, I wish to offer him as a pledge of my faith in our ability to have this expedition trained and drilled all ready to put out next spring, in June, at any rate. John is a well-behaved and modest lad. Can you let him come to you, for the sake of the school, the drill, and experience, till some of the boats are launched? Be candid, my friend, and don't let your desire to serve me embarrass you in any way. If you can give him any rating by which, in case of accident, he would be entitled to be considered as a prisoner of war, so much the better. At any rate, if you can take him as a supernumerary and work him up as a middy, requiring him to do any and every thing, it will be the "very dandy."

This is a long letter. Sleep on it, and let me hear from you at your convenience.

The boat that is at present proposed as the model for all, is 21 feet beam, 112 feet long, and 6 feet draft, with 171 tons and an armament of a 9-inch gun forward and a 32-pounder aft. I am protesting with all my might against such a large boat and such a feeble stern gun.
That was a clean little dash at the enemy off Newport News. How I wish old Neptune or Mars or some of them would present you with chance and opportunity. I could ask the gods for no greater favor to you, my friend.

Yours, M.F. Maury.
Commodore Wm. F. Lynch, Waters of North Carolina.

N.B. - If you can find room for John, say what bedding, etc., in the way of outfit he shall bring. He could be ready to join you about 1st February.

Fashion - Dinner Dress, 1861

2009-09-18T18:50:00.000-04:00

From Harper's magazine

December 1861

Kate Chase - Recap of Her Life

2009-09-05T08:24:00.003-04:00

The New York Times for August 27, 1899 published a long recap of the life of Kate Chase titled: Mrs. Kate Chase Sprague: She Was One of the Most Romantic Characters at the Capital.

I am captivated by the life of Kate Chase. She rose to great heights of influence in Washington only to fall into disgrace and poverty. I have tried reading two books about her, but both disappointed, both full of speculation about what Kate might have been thinking or how certain events might have affected her. I continue in my search for information about her.

Part of my interest in Kate stems from the fact that she and Betty Herndon Maury were contemporaries. There is no mention of Kate in Betty's diary and, as far as I know at this time, there is no extant letter from Betty commenting on Kate.

Kate Chase

2009-07-26T07:57:00.008-04:00

Yesterday I was reading about Kate Chase again. I don't like the biography I have - too much speculation, too many words like probably or undoubtedly. I want facts. I have asked the library to order for me through interlibrary loan a copy of Kate Chase, Dominant Daughter. The least expensive copy I saw for sale online in $77, and that is way beyond the capabilities of my budget.

Kate fascinates me. She was beautiful and brilliant; her marriage fell apart; she fell from her pedestal and crashed in a big way, ending her life in humiliation and near poverty.

I went looking for more information about her online and found a notice in the NY Times for October 22, 1888 that she was writing her memoirs. None were ever published, as far as I can tell. Another notice in a literary journal the next year said she was writing a biography of her father and was considering writing her memoirs. What happened to these manuscripts, if they did indeed exist? I would love to read them. She has really captivated my imagination.

The house Kate and her father, Salmon P. Chase, lived in during the Civil War at 6th & E Streets in Washington, was demolished long ago. Another house owned by Chase called Edgewood, in which Kate lived after her divorce, was also demolished. A home in Rhode Island belonging to her ex-husband, William Sprague, burned and he nearly with it. I had this image of Kate's avenging ghost setting the fire, but the articles I read said something about faulty wiring being the cause.

Here is a picture of Edgewood, where Kate ended her days.

The Parsons Cause

2009-07-19T16:19:00.001-04:00

It has been a long time since I've posted here, but I thought an excursion I made yesterday was worth mentioning.

Yesterday I drove to Hanover Courthouse (about 20 miles north of Richmond) to attend a trial reenactment. The courthouse was built between 1737 and 1745 (date uncertain). The trial took place in 1763 and is called The Parsons Cause. It had to do with how clergymen were to be compensated. If you are interested in the details of the trial, here is a link. The reason for doing the reenactment is this was the event that gave Patrick Henry his start as an orator of renown. It was a lot of fun, and it made history come alive for me in a way I have never known before. The clergyman plaintiff was the Reverend James Maury, who was the great grandfather of Betty Herndon Maury, the woman whose diary I transcribed. As chance would have it, I was asked by the "sheriff" to sit in the plaintiff's chair as the Rev. Maury, which I thought was great! Other members of the audience were the jury and other clergymen with an interest in the suit. None of the audience participants had any lines. It was a very good performance, well worth seeing for anyone with an interest in history. There was no admission charge. Hanover Tavern, where Patrick Henry stayed when he had to make court appearances, is right across the street. I toured it. There is also a restaurant and gift shop.

Back Yard Burial

2009-04-29T13:58:00.002-04:00

Today I visited the headquarters of the Historic Fredericksburg Foundation at 1200 Caroline Street to look through their folder on the house at 214 Caroline Street, the house where Betty Herndon Maury lived for part of the time she was in Fredericksburg during the Civil War. I found a reference to Launcelot Minor Blackford telling Sarah Ashby that a cousin of his, a Confederate soldier, had been buried in the back yard of 214 Caroline Street near a walnut tree. Presumably this Confederate soldier had been a casualty of one of the Civil War battles in Fredericksburg. There was no name given and no indication of whether the remains had later been moved to the Confederate cemetery in Fredericksburg.

Andrew Jackson Monument

2009-03-30T09:21:00.007-04:00

Andrew Jackson Monument
Lafayette Square Park
Washington, DC

Sculptor: Clark Mills
Dedicated in 1853
Created in bronze from cannons captured from the British in the War of 1812

Photos of Blandford Church and Cemetery

2009-03-25T20:02:00.004-04:00

The second oldest headstone in the cemetery, dating from 1704.

Blandford Church

Petersburg, Virginia

Constructed in 1735

Blandford Church - Petersburg

2009-03-23T12:21:00.003-04:00

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day, and I took advantage of the delightful weather to drive to Petersburg to look at an old church there, Blanford Church. Surrounding the church is a 300-acre cemetery, the second largest cemetery in Virginia, the largest being Arlington National Cemetery.

Petersburg, which is south of Richmond, was under siege during the Civil War for 10 months. There is a mass grave for Confederate soldiers in the Blanford Cemetery. The church itself was used, as so many churches were during that time, as a hospital.

The cemetery dates back to 1702. The church was built in about 1735 and was abandoned by the early 1800s. Petersburg's Ladies Memorial Association turned the church into a chapel honoring Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Today Blandford Church is noted for its Tiffany windows, one for each of the 13 Confederate states. There are also Tiffany windows for Maryland and Arkansas, and a fan light over the entrance door. The windows were made between the years 1901 and 1908 at a cost of $350 each. Each window, except the one for Kentucky, pictures an apostle. They are unbelievably beautiful and are a must see for anyone who happens to be in Petersburg.

Photos are not allowed inside the church, so I don't have any photos of the windows to share.

Kate Chase and William Sprague

2009-03-07T09:20:00.002-05:00

Kate Chase and William Sprague
Politics and Gender in a Civil War Marriage
by Peg A. Lamphier
University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln Nebraska, 2003
ISBN 0-8032-2947-X

Kate Chase was the beautiful and brilliant daughter of Salmon P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury in the Lincoln Administration and later Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Salmon Chase was a widower three times over. He raised Kate to grow into an accomplished woman who would grace his home in whatever position he rose to, his ultimate unrealized ambition being president of the United States.

I have been eager to learn more about Kate since reading about her in Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin, so it was with hopeful expectation that I began reading this book.

Peg Lamphier is adjunct professor of history at Chaffey College, California State Polytechnic, Pomono, and Mt. San Santonio College in California.

The text is heavily footnoted, but there is no separate bibliography, which I find to be a deficiency. While Ms. Lamphier did draw heavily on the Salmon P. Chase papers in various locations and the papers of Kate Chase and William Sprague, she also relies heavily on recent scholarly books to interpret events and attitudes of the 19th century.

I frankly am not interested in Ms. Lamphier's suppositions and conjectures. I think the book would have been better served without them.

Book Review - They Called Stafford Home

2009-02-11T10:25:00.004-05:00

They Called Stafford Home - The Development of Stafford County Virginia from 1600 until 1865
by Jerrilyn Eby
Heritage Books, Westminster MD
copyright 1997, published 2007
ISBN 9780788406652

The history of Fredericksburg, Virginia is inextricably linked to Stafford County to which Fredericksburg is adjacent, making this book a wonderful source for information on the people who have interacted with the residents of Fredericksburg and the ways in which the places have influenced each other throughout history.

After five chapters of background, the book has sections devoted to defined areas within the county, the buildings, individual homes and families within these areas. As such, this book is a treasure trove of information for those who are doing genealogical research, as well as for those who are interested in the history of the area.

Much to my delight, there are maps at the beginning of each area section identifying the location of the homes described. Illustrations of many of the homes add to the understanding of how the residents of Stafford County lived.

This book is a prime example of preservation through publication, preserving what would otherwise be lost through the destruction of old houses and with the deaths of those whose personal histories are an integral part of the county's history.

The author, Jerrilyn Eby MacGregor, grew up in Stafford County and spent much of her childhood riding horseback visiting ruins of old houses and talking to people who shared with her stories about the houses and people. She has devoted over 20 years to a systematic research and writing of the history of Stafford County. She has published Laying the Hoe: a Century of Iron Manufacturing in Stafford County, Virginia; Men of Mark: Officials of Stafford County, Virginia, 1664-1991" and is currently finishing a book about the Stafford County militia (1781-1856) and a two-volume set on land tracts, mills, and industries in Stafford. Her interest in Stafford County and her diligent research into its history make this book a must have for anyone with an interest in this area, to include the Fredericksburg area.

The Fourth John Minor - "Cousin John"

2009-02-08T09:01:00.001-05:00

The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography
Volume X – No. 4, April 1903, pages 438-440

THE FOURTH JOHN MINOR
By Charles M. Blackford, Lynchburg, Virginia

Was the eldest son of General John Minor. He was born in 1797, at Hazel Hill, in Fredericksburg, and died in the same town on the 12th of January, 1862. He never married, but may be said to have adopted all children as his own – a sentiment which many a gray-haired man and woman now living will endorse as they recall the hours of pleasure they have spent at his knee as he told them his charming folk-lore stories.

Mr. Minor completed his education at St. John’s College, Maryland, and then, true to the nomadic instinct of the family, went to sea on a seventy-four-gun man of war as secretary to the Commodore. Of this experience in his life Mr. Minor always spoke with horror as of the time he was “hired out.” He went for the travel, but was restive under the discipline, and, after one voyage, resigned. He then studied law, and took great interest in its traditions and its black-letter lore, but, as his means were ample enough to meet all his wants, he gave little attention to its practical and more useful knowledge, and soon abandoned its active practice. He was not idle, however, and took upon himself several functions where to his taste and did not confine him to his office and yet added materially to his income. He early developed his taste for the traditional history of Virginia and for its folk-lore, and long before he died he was deemed the most trustworthy authority on such matters. He had doubtless the largest and most valuable library of Virginia books and manuscripts owned by any one person at that time, and his collection of ancient historic relics and curios connected with the Colonial times and people was vastly entertaining. He contributed much to this historical line in the Literary Messenger, and other like magazines, and was always a most welcome writer in their columns. He died during the year 1862, when his much-loved Fredericksburg was the centre of military operations; but as none of his immediate family resided in the place at the time, his library and collections of various kinds remained after his death in his offices, which were in a large brick house in the yard of his residence.

Both his residence and his offices were much injured by the shells from the Confederate batteries on Willis's and Marye's Hill, and several passed through his books and stores, scattering them in every direction; but as bad as that was, many of his treasures would have been saved but for the fact that his premises were occupied during the battle by the Federal troops, many of whom must have understood the value of his collections, for few of them were left the day after the battle, when the spot was visited from the Confederate lines by four of his Blackford nephews, whose home it once was, and who were called on to mourn the desolation of the place of their nativity. The destruction of this valuable collection was a heavy loss to Mr. Minor's estate, but a much heavier loss to the traditional lore of Virginia.

Mr. Minor was not himself an artist, though he had devoted much time to artistic study, and took much pleasure in the association with artists. He took the artist Leutze by the hand when, as a very young man, he was making a precarious support as a portrait painter in Fredericksburg. Discovering his merit he furnished him the means to complete his artistic education in Rome, after which he rapidly rose to a world-wide reputation, as is attested by his work at the National Capitol, where his pictures "Washington Crossing the Delaware" and "Westward the Star of Empire Takes its Course," attract so much admiration.

Another of Mr. Minor's protégés was Mr. John Elder. Mr. Minor discovered his wonderful talent when he was but a little boy drawing sketches on the wall of his father's shop, and advanced him the means to prosecute his education in this country and in Europe. The result is shown in his picture of "The Battle at the Crater," the likenesses of Generals Lee and Jackson, and other historic works. Nor were artists the only people he aided. Wherever a young man showed capacity and needed aid, Mr. Minor's purse and counsel were at his service, and many successful men can trace their rise to his timely aid. Of his good deeds he never spoke, with perhaps one exception. He was not a member of any church and never attended church services, though an avowed lover of the Episcopal, the church of his forefathers. Despite the fact that he never went to church, he taught at one time a Bible class in the Sunday-school at old St. George's in Fredericksburg. Many years afterwards, when visiting his sister, Mr. Blackford, in Lynchburg, he was visited by the Rev. Alexander Donophan, of the Methodist Church, who told him his first religious impression and those which sent him into the ministry were derived from his teaching in the Bible class in Fredericksburg. This incident gave Mr. Minor great pleasure, and he spoke of it often.

Your readers in lower Virginia will think any sketch of Mr. Minor which did not tell of his wonderful charm for children very incomplete, yet to depict him in his relations to children could only be properly done by the pen of a Scott or a Dickens.

In his wanderings and by his studies into folk-lore, he had gathered a vast repertoire of stories, many of which have since been published in Uncle Remus and other like books. These stories were of "Br. Fox," "Piggy-Wiggy," "Br. Rabbit," "Ticky-Tack," and of other characters which then were unknown except when he told them.

His family connection, being a Minor on one side and a Carter on the other, was immense, and every year he would make a journey through lower Virginia amongst his kin, with whom he was very popular. Wherever he went he was feted and at every house the children were gathered and he had to tell two or three of his stories in his inimitable fashion. He would never tell over three at one time. Children and grown people alike would gather around his chair and though many had heard them before, the interest never flagged until he closed the recital with "Now, wasn't that a pretty story, and wasn't it a pretty man that told it?" to which inquiry there was always a most joyous affirmative choral response. Many an old man and old woman in Virginia can tell of the delights of such occasions and can truthfully say that though they have since heard great operas and seen fine plays, none gave the same thrill of delight as "Uncle John's" tale of "Ticky-Tack, with her bag at her back," or of the thrilling escapes of Piggy Wiggy and Br. Rabbit from the wiles of Br. Fox.

While Mr. Minor was thus a hero amongst children, he held the love and confidence of men in a high degree. In the range of his friendships, and that covered the whole of old Virginia, he was the admitted standard of honor. He recognized the "Code of Honor," so-called, but approved it more as a peace than as a war measure, and it may truly be said he settled more personal controversies than any man of his time. He was a universal referee - all acknowledged that there could be no dishonor in obeying his ruling, and his rulings required each party to do what was right. If the dispute was submitted to him he required each party to obey his mandate - a settlement was thus secured.

A portrait of Mr. Minor seated in his office and surrounded by his old books and curios was painted by Leutze for The Young Men's Club of Fredericksburg, and was much prized by it, but it was lost when the Federal troops occupied the place and has never been heard of since. One portrait of him is still extant. It also was painted by Leutze, and is one of his masterpieces, but it is by no means so interesting as that which also portrayed his usual environment.

No man in Fredericksburg was more honored and beloved than this John Minor, and the death of no man was more mourned, but he died at a time when war clouds so enshrouded the State that private griefs were little noted. At a time when each morning's paper contained its long catalogue of death's doings amongst our noblest and best men, few tears could be shed over any one grave; but despite this fact his native little city, already anticipating its doom, deeply felt the shock of his death and shed many a tear over his grave. He never married, and he was therefore the last of the successive John Minors of his line.

Lincoln on PBS

2009-02-08T07:34:00.002-05:00

Wednesday will mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln (February 9, 1809). To mark this day, PBS will show the following:

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
PBS, February 9, 2009 at 9:00 p.m.
Looking for Lincoln
PBS, February 11, 2009 at 9:00 p.m.

I have been listening to Doris Kearns Goodwin's Team of Rivals as an audio book. I own a copy of the book in paperback, but it is so large and heavy that I find it difficult to hold. The audio book version, downloaded from a local library, is a good alternative for me. I have a long commute on weekdays, which makes listening to such a long book feasible. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in the history of the American Civil war.

This Republic of Suffering - by Drew Gilpin Faust

2009-01-30T08:04:00.004-05:00

This Republic of Suffering - Death and the American Civil War
by Drew Gilpin Faust
Vintage Books, A Division of Random House, Inc.
New York, 2008
ISBN 9780375703836

The Republic of Suffering was chosen by the New York Times as one of the 10 best books of 2008. Written by Drew Gilpin Faust, the president of Harvard, this book examines the ways in which Civil War deaths had an impact on society, both military and civilian.

A most startling statistic is cited in the opening pages of this book:

"The number of soldiers who died between 1861 and 1865 [in the American Civil War], 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. . . . A similar rate, about 2 percent, in the United States today would mean six million fatalities." And "Twice as many Civil War soldiers died of disease as of battle wounds."

The problem of how to deal with the dead was of particular importance in Fredericksburg. Betty Herndon Maury writes of a New York soldier being buried by the kitchen door of her cousin John Minor's house; and there are other local legends of soldiers buried in the yards of Fredericksburg homes.

Many of these dead were later reinterred in cemeteries devoted to Civil War soldiers. Confederate and Union soldiers were segregated in death. While the federal government organized national cemeteries for the Union soldiers, Confederate cemeteries were organized by Ladies Memorial Associations, including the one in Fredericksburg which still exists today. These ladies' groups also arranged monuments to the Confederate dead, such as the huge stone pyramid in Richmond's Hollywood Cemetery and a similar pyramid near Fredericksburg, placed so as to be visible to train passengers.

To those who have never visited a Civil War cemetery with rows upon rows of graves marked “Unknown”, it might be surprising that the effort to identify and record the names of the battle dead is of relatively recent origin. One can only imagine the agony of not knowing the fate of a husband, son, brother, not knowing where a loved one is buried.

The new art of photography brought forward images of death on the battlefield, projecting the reality of war in a way never before known. Many of these disturbing images are reproduced on the pages of this book, disturbing even to 21st century readers hardened by television images of the death and destruction of war.

This Republic of Suffering is a profoundly moving book, bringing focus to an aspect of The War of Rebellion/The War Between the States that has been neglected or glossed over. It brings to mind the song "Where Have All the Flowers Gone" which would have been popular when Dr. Faust was of college age. How fitting that a woman of the generation which came of age during the Vietnam war and the concurrent protests should write such a tribute to the experiences of those who endured the American Civil War.

Virginia at War - 1862

2009-01-14T08:12:00.003-05:00

Virginia at War - 1862
edited by William C. Davis and James I. Robertson, Jr.
ISBN 978-0-8131-2428-5
2007, The University Press of Kentucky, Lexington

Of particular interest to me in this book, the second in a series of five volumes, is the Diary of a Southern Refugee during the War, January - July 1862, the diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire. Mrs. McGuire was 49 years old at the time she was writing, married, and the step-mother of two daughters. Her experiences will thus match up more closely with those of Betty Herndon Maury than do those of the diaries of the girls studied in Confederate Daughters.

The book contains the following:

Preface by William C. Davis and James I. Robertson, Jr.
Land Operations in Virginia in 1862 by John S. Salmon
Virginia's Industry and the Conduct of War in 1862 by Harold S. Wilson
Virginia's Civilians at War in 1862 by John G. Selby
The Trials of Military Occupation by Thomas P. Lowry
Richmond, the Confederate Hospital City by David J. Coles
Virginians See Their War by Harold Holzer
Virginia's Troubled Interior by Brian Steel Wills
Lee Rebuilds His Army by Dennis E. Frye
Diary of a Southern Refugee during the War, January - July 1862: Judith Brockenbrough McGuire, Edited by James I. Robertson, Jr.

Virginians See Their War is a fascinating study of the illustrated news coverage of the war, comparing southern periodicals with their northern competitors. Several illustrations show how the shortage of artists in the south resulted in illustrations of notable military and political figures based on old photographs which bore little resemblance to the subject's present day appearance. Robert E. Lee, remembered today for his white hair and beard, is depicted as a dark-haired beardless young man. There were shortages not only of artists, engravers and lithographers but also of paper.

Writing in Dialect

2009-01-05T11:03:00.002-05:00

"One of the Best Loved, North and South"
The Appropriation of National Reconciliation by LaSalle Corbell Pickett
by Caroline E. Janney
Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 116, No. 4, 2008,
pages 370-406

Continuing with the theme of the use of literature in image building, an article in the Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 116, No. 4 for 2008 discusses the images of former slaves in post-war literature in an article about LaSalle Pickett. Mrs. Pickett published a short story, "In De Miz" in 1893, in which the speech of a former slave is written in the vernacular or dialect.

I have encountered other examples of the speech of former slaves being rendered in dialect, most notably, in my experience, in some of the novels of Ellen Glasgow. I find it to be difficult reading, as I must sound out many of the words in order to understand them. Ms. Janney suggests that "Tales written in dialect likewise suggested that African Americans remained at a primitive stage of development. . ." I had not thought of the issue in that light. I had assumed that reproducing the dialect was an effort to preserve speech patterns that might be disappearing.

Confederate Daughters - The Role of Literature in Image Building

2009-01-04T20:30:00.001-05:00

Confederate Daughters: Coming of Age during the Civil War
By Victoria E. Ott
Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, 2008
ISBN 9780809328284

The role of literature in shaping first the image of the Confederacy and then later preserving that image is discussed in Chapter 5 of Confederate Daughters. Two novels are mentioned: Macaria, or Altars of Sacrifice (1864) by Augusta Jane Evans; and Cameron Hall by Mary Ann Cruse.

Reunification was promoted in some novels of the time by portraying marriages between northern men and southern women. One title with this theme that comes to mind (although not mentioned in Confederate Daughters) is The Carlyles by Constance Cary Harrison.

Confederate Daughters - Indoctrination

2009-01-01T14:39:00.003-05:00

Confederate Daughters: Coming of Age during the Civil War
By Victoria E. Ott
Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, 2008
ISBN 9780809328284

As I continue to read Confederate Daughters, I was fascinated by the discussion of the ways in which these girls were indoctrinated in the Confederate cause. Parents took an active role in educating their daughters in this regard. Churches defended secession and slavery. News of the war was provided at prayer meetings and other church gatherings. Schools engaged in promoting the causes of the Confederacy through classes using textbooks rewritten to reflect Confederate beliefs, assigned readings, and by equating the Confederate cause to the American revolution. The involvement of churches and schools in promoting a political cause seems unthinkable in today's world.

Book - Confederate Daughters

2008-12-24T19:43:00.007-05:00

Confederate Daughters: Coming of Age during the Civil War
By Victoria E. Ott
Southern Illinois University Press, Carbondale, 2008
ISBN 9780809328284

I have just received from the publisher a review copy of what promises to be a fascinating study of young women who lived in the Confederate states and came of age during the Civil War. The author, Victoria Ott, is an assistant professor of history at Birmingham Southern College.

Ms. Ott has examined the lives of 85 young women born between 1843 and 1849 through written records such as diaries and letters. She poses the following questions in her introduction:

What did they stand to gain by the Confederacy's success and what did they stand to lose in defeat?
How did young women conceptualize their role in the Confederacy as their parents assumed the adult responsibilities in creating the national structure and identity?
In what ways did they define their roles according to the rhetorical image of Confederate women and to the reality of wartime circumstances?
Did their support for the war, like so many of the older generation of women begin to wane as the conflict took its toll on the communities?
Finally, I turn to the issue of war and memory in asking how this generation participated in the creation of Lost Cause mythology.
What do their reminiscences of the Confederate experience reveal to us about their worldview in the New South era?

Twenty eight of the young women in Ms. Ott's study were from Virginia, and I will be very interested in how their experiences compare with Betty Herndon Maury's. Betty, of course, falls outside of the age range Ms. Ott has chosen to study, having been born in 1835. Betty was married and the mother of a young daughter when the war began, so her viewpoint is different from that of the younger girls. However, there was another Fredericksburg diarist who does fit into the age range identified by Ms. Ott: Lizzie Alsop, who was born in 1846.

As a side note, a character in Virginia, a novel by Ellen Glasgow, gives a portrait of a woman who came of age during the war, Miss Priscilla Batte, who never married and whose pre-war dreams of her life to come never came to fruition.

Christmas Eve 1862

2008-12-23T16:34:00.003-05:00

The following is from Historic Fredericksburg: The Story of an Old Town by John T. Goolrick, published in 1922, describing events of Christmas Eve 1862, after the horrific Battle of Fredericksburg of December 11-13, 1862.

"We spoke of Christmas Eve [1862], when in the long lines of the two camps great fires beamed, voices rose in songs and hymns, and bands played. Late in the evening when dusk had settled, a band near Brompton broke out defiantly into 'Dixie,' and from the Washington Farm a big band roared out 'The Battle Hymn [of the Republic]'. There was a pause and then, almost simultaneously, they began 'Home, Sweet Home,' and catching the time played it through together. When it was done, up from the camps of these boys who were to kill and be killed, who were to die in misery on many a sodden field, rose a wild cheer."

Lincoln in Fredericksburg - May 23, 1862

2008-12-16T12:43:00.005-05:00

Abraham Lincoln visited Fredericksburg, Virginia on May 23, 1862. The following account was published in the "Christian Banner" newspaper on May 27, 1862 and is taken from page 344 of the memoirs of James Hunnicutt, publisher of said newspaper, a northern sympathizer later run out of town.

"President Lincoln and Hon. Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War, visited Fredericksburg on last Friday, the 23d instant (May). They rode in a carriage drawn by four fine iron-gray horses. They crossed the Rappahannock River on the canal-boat bridge, and passed up Princess Anne Street to the Farmer's Bank, the head-quarters of General Patrick, where the carriage stopped about five minutes, and then moved off, as we were informed, to visit some camp of soldiers out of the town. A large escort accompanied the distinguished visitors. There were no demonstrations of joy, however, from any of the citizens. If they were met by the Honorable Mayor and Common Council, we have not learned the fact."

Betty Herndon Maury wrote: "Abraham Lincoln was in town on Friday [May 23, 1862]. Our Mayor did not call on him, and I did not hear a cheer as he passed along the streets. The streets are full of wagons and soldiers. "

December 13, 1862

2008-12-13T06:14:00.002-05:00

Today, December 13, 2008, marks the 146th anniversary of the Battle of Fredericksburg. See the National Park Service Fredericksburg/Spotsylvania web page for a listing of events to commemorate this anniversary.

Betty Herndon Maury was not in Fredericksburg during this battle, but she had first hand accounts from those who did remain here, and she recounted what she had learned in her entry of December 28, 1862.

1884 - Will tries for Washington District Attorney

2008-12-08T10:50:00.003-05:00

In a continuing quest for information about the post-war lives of Betty and William Maury, I have learned that in 1884 Will was on what we would now call the short list of potential nominees for the position of District Attorney for Washington, D.C. In a New York Times for January 17, 1884 Will is labeled a "Bourbon Democrat", a term defined in a Wikipedia article as having been "used in the United States from 1876 to 1904 to refer to a conservative or classical liberal member of the Democratic Party, especially one who supported President Grover Cleveland in 1884-1896. . . Bourbon Democrats represented business interests, supported banking and railroad goals, . . . opposed imperialism and U.S. overseas expansion. . . "

The New York Times article goes on to say that Maury’s nomination was opposed by the senators from Virginia, William Mahone and Harrison H. Riddleberger, who considered Maury to be of "aristocratic birth and surroundings". Mahone and Riddleberger supported the then current District Attorney, George B. Corkhill.

The Washington Post for January 22, 1884 reported that the name of Augustus S. Worthington had been sent by President Chester Arthur to the Senate for confirmation to be the successor to George Corkhill as District Attorney.

Mr. Gales' Dog

2008-11-11T08:58:00.008-05:00

I am reading again Sara (Mrs. Roger) Pryor's memoirs, Reminiscences of Peace and War. Mrs. Pryor begins by describing Washington City, as Washington DC was known then, as she knew it in the 1850s. It is a wonderful social history, and I wish I knew whether she and the Maurys knew each other then. Matthew Fontaine Maury moved his family to the Naval Observatory in 1842. His daugher Betty, of course, would have been only 15 in 1850, so it is unlikely she and Mrs. Pryor would have known each other socially. Nonetheless, the descriptions of Washington, both the physical city and the social scene, are interesting for the perspectives they provide.

I offer the following from page 4.

"If one's s steps tended to the neighborhood of 7th and D streets, nothing was more probable than a meeting with one of Washington's most noted citizens, -- the superb mastiff of Mr. Gales, the veteran editor of the National Intelligencer, as the dog gravely bore in a large basket the mail for the office. No attendant was needed by this fine animal. He was fully competent to protect his master's private and official correspondence.

"He had been taught to express stern disapprobation of Democrats; so if a pleasant walk with him was desired, it was expedient for members of that party to perjure themselves and at once announce: 'I am an "Old-Line Whig," old man,' and the dog's tail would wag a cordial welcome."

Now that extract struck a chord with me. I have just lost my wonderful golden retriever Adam to old age. I have no doubt Adam could have done all that Mr. Gales' dog is said to have done, even down to understanding that the term "Old-Line Whig" was cause to smile and wag his tail.

John Paul Jones

2008-10-23T20:07:00.002-04:00

The John Paul Jones house at 501 Caroline Street in Fredericksburg.

Rodman the Keeper by Constance Fenimore Woolson

2008-10-17T11:04:00.001-04:00

Once again I recommend to those who are interested in fiction of the American Civil War the short story by Constance Fenimore Woolson called "Rodman the Keeper". It is well worth reading.

Jane Beale house

2008-10-11T14:08:00.002-04:00

Another Fredericksburg diarist was Jane Beale who lived at 307 Lewis Street. Here is her house as it appears today, in 2008. Jane's diary spans the years 1850 to 1862.

Maury home site in Fredericksburg

2008-10-11T13:58:00.003-04:00

Matthew Fontaine Maury and his family lived in Fredericksburg, Virginia up to 1842 when they moved to the National Observatory in Washington, D.C. The Maury home was located on Charlotte Street. It is no longer there, but a stone marks the site. The stone is flush to the ground near the post office parking lot.

Betty and Will in Richmond

2008-10-07T11:13:00.001-04:00

The Richmond Dispatch for January 9, 1903, in an obituary reporting the death of Betty Herndon Maury (available at the Library of Congress Chronicling America web site) relates the following information about Betty and her husband Will: “Mrs. Maury was born in Fredericksburg, Va. and went with her father and mother to Washington in 1842. She lived at the national observatory of which her father was superintendent until the breaking out of the war. . . . When the war commenced [Betty and Will] came to Virginia and lived in Richmond where her husband was a member of the law firm Page & Maury. In 1878 they moved to Washington, where she died.”

Best Sellers 1862

2008-09-30T08:16:00.003-04:00

The Victorian Web has a list of best selling novels in the years 1862 to 1901.

1862

Margaret Oliphant's The Doctor's Family
Margaret Oliphant's The Last of the Mortimers
Henry Kingsley's Ravenshoe
Ouida's Held in Bondage
Margaret Elizabeth Braddons's Lady Audley's Secret
Bulwer-Lytton's A Strange Story (serialised in AYR) first-person narrative
Harrison Ainsworth's The Lord Mayor of London
Anthony Trollope's Orley Farm
Wilkie Collins's No Name (3 vols).

Ellen Herndon Arthur - Betty's cousin

2008-09-24T19:13:00.006-04:00

Ellen Lewis (Herndon) Arthur was Betty Herndon Maury's cousin. Ellen's father (William Lewis Herndon) and Betty's mother (Ann Hull (Herndon) Maury) were brother and sister. Ellen married Chester Alan Arthur in 1859. Chester Alan Arthur became 21st President of the United States in 1881 following the death of President James Garfield. In 1882, President Arthur appointed Betty's husband, William Arden Maury, Assistant Attorney General.

Ellen Herndon Arthur

Chester Alan Arthur in 1859

Ebbitt House - Washington DC

2008-09-19T18:27:00.004-04:00

In the memoirs of William Arden Maury, Collections and Recollections, he mentions that he and his family lived at The Ebbitt House. He doesn't say when they lived there, other than to say "After coming back to live in Washington . . ." It seems that this is where he and Betty lived after the Civil War, although I have not yet been able to document when they returned to Washington. The Ebbitt House was located at 14th and F Streets Northwest, now occupied by the National Press Club. They later moved to 1767 Massachusetts Avenue, a house which was razed in the 1920s to be replaced by office buildings.

Winchester, Virginia - Handley Library

2008-09-16T06:19:00.003-04:00

This is the public library in Winchester, Virginia. Unfortunately, this photo does not do justice to the beauty of the building. Winchester is a small town, a population of under 24,000, so to find such a building there was surprising. Loving libraries as I do, I wanted to see the inside, and it too was beautiful.

George Mason

2008-09-14T12:05:00.004-04:00

Continuing with the theme of sculptured figures at eye level, where one can get a better feel for the person depicted, I offer this photo of the sculpture of founding father George Mason at the Tidal Basin in Washington, DC. I have visited his home in Virginia, Gunston Hall.

This is the river entrance of Gunston Hall. The house feels hospitable to me, warm and friendly. On the property there is a small family cemetery, the final resting place of George Mason, his wife Ann, and other family members. I was moved by the inscriptions recording the deaths of James and Richard Mason who died at the age of six weeks in 1772, to be followed by their mother's death three months later.

Abe and Tad Lincoln in Richmond

2008-09-13T16:56:00.003-04:00

Inspired by a photo of a figure of John Cabot in Bristol, England at Random Distractions, I offer a photo of Abe and Tad Lincoln at the Treadegar Iron Works in Richmond, Virginia. They visited Richmond in April 1865 after the end of the American Civil War and just 10 days before Abe Lincoln was assassinated.

A Walk in Fredericksburg

2008-09-13T16:09:00.006-04:00

The Toll House on Sophia Street

Circuit Court House on Princess Anne Street.

After a stressful week at work, I decided to devote today to relaxing activities. I went for a walk in Fredericksburg, which I always enjoy. In spite of the horrors of war which took place on the streets of this charming little town during the American Civil War, there is a sense of peace here which I would not expect, given the sense of unease I have always experienced in Manassas, another area which also experienced two horrendous Civil War battles.

The second photo above shows the Circuit Court building on Princess Anne Street. It was built in the 1850s and was designed by the same architect who designed the Smithsonian Castle in Washington, DC, and St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York.

I went into Riverby Books on Caroline Street where I bought Barren Ground by Ellen Glasgow and another copy of In This Our Life by the same author. I then took a picnic to the City Dock at the end of Sophia Street where I ate, started reading In This Our Life, and reveled in the peace of the Rappahannock River. George Washington's boyhood home, Ferry Farm, is across the river not far from City Dock; and there is a house across Sophia Street from the dock which was the toll keepers house in centuries past.

Re-reading the beginning of In This Our Life reminded me of how important trees seem to have been to Virginians of the 19th century. There is a wonderful movie version of this novel starring Bette Davis and Olivia de Havilland. It is shown on Turner Classic Movies from time to time, and it is well worth watching.

A Blog Worth Visiting

2008-09-09T18:45:00.001-04:00

One of the great joys of the internet is being able to connect with others around the world. One of my favorite blogs is called Random Distractions. A "bookish blog" from England, it is a meeting place for many who enjoy English literature, both past and present. It also sports beautiful photos of places I will probably never be able to visit in person, most recently of Lyme Regis which I associate with Jane Austen.

Betty and Will After the War

2008-09-09T18:34:00.001-04:00

The House on Caroline Street has now finished publishing the online version of Betty Herndon Maury's Civil War diary. I have begun doing research to annotate the diary and have had a wonderful time chasing down facts and checking the reliability of the information Betty was getting about battles.

I am especially looking for information about Betty's life after the war. She and Will moved to Washington DC at some point. It's a bit difficult to pin down exactly when they moved there, as the Washington Post (the source of much of my post-war information about Betty and Will) did not begin publishing until 1877. I do know that they lived at 1767 Massachusetts Avenue in Washington. The house no longer exists, having been torn down to make way for office buildings.

It was surprisingly difficult to learn where and when Betty died. When my efforts failed, I turned to the reference section of the Central Rappahannock Regional Library, and they were eventually able to locate a death notice for Betty. She died in January 1903. The death notice referred to her as "a woman of forceful character and intellect", which brought a smile to my face. Now who do you suppose supplied that description?

The death notice did not say where Betty was buried, but once again thanks to the wonderful reference section at CRRL I learned that Will is buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington. Believing there was a good chance Betty would be buried near her husband, I went to the cemetery and found their grave. Nannie Belle was there too! Nannie Belle never married. She went on to write some articles for Cosmopolitan Magazine. At some point she moved to an apartment building in Washington, also now gone.

That's where I am in my research. I will update the blog from time to time with more information about Betty, Will, Nannie Belle, and Alice, the baby born to Betty after the conclusion of the diary.

In addition, though, I am going to devote space in the blog to other things, beginning with the Virginia novelist Ellen Glasgow.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - February 18, 1863

2008-08-08T06:26:00.003-04:00

February 18th [1863]

Cousin Hite and Mr. McGruder scarcely speak to us. They have never asked where we are going or what we intend to do or expressed the slightest interest in us. It is all a mystery we cannot imagine what has caused the change.

I have written to aunt Betsey Woolfolk telling her of our troubles, of how homeless and forlorn I feel and asking then to let me come there as a boarder. Of course Will will have to stay in town.

[Note in another person's handwriting: Repeats part of the last two entries, then goes on to say: The lady that presented the diary to the Library of Congress Mrs. James Parmelee - the daughter of Betty Herndon Maury - was born in 1863. Her mother, Mrs. Maury, was expecting to be confined when she stopped writing in her diary - in 1863.

Alice Maury (Parmelee) was born in Charlottesville, Va. She died in Washington, D.C. 1940 (Sept.) -- Her husband James Parmalee died in April 1931, leaving her an estate valued at $2,998,911.00 Her father became Judge W. A. Maury.]

End of transcription of the Diary of Betty Herndon Maury.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - February 17, 1863

2008-08-07T05:39:00.001-04:00

February17th [1863]

Will received a written notice from Mr. McGruder yesterday to leave at the end of the month. It is a great surprise and mortification to us. We have had no falling out, no difficulty with him or cousin Hite -- or any one in the house. everything has been smooth and pleasant up to this time. I had had an express understanding with her that we were to remain until after May. It was at her suggestion that I engaged a nurse, and with her consent that I brought the furniture here from Fredericksburg and now when Richmond is crowded to excess and it is impossible to get comfortable -- even decent lodgings at any price for us to be turned out of doors. No one will be willing to take us when told that I expect to be confined in a month or two. It is most unchristian and uncharitable treatment.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - February 15, 1863

2008-08-06T05:40:00.001-04:00

February 15th [1863]

Another letter from Papa of the 29th December [1862]. He is rejoicing over our Fredericksburg victory, has just received the first Yankee accounts of it and even they admit [crossed out: that they have sustained] a great defeat. His letters have to be so guarded and constrained that they are unlike him. He speaks of Mama as his friend and all of his children as Mr. and Miss. Speaks of them as his her children and not his. I know how hard it goes with him to write in that way when his heard is overflowing with love and affectionate anxiety for us all. Says Matsy is an unspeakable comfort to him, that he is a little man and a gentleman.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - February 12, 1863

2008-08-05T05:29:00.001-04:00

February 12th [1863]

We have received letters from Papa from London of dates to the 20th December [1862]. He did send us a large case of goods by the Princess Royal. It cost between three and four hundred dollars in gold and is worth nearly four times as much in our money. If we had lost as much two years ago I would have thought it a great calamity but now we see and feel so much real trouble that we cannot let the loss of a few dollars trouble us much especially when we hear that all of our dear ones are safe and well. The loss will fall heaviest on Papa. Many of the things were Christmas gifts from him. Bless his heart. I think more of his disappointment than of ours. He writes in low spirits does not know where we all are, has not heard from home since he left – and sees no prospect of his return before the end of the war. He seems to be full of anxiety about Dick and Dave. Says he has no fears as to their gallantry in their devotion to the cause but that he does feel nervously anxious about their personal welfare.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - February 1, 1863

2008-08-04T06:13:00.001-04:00

February 1st [1863]

The Princess Royal, an English vessel, was captured a few days ago while attempting to run the blockade into Charleston. The papers say that the Captain escaped with valuable dispatches from Commander M. F. Maury. I hope he has letters for us. We fear that Papa sent us a box of goods by the same opportunity. We all gave him commissions to execute in England.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - January 31, 1863

2008-08-03T07:15:00.000-04:00

January 31st [1863]

Mrs. De Jarnette of Caroline has been on a visit to Washington (saw the blockade of the Rappa[ha]nnock at night) and through the influence of some Yankee friends was allowed to return with a quantity of baggage!! She brought a trunk from Mother containing things for cousin Sally, cousin Martha and myself. There were 25 pairs of shoes in the trunk and about twenty dresses and many other things too numerous to mention We sent mother lists of what we most needed last summer and she has just been able to get us the things. She sent Nannie Belle a Christmas gift of the most beautiful crying doll I ever saw. It was dressed in white with red ribbon trimmings and red shoes and a red riding hood on.

Judge Hallyburton has allowed Will two thousand dollars for his services as Receiver while he was in Fredericksburg. It is a great comfort to feel that we have that much ahead and owe no man anything.

We see through the Yankee papers that Papa and Matsy have reached England in safety. I miss Papa so much. I miss his [crossed out: presence] guiding influence and advice in the family even though we were not always with him.

Cousin Lewis, and several other Navy officers have been sent to England, we believe to take command of the vessels that our Government is fitting out there.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - January 30, 1863

2008-08-02T06:20:00.001-04:00

January 30th [1863]

Mama and the children are boarding at the Old Mansion with Mr. White. Cousin Sally [crossed out: and the children] is there too.

I’ve been very busy lately getting some of Mama’s furniture down from Fredericksburg and trying to fix up our room more comfortably. We have the back parlour and cousin Hite had no chamber furniture to put in it except a bedstead and washstand. I have added a bureau, wardrobe, lounge and some other little things which make it look much more comfortable and home like.

If I live until next May I expect to have another little baby. Cousin Hite has been very kind in expressing her willingness to have me here then and to do what she can for me. I told her how grateful I felt and how highly I appreciated her kindness.

Our board here is two hundred dollars a month!! but that is less than we would have to pay at any boarding house in town.

I do not know where the money is to come from to meet all our additional expenses in the spring. But the Lord will provide I feel sure. Will gets a little employment here sometimes through his friend Mr. Ould but nothing permanent or constant.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - January 27, 1863

2008-08-01T05:08:00.000-04:00

January 27th 1863

After repeating her prayers last night, Nannie Belle said “Mama does God make the angels stop singing and playing on their harps to listen to me?”

Her aunt Eliza told her the other day that we were all made of dust. She wanted to know this morning if God kept shapes of children and babies to put the dust in and make them.

She is the most singularly nervous child I ever saw. A band of music is a perfect terror to her. She shrinks from going out and is afraid to go to sleep for fear of dreaming bad dreams. God bless my precious child and make her strong and well soon. I see more and more plainly every day by how slender a thread her life hangs.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - December 28, 1862

2008-07-31T05:40:00.001-04:00

Richmond December 28th 1862

It has been nearly three months since I wrote in my diary, and how much has happened since then.

Papa and Matsy succeeded in running the blockade on the 12th of October. They wrote from Bermuda, and sent us a box of shoes from there. We have since heard, through the Yankee papers, of their safe arrival in England.

I came down here the first of November to make Will a visit of a week or two.

On the 19th of November the whole Yankee army moved down and occupied the heights opposite Fredericksburg. Our forces fronting them on this side of the Rappannack [Rappahannock].

In a few days Gen' Burnside gave notice to the women and children to leave the town that he would shell it in sixteen hours.

Mama and the children came down in a calico car and were put out at Milford Depot with five hundred others. The kind and hospitable people of Carolina sent their carriages and wagons to the cars for the refugees and opened their houses to them. Uncle Jourdan had upwards of thirty at his house.

The sick and aged were brought out of town on beds. Mrs. Randolph had a baby but two days old when she was moved. The scene at the cars is described as very touching.

On the 13th of December [1862] God blessed us with a great victory at Fredericksburg. Upwards of eighteen thousand of the enemy were killed. We lost but one thousand. Even the Yankees acknowledge it to be a great defeat.

The battle took place in and around the town. The streets were strewn with the fallen enemy, the houses were broken open, sacked and used for hospitals, and their dead were buried in almost every yard.

Dr. Nichols was there – came as an amateur with his friend Gen’ Hooker – he occupied Uncle John’s house (where his wife has been most hospitably entertained for weeks at a time) drank up Uncle J’s wine, used his flour and ate up Ellen Mercer’s preserves.

I cannot find words to express my disgust and horror of the man who is so lost to all sense of delicacy, and so cold blooded and heartless as to come – not at the stern call of duty, [but for the love of it - underlined] – to gloat over the desolated homes of people whom he once called friends, and who are relations and [friends - crossed out] connections of his wife’s.

Mr. Corbin was here last night and gave us some account of the appearance of things at home. Almost every house had six or eight shells through it, the doors are wide open, the locks and windows broken and the shutters torn town. Two blocks of buildings were burned to the ground. Our house was used as a hospital. Mr. Corbin says every vessel in the house even the vegetables dishes and cups are filled with blood & water – there are large pools of gore on the floor. The table in the parlour was used as an amputating table and a Yankee (Byron Pearce of N.Y.) is buried at the kitchen door.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - October 11, 1862

2008-07-30T05:48:00.000-04:00

Saturday October 11th [1862]

During the siege of Vicksburg our Commander wanted flannel cartridge bags for his big guns, they were useless without them. He sent to the stores but there was not a yard to be had. He then made an appeal to the men of the city to give their flannel shirts. The women heard of this and in a few hours had [crossed out many] several hundred cartridge bags ready, made of their flannel petticoats.

Received letters from Papa to day. He says they are to take out carrier pigeons, and if they get safely past the blockading squadron a paper with "all safe" on it will be tied round the necks of the birds, they will be let loose and will return to their cotes in the city.

Capt Steadman, our old neighbour and friend, commands the blockading squadron at Charleston.

A law has lately passed in Congress providing for a permanent Court martial for each of our armies. Will is applying for the appointment of Judge Advocate of one of them.

Have had another great battle at Corinth. It lasted three days, the 2nd, 3d, & 4th. We were defeated. Gen' Maury's Division suffered the most. No particulars are known yet. I wish we could hear from Johnny.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - October 8, 1862

2008-07-29T06:24:00.000-04:00

Wednesday. October 8th [1862]

Received a letter from Papa and Matsy to day of the same date as the telegram. Matsy says "You just ought to be down here to see how active Pa is getting. The other day he had to climb down a rope to get on board ship, and he swung off and climbed down just like a boy."

Will spent the last two days with me. He has been in Carolina attending to some business for Uncle Jourdan.

I fear Will is neglectful about trying to get employment. In his letter to day Papa speaks of two laws that have passed lately, one for the increase of the signal corps and one providing for a Judge Advocate for each of our armies. either of which would suit W [illegible crossed out] particularly well, and this is the first he has heard of them.

Our army is at Winchester, and McClellan is on the south side of the Potomac near Harpers Ferry.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - October 2, 1862

2008-07-28T05:42:00.001-04:00

Thursday October 2nd [1862]

Papa has not sailed yet. The Hero made two attempts to get out and failed. The second night she got aground. Papa and Matsy returned to Charleston in a row boat. Were out from 11 o'clock till 3. Our sentinels fired on them. Matsy heard the bullet and dodged.

Papa wrote us that he had decided to send M back. I telegraphed to him to take me. He replied that there were no accommodations for me, and that he had decided again to take M. They were to go to Bermuda. Do not know when they will sail.

This delay greatly increases the danger for the enemy will hear of his going and use every endeavour to catch him.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 29, 1862

2008-07-27T06:00:00.000-04:00

Monday September 29th [1862]

Have just received a letter from Papa dated Charleston 24th. He expected to sail that night in the 'Hero' a British steamer. Matsy writes too, and sends Ma a lock of Papa's hair. If the enemy does not catch them they will land at Halifax and take the first English from New York.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 27, 1862

2008-07-26T07:07:00.004-04:00

Saturday September 27th [1862]

There was a bloody battle at Sharpsburg in Maryland on the 17th. We remained upon the field for twenty four hours after the fight and then recrossed to this side of the Potomac. We cannot understand why. [Crossed out: The next day a] All of the forces on both sides were engaged in this battle.

On the 19th a division of the enemy crossed over to Shepherdstown. Jackson captured or killed the whole of them. The Potomac was dammed up with their bodies.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 21, 1862

2008-07-25T05:33:00.000-04:00

Sunday. September 21st [1862]

My dear husband went down to Richmond this morning. He has made another application for a commission in the army and has gone to further it as much as he can.

I wish I could be more patient and gentle. I have so much to regret and repent of when he leaves me.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 19, 1862

2008-07-24T05:57:00.001-04:00

Friday 19th September [1862]

Dick and Sue have been staying at Mr. Harts. They came here to day to spend some time with us.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 18, 1862

2008-07-23T05:36:00.003-04:00

Thanksgiving Day, September 18, 1862
For more on why this day was called Thanksgiving Day, see Presidential Thanksgiving Proclamations.

[A newspaper clipping has been pasted in the diary here but is unreadable in the copy the transcriber is working from.]

Since our President issued this eloquent proclamation we have still more to be thankful for. On Monday the 15th eight thousand of the enemy surrendered at Harpers Ferry. We have taken that place with all the arms ammunition, commissary and ordnance stores accumulated there.

[ The following sentence was crossed out in the original: God be praised. We have driven all the Yankees out of Virginia except a few in the "Pan handle".]

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 15, 1862

2008-07-22T05:17:00.000-04:00

Monday 15[th September 1862]

We were all together once more for a few days last week -- all but my dear Johnny. He is in Tupello with cousin Dabney.

Papa and Matsy left this morning for Richmond. They expect to sail for England in a week or ten days. Papa is not ordered on any very important duty.

I am afraid Will will not be able to resume his duties as Receiver here. This part of the country is in too unsettled a state now.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 14, 1862

2008-07-18T05:57:00.000-04:00

Fredericksburg. Sunday 14th [September 1862]

We came up yesterday with Dick and Sue.

Our army has crossed the Potomac!! Lee's headquarters are at Frederick city. The joy and enthusiasm of our soldiers at getting into Maryland is beyond description. They crossed near Leesburg, fording waist deep. The Maryland regiments went first singing "Maryland -- My Maryland" and when they reached the other shore the bands struck up Dixie.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 11, 1862

2008-07-17T06:26:00.000-04:00

Thursday 11th [September 1862]

Dick and Sue arrived here tonight on their way up to Fredericksburg.

Have been in bed for the last three days with violent toothache.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - September 7, 1862

2008-07-16T05:52:00.000-04:00

Sunday, September 7th [1862]

Papa and Mama arrived here yesterday and left this morning for Fredericksburg. Uncle Jourdan and aunt Betsey are so kind and hospitable. They loaded the carriage down with potatoes, tomatoes and peaches for them all at home.

Will and I hope to go up the middle of this week. He has some business to attend to for Uncle Jourdan and Mr. White, and as soon as that is done we will go

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 31, 1862

2008-07-14T05:36:00.001-04:00

Sunday August 31st [1862]

Papa writes me, as a profound secret, that he is going abroad as soon as he gets his children out of Fredericksburg. He wants no one to know it until he is gone, for fear the Yankees will catch him. He talks of taking Matsy with him. I hope he will take me. I can be of more service.

I fear the children will not be able to get out of Fredericksburg.

I’ve been deep in the mysteries of wool dying, spinning and weaving lately. Am trying to have the cloth made for a suit of winter clothes for Mr. Maury.

Cousin Anne Morris says she would like to see Mother’s shocked look when he makes his appearances in Washington in a home spun suit and a home made hat. Aunt Betsy replied “Well she oughtn’t to look shocked, she ought to think he has a jewel of a wife to be able to turn her hand to such things when necessary.”

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 24, 1862

2008-07-13T06:46:00.000-04:00

Old Mansion August 24th [1862]

Mr. White moved his family down here about two weeks ago. His home is within the enemies lines and they were making constant depredations upon him. All of his negroes except one old woman have left him.

Nannie Belle and I came here to day to spend a week or ten days.

I am at a loss what to do, or where to go when I leave here. I cannot afford to board in Richmond, and I shrink from going to the Bowling Green tavern without a friend.

I begin to feel anxious too about my winter wardrobe. Nannie Belle and I left Fredericksburg in a buggy with one small trunk of summer clothes. I expected to go back in a month or two and now I have not one article of winter clothing, and no chance of getting any that I can see. But the Lord will provide. Matt. 6 chap. 25 to 34 ver.

The approach of cool weather increases my longing for a home. Oh that my husband had some employment, and we could be together in a happy home of our own again once more. My heart aches for a home.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 22, 1862

2008-07-12T05:41:00.001-04:00

Friday August 22nd [1862]

McClellan and his whole army have evacuated the James river. Part left in transports, the remainder marched across the county to Fortress Monroe. It is supposed they are all going to Fredericksburg. Both sides are concentrating there rapidly.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 18, 1862

2008-07-10T05:32:00.001-04:00

Monday August 18th [1862]

Hurrah for domestic manufactures, and a fig for the Yankees. We can do without them. Have just completed a hat of plaited wheat straw for Mr. Maury. I made it every bit myself and it looks elegant. I’ve been hard at work on it for the last three days.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 15, 1862

2008-07-09T05:45:00.001-04:00

Friday August 15th [1862]

My dear husband spent last Tuesday and Wednesday with me. The visit was so short it hardly repaid me for the pain of parting.

Jackson had a battle on the with a part of Pope’s army near Culpepper C.H. He drove them back and captured 400 prisoners, 3 colors, and 5,302 small arms.

General Burnside with all of his army is in Fredericksburg.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 11, 1862

2008-07-08T05:42:00.001-04:00

Monday August 11th [1862]

Last week General Stewart with fifteen thousand men made a raid to within three miles of Fredericksburg. He captured ninety odd prisoners. It is a significant fact that there were officers among them.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 4, 1862

2008-07-07T06:19:00.001-04:00

[Monday] August 4th [1862]

Children take much more notice of grown persons conversation than we suppose they do. Nannie Belle and Sally Woolfolk were playing ladies the other day. Sally dressed herself up in the babies musquito net for a shawl and came to call upon Nannie Belle.

Sally – “Good morning, ma’am, how are you to day?”

N.B. – “I don’t feel very well. All my niggers have run away and left me.”

I heard Nannie Belle say to Sally a few days ago, “Upon my word an' honour Sir there are no letters and papers in this trunk atall." She remembered what I had said to the Yankee officer on our way out of Fredericksburg.

Since Gen’ Pope’s wicked order Mr. Randolph – our secretary of war – has issued a retaliatory order that all commissioned officers of Pope’s army that are taken prisoner shall not be treated as prisoners of war, but put in irons and held as hostages for our citizens that have been arrested in Fredericksburg and the neighboring counties.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - August 2, 1862

2008-07-06T07:35:00.002-04:00

Saturday August 2nd [1862]

Jourdan Roper came down last night with his father’s horses. The Yankees were at the Bowling Green. Early this morning Mr. John William prepared to start with twenty five of the best negroes and some of the horses. He told the servants he was going to take them to Hanover and sent them to get their clothes. But while we were at breakfast every one ran off. It is touching to see the distress of those that remain. Patsy’s only son, and all of Dunmore’s children left. He was sent out this morning to try to find them, and tell them to come back, that their master would not send them away. He returned this evening and told us, with the tears streaming down his cheeks, that he could not find one. Three of the women left young babies. There are nine little children left motherless.

Two of the servants came back since night. The rest we suppose have gone to the Yankees. Mrs. John William tracked them above the Bowling Green.

We have heard no more of the Yankees.

Got a letter from Mr. Maury yesterday evening. Papa and Mama are in Richmond. They are very uneasy about the rest of the family in Fredericksburg since Gen’ Pope’s order. Papa wants to get them away from there. He has written to Gen’ McClellan about it.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 30, 1862

2008-07-05T07:00:00.001-04:00

Wednesday July 30th [1862]

General Pope has issued an order requiring all male citizens within his lines to take the oath of allegiance, or to leave his limits under penalty of being shot if they return. The Yankees have also passed a new confiscation bill seizing the property of all who refuse to take the oath.

Uncle Jourdan was prepared to run this morning with the larger portion of his negroes, horses and other valuables but has concluded to wait a few days and see if ‘Stone Wall’ Jackson will not whip Pope in that time.

We have to be very cautious and careful in speaking of these things, for if the negroes had any suspicion that they were to be carried away they would run off.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 29, 1862

2008-07-04T06:45:00.000-04:00

Tuesday July 29th [1862]

My husband is thirty years old today. God grant him many happy returns.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 27, 1862

2008-07-03T05:46:00.000-04:00

Uncle Jourdan’s Sunday July 27th [1862]

Aunt Betsy, Nannie Belle and I went to Dr. Morris’s last Tuesday. I went on to Richmond to bring Mr. Maury back that we might make a little visit together. I took him completely by surprise. He did not know me. The day after my arrival in Richmond we heard that the enemy had made another raid upon the Central Road and had sent a scouting party to within a few miles of Dr. Morris’s. Mr. Maury thought it would be running a risk for him to go to that neighbourhood, so he persuaded me to stay with him ‘till Friday.

Cousin Lucy P. returned to Dr. Morris’s with me and we all came back here to day.

Had to cross a river in a little row boat on my way down to Richmond. When we got to the river we found that the boat was on the other side. So Mr. Williamson (to whom I had just been introduced) requested me to go back into the woods while he swam across and got it. I did so, and he called me when he was ready.

Papa only got off to Albemarle last Monday. He has been detained in Richmond on a Court Martial. I was much disappointed not to see him . . . but comforted myself by thinking what a happy time he and Mama and Mr. & Mrs. “Major” are having together.

Dick and Sue were married on the 17th. They had great trouble about the license. D. had to send his servant up to Fredericksburg to get her guardians certificate that she was of age before he could get it.

Lincoln has appointed Gen’ Pope as commander in chief of all the forces around Fredericksburg and in the Valley of Virginia.

The ladies of Fredericksburg have sent eight hundred dollars to Richmond for the benefit of our wounded soldiers.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 20, 1862

2008-07-02T05:40:00.000-04:00

Sunday 20th [July] 1862

I wish I was one of the women of Richmond. They have made for themselves a name that will be handed down with praise and honour for many generations. During the battles that were fought around Richmond, in which their dear ones were engaged – while they could see the flash and hear the cannon all day long – there was no screaming, or shrieking or running about the streets. They waited quietly until the dead and wounded were brought in – some of them to their doors – and then busied themselves in doing all that a woman can do to alleviate the sufferings and minister to the wants of our wounded. Sunday – the fourth day of the fight – none of the churches were opened. The ministers went around to the different houses encouraging the women to set to work and make beds, pillows and sheets for the hundreds of wounded that were still being brought in.

Many of the ladies have private hospitals. Six or eight, who live near each other, will together rent a house in their neighbourhood and fill it with wounded or sick soldiers (sometimes as many as fifty) and feed and nurse them themselves.

It is not just now that the women of Richmond are showing their heroism and patriotic devotion. They have been doing all that they could do ever since the war began, on many occasions sending their dinners untasted to the tired and hungry soldiers who had just arrived.

But I do not believe Richmond has done more than any other city in the Confederacy would have done had she the same opportunities

Many take the soldiers to their own house to nurse.

Diary of Betty Herndon Maury - July 19, 1862

2008-07-01T05:34:00.001-04:00

Saturday 19th July [1862]

The Yankees come to Bowling Green every day for a few hours. They have not been any distance this side yet, but we expect them daily.

It has been almost two weeks since my dear husband left, and I have received but one letter from him written, the day after he arrived in Richmond. The Yankee visits have, of course interrupted all mail communication with the South. We are dependant upon private opportunities.