Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Jackson Lowell, June 17, 1861

Washington, June 17, '61.

I am not so hopeful about the future as you are — the Administration seem to me sadly in want of a policy — the war goes on well, but the country will soon want to know exactly what the war is for.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 212

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna C. Jackson Lowell, June 9, 1861

Washington, June 9, '61.

Banks leaves here to-night for Baltimore and has promised to write in a day or two if I can be of use to him. Until I get my commission, he thinks of putting me at Baltimore as Censor over the telegraphic communications — a sug            gestion of Mr. Forbes. I believe I can be of use there.

Thanks to Wilson and Sumner, I am down for a Captaincy of Cavalry. There may be a slip, but the thing is as sure as anything of that sort can be made in Washington. When I shall get the commission signed I cannot guess.

If I get sick or wounded at any time, I promise to have Anna out at once to nurse me — she is a good little girl.¹

I am glad Father is pleased with my military prospects — I wish I knew as much about the business as he does, or even Jim must. A more ignorant Captain could scarcely be found. I suppose you scarcely fancy the life — though like a good Mother you don't say so.

_______________

¹ Miss Anna Lowell, his younger sister, became an army nurse in the hospitals at Washington, and devoted herself to this service throughout the war.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 211-2, 403

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna C. Jackson Lowell, May 25, 1861

Washington, May 25, /61.

After the movement yesterday across the river, all passing to and fro was forbidden; but Mr. Dalton and myself, by going up to Georgetown and making interest with the Irishmen of the 69th, who have a rather Milesian idea of sentry's duty, succeeded in getting into Virginia. We visited the earthworks and many of the camps, and dined at Arlington House on corn pone and milk. There were no troops yesterday within two miles of Arlington, and the place was just in the prime of its Spring beauty. I have seen no place like it in this country — for position and for well-improved natural advantages. I suppose to-day it is occupied, and in spite of its importance and of its owner's treason, I cannot think of it with much pleasure.

How are Jim Savage and Henry coming on? I hear there is some hitch about their regiment — nothing serious, I hope.

I have been in Washington more than four weeks — in spite of fairest promises, I have not got my commission yet, but still have faith. If I have been of any use to the Massachusetts troops, I am very glad of it.

I wish our people would not feel so very anxious about their comfort. Their health and morale is excellent and they are as efficient as any troops here. I am sure you do not worry so much about my comfort, and I do not see why other mothers should. The greatest kindness to our troops now is to teach them to use what they have.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 209-10

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna C. Jackson Lowell, May 13, 1861

Washington, May 13, '61.

I feel confident I am all right for a commission in the first batch of civilians — since my application none have been given except to the graduating class of West Point. When I am fairly appointed, I shall want you to send me a copy of “Oakfield”¹ with your love and fondest wishes — in exchange perhaps I will send my photograph. Although I did not consult you, dear, in coming here, I was very glad indeed to have your letter and Father's approving. I think, too, you will agree that I am right in trying to enter the regular army, even with lower rank than I might get in one of the three-year regiments. I have thought from the first — and in this I am confirmed by what I see here — that while the volunteers will furnish fully their share of military talent, and more than their share of food for powder, it will fall mainly on the Regular organization to keep the armies in the field and to keep them moving. Military science I have absolutely none, — military talent I am too ignorant yet to recognize, — but my education and experience in business and in the working of men may, if wanted, be made available at once in the Regular army: the Acting Commissary for this whole military district is only a Lieutenant of Artillery. Of course I am too old to be tickled with a uniform, and too apathetic to get up such a feeling against the worst traitor among them as to desire personally to slay him — but, like every young soldier, I am anxious for one battle as an experience: after that, I shall be content to bide my time, working where I can do most service and learning all I can from observation and from books. I believe no one is more anxious to see the Government “go through” than I am — I want to see the Baltimore traitors put on trial at once, and armed rebellion everywhere crushed out; but I cannot help feeling that the task is a long one and of uncertain issue — and whether we are to have a long war and subdue them, or a short war and a separation, it is evident that the Army is to assume a new position among us — it will again become a profession. Hence my anxiety to get into the Artillery: if the change is to come, I want to be in position to take the best advantage of it.

I have no doubt that Jim on duty at the Arsenal² has a far better experience of military realities than I have here. The Government troops parade here and crowds stare at them — in Alexandria (six miles off, — I was down there last week) the Virginia troops parade and crowds gape at them, — as to fancying any hostile relation between them, it is almost impossible, and yet I firmly believe there will be a collision within three weeks.

My room-mate, Stewart, was at Richmond (protected by an English passport) last Friday — drove all about the town and visited the camps in the neighborhood: he reports them to be in quite large force and very anxious for a fight, thoroughly convinced that they were fighting the battles of Freedom!

[On the envelope.]

I shall always hail from Massachusetts hereafter.

_______________

¹ Oakfield, a story of army life in India, by an officer, the brother of Matthew Arnold, which seems to have created a stir in England at the time.

² The wise precaution of guarding the Massachusetts Arsenal at Cambridge from traitorous injury or theft had been taken, and a volunteer company largely composed of Harvard students and graduates was stationed there.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 206-8, 403

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Cabot Jackson Lowell, April 24, 1861

Washington, April 24, '61.

My Dear Mother, — I was fortunate enough to be in Baltimore last Sunday and to be here at present: how Jim and Henry will envy me.

By a happy succession of blunders, the Administration has got into a delightful embarrassment — it may pull through — mats fen doute.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 203

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Cabot Jackson Lowell, April 15, 1861

Mt. Savage, April 15, '61.

Do not send the box yet — this war news is so startling that I do not quite know where I am, — I should be sorry to see the box miscarry and find itself in a Southern-Confederacy State.

I fear our Government will be hard pushed for the next six months — it can raise 75,000 men easily enough, but can it use them after they are raised? I am not over hopeful, dear, —  it may be my liver again.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 197

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Cabot Jackson Lowell, March 28, 1861

Mt. Savage, March 28, '61.

Dana's speech was excellently manly, — but events move so rapidly now, that the matters he most dwells on have lost their prominence. Who cares now about the slavery question? Secession, and the new Oligarchy built upon it, have crowded it out. Lincoln must act soon, or forfeit his claim to our regard: he should call Congress together at once and demand power to collect the revenue, or permission to acknowledge the Cotton Confederacy, — the alternative to be accompanied by a recommendation to so amend the Constitution as to make it clear that the Nation is one Nation, and the government a real government. It is absurd to talk of national deliberation with seven States in open revolution; but if attempted, not Slavery but Secession should be forever laid. Let the States that claim it as a right make a Confederacy, and the States that do not claim it a Union. I think Seward will soon begin to look foolish with his policy — its inevitable result seems to me a reaction and a war.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 196-7

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Cabot Jackson Lowell, January 27, 1861

Mt. Savage, [maryland,] Jan. 27, '61.

Living in a border state, politics are personally too interesting for me to enjoy the papers. It is hard to see clearly, but I fear Phillips was more than half right in his denunciation of Seward's speech; it was certainly a stultification of his previous course, more worthy of a political dodger than a statesman. The best explanation I have seen of it, is that it was the change of foot from offensive to defensive. The speech may save the Union, but I will never give its author my vote for any high office. We want higher thinking than that in times like the present. I fear the London “Times” is right in saying that the salt and savour of the Union is gone out of it, no matter how the event turns. One thing is clear, that the South have struck a blow at their Cotton King which he will never get well over. The mischief is already done. Cotton must and will be raised elsewhere, too. Whether or no the agitators succeed in their political game of brag, it is certain they will repent hereafter the damage to their material interests in the Union or out of it. Have you seen South Carolina's tax-laws? they are as ruinous to trade or manufactures as Duke Alva's laws in Holland.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 192-3

Charles Russell Lowell to Anna Cabot Jackson Lowell, June 30, 1860

Burlington, June 30, ’60.

It is interesting, is it not, to see Seward's “irrepressible conflict” so speedily illustrated at Baltimore. The quadrangular fight may result in the election of the worst man of the eight, General Lane of Oregon; but I hope that Lincoln will make a good enough run to prevent the choice going to the House or Senate. The Republican party is now so old that its followers have fallen into line, — and many will now vote for the candidate who four years ago would have gone for Douglas, had he stood in his present attitude towards the South. The wisdom in selecting Lincoln is now apparent, — a man from any other section of the country would have stood no chance in the Northwest against Douglas, whose personal popularity is immense.

SOURCE: Edward Waldo Emerson, Life and Letters of Charles Russell Lowell, p. 190-1