1st Lieutenant William T. Sherman to John Sherman, January 4, 1846

FORT MOULTRIE, S.C., Jan. 4, 1846.

My Dear Brother: I had to go to North Carolina on a wedding tour at Christmas time, and as soon as I got back I went to a plantation, not very far off, to spend the New Year. I am pretty well acquainted with all the rich people round about, and have from them enough invitations for the balance of the winter. It is a great relief occasionally to slip off from our monotonous drill and duty to ramble among the green and noble live oaks—the most magnificent evergreen in our forest. Then again, the planters have plenty to eat and drink, and can, without seeming inconvenience, entertain any number of straggling acquaintances. When we expect any assemblage large enough to dance, we take along four or five musicians from our band, which makes us doubly welcome during the Christmas holidays. The people here were not a little alarmed about war, for it would at once crush their prosperous rice and cotton trade—the only articles of trade here. Moreover, the English, in case of war, would doubtless do all they could to make the slaves rise and would supply them with the necessary arms and ammunition to make them really formidable. I have never seen the least sign of disaffection on the part of the negroes, and have seen them in the cotton field and rice ditches, met them hunting at all hours of day and on the road at night, without anything but "How d'ye, Massa? Please give me some bac." However, it is easy, no doubt, to make them believe they can own the fields and houses they now see, and to excite them to resort to means that would even astonish their provokers; but I have heard but one or two who in conversation would admit even such danger in case of war; but all admit that the price of negroes would so fall as inevitably to destroy such as would be compelled to sell such property, such as estates to be divided among children, etc. There would be no difficulty in taking Charleston—our fort is weak and has only about 100 men—it is not ditched or strengthened in such a way as to defy an assault. A new fort is being built in the channel which, when done, will be very strong, but its walls are as yet barely out of water. The Charlestonians have such confidence in Mr. Calhoun, who is decidedly opposed to war, that since his arrival they have no apprehension. All here think that such resolutions as Mr. Hannigan introduced in the Senate, and such speeches as were made by Allen and Cass will cause immediate war for which no preparations are in progress, or even contemplated. If war takes place, I shall do all I can to better my future and rank, but if it slides by, as other rumors have, I must remain contented with my present commission. . . .

Your affectionate brother,

W. T. SHERMAN.

SOURCE: Rachel Sherman Thorndike, Editor, The Sherman Letters: Correspondence Between General and Senator Sherman from 1837 to 1891, pp. 29-30

Diary of Private Theodore Reichardt, Monday, April 21, 1862

Camp Scott. The Vermont brigade, under General Smith, was defeated at Warwick Creek. Temporary suspension of beating drums, sounding the bugle, and playing of musicians.

SOURCE: Theodore Reichardt, Diary of Battery A, First Regiment Rhode Island Light Artillery, p. 40

Musical Union Concert.

The greatest musical treat of the season comes off this evening at Metropolitan Hall. The “Musical Union,” which recently gave the “Haymakers” with so much success in this city, is again out with a rich programme, embracing some of the choicest gems of song. Among the prominent performers on this occasion, we notice the names of Mrs. THOMAS, one of our best Sopranos; Mrs. Mattison, the finest Contralto in the Northwest; De Passio, whose Baritone is not excelled, and well-known  and popular Basso, J. G. Lumbard, and H. Johnson, which, together with the choral strength of the Society, and the orchestra of the Light Guard Band, the whole under the direction of J. G. Gird, conductor, make up an entertainment rarely equaled in musical efforts.

SOURCE: “Musical Union Concert,” The Press and Tribune, Chicago, Illinois, Tuesday, May 15, 1860, p. 4, col. 2

Hippolyte P. Brothers

H. P. BROTHERS, merchant at Grand River, was born in Canada, in 1834, son of Hippolyte and Pauline Brothers, of French descent. He was brought up in a cotton factory. In 1864 he enlisted in the First Massachusetts as a musician. At the close of the war he came West and settled in Decatur County, when he commenced teaching band music, in 1868, and continued that occupation until 1882. He is a composer of considerable note. He is at present engaged in the mercantile business, under the firm name of Brothers & Fear. They keep a well selected stock of dry goods, notions, hats and caps, boots and shoes, groceries, flour, hardware, and Gliddon's barb wire. He was married in Massachusetts, in 1855, to Elizabeth Rice, born in that State in 1832. They have five children — Eugene G., Hattie P., Henry E., James C. and Alice F. Mr. Brothers is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and politically is a Republican. He is well known in business circles as a man of integrity, and socially is a gentleman.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 558-9

Lyman Forgrave

LYMAN FORGAVE, contractor and builder at Leon, was born in Muskingum County, Ohio, July 10, 1844, son of John and Harriet (Gordon) Forgrave, natives of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The mother is still living at the age of seventy-five years. They were the parents of eight children, seven of whom are living – Andrew Perry; Louisa, wife of William Turner, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska; Robert, a resident of California; Harriet, wife of Minor Wightman; John, a resident of Mt. Pleasant, this State; Albert and Lyman. In 1862, Mr. Forgrave enlisted as drummer in Band Four, Fifteenth Army Corps, and was mustered out July 7, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. He resided in Chicago for a time, where he built the Silver Smelting Works for the Swansy Smelting Company. He also built the court-house in Leon. He was married June 18, 1872, to Nannie, daughter of Judge Lorenzo H. and Mary A. (Wartenbe) Sales, natives of Ohio, who came to Decatur county in 1856, where they still reside. Their three children are – Lewis C., Frank R. and Mrs. Forgrave. Mr. and Mrs. Forgrave have four children – Harry S., Robert L., Leslie L. and Paul L. Mr. Forgrave owns a fine brick residence and a brick business block opposite the postoffice. He is a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, the Masonic fraternity, and of the Knights Templar.

SOURCE: “Biographical and Historical Record of Ringgold and Decatur Counties, Iowa,” p. 548-9