Civil War Notebook: Orville Browning

Showing posts with label Orville Browning. Show all posts

Saturday, April 19, 2025

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, February 1, 1862

Snowed last night, and slush and slop all day. Raining in the forenoon *After breakfast went to the War & State Departments Wrote letters and franked documents the rest of the day

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 528

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, February 2, 1862

At Dr Gurley's Church in the forenoon and not out again

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 528

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, February 3, 1862

Snowing—Senate went into executive session at 1 P. M and continued till 5.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 528

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, February 4, 1862

Engaged on Brights case—I made a speech against followed by Foster & others on same side—Willey of Va. for him—Sumner agt him *At night at the Presidents with Carl Schurtz¹ & Col Boswell of Mississippi

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¹ Carl Schurz, 1829-1906. The famous German-American leader and major general in the Civil War.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 528-9

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, February 5, 1862

Continued the Bright case. He delivered a written speech very much modified in tone from one he made last week. Upon examing the Globe for the speech of last week in which he declared he would now repeat the act under the same circumstances, and that he was, as he always had been, opposed to all coercive measures by the Government to put down the rebellion, I could not find it, and was told by the man connected with the Globe that he, Bright, had suppressed it. At the conclusion of the speaking a vote was taken and he expelled 32 for 14 against

At night I attended a party at the Presidents—a very large and very brilliant one. Did not get home till 2 Oclock in the morning

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, February 6, 1862

In Senate all day

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Friday, February 7, 1862

Same as yesterday

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Saturday, February 8, 1862

At Presidents. War Department, 2nd Auditors, Comms Genl. Surgeon Genls, Post Office—Got back at 2½ and wrote letters till dinner

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Sunday, February 9, 1862

At Dr Gurleys Church in the morning and not out again

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Monday, February 10, 1862

In Senate until after 4 P. M. Lieut M. D. Hardin called to see me at night.

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Tuesday, February 11, 1862

In Senate until late. After tea went with Sheffield to the Presidents—Genl. McClellan came in whilst there. He said but little. Does not seem to me big enough for his position

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529

Friday, April 18, 2025

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Wednesday, February 12, 1862

In Senate until after 7 P. M.

The bill making Treasury notes a tender under consideration. Collamer made a powerful speech against both the constitutionality and expediency

I cannot believe that Congress has power to make any thing but gold and silver a tender in payment of debts, and if it had I believe it would injure the credit of the Country to do so, and I shall therefore feel constrained to vote against the bill

SOURCE: The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. 1, p. 529-30

Diary of Senator Orville Hickman Browning, Thursday, February 13, 1862

At 11 A. M. took the cars to Philadelphia on my way to Pittsburg to meet Mrs Browning & Emma. Reached Philadelphia at 5½ P. M. and remained at Continental Hotel till 11 at night when I took the cars for Pittsburg—Went to bed and slept.