Diary of Malvina S. Waring, February 9, 1865

Finished Les Miserables, Victor Hugo's grand work. What munificence of power! What eloquence! What strength! How sublime even its absurdities! A waggish acquaintance of mine calls it Lee's miserables. I must write a little note to James Wood Davidson and thank him for this treat. He is ever kind to think of me when it comes to a literary tid-bit.

SOURCE: South Carolina State Committee United Daughters of the Confederacy, South Carolina Women in the Confederacy, Vol. 1, “A Confederate Girl's Diary,” p. 273

Victor Hugo: March 30, 1860

Slavery in all its forms will disappear. What the South slew last December was not John Brown, but Slavery. Henceforth, no matter what President Buchanan may say in his shameful message, the American Union must be considered dissolved. Between the North and the South stands the gallows of Brown. Union is no longer possible: such a crime cannot be shared.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 631

Victor Hugo: June 18, I860

Grand are the liberators of mankind! Let them hear the grateful applanse of the nations, whatever their fortune! Yesterday we gave our tears; to-day our hosannas are heard. Providence deals in these compensations. John Brown failed in America, but Garibaldi has triumphed in Europe. Mankind, shuddering at the infamous gallows of Charlestown, takes courage once more at the flashing sword of Catalafimi.¹

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¹ Victor Hugo's “Actes et Paroles pendant l'Exil” (1859-60). In the édition Definitive of his complete works, which was still going through the press at his death, in 1885, the author added this note to the passages cited above: "Victor Hugo avait, à propos de John Brown, prédit la guerre civile à l’Amérique, et, a propos de Garibaldi, prédit 1'unité à l’ltalie. Ces dcux prédictions se réalisèrent.” He had a right to claim this.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 631

Victor Hugo: December 2, 1859

At the thought of the United States of America, a majestic form rises in the mind, — Washington. In this country of Washington what is now taking place? There are slaves in the South; and this most monstrous of inconsistencies offends the logical conscience of the North. To free these black slaves, John Brown, a white man, a free man, began the work of their deliverance in Virginia. A Puritan, austerely religious, inspired by the evangel, “Christ hath set us free,” he raised the cry of emancipation. But the slaves, unmanned by servitude, made no response; for slavery stops the ears of the soul. John Brown, thus left alone, began the contest. With a handful of heroic men he kept up the fight; riddled with bullets, his two youngest sons, sacred martyrs, falling at his side, he was at last captured. His trial? It took place, not in Turkey, but in America. Such things are not done with impunity under the eyes of the civilized world. The conscience of mankind is an open eye; let the court at Charlestown understand — Hunter and Parker, the slaveholding jurymen, the whole population of Virginia — that they are watched. This has not been done in a corner. John Brown, condemned to death, is to be hanged to-day. His hangman is not the attorney Hunter, nor the judge Parker, nor Governor Wise, nor the little State of Virginia, — his hangman (we shudder to think it and say it!) is the whole American republic. . . . Politically speaking, the murder of Brown will be an irrevocable mistake. It will deal the Union a concealed wound, which will finally sunder the States. Let America know and consider that there is one thing more shocking than Cain killing Abel, — it is Washington killing Spartacus.

SOURCE: Franklin B. Sanborn, The Life and Letters of John Brown, p. 630

Diary Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Saturday Evening, January 17, 1863

The two wintriest days yet, yesterday and today. Snowed and blowed yesterday all day. My open shake roof let the snow through in clouds; felt like sitting by my fire with an umbrella over me. Read Victor Hugo's new book, "Les Miserables." Good, very.

Kanawha river rose fast — about three feet yesterday, all from the Gauley. New River doesn't rise until Gauley runs out.

Lieutenant Hastings and some of the new lieutenants, viz., Abbott, Seamans, and part of the sergeants, returned today. They tell of strong "Secesh" feeling and talk in Ohio. The blunder at Vicksburg, the wretched discords at the North, and the alarming financial troubles give things a gloomy appearance tonight. But Lucy and the boys are coming! That will be a happiness.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 390-1

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: May 18, 1863

Got Victor Hugo and finished it. An interesting and profitable work, a few exceptions. Capt. Hayes and A. B. called a little while. Gave them some pickles and H. bread and butter. In the evening wrote to Fannie. A delightful day. What a blessing, such weather and good health. Thede has a troublesome boil.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 70

Diary of Sergeant Major Luman Harris Tenney: May 15, 1863

Theodore brought over a letter from Melissa. Good. Reported this morning for duty. I am glad we can be together. We now belong to the 1st Cav. Brig. 4th Div. 23rd Army Corps. Another beautiful day. Morgan expected. Thede and Dod got two beef creatures and butchered. Wrote a letter to Minnie. Read some in Victor Hugo.

SOURCE: Frances Andrews Tenney, War Diary Of Luman Harris Tenney, p. 69

Diary of Salmon P. Chase: Friday August 15, 1862

p. and r. un peu de Marius.¹ Saw in "Republican" account of interview invited by President with colored people, and his talk to them on Colonization. How much better would be a manly protest against prejudice, against color! and a wise effort to give Freemen homes in America! A military Order, emancipating at least the slaves of South Carolina, Georgia, and the Gulf States, would do more to terminate the war and ensure an early restoration of solid peace and prosperity than anything else that can be devised.

Commissioner Boutwell breakfasted with me. After breakfast took up the appointments in Indiana and Ohio, and arranged both substantially to my satisfaction, and I hope, of all concerned. President sent for me about the Connecticut appointments. Found there Collector Babcock, State Senator Pratt (or Piatt) and Secy. Welles. Arranged the business. The State Senator got a Mr. Wright, of Middlesex, with Mr. Welles' consent, vice Cowles. Mr. Dix, by general consent, was substituted for Hammond. — Hollister was agreed to in place of Matherson whom Burnham recommended — Howard was retained at Hartford. The President said he felt much relieved. Returned to Department and instantly engaged on other Tax appointments.

No Cabinet to-day. Went to War Department. Stanton said Halleck had sent Burnside to James River, to act as second in command — or as adviser of McClellan, in reality to control him. He thought the experiment would fail, and wished I would go and see Halleck. Went. Asked about the mission of Burnside. Halleck said he could not disclose it as it was uncertain what it would really turn out to be. Asked him what was the hostile force at Richmond? He thought 75,000 to 80,000 men. Before Pope? About 60,000.—Whole army in Virginia? About 150,000. I thought it not possible, unless Western force was much reduced. He thought a levy en masse had been made, and that it was possible for the army to bring 600,000 to 700,000 into the field. I thought the whole number could not at this time exceed 300,000 to 350,000; of which at least 180,000 to 230,000 were in the West, South-West and South-East. I enquired about East Tennessee and the Mississippi River, but got no satisfactory information on either point. He said, however, that 15,000 men had been sent from Decatur to reinforce Buell, and 15,000 from Grant to Decatur; and that Curtis was needed to prevent further inroads into Missouri. The whole interview was very satisfactory, though the General was very civil. Left with him Memoranda in behalf of Col. Carrington.

The papers show that the rebels mean to execute their threat of treating Pope's officers and soldiers as felons, and not as prisoners of war. This cannot be permitted without shameful disgrace. When will the Administration awake to its duty.

Rode out with Parsons. Judge Harris called at night when Boutwell and I were engaged on Tax appointments. I invited him to breakfast in the morning.

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¹ Probably "r." is to be interpreted as "read" and "un peu de Marius" as the part of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables which bears this name. What " p." means is not so clear.

SOURCE: Annual Report of the American Historical Association for the Year 1902, Vol. 2, p. 59-60