Daniel Webster to Peter Harvey, September 13, 1851

Revere House, Friday. September 13, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — It has been suggested as possible, that some of those who will dine on the common to-day, might be inclined, afterwards, to make me a call of civility and respect, in numbers. I hope this may not happen. Such an occurrence, immediately after the President's departure, might be liable to misconstruction. It might be represented that it had been planned, or designed, or, if not so, that it was disrespectful to the President. My deep and sincere regard for the President, as well as my official relations to him, would make it exceedingly painful to me, if any thing should occur, in which my name should be concerned, however remotely, manifesting disrespect to him or the slightest want of kindness, or delicacy towards his feelings. Besides, I am desirous that he should get through this occasion in a manner every way the most gratifying to him.

I shall have another opportunity, ere long, of meeting the citizens of Boston. I hope it may not be necessary to show this letter, or even to suggest its existence to any one, but, nevertheless, I wish my friends to be aware of my feelings, should the case arise.

Yours, truly always,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

P. S. The President is not quite well this morning, and does not come down to breakfast. I presume he has experienced a little too much fatigue.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 470-1

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, September 15, 1851

Marshfield, Green Harbor, September 15, 1851.        

Monday morning, eight o'clock.

MY DEAR FRIEND, — Since I wrote you last, I have gone through sudden and various changes in regard to my health. Things wore on, much as they had been going, until the first of this month. Then excessively hot weather set in, and gave a new turn to matters. Saturday the 6th, Sunday the 7th, and Monday the 8th were intolerable days for heat. On Saturday, although I did not step over the threshold, my eyes became strongly affected, much after the catarrh fashion, and this continued. Monday afternoon the weather appearing to cool a little, and the cars not passing till six o'clock, I ventured on board for Boston. We were unlucky. The engine was thrown off the track by running over cattle; it was midnight before we got in. I took a heavy cold, and the next day was quite ill all day. Wednesday afternoon I broke away by violence, and came hither by way of the Hingham boat. While in Boston, Dr. Jeffries advised me to leave off all medicine for a time, which I did, and have not yet resumed the taking of any. These things, or some of them, have caused a very sudden improvement. My feet became at once quite well, nor have I felt any great influence of catarrh, since I have been here. On Thursday, I caught thirty very fine Tautog, under Sunk Rock. It was just the day for them; mild, still, and a little cloudy. On such a day, and just at the commencement of flood tide, throw your hook into their den, and the chiefs will all contend for it. I took one seven pound fellow. On Saturday, I went out in the Lapwing with Fletcher, and some of his Boston friends. We had no great luck, and it came on to rain, during a perfect calm, so that we did not escape a wetting. I took little harm from it.

Saturday night wind and weather changed, and we have had it quite cold. This morning the wind is east, and at sunrise the mercury stood 51°. I doubt whether I shall leave the house to-day. Mr. Lanman came with me from New Hampshire, has been here, and went off this morning for New York. Mrs. Webster, Miss Kate Le Roy, and myself constitute the parlour part of the household.

I received an invitation from the City Government to attend the railroad celebration, which I declined. The President wrote me on the 10th, that he should not be here, but a telegraphic despatch announced, Saturday evening, that he would leave Washington this morning for Boston.

Mrs. Webster and I propose to go to town to-morrow, to see the fashions a little, and spend two or three days. Then one more short stay at this place, will bring us to October.

Marshfield looks finely, and every thing is right but the potatoes. The rot has taken them. The barns are crowded full of hay and grain, the fields have quite an English green about them, and the cattle are up to their knees in fresh grown grass. N. B. Since writing so far, I have yours, saying you have flown off to Niagara.

Yours truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 471-2

Daniel Webster to Governor George S. Boutwell, September 22, 1851

Boston, September 22, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — I am desirous of placing these trifles¹ in your possession, as a gift from my own hand; the more especially as the occasion furnishes an opportunity of expressing my high personal regard, and my profound respect for the manner in which you have upholden constitutional principles, and maintained the supremacy of the laws.

Very truly and faithfully, yours,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

_______________

¹ Copy of Mr. Webster’s New York Speeches.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 472-3

Daniel Webster to Richard M. Blatchford, September 26, 1851

Marshfield, September 26, 1851. Friday, two P. M.

MY DEAR SIR, — Here I am once more, and here, I assure you, I am most happy to be. After a noisy week of "celebrations," we went to Beverly, and passed a few highly agreeable days with Mr. Haven's family. It is a charming spot, and a most hospitable mansion. You were looked for, and a room kept for you till we left. We came up to Boston yesterday forenoon, and I came to this place early this morning, leaving Mrs. Webster to come down at two o'clock, with Mr. Edward Curtis, who, I hope, arrived at Boston this morning.

At Boston I received your letter, saying you should come to Boston on Tuesday. I pray you come immediately here. Call on Mr. Haven, who, I hope, will accompany you, as I wish to see you and him together.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, p. 473

Daniel Webster to Edward Everett, September 27, 1851

Marshfield, September 27, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — My speech of the 7th of March, 1850, is probably the most important effort of my life, and as likely as any other to be often referred to. I think, therefore, it ought to have a short name for a running title, and for popular use. I should like to have "Union" in it, in some form, and would retain the date, to distinguish it from other "Union" speeches. Suppose you say in the running title, "Mr. Webster's Speech," or "Speech, March 7, 1850, on the danger of the Union and the duties of its friends," or "Speech for the Union and the Constitution, March 7, 1850."

Do I not say in the speech, which is not before me, "I speak to-day for the Union?" I leave all to your taste and judgment, but incline myself strongly for the last form stated above. Mr. Clay's resolutions were rather the occasion than the subject of the speech.

I am on the manuscript to-day.

Yours,

D. W.

P. S. A very rainy morning.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 473-4

Daniel Webster to Millard Fillmore, September 28, 1851

(EXTRACT.)

Marshfield, September 28, 1851.

MY DEAR SIR, — I heard with great pleasure of your arrival at Washington in safety and good health. I am sure your recollections of your visit to the Bostonians must be pleasant, as you gave them all much pleasure. It is a long time since they have seen among them a Whig President; I do not hear any thing but satisfaction from any quarter.

As soon as you left Boston, I went to the country, and stayed two or three days with Mr. Haven. I was far from being well, and one day quite sick. Sometimes the force of the catarrh seems pretty much broken, and then it returns attacking the head, eyes, nose, &c., with great violence. I think it is approaching its last stage, which is the asthmatic stage. Some of our friends who are subjects of the complaint, and who have short necks, dread this. I do not fear much from this, although in this stage I feel its influence more or less on the chest. Meantime, between the catarrh and the Harrisburg diarrhea, I am a good deal reduced. This cannot be denied, though I am not quite so sick, as the newspapers represent me sometimes.

The weather is now bad, and I am obliged to keep house; but it does me good to be out in fair weather. In such a day as this, a northeast rain-storm pouring, I cough a little, and am as hoarse as a frog.

But enough of myself.

Yours truly,

DAN'L WEBSTER.

SOURCE: Fletcher Webster, Editor, The Private Correspondence of Daniel Webster, Vol. 2, pp. 474-5

List of the Armies of the Confederate States

• Army of Central Kentucky
• Army of East Tennessee
• Army of Kentucky
• Army of Louisiana
• Army of Mississippi
• Army of Mobile
• Army of New Mexico
• Army of Northern Virginia
• Army of Tennessee
• Army of the Kanawha
• Army of the Northwest
• Army of the Peninsula
• Army of the Potomac
• Army of the Trans-Mississippi
• Army of the West

List of the Armies of the United States

• Army of Arkansas
• Army of Central Kentucky
• Army of Kentucky
• Army of New Mexico
• Army of Observation
• Army of Reserve
• Army of Southeast Missouri
• Army of the Border
• Army of the Chesapeake
• Army of the Cumberland
• Army of the Frontier
• Army of the Gulf
• Army of the James
• Army of the Kanawha
• Army of the Mississippi
• Army of the Monongahela
• Army of the Ohio
• Army of the Potomac
• Army of the Shenandoah
• Army of the Susquehanna
• Army of the Tennessee
• Army of West Mississippi
• Army of West Virginia

Private William O. Gulick to his sisters, September 29, 1861

Camp Warren, Ia. Sept. 29th/61

Ia Cavalry            

Dear Sisters¹

I received your kind letter yesterday morning but as I did not have time to answer it then I waited untill now. My time is limited, for I am standing guard and just came off, will have to go on again at one oclock, we stand two hours on, and about four off, for twenty-four hours. It commenced last night to rain and has continued to rain ever since and prospects for a wet time all through my time of Guard, But I am well provided for as we have our uniform the clothing for the whole Regiment came Sept. 20th. We have one heavy pair Pantaloons and the promise of another soon, a very heavy Overcoat with cape a Fighting Jacket trimmed with orange a blue sack coat for a fatigue dress a pair of Boots, pair of shoes, and a hat something like Isaac's We have three Blankets one for our horse. The Whole Regiment is Ordered to go to St. Louis and to go by Squadrons one each day commencing tomorrow (Monday) Our Squadron will be the last so we will remain here yet six days unless further orders We expect to get the remainder of our horses by Wednesday, We have now about 30 horses and saddles. I forgot to tell you all of our clothing we got Shirts two pair drawers, two pair Socks a canteen, and all the little necessaries we wanted. I cannot carry all my clothing so I will send my things that I need least, in a box with some others to Clinton I shall have them in a bundle directed to Low Moor, I shall write to the rest of the family in a few days I got a pass yesterday to go down town but as the Colonel² wanted all should appear on grond parad [sic] I could not go to have my likeness taken but as soon as I can get my pass I will have it taken and send it in my next letter. You will probably hear from Isaac soon for he will write as soon as he gets to St. Louis and he starts Tuesday

I was glad to hear that you were all geting along so well I am as well as can be and like soldiering better evry day I tell you it is fine cooking and eating out doors such days as this I have just pertaken of an apple dumpling I bought it for my dinner and thank fortune I have change but many have not, Peter Barr³ has lost his pocket Book with over Fifty dollars he says if Wagner⁴ has not payed that little sum he ows him to his brother he would like to have him send it to him, he says direct or send it in one of my letters The sum is $3.60 I believe. It is now time for me to go on guard and I have always been prompt excuse me from writing more this time and I will write soon and more give my love to all my friends tell them I like to get letters, direct care of Capt.⁵ to Camp Warren as you have heretofore and my letters will be forwarded on to me if I am gone

Your Brother

W. O. Gulick

_______________

¹ William Gulick had four sisters, all older than himself: Lorette Schuyler, Sarah Jane Wagner, Emma V. Harris, and Cynthia Jones.

² Colonel Fitz Henry Warren, of the First Iowa Cavalry Volunteers, rose to the rank of brevet major general before the close of the war. A native of Massachusetts, he had moved to Burlington, Iowa, in 1844. In 1849 President Taylor appointed him Assistant Postmaster General. He made an excellent record in this position, but resigned it in indignation when Millard Fillmore signed the Fugitive Slave Law. In the campaign of 1860 he employed his eloquent oratorical powers in behalf of Abraham Lincoln. When war broke out he left the associate editorship of the New York Tribune, where he had made a reputation as one of the ablest journalists in the United States, to serve his country in the field. In later years he was frequently active in Iowa politics.

³ Peter Barr, of Company M, came (like Gulick) from the Low Moor neighborhood and seems to have been a close friend of Gulick's, as he is mentioned a number of times in these letters. At the time of his discharge for disability at Clinton, Missouri, on June 24, 1862, he held the rank of corporal.

⁴ Richard Wagner, of Low Moor, married Sarah Jane Gulick.

⁵ By the "Capt." is meant William H. Ankeny, Captain of Company M.

SOURCE: Benjamin F. Shambaugh, The Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. 28 (1930), pp. 204-6.

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 16, 1863

Freezing in the shade Icesicles to our cabbin eves 18 inches to 2 ft long the ponds of water covered with thin ice, forenoon snowing moderately & afternoon occasionally spitting snow I am suffering with pane in my back the snow is from 6 to 8 inches deep with a perfect slush of mud & watter under it

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 17, 1863

Ice on the ponds in Helena is barely sufficient to beare up a man & some are sliding & occasionally one breaks in & gets wet, some to the waste & there is a good time of the lookers on to chear, by noon it was thawing so that none went on it afternoon I received two letters bearing me the sad noose of the deep affliction of my Dear son Amandus he has been sick for several weeks & now inflamation of the brain & the letter states the Doctors say he only has one chance out of eleven to recover, Oh how my hart is smitten. Oh that God would spare my precious boy & grant us all the privilege of again enjoying our family alter together.

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, Sunday, January 18, 1863

Morning a fiew boys ventured on the ice some broke in. the day was mild & the snow melted fast, & the mud is in great abundance, at 2½ Oc I attended meeting in a log chapple without floor seats or pulpit save the ground there was a doore up and 2 holes for windows & a hole in the clapboard roof for a stove pipe but no stove or pipe there Our Chaplain preached & called on me & I closed after him text Come & let us reason together &c I am afflicted with paine in my back

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 19, 1863

My back is yet suffering I fear it is rheumatism Our Capt TM Fee has gone out with a squad of men on picket his first adventure here

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 105

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 20, 1863

My back is not much better Evening Capt TM Fee & 1 took a little tramp, & visited the fine former residence of the Rebble Brig Genl JC Tappan it is a verry elegantly finished two story frame building. the furniture is elegant & there remains the remnant of an extensive library I discovered on the book the Orderly had marked me unable for duty without my knowledge I had him stop it I have been marked four days the first and only time since I enlisted

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, pp. 105-6

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 21, 1863

Streets almost impassible for footmen. I called in a verry pretty residence surrounded with beautifull shrubery & had a social chat with two young ladys by the name of Head they have a brother in the Rebble army. I received a letter from Emma with encouraging information about my son Amandus, he is seeking the Saviour & is in a fare way to be up soon, though I have been much depressed in mind I feel greatly relieved & am hoping & praying for my son I answered the letter. A fleet passed down from Memphis with parts of Grants Armey the 15th & 16th Reg Iowa Vol was on board & the fiew minutes they layed here I improved & injoyed with the boys some from Keosauqua & vicinity

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 22, 1863

I took a ramble out to some of the pickets. Capt T M Fee was officer of the day Brother Oliver Williams of the 24th Reg Iowa Vol passed the evening & night with us he & I slept together in my bunk & we had a good time generally

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 23, 1863

Rainey with mud beyond description I have been boxing up some cotton seed &c to send home Rev Oliver Williams called & spent the afternoon & evening with us & is going to bunk with me this night, he is from Appanoos Co Iowa & is in the 24th Reg Iowa Vol

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 24, 1863

Steady raine from 9 Oc morning untill now 11 Oc night, I went on picket this morning & expected to remain until tomorrow morning but our Brigade got Orders to march & I was reliaved tonight I took one Rebble with his horse &c about noon & sent them in by a sargent to the Provo Marshal

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, Sunday, January 25, 1863

The place is in a buisey mood Genl Fisks Bregade is buisey preparing to go on board the fleet tomorrow for some place south of this we think Vicksburg I expressed a box of cotton seed some cloths books &c to Keosauqua Iowa

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106

Diary of 2nd Lieutenant Benjamin F. Pearson, January 26, 1863

Raining almost incessantly we ware all ready & packed up, & expected to be ordered in line to march down to the boats at early dawn, the teams ware buisey moving down Com[missary] Long['s] store & about noon they ware stopped & a short time after, the orders we had received to march with our brigade was countermanded & fortunately for us we are this rainey night comfortable in our cabbans I received a letter dated 12th from my Daughter & I bless the Lord, my son is some better & I feel more at ease in my mind

SOURCE: Edgar R. Harlan, Currator, Annals of Iowa, 3rd Series, Vol. 15, No. 2, October 1925, p. 106