Letters, 1853-1868

WM

IB a

LETTERS, 1853-1868
GEN'L WM. J. PALMER

Letters

1853-1868

Gen V Wm. J. Talmer

Compiled by

Isaac H. Clothier

PHILADELPHIA
1906

KKTTHKLINUS, I'HILA.

EXPLANATORY.

A RECENT visit to General William J.
Palmer at his delightful home, Glen
Eyrie, Colorado, and a week's social
intercourse under his hospitable roof, has, not
unnaturally, renewed the remembrance of old
associations and freshened memories of long
ago.

It was my privilege during our youth and
early manhood, to maintain with him a corre
spondence, of which his letters in this volume
form a portion. That they have been highly
valued is evidenced by their careful preservation
for so many years, and it is believed that the
limited circle of his friends and mine, to whom
this little volume may come will coincide in
the judgment that the letters were worthy of
preservation and of being gathered now into a
volume for private circulation.

(iii)

M4.6961

iv Letters, 1853-1868

Beginning when the writer was a youth of
seventeen years, and maintained during the sub
sequent eventful years preceding, during, and
following the great Civil War, these letters form
an important part of the biography of one who
became one of Colorado's pioneers, a leader and
potent force in her settlement ; in the conception,
organization and construction of her great Railway
System, and consequently in the development and
growth of her material resources ; one whose
name must thus always be prominently associated
with the history of the State, and honored as
among her most eminent citizens and benefactors.

These letters also form a part of the history
of a crucial period in the life of the Nation.

On re-reading them since my return from the
visit referred to, I feel that, notwithstanding a
number of our friends who are named therein,
have joined the Great Majority, that those of the
narrowing circle who survive, and others of Gen
eral Palmer's present friends and mine, will value
them, both from their interest in him, and because
of their undoubted literary merit and historic
significance.

Written as a very young man to another very
young man, they indicate a maturity of obser
vation and thought quite remarkable.

' I Wm. J. Palmer

As for myself, having treasured these letters
for about half a century

"And while in life's late afternoon,

Where cool and long the shadows grow,
I walk to meet the night that soon
Shall shape and shadow overflow,"

my thoughts at times revert to incidents of my
early life, and with this feeling, coupled with the
belief that the letters are of quite unusual value,
I put them now into permanent shape for his
family and my own, and for a number of his
friends and mine.

I would add that I alone am responsible for
this publication; that General Palmer has no
part in it ; also, fearing to impair their freshness
and originality, I have thought it best not to
make any revision whatever, but to print the
letters precisely as they were written, and with
out changing any crudities of expression conse
quent on hasty writing sometimes in camp life, or
personal references which would be out of place
if other than the most limited circulation were
intended.

ISAAC H. CLOTHIER.

BALLYTORE, WYNNEWOOD, PENNA. ,
December 31, 1905,

LETTERS

LETTERS, 1853-1868.

Washington, Pa., June 23rd, '53.
DEAR IKE :

Probably when thee finished writing thy accept
able letter of the 9th, folded it up and dropped
it in the P. O., thee had no idea that it would
have to come a few degrees further West of
Greenwich than customary, to reach me. But
no matter at what place thee had anticipated its
arrival, it is the first letter I have received since
I left home and its contents were devoured with
avidity. I am a member at present of an Engi
neer corps, engaged in surveying, locating and
leveling the line of the Hempfield Railroad.
Washington, Pa., where I am now stationed, is
a country village with between 5 and 10,000
inhabitants. It is situated in a rough hilly
country West of the Allegheny mountains, about
30 miles from Wheeling, Va., the one terminus
of our road, and 40 from Greensburg, the other

(9)

io Letters, 1853-1868

terminus. I am in the field nearly all the time,
from early in the morning till late in the evening,
tramping over hills and across valleys, through
woods and through fields of grain. Nothing
stops us — for a railroad line must be a straight
one — a locomotive is not a proficient in turning
corners. So a locating party travels in a bee line

-it cannot avoid a hill or go round a pond or
choose its own walking. It must tramp right
over the one and ford the other and walk by
the points of the compass. We sometimes get
pretty rough fare too — we stop once in a while at
a roadside Inn where they pack the whole corps

— engineers, rodmen and axemen in the same
sleeping apartment — and that one apartment
none of the best. While we are stationed in
Washington, however, we have pretty nice times
in that respect. Each one has a room to himself
and we manage to get along pretty comfortably at
the Railroad House, though the bedbugs are as
plenty and as wild as rattlesnakes in the bayous.
I am sorry Ike, that I didn't get thy letter
sooner, since thee wanted an answer to thy
query about the autographs. It did not reach
me until yesterday evening and I sit down this
morning at 5 o'clock to answer it. Will Cox
was slightly mistaken in his statement about the

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer i i

method of obtaining those letters from distin
guished persons. It was not by merely writing to
them and requesting their autographs. A little
chicanery was necessary. I doubt if a written
request for their signatures would bring them.
The modus-operandi was as follows — Taking
advantage of that inherent quality in the souls
of our great statesmen, Ambition, and being
aware of that love of distinction and that desire
for office which characterizes all our politicians,
myself and another interesting juvenile formed
ourselves into a society for the diffusion and
perfection of the intricate science of wire-pulling.
This much being premised, what follows is plain.
At a meeting of the members of the Seward-
ambian Society of Philada. for the promotion of
the political and much to be lauded art of wire
pulling, Hon. Wm. H. Seward was unanimously
elected an honorary member of the same with
the privilege of participating in the discussions,
and with all other privileges guaranteed to active
members. In a few minutes a letter is dropt in
the P. O., that goes post haste to Washington
and into the Senate chamber — informing the
Honorable member from N. York, as he sits at
his congressional desk, of his election to such a
desirable post. The next mail brings with it a

12 Letters, 1853-1868

franked letter to Wm. J. Palmer, corresponding
Secretary of the Sewardambian Mutual Improve
ment Society of Philada. The two ingenious
members constituting the latter corporation,
chuckle over the contents that evening and
laugh at the very easy manner in which our
Representatives are gulled. But meanwhile
another letter is despatched informing the Hon.
Henry Clay of his election with but two dissent
ing voices to the post of Honorary member of
the Claytonian Society of Philada. and another
franked letter from the disappointed aspirant
for the Presidency thanks the Society for the
honor conferred upon him and for the kind
affable manner in which Mr. Wm. J. Palmer, the
corresponding secretary, has informed him of the
proceedings of the meeting. And the two inge
nious members chuckle again as they add another
document to their pile of literary morceaux. And
so on till you've caught as many as will bite.
Then the Society makes a move at one of its
stated meetings to dissolve — the move is seconded
— the President puts it before the meeting with
all due formality and it is unanimously adopted
— the members divide the plunder, separate, and
find themselves possessed of a nice parcel of
autograph lettters from distinguished people.

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 13

This is the way, and now you and Josiah
Chapman can form yourselves into a society for
the purpose of filibustering or extending the
Union indefinitely or for any other object. To
be sure the acting members would be small but
the Honorary department would I hope be well
filled and that would be sufficient. Josiah might
be President and yourself corresponding Secre
tary. Tell the President to write to me. I did
know the residences of the congressmen you
mention but have unfortunately forgotten them.
You had best wait till Congress is in session.

Your Friend truly,

WM. J. P.
Direct to Wm. J. P.

Hempfield R. R. Washington, Pa.

OFFICE
PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD COMPANY,

Philadelphia, April i9th, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

Thy long and interesting letter from Louisville
did not reach me until yesterday when I returned
to the office for the first time after our meeting
and parting at Altoona.

14 Letters, 1853-1868

I expect Breckenridge frequently has an inward
jollification when he thinks of the manner in
which he was mistaken for the Vice head of the
Penna. R. R. Company. He of course appreci
ated it at once. I knew that Breckenridge was
at the Logan House on that evening, but I did
not know of the amusing episode that had just
before occurred in the cars. It was quite juicy.
I thought that thee would enjoy the scenery in
crossing the Alleghenies and in cutting through
the Laurel and Chestnut Ridges with the gradu
ally increasing Conemaugh, and finally in leaping
across the rolling country that intervenes between
Blairsville and Pittsburgh — to be set down at the
portal of the West, on the site of old Fort du
Quesne. But did thee relish any of it as much
as our night ride up the mountain on the " Blue
Ridge " locomotive the evening thee spent at
Altoona? I find car-travelling quite tame now
and one can certainly get tired in half the time
boxed up in a long passenger car, that he would
on the engine, watching the flame in the furnace
or the black smoke wreathing out of the chimney
and talking with the engineer and fireman of the
wonderful machine which they control with such
facility. In addition there is the wide open view
over hill and valley — and " Kittanning," and

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer i 5

"Allegrippus" and " Whippoorwill " (sealed vol
umes to the inside passengers) become as familiar
to you in every outline, as the walls and ceiling
of your own room at home.

I am glad to hear thee has sustained the
reputation of the " Junior." After a while we
may perhaps fearlessly begin to engage in Chess
matches by telegraph, with other cities. Say we
try Cincinnati first !

I remained on the line at Altoona or Mifflin
until last First day, and did not therefore have
an opportunity of witnessing the fugitive excite
ment. Indeed the news hardly reached to Blair
County. If it had been a "petit morceau" stating
that the Penna. R. Rd. was coming off first best
in its fight with the New York Central, the
whole population would have been discussing
it from morning till night, or if it had been
that the "Camel-back" had run to Mifflin
and back with less coal than the cc Old Domin
ion" the subject would have been considered as
of at least temporary importance. But a paltry
fugitive case in Philada! — the pith had dropped
out of the news before it passed Harrisburgh.
— If Beecher should go to Altoona, he would
find himself without a subject, unless he chose
" Motive Power."

1 6 Letters, 1853-1868

I am glad that thee is enjoying thyself so
highly in travelling. By the time thee returns,
we shall probably be removed to Germantown.
In regard to the Baltimore case no new develop
ments have turned up. I have not had an
opportunity of examining a directory of that
city. There is hardly a doubt about the identity
of the two characters.

After getting my business up here which has
greatly accumulated during nearly 3 weeks ab
sence, I expect to return to Altoona to finish the
experiments which are yet incomplete.
Thine truly,

WM. J. PALMER.

Write again if thee has an opportunity.

Altoona, May 14, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

Not having heard from thee since leaving
Philada. the last time, I am anxious to learn
what has been done in the Morphy testimonial
matter ; and if convenient and thee feels dis
posed, write to me and let me know all about it.
I have enjoyed this trip more even than the pre
vious ones, in consequence of the weather being
so much finer and the season more advanced.

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 17

The scenery along the Juniata, half the length of
which I ride every day, is far more attractive than
it was when thee saw it on thy western tour, and
one could hardly believe that a month would
make so much difference.

I hear but very little of what is going on in
the great outside world — but believe that war is
inevitable in Europe. If such is the case, the
only possible good that I can see to result from
it, is the chance that would be afforded to Kos-
suth and the other liberals of Europe to free the
oppressed nations, and the slight possibility
there is of blotting out Austria, with whose his
tory the first traditions of European despotism
and tyranny are connected.

Whether Hungary and Italy have the right
sort of stuff in their population to avail them
selves of this glorious chance is a question.

I suppose Yearly Meeting is now beginning
or over. (I have lost the count of it). But in
either event I feel assured that thee has enjoyed
thyself in " breezing up " (to make use of a
Western expression) that fair sex, to whose
charms the wisest are not proof. Pray tell me
what particular divinity now engrosses thy ener
gies. Is it Ruth, or Rachael or Rebecca, Mary
or Margaret or Matilda? But I pause from a

I 8 Letters, 1853-1868

dearth of names. When I recall to mind the
brilliant galaxy of youth and innocence that
yearly lines the modest - colored benches at
Cherry Street, I cannot expect that the few
names which might casually without a moment's
warning flit through one's cranium should in
clude a tithe of the legion that would be honored
with thy flattering attentions.

By the way, has thee heard from Harry Lam-
born lately ? The last letter I had he was pre
paring to leave Giessen and extend his tour
through Germany and other parts of Europe.
There may be a letter for me at Philada. but I
cannot get it in consequence of the abstraction
of my revered patron, until I return to the
office.

Remember me to all my friends whom thee
may meet. I close hastily for the train. Write
soon.

WM. J. PALMER.

Altoona, June 12, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC:

Since my arrival here Wednesday morning, I
have been so continuously occupied, sometimes
till late in the night, that I have had no time to
redeem my promise to send thee a letter. This

' I Wm. J. Palmer 19

glorious cloudless morning of Sunday, however,
making rest more agreeable than activity, woos
me to a communion with home friends — and I
sit down in my room in the Logan House be
side an open window through which the pure
Allegheny air enters fresh from its journey over
the hill tops, and propose to have a chat with
thee of things and people.

There is a Mrs. B - here, the wife of our
Superintendent of Shops, who said to me this
morning that she had seen a few weeks since, a
young man with me at the breakfast table here
— a Mr. Clothier, whose sister Lizzie she was
acquainted with, having been old schoolmates
together. Does thee remember her ? She was
born somewhere on the Delaware River, and is
quite well acquainted in Bristol. She is an
agreeable lady, and I doubt not would put thee
through the ladies society of Altoona (what there
is of it) if thee would come up. Moreover, she
loves to play chess — at which game I intend to
test her skill some evening this week if " way
opens." Is there not a superior satisfaction in
playing chess with the ladies ? If you beat them,
what more fine than obtaining a victory over a
being purer and better than yourself; and to the
lady what disappointment is there that she has

20 Letters, 1853-1868

not been able to cope with the superior (because
more constantly exercised) intellectual force of
man ? If on the contrary they beat you, what a
sweet satisfaction to the lady it is, and how en
couraging that in a conflict with the stronger
vessel, she has realized her hopes — and to you,
how the pleasure of her victory and sympathy
with her delight, cheat you out of the ugly
sense of defeat, and leave you under a dim, half-
formed impression that it's a drawn game or at
least a stale-mate.

Pray inform me whether this is not a philo
sophical statement of the case — or does your
mettle prefer a more fiery contest — gloves off,
breast to breast and hand to throat with some
well-tried Turk who gives no mercy and asks
none.

While on the subject of chess, I must ask you
whether Morphy has come to Philada. yet, and
if so, have you feasted him ; and enjoyed that
honor from which England's champion shrinked,
of playing a game with him? When you write,
you must tell me of it, and be not afraid of
going into details.

If you were here to day, we would obtain a
pair of sure-footed but fine-spirited mountain
horses, and ride over to " Sinking Valley " or

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 21

perhaps to " Wapsunnonnack." The latter place
is about 8 miles distant on the verge of one of
the Allegheny cliffs. From the edge of this
bold escarpment, we would look off for 20 miles
into the blue ether — and then down beneath us
into the valley of the Juniata. From such an
elevation, the high hills that break up the valley
and appear so steep and great when you are
below, are softened down into mole-hills, hardly
rising above the surface of the vast basin that
spreads out before you, to the foot of the next
Range. If the Reverend War Horse, Chambers,
who preaches here to day, would mount a racer,
and lead his congregation, big and little, from
the little Presbyterian Altoona Church up the
rugged road, inadmissible for carriages, to Wap
sunnonnack and from that solid pulpit point
out to them the sublime scene before them,
I think they would be more impressed with
the insignificance of man and the greatness of
God, than ever they could be, if Calvinism
were steam-hammered into them diurnally for
a life-time.

Man has to go to the mountains for health,
and he must go there likewise, if he would get
a true insight into things. There is a refraction
in the atmosphere of cities and low lands like

22 Letters, 1853-1868

that the traveller meets with on the desert or in
the equatorial seas, when a long coast line or a
city with steeples and turrets loom out of the
horizon — to vanish the next day into vapor. —
Mankind as a general thing cannot see through
brick walls. To be sure I have gazed myself
through an instrument hawked about our
Philada. streets by an individual whose con
versational powers were tolerably developed —
the object of which was to enable one to see
through a brick. But the majority of minds are
not furnished with cameras, and it were better
to take the brick away and look straight and
clear. This they can do in the mountains.
But, Mercy ! I am getting serious. Forgive

me. How is Miss S and the other Miss

S - and the Miss of Chester County, and

all the girls of Riverton ? And how did you
enjoy your last hurried trip to Longwood — that
bulwark against conservative fanaticism, and how
did you leave Will Cox, on whose soul, benig
nity was spread thick, when I saw him, by the
recurrence of this epoch of happiness? Charley
L— — is doubtless by this time up to his
elbows in Algebra and Geometry and deeply
immersed in the mysteries of his hie haec
hoc. The engrossing Miss H. can no longer

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 23

monopolize the affections of her Charley —
they are divided between College tricks and
Minerva.

I have been up here a week now and have no
news. For the sake of friendship, enlighten me.
Some one charitably sent me a newspaper — but
it is the London Times, redolant of Sardinia and
the Ticino — but not a word about Philadelphia
or the Delaware.

Did Mr. Higginson stop over on his return
to New England, and play that proposed game
of cricket with the Philada. boys ? From the
soul with which he enters into Prisoner's Base,
I should judge he would be a competitor worthy
of one's steel at cricket.

If thee has fixed up no place to spend thy
vacation, I think thee would find it very pleasant
at Altoona and Cresson. Excursion tickets at
half price will shortly be issued I think, and I
hope thee will come up while I am here. I shall
remain at least two weeks longer.

Write to me whenever thee feels like sitting
down to pen, ink and paper. Thy letters are
always interesting and welcome.

Thine truly,

WILLIAM J. PALMER.

24 Letters, 1853-1868

Altoona, June 25th, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

Thy letter was duly received, on my return
from Mifflin to-day — and was perused with
pleasure. I should have been glad to have had
thee spend a few days with me on the Juniata
this summer, but as society is, I believe, in thy
estimation a standard necessity of enjoyment (and
it certainly is a very agreeable accompaniment to
any plan for pleasure) thee has perhaps chosen
more wisely, in selecting the pretty hills of
Montgomery and the level plains of Jersey for
the scene of thy summer vacation. I hope to
hear from thee frequently during the progress of
thy rambles — and trust that thee will have no
fear of going into details. — Always direct to
Altoona — from which point a letter will reach
me, wherever I may chance to be on the line.

I have a letter from Charley Lamborn now at
Ann Arbor, Michigan. His vacation comes off
about the jist after which he will immediately
come east. He spoke something of stopping
over at Philada. His letter encloses one from
Harry, chiefly however on business matters — and

I Wm. J. Palmer 25

only referring briefly to his life at Giessen, in con
nection with the experiments on coal and other
carbonaceous matters which he is prosecuting.

What a terrible thing this coal is — and how
many energies and thoughts it absorbs to the
detriment, I have no doubt thee will say, of more
important affairs. — However, if it is pardonable
in any one to bestow a little concern upon this
sooty substance, it surely is so in a Pennsylvanian.
The foundation of the material prosperity of our
State rests in a great measure thereupon — as any
Politician will tell thee, and as hundreds of Poli
ticians will busy themselves with telling thee over
and over again about this time a year hence, in
connection with the closely-allied theme of the
Presidential chair.

We have had a great meeting of the Masons
in Altoona — which has enlivened things and
particularly the Hotel - keeper, who has been
regretting that such a great mistake was made in
the construction of his house, as to leave it only
2 stories in height.

The particular grand Body which met here
was one started by a former Superintendent of
the Road and composed almost entirely of Rail
Road men. Col. Lombaert, the originator, was
here, for the first time since his resignation and

26 Letters, 1853-1868

had a happy day in revisiting his former associa
tions and shaking hands with his old men who
crowded around him in the shops. — Among a
host of others, conductors, etc., was Father Funk,
the Emigrant Agent of the Company — all the
way from Dock street. This is the gentleman
whose parental care of the unfortunate European
Israelites extends even to the shores of the old
world. His sympathy for the emigrants is so
wide that he must needs have a watchful eye on
them from the moment they leave "Maxwelton's
braes," or the banks of the Rhine, or Killarney.
Nor does his solicitude cease with their safe im
portation into New York. That same affectionate
interest which was displayed before they left the
Fatherland, is still manifested in their welfare.
Not even when they reach the quiet city of
rectangles does Mr. Funk's eye stray from his
charge — for there is a rival concern known as the
Catawissa Rail Road, — a great ogre who would
snatch the child of Europe from his fatherly grasp
were he to unloose it. It is only when he beholds
his children safely ensconced in the cars on Dock
street, and their tickets paid for to the great West,
that his responsibilities end. Then it is truly
wonderful how little interest he evinces in them
afterwards. They might be so much freight or live

Wm. J. Palmer 27

stock — they may be blown up, meet with colli
sions, drowned or burned on the Ohio, for all he
cares. In some respects it is shocking to think
of the sudden change in his attentions to these
immortal souls, after they leave that point of
space, Dock street. Daily the cars pass by
me on the Road, laden with them, all radiant
with hope that the golden West may fulfil their
expectations. But Father Funk is off to Europe
by deputy or letter, after a fresh lot — whom he
will put through the same mill and turn them
out in the shortest notice, approved Yankees —
and so the work goes on.

When I look at the man, and consider that
through his instrumentality, the fate and after-
history of so many souls is diametrically changed
from what it would have been, I am surprised at
the power of man over his fellow-creatures.

The Juniata, along which I daily travel, looks
more beautiful than ever now. It is one complete
vista of splendid and harmonious colors. From
the deck of the engine, I look out on it, as we
wind in and out of the rocky bays in the mountain.
One would suppose that these engine drivers and
stokers would insensibly have their tastes elevated
and refined by the contact with such beautiful
scenes, but I cannot see that such is the case.

28 Letters, 1853-1868

I shall be at home in about a week — when 1
hope to see thee — and at any rate, I shall call in
on Jim and thank him for the papers.

Thine truly,

WM. J. PALMER.

OFFICE
PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD COMPANY,

Philadelphia, July 7, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC:

I attended the Morphy meeting the other
evening, and am glad I did so, as the result
would very likely have been different from what
thee and I would desire for the credit of Phila
delphia chess players, and the rebuke of ungen-
tlemanly pretensions. The meeting passed by a
vote of 10 against 9 a Resolution calling upon
the Managing Committee to abolish itself, which
of course implies the refunding of the money and
the dropping of the entire affair. So ends the
proposed Philada. testimonial to the services of
Morphy. Thee will perceive that the vote was
very close, and I fear that if I had not been able
to attend, the question would not have been so
decided. It would have gone to the Chairman

Gen1 1. Wm. J. Palmer 29

with a tie vote — and I hardly think he was
prepared to go so far — being an undecided man
and apparently a lawyer, Jno. P. Montgomery.

The matter was argued very closely and there
were some good speeches made especially by
IVells for our view of the case. Thomas, Floyd,
Milligan and others spoke eloquently in behalf
of Morphy and against the " slight " proposed
to be offered to him, but common sense I am
happy to say, triumphed. The meeting occupied
three hours.

I have not time to write thee more fully in
relation to the subject. When I see thee, I will
give thee all the particulars.

I do not go to Altoona, and should be glad
to hear from thee at this address.

Pray, do not chase any more run-away nags for
Miss Manderson during thy stay in Delaware
County. It is too severe exercise for this warm
weather, and if thee should contract the heart
disease, just to reflect on the maidens who would
pine away by sympathy. Of them it shall be
written — "they did not tell their love," etc.

Give my respects to George and thy other
cousins and relatives, and write to

Thy friend truly,

WM.

30 Letters, 1853-1868

Altoona, July 2Oth, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC:

Thy interesting letter from Montgomery
County reached me before I left home — but it
is only now that I have been able to answer it.

I regretted very much to hear of thy illness —
which was not entirely unknown to me before
receiving thy letter ; as Charley Lamborn, who
dropped into our office on Wednesday or Thurs
day of last week informed me that the people at
your store had told him you were lying sick in
the country. I hope by this time the symptoms
have entirely disappeared, and left you with the
appetite of a convalescent. Once able to take
nourishing food, and you will pick up wonder
fully. But I am sorry that you lost so much of
your vacation.

I came up here last Monday by the fast train to
which was attached a special car for Mr. Thomson
and his family, etc. who were on their way to
Bedford. There were about ten in the party,
who enjoyed themselves in gazing out of the car
windows at the beautiful hills and valleys, the
stony and rugged mountains and the forests that

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 31

dotted the landscape more gracefully than art
could possibly have arranged them.

Yesterday, the whole party went up to Cresson
in my experimental train, where we partook of an
excellent dinner, rolled a couple of games of ten
pins, drank from a spring of mountain water as
pure and cold as I have ever tasted ; and then
like the King of France (having gone up the hill)
turned our faces eastward and came down again.
We stopped at the eastern portal of the tunnel,
and the ladies having succeeded in getting Mr.
Thomson's assent, mounted the locomotive,
where some stood beside the boiler and others
sat on the tank, and thus we descended the side
of old Allegheny getting a better view of his
many features than could be gained from any
other position on a train. This morning they
have gone over to Bedford via Huntingdon and
Hopewell — a distance of 91 miles from Altoona,
20 of which are by stage. There was one little
girl amongst them — a delicate, fragile little
bairnie " Lottie/' they call her, who is one
of the sweetest little girls I ever saw. She is a

daughter of Mr. F . Her mother died a

few years ago of consumption (I believe). Since
then she has lost a younger brother — while the
blue veins on her temples and the occasional

32 Letters, 1853-1868

gloom of sadness which passes over her fair face
warn you that she has inherited the delicate con
stitution of both her father and mother, and has
not many years to live. But while she lives, she
will be loved, as Eva was in Mrs. Stowe's story.
There is a sacredness about her girlish beauty
which makes all who see her wish they were
better and purer than they are. You know there
is another style of beauty, but you have undoubt
edly met with that to which I have referred, in
the course of your extensive acquaintance amongst
the ladies. Have you not? or is it rare, like all
of Heaven's blessings.

I have begun once more this morning in earnest
(yesterday was play day) at the Coal Burners —
and now for a week, I am doomed to be smoked
and sooted, and choked with Sulphuretted Hydro
gen and Carbonic Acid — between Altoona and the
tunnel and between Mifflin and Altoona. During
said week there will hardly be a dirtier person on
the Juniata than your humble scribe. A gentle
man to-day told me I looked rather " rough."
The adjective is altogether too moderate.

And now Isaac, I hope thou art well enough
to write and let me know what engages thy atten
tion and how thy health has improved. If weak
ness has supervened on the sudden and painful

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 33

sickness which thee dates from our pleasure of
the 4th of July and the Sunday previous, try to
get Friend Parrish to give thee an extension of
thy holidays — and come up to Cresson, where
health and strength are wafted from the swaying
boughs of the pine trees, and well-up in the
transparent springs of pure water. All the chil
dren on the Allegheny Mountain are Venuses and
Adonises — in my rides up and down the side of
it I see faces which no Painter would hesitate to
transmit to his canvas in connection with the
finest scenery of Allegrippus or Kittanning. What
is this due to — what but the fresh, invigorating
mountain air in which they roam about hatless
and bonnetless, and the unsurpassable water?
And above all when you write do not forget to
mention the latest Idol that you worship, the last
daughter of Eve, in whom your soul has seen
written perfection.
Write soon.

Your friend,

W. J. P.

34 Letters, 1853-1868

Altoona, July 24th, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

Your letter informing me of your convalescence
was received this morning and perused with much
interest. The Humorist, Hood, used to say that
no man could be essentially bad, who was often
sick. You will no doubt agree with him that the
thoughtfulness created by a painful or severe ill
ness has a mellowing and humanizing influence
upon the character, which tends to make the man
more conscientious and less reckless in his actions.
I think, in accordance with this theory, that per
haps either you or me — sinners as we are — might
be washed comparatively white were we occasion
ally to lounge without our coats on a warm
Sunday or take 4th of July excursions on the
banks of the Wissahickon. There may be some
thing in Hood's fancy — but I fear the effect of
such solemnizing, like that of attending Revival
meetings, is very transient — and only lasts as long
as the sickness. You, for instance, although but
recently well of a dangerous disease, instead of
writing to me in a sober and devotional style as
becomes one of Hood's Christians, have exhibited

3flAWAJ3d ,5l

• .1 'i ,j'/3;) 'iO HDA

?4 Letters, 1353 - ISM

July 24th, 1859.

O EA R 1 SA.4t% I

Your letter informing mr of vour convalescence

«-us^d with much

iiif-ritaf. The Humor**. -M;ii to say that

man could he esscn^ *-** often

You will no douiv .«,.• Wt the

thoughtful ness created hv ;< , '-<:^ iil-

n«-»s HAS a mellowing and hu?

KINSALE, NEAR DOVER, DELAWARE

more conscientious and less reckless in his actions.

BIRTHPLACE OF GEN'L PALMER

haps either you or me— Mnnrr* »<•- w *M might
he was1".*'-'! *-»-r we occasion

ally to ioun^r coats on a warm

Sunday -^r nk?: 4.rS <-t Jui\ excursions on the
hanks of' the Wiw*hickori. There may he some
thing in H -\>d s fancy — but I fear the erlec* of
such solemrn/ing, i;ke that of attending Kevivai
meetings, '>•? very Transient — and only lasts as lone
as the sickness. You, for instance, although Kit
recently well of a dangerous disease, inttead of
writing to me in a sober and devotion A sfyit as
> one of Hood's Christians, havr exhibited

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 35

so much of the old Adam in your letter that I had a
merry laugh over it for at least five minutes. What
right have you. Sir, to seize hold of my words in
that barbarous manner, and retort upon me with
such Turkish ferocity. Can't one ask you a
civil question without being drawn and quartered ?

I was hoping that the state of your health
would require a trip to the Alleghenies, by which
I would have some company here — but it is now
manifest to me that you have stopped your pills
and discharged your Physician. It is a pity too;
as the scenery continues to remain of unabated
magnificence, and the weather is cool and invig
orating. I do not know how much longer I shall
stay here, but it will be a week at least. I am
very much obliged for the "Press," from which I
have derived much profit and amusement this
sweet Sunday morning in reading the letters
from the Watering places, and the discussions
in regard to Sunday travel.

You must not let the Morphy protest die
by inanition — but keep a sharp lookout on the
different members of the Committee as they
return to the city and take a decided move at the
earliest moment. I was anticipating some such
difficulty in the way of carrying out the close
resolution of the subscribers as that you mention.

36 Letters, 1853-1868

You desire me to tell you what is new about
Altoona. Suppose I do. Engine "156 " has been
fitted up with a fire brick deflector, and on being
tried up the mountain yesterday, performed with
great satisfaction. Her bonnet and spark-arrestor
having been taken off her, she ran with a straight
stack, and made steam much more freely with a
3 % nozzle than she did before with one of 3 ^
of an inch. This, of course, was extremely sat
isfactory — so also was the fact of her producing
very little smoke and an inconsiderable amount
of dirt, although using the gaseous Pittsburgh
coal. Mike, the engineer, was of the opinion that
she would bear a 4 inch nozzle — But on the trial
being renewed in the afternoon, with Broad Gap
Coa\, it was found impossible to sustain the
pressure. From some unaccountable cause, either
bad firing, or the character of the fuel, the steam
sank down and down, until it reached 75 Ibs. and
it was feared that we would come to a halt. This
was all the more vexatious, as we had Mr. Scott
the Superintendent along, with two young ladies,
who as they rode on the locomotive, could see
everything that was going on. Moreover, in con
sequence of this great reduction in the draught
of the engine, much more smoke was produced,
and the ladies had their pretty faces tolerably well

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 37

blacked — while the Superintendent was kept
pretty busy with his fingers pulling the upper lid
of his eye over the lower, to remove sparks.
When they got off at the Tunnel (to descend in
a hand car), the party looked very much as if a
dexterous Bootblack had been maneuvering with
his brush over their countenances.

I could tell you that 207 is having Gill's im
provement applied to her ; and that the variable
exhaust on 114 is doing well, and has already
saved, the engineer estimates, a half cord of wood
in the round trip ; and that the new turn-table in
the Round House is finished, and works to a
charm — and that the Vandevender Bridge has
only her piers half-way up although the Boiler
makers finished the trusses some time ago — but I
feel doubtful whether these things will interest
you. Nevertheless they form the staple of the
conversation here, and as a faithful correspon
dent, I must depict things as they are — not as we
would have them.

If you want to learn here what any one thinks
of the Patent Brake, you can quickly get it. But
if you want to know what is thought of the last
article of the " Autocrat,'' you will have consider
able difficulty. — By the way, if you have read it,
tell me what you think of it when you write.

38 Letters, 1853-1868

Charley Lamborn, I presume will be kept
pretty busy at the crops for some time after his
return. Neither the attractions of the city, nor
the encouraging smiles of the Chester County
girls, will be able to allure him from his rustic
seclusion. There was a friend of Will Cox's
here the other day, and we had some talk about
the " Athens of America." His name is Speak-
man ; probably you know him also.

Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain

Very truly your friend,

WM. J. PALMER.

Altoona, Augt. 9th, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

I received thy letter of yesterday, on returning
this evening from Mifflin. I would say, accept
Mr. Curtis' offer — making the time the first week
in December, with no intervening lecture by him
in Philada. after that for the charitable association
he names.

Thee might state in writing to him, that we do
not think that with the lapse of a month, his
name would be any the less acceptable to a
Philada. audience in consequence of his previous
lectures.

Gen* I Wm. J. Palmer 39

I expect to be in Philada. on Friday morning,
but lest something should occur to detain me,
please write me anything else that may come to
thy knowledge in relation to this business, send
ing it not later than 1 1 o'clock A. M., on Thurs
day, by our train from nth & Market, care of
T. A. Scott.

Truly thine,

W. J. PALMER.

OFFICE
PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD COMPANY,

Philada. Aug. 17, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

I came down late this morning, having been
sick and somewhat doubtful until the 10 o'clock
train as to the propriety of coming to town
to-day.

I find on my desk your favor enclosing letter
prepared for Bayard Taylor, which I have signed
— and Curtis' manly and honorable note. Of
course we will reply, that we have no special anti-
slavery object in view, and that we will pay him
the fiftv. Thee had better write him to that

40 Letters, 1853-1868

effect at once. Of course there is no objection
to the topic which he alludes to.

If we get both Curtis and Bayard, we have a
splendid beginning — and must look out for some
one to complete the trio. Wendell Phillips has
been making himself so famous with his scathing
Junius-like letter to the high Dignitaries in Mas
sachusetts, that I am more and more inclined to
have him. If he won't accept, how will Starr
King do ?

I regret that my sickness will prevent me from
going to Riverton with thee this evening.

Truly,

W. J. P.

Aug. 19, 1859.
DR. ISAAC :

I came in town to-day and called at your store,
but thee was out. I think before going to New
York, it would be well to call at the Musical
Fund Hall and ascertain in regard to negroes —
also at Concert Hall in regard to the time that
Hall is let to the Fair people. Also on the Fair
people to see if it would be practicable for them
to vacate their room for one night. With these

' I Wm. J. Palmer 41

data, thee could, if thee could find time, call on
Curtis while in New York and endeavor to fix
the precise week for his lecture.

Tell Beecher we want to get up an anti-slavery
or at least a liberal course — that we have secured
Curtis and want Phillips and himself to complete
the trio. That the effect would be beneficial on
the minds of citizens of Philada. &c.

Thine truly,

WM. J. P.

If thee knows any one who could introduce
thee by letter to Beecher it would be better.
Try Lucretia Mott.

DR. ISAAC :

I have thought of a good name for our pro
posed course of lectures (of course it ought to
have a name and a distinctive one — or we should
get confounded with the other Concerns).

If thee likes the name of " The Young Men's
Liberal or the Philada. Liberal Course of Lec
tures" use it in thy negotiations at New York.

If thee sees Chapin, tell him our object is to
get up a course of liberal lectures in Philada. —

42 Letters, 1853-1868

that we have engaged Curtis, and that our main
purpose is to liberalize. — But I forbear. Don't
forget about the evidences of our good faith and
responsibility.

Very truly thine,

W. J. P.

St. Louis, Planters House,

Sep. I4th, 1859.
DEAR ISAAC :

Thy interesting letter was duly received last
evening. I reached here last Saturday, having
stopped on my way from the East, at Columbus,
Cincinnati, and Louisville long enough to take a
peep at the streets and inhabitants of those cities.
From Cincinnati, I of course, came by the Ohio
& Mississippi Rail Road. It is one of the pleas-
antest Roads in the Western country. If Dickens
comes out to St. Louis, I think he will insert a
special chapter of astonishment in his forthcom
ing "American Notes," at the energy and daring
which has constructed a Road 340 miles long
through a comparatively uninhabited expanse
like this. Of course the Ohio & Miss, cannot
compare in engineering obstacles with our

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 43

Pennsylvania Roads, but then we expect greater
things from the East.

The newness of everything out here, is what
prepares us for astonishment. When we see
structures of such magnitude in the prairies and
forests of Indiana and Illinois, it is just as if
the aboriginal savages had joined and put up a
St. Paul's Cathedral in the swamps of Cairo.

I had a most interesting expedition on Sunday
and Monday last. In company with a young
gentleman of St. Charles, Mr. Cunningham, I
rode over to the point at the junction of the
Mississippi and Missouri Rivers to examine Mr.
Thomson's land. It is an immense belt of over
3000 acres running across the neck from one
river to the other, close to where they unite.
We had to ride 20 miles across the prairie before
reaching it. The soil was a black mould as rich
as the Delta of the Nile — and like it, subject to
annual overflow, and every seven years, to the
"great rise" which does not leave very much of
it visible except to the mermaids (if there are any
in such muddy waters) — or at least to the alligator-
garfish. A nephew of Mr. Thomson's came out
to report on the property, last spring was a year.
He was rowed over the tract in a boat, and by
soundings, assured himself that the property was

44 Letters, 1853-1868

beneath. He left with the opinion that the water-
privileges were undeniable. On the occasion of
my visit, however, the water was low — and I had
visual demonstration of the existence of the tract,
as far as the dense forests of magnificent trees
would permit. The inhabitants of the " Point "
are not such as one would choose for neighbors,
if selecting a site for a country residence. I am
afraid they would not pass muster at Germantown
or Staten Island. The isolated situation of the
neck, its liability to overflows, and to fever and
ague, and the uncertainty of the titles of most of
the land, have created a prejudice against it — and
it has been passed by, by decent settlers, although
it is within 25 miles of St. Louis, and immedi
ately opposite Alton.

It has consequently been peopled (at the rate
perhaps, of one man to every ten thousand trees)
by thieves and scoundrels — some of whom would
esteem it a happiness to be able to rid you of
your purse, at the small risk of taking your life.
Mr. Cunningham carried his Colt's revolvers
in a belt around his waist — otherwise there
were some of Mr. Thomson's tenants (don't
imagine that they ever paid any rent or that
Mr. T. was ever aware of their relationship
to him), whom I should much have preferred

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 45

regarding from the bluffs of Illinois across the
River, than to visit them in their own eligible
mansions.

We did not go quite down to the forks, but
we took dinner with the man whose farm extended
to the point of union. Our dinner by the way
consisted of crackers and cheese with a dessert of
peaches, eaten in the log store of this gentleman.
Bread was a luxury not to be thought of. I took
especial interest in Mr. Perkinson, our Landlord.
It was something to be the owner in fee simple,
of the angular deposit that divides the largest
river on this Continent or in the world, from the
next largest. The individual that could boast of
this distinction was an old man with silvery locks,
a face yellow with exposure and with continued
attacks of the " ager," and of a quiet assured
manner and slow, slightly tremulous voice. He
would not take any remuneration for his proven
der, and we left pleased with his hospitality, and
with finding a human being that was too high-
toned to skin us. He told us, on our inquiring
the character of some of his neighbors (tenants
of Mr. Thomson), that he did not associate with
them. Bless the old man's aristocracy. He
was a gentleman of the " Point," by a patent of
nobility issued by Nature.

46 Letters, 1853-1868

Well we got belated that night, as we were
returning, by one of our horses foundering, and
were obliged to put up all night at a little cabin
in the woods, where the children had the " dumb
ager " — and the grown people the more ordinary
type of this disease. In fact, everybody on the
point was enjoying this malady at the time of our
visit — including the whole town of " Portage des
Sioux." When we asked a man how he was, the
usual reply was — " Oh pooty well — only a little
ager that has weakened me a little." If we asked
one of our witnesses if he would be up at the trial
he answered, Yes, he expected to, if his ager would
let him. And the woman would apologize for
their cooking by telling us that they " were down
all day yesterday with a fit of the ague." The
following conversation passed, as we passed a
native on the Road — Mr. Cunningham — " Hallo,

Mr. how do you do — how are you

all over at Portage (an adjacent town) — all
well ? " The gentleman addressed — " No — we're
all sick." The sickness was the inevitable ager.
Between thee and me, Isaac, I wouldn't live
a year on Mr. Thomson's big tract, if the
Bonus was a gold piece under each tree. But
Western people look at these things in a
different light.

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 47

After this expedition, I am persuaded that
" Eden " was not situated at Cairo, but at the
forks of the Mississippi and Missouri. I could
fancy that it would be some credit to a man to
" be jolly," in a location like this.

I returned the next morning to St. Louis in a
sail boat, 30 miles distant on the " Father of
Waters." We passed the mouth of a river whose
waters had rolled 3000 miles from their source,
and had yet to flow a thousand more before reach
ing the sea. I go from here to Keokuk to-morrow,
and expect to be in Philadelphia early next week,
when we will talk about the Lectures.

W. J. PALMER.

Philadelphia, Apr. 7, 1860.
DEAR ISAAC :

I must beg a thousand pardons for having dis
appointed thee last evening.

I found, however, that after delays at the stable
which I had not anticipated, I reached home too
late to permit me to return by the 7 o'clock train.
I should have come by the Passenger cars as a
last resort, but on a close calculation found that

48 Letters, 1853-1868

they would not put me at Arch St. Wharf by
8.15 P.M. — unless it proved to be an exceptional
case, while there would of course be no time
to fulfill the engagement I made to call on thee.
I would after all have come in town and seen
thee — but that Father desired me to accompany
him on a little matter of business.

Thine in haste,

WILLIAM J. PALMER.

OFFICE
PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD COMPANY,

Philadelphia, Augt. 2, 1861.
DEAR ISAAC :

Your pleasant note in pencil from the shore
was reed, this morning.

I am glad to hear that you have such agreeable
quarters — but regret exceedingly for your sake,
that those young ladies should have beat a
retreat so early. Is there any chance of their
rallying and returning to the scene of action
after they have had time to rest and reflect on

Gen'l Wm. J. Palmer 49

the impropriety of the stampede ? Perhaps they
willy with re-inforcements.

I should indeed like to run down to the beach
on Saturday and sniff some of the salt breezes, —
particularly as you are there — but I do not see at
present how I can manage to do so. In any event,
I could only remain over Sunday, as Mr. J. E.
Thomson leaves here this afternoon for a ten
days vacation at the same place.

I suppose you have lost all interest in the
Republic since you reached Atlantic City — news
papers you probably consider as part of the town
vanities which you have temporarily renounced.
As the ocean and the sky still obey the everlast
ing laws of Nature, you no doubt find it difficult
to realize that Governments should be flying from
their orbits. This is certainly a blissful state of
mind and one well calculated to recruit the body
and brain. How Gen. Scott or Gen. McDowell
would have relished such repose after the Battle
of Bull Run — if there had been no danger to the
Capitol.

Tell Mr. Lamborn that Harry left here on
Tuesday night for Altoona, where he will be
hereafter stationed. Charley is at Annapolis.

Their Regiment is guarding the Branch Road.
Col. Biddle's Regiment (the Wild Cat Boys)

50 Letters, 1853-1868

has returned to Harrisburgh from Cumberland
and will be sent imm'y. to reinforce Gen. Banks.
You will remember that the Kennett Square
Boys under Capt. Fred. Taylor are in this
Regiment.

I suppose you have Ed. Lewis at Atlantic also.
If so give him my respects.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

OFFICE
PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD COMPANY,

Philadelphia, Nov. jrd, 1861.
DEAR ISAAC :

Your letter reached me at Carlisle. I was
much pleased to hear from you. I have been
in Philada. for a few days past, but have been
so steadily engaged in efforts to facilitate the
equipment of our Company, as to be unable to
see any of my friends. I believe, I at last see
daylight in regard to arms — and expect to have
pistols and sabres at " Camp Kentucky " by
Wednesday next.

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 51

It is needless for me to say that I shall
always be glad to hear from you wherever I
am — but particularly when I get out to Ken
tucky, and become actively engaged in the
Campaign. I shall no doubt have frequent
opportunities of writing to you — if not, pray
do not let that prevent you from letting me
hear how you are and what your views are con
cerning daily events, whenever it is agreeable to
you to write.

Come up and pay us a visit at Camp Kentucky
before we leave.

My regards to Ed. Lewis.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Camp Buell,

Louisville, Dec. 19/61.
MY DEAR ISAAC:

I reed, your note as we were on the point of
leaving Carlisle the last of November, and avail
myself of this as the first opportunity of briefly
replying to it.

52 Letters, 1853-1868

I wish you could occupy for a half-hour a camp
stool in my tent this splendid December after
noon and observe the scene which engages my
eye as I lift it from this paper. There is nothing
particularly striking about it — it is a view com
mon enough nowadays. But it would lead you
as it has me this afternoon into a train of thought
which is not bounded by the picket rope with its
five score horses on the right, nor the neat line
of Sibley tents on the left — nor the guard tent in
the foreground — nor even by the cloudless Ken
tucky sky which bounds the vision.

What does all this mean — what am I doing
out here in Kentucky who so lately was proud
to account myself an established denizen of the
Quaker city? Why are these horses tied up to
that picket rope where they paw and pull at their
halters, and crowd up against each other and kick
and bite when they are not eating their oats or
hay — in place of being warmly stabled this winter
weather — and why are bricks and mortar replaced
by canvas in that line of habitations for human
beings ?

Alas ! the answer to these questions is a solu
tion of the great enigma of American History —
and one might ponder on it for a day and find
himself no less in a maze than at the start.

Gerfl Wm. J. Palmer 53

You no doubt must think that I should have
abundant leisure, to be able to indulge in such
speculations as these. But the truth is to-day
has been a sort of little epoch for us — a review
and inspection, with every man and all his effects
on horseback, and the tents as empty as before
we covered the ground with our white wigwams —
an experiment to put every man in marching con
dition, and to satisfy the Inspector Gen'l. of this
Department, Major Buford that we were to a cer
tain extent soldiers and not a mere picnicing party,
and this afternoon the ceremony being over and
the men busily occupied in replacing their ward
robes in their tents, I caught myself in a reverie —
thinking about old times and old friends and the
change to present times and present things. So
I naturally came to recall your unanswered let
ter, and concluded to make good the deficiency
although you would no doubt have preferred that
,1 should have given you a few facts in regard to
our condition, occupation, &c. But when I think
of facts, so many come crowding on my mind,
that I hesitate and prefer to give you my good
friend a few fancies. Please write, and remember

me to all friends.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

54 Letters, 1853-1868

Camp Buell,

Louisville, Jany. 10/62.
DEAR ISAAC:

I read with a great deal of pleasure your letter
of the last day of the old year.

I wish I could answer it at length, but you
promised you know, to excuse brevity. Will
you also graciously include in your forgiveness
the scrap of paper upon which this is written.
It was not intended to be in mourning but our
Quarter Master brought it from Louisville in a
wagon along with the ink, and on the route the
ink seceded considerably to the detriment of the
paper. However, the effect is not altogether dis
pleasing, and if you please, you can imagine me
in sackcloth and ashes mourning for all my friends,
from whom I am compelled to be absent.

To morrow we leave here, or at least expect to,
bound South by sou-west — but where we shall
next pitch our canvas houses, I do not know.
Such is one of the prerogatives of being a soldier.
When a man is in the Dry Goods or Railroad
business, he has a faint impression that to

Gen" I Wm. J. Palmer 55

morrow he will be in some particular locality.
But a soldier only knows that he will be where
the orders may direct him to go to — if he can get
there. There is one other thing, I believe deter
mined upon, viz that wherever Gen'l Buell goes,
there will we go also. If this rule takes us to
Nashville within a month or two, all I can say
it's a place I have never visited before, and never
expected to visit in such good company.

Write to me frequently, and direct as hereto
fore — Your letters will be forwarded to wherever
we may be.

Remember me to any friends — and when that
speck of war with England enlarges into actual
conflict (if it should), and camps in this country
become even more numerous than they are,
remember there is a berth for you in the Ander
son Troop to fight either negro-driving secession
ists or cotton-crazed Englishmen.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

In answer to your question I have the honor
to inform you that at present I am Captain of
the Troop.

56 Letters, 1853-1868

Up the Cumberland,

Feb. 26/62.
DEAR ISAAC :

As I expect to be pretty busy after reaching
Nashville, I have concluded to put in the time
aboard this fine boat, or that portion of it not
occupied with military duties, or in viewing the
sunken forests that line this river, in replying to
the unanswered letters of my friends. We left
Louisville on Monday with the General's staff,
and should by this time have been very near
Nashville, but for the necessity of laying up to
coal at one point and at another to avoid the
dangers from drift and snags attending a night
voyage on this swollen stream. The Cumber
land is now higher than it has been for probably
a dozen years, and is navigable for over 400
miles. Nearly all the houses along its banks are
immersed — the people having scows moored to
their porches ready to embark for the back coun
try should the deluge increase, also for the pur
pose of communicating with and receiving their
necessary supplies from terra firma. They nearly

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 57

all cheer us, and the women wave their handker
chiefs at us as we pass — sometimes close enough
almost to look down their chimneys — We have
not yet, it is true, been invited to " a ball " by
these aborigines — but this little omission we con
ceive to be due to the fact that they have no
foundation solid enough for a cotillion party
within a convenient distance and therefore will
ingly excuse them.

I feel puzzled to know how the Nashville peo
ple are going to receive us — whether as if they
had determined to make the best of a bad bar
gain — with a sort of constrained civility — or
morosely and sullenly as men whose pride had
reached a deep mortification but whose interest
and the force of circumstances had forced them
to bear the result, or with a quiet and humble joy
as a penitent child would greet the father who had
been compelled to punish it but with whom it had
now made its peace — or lastly with loud exulta
tion and noisy demonstrations of loyal feeling long
repressed but now breaking irresistibly through
the floodgates sweeping them to oblivion. Per
haps we may have a mixture of all these. But
the deep genuine happiness which the arrival of
our army will confer upon those sincere Union
hearts whose faith has never wavered — who have

58 Letters, 1853-1868

steadily adhered to the despised cause amidst per
secution, doubts, Bull Run victories and all man
ner of discouragements — the joy of these faithful
souls will compensate us for all lack of welcome
on the part of the rest.

But after I have been in the Tennessee Capitol
long enough to find out I will write and let you
know all about it. I can then also tell you how
the ladies behave — a matter which must always
be fraught with interest to a young bachelor like
yourself. My regards to Ed. Lewis, Jas. Parrish
and any of my friends you may meet.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Scott Barracks, Nashville, Tenn.

March i6th, '62.
MY DEAR ISAAC :

Your very agreeable letter of the 8th inst.,
reached me as soon after it was written as we
expect the mails to reach us here.

I am glad to learn that your business is moving
along so prosperously. If you can stem the

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 59

current at all now, the flood tide which will follow
the successful closing of this war, will certainly
lead you on to fortune. You know what I
prophesied for Ned Lewis and yourself when
you embarked on your business career. I am
very happy to learn that the result of your first
year's trial has exceeded your expectations.

We are still quartered at the Hotel which we
invaded the first night of our arrival in Nashville.
We do not trouble the honest Landlord with
attending to our personal comfort — but have
allotted his good wife and himself one room,
which experience in the field — twelve men to a
tent — has satisfied us is ample for two rebels.
The old fellow behaves very well however, and
the other day presented me with some sweet
potatoes from his farm in the country — which
were quite an addition to our pork, beans and
crackers. He has confessed that the Yankee
soldiers are a great deal better behaved than
those of the Confederacy, and that he never had
any particular fault to find with the "old Union."

We haven't many friends in the "City of
rocks," as they call Nashville — our staunchest
and most reliable ones are those of the despised
race. The negroes here fairly and fully realize
the situation. They come into me every day to

60 Letters, 1853-1868

inform of concealed rebel soldiers or contraband
supplies hidden away in town. Our Troop is at
this moment indebted to one for being on full
allowance of forage for its horses — instead of
half commons. He informed me of a large lot of
Confederate corn concealed at a livery stable. I
got authority to seize it, and in the course of a
morning, wagoned away ten or twelve days sup
ply for our Company. The other day a mulatto
washerwoman came in to report some Alabama
soldiers concealed at a rich man's house on
Spruce St. They were found and two of them
seized — the others were too sick to remove —
These colored people give us this information
solely from the love of the thing and because
they desire in every possible way to confound the
rebels. The information is frequently given at
the risk of detection and punishment hereafter.
"You Northern people have some heart," the
mulatto washerwoman said when she called to
inform me of the concealed rebel soldiers.
"You's different from our people — they haven't
got any heart, at all." — Better wait my good
woman and see the sequel before putting your
whole trust in the Northman.

Since I began this letter this afternoon, I have
met in the course of a tour of duty a sister and

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 61

niece of Gen'l. Pillow who reside in a fine man
sion some five miles South of Nashville. The
young lady invited me into an adjoining parlor
to shew me a portrait of her Uncle, whom
she thought a particularly handsome man and
as brave as he was handsome. "I see," she
remarked "some of the papers are trying to
make it out that he basely deserted his command
at Fort Donelson." It's all false — Gen'l. Pillow
is incapable of cowardice."

I like to see faith strongly developed in a
young lady — it's the foundation of a great many
good qualities.

Miss Narcissa stated they had been advised
to fly by all their friends, before our army
arrived, but had ventured to remain. I presume
her Uncle at the last moment told them the
truth in regard to the United States officers and
Army — that they were not gorillas or anthro
pophagi or Marshal Haynaus and advised his
sister's family to remain.

There was a younger sister of Miss Narcissa,
an original artless little creature who said in the
course of the conversation, she was such a poor
shot, she did not believe she could hit one of us
two paces off, if she had a pistol. I asked her if
I should give her one and stand two paces off,

62 Letters, 1853-1868

whether she would fire. "Oh yes, she said —
that she would — but she was sure she couldn't
hit me/'

I was much interested by the visit. You must
not think however, that we poor soldiers have
many relaxations of this sort. This morning
in church, however, I was quite amused. As I
entered, a little girl three or four pews ahead,
as soon as she caught sight of " them buttons "
commenced making the most singular faces at me
that I ever remember to have seen. One might
have supposed that she had the jumping tooth
ache with all the other facial complaints under
aggravated circumstances. It was quite in place
with the sermon, however, for the parson who
was a Presbyterian, prayed with much fervor
for "their Excellencies the President and Vice
President of these Confederate States." I felt
very much inclined to exclaim "d — n traitors,"
both of them," — but Gen'l. Buell's policy does
not admit of such liberties.

We shall probably leave here before another
Sunday in the direction of Decatur or elsewhere.
I shall always be glad to hear from you (letters
will be duly forwarded from Nashville) but do
not expect as long a letter as this again. I
have been betrayed into "many words" from

I Wm. J. Palmer 63

the necessity of going through with what I had
begun to tell.

Please keep me out of the papers. I have
no objection to what you sent me — but I do
not ever want to be on my guard in writing

to you.

Yours,

W. J. P.

Direct via Nashville,

Camp near Huntsville, Ala.

July 5th, 1862.
MY DEAR ISAAC :

Your letter of June reached me at our camp
near Florence, a place you will remember as having
been visited by our gun boats on the Tennessee
River immediately after the capture of Fort
Henry. It seemed like romance then to hear of
our soldiers being actually in the cotton states —
but now it is nothing wonderful, and the Anderson
Troop has scouted all about there within the last
fortnight, while some of us have been far into the
interior — almost a day's march South from the
United States lines. The marines on that early

64 Letters, 1853-1868

gun-boat must have been very credulous indeed,
for we could not find or hear of but two Union
men in Florence, and one of those was arrested by
his neighbors and sent to jail as soon as the stern
of our gunboat was turned down stream — and
was only released therefrom by Gen. Mitchell's
forces when they paid a visit here from Huntsville
last April. The charge against the poor fellow
was not Unionism of course, but stealing — -just as
the kidnappers on the track of some poor fugi
tive — get their warrant out for burglary and not a
black skin. In a word the unanimity for the Rich
mond conspiracy is about as great in that North
Western corner of Alabama as it is in Chester
County for the United States Government. One
planter who has just had 50 Bales of cotton
($2,500) burned for him by some Cavalry, who
had dashed into our lines from Beauregard's
army, told me he "wished to God they'd com
promise this business," meaning the War. I
looked at him very seriously, as one would look
in the face of a little boy whom it was necessary
to reprove for getting off a good joke in Friends'
Meeting, and told him there could be no com
promise, — when the men who are in arms
against the Government laid down those arms,
the war would end of itself, and not before. —

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 65

Another Planter in the same rich valley, whose
gin with 40 or 50 bales of cotton had been
destroyed in the same foray, acknowledged that it
made him feel rather "wolfish" — and seemed to
think he would like to have a " hand in the
business himself," whenever he considered that
patriotism demanded an immolation of that
sort of property. But at the same time it did
not make a Union man of him by a long shot.
On the contrary, I think he was rather more
of a Secesh if anything, in consequence of this
manifestation of the vitality and daring of the
Confederate troops, and their ability to punish
backsliders. Another saintly looking fellow with
whom we stopped over night on one occasion —
who did not own any land, but who had bought
his cotton on speculation, besides having some
in store, belonging to poor people back in the
mountains — lost all he had, and the poor peoples'
also — some 8000 dollars worth. I asked with
some degree of inward exultation how it " made
him feel " — expecting a very savage analysis of
his sentiments. But the sly old fellow replied,
as meek as Moses — " It makes me feel — very
poo-o-or." If he hadn't looked so very innocent,
I should have felt inclined to sabre him, for
letting me down so suddenly. This magnanimous

66 Letters, 1853-1868

individual who bore no malice against those who
had stolen down in the night and in half an hour
destroyed his little fortune, lived on the great
" Dixon " Estate of 3000 acres — near Buzzard
Roost — in a house rented of the hundred-negro-
owning Landlord, Mr. Dixon. Dixon's son is a
Lieutenant in the rebel army. — "They wanted to
make him Colonel," said George, a faithful servant
on the plantation — " but he said he didn't list for
the position — so he went in the ranks." If so, I
expect he wishes he was out of them — for he must
be pretty well tired of being trotted from swamp
to swamp in old Mississippi, and long to be back
at his delightful Alabama home, supplied as it
is, with every comfort and with negroes enough
to execute every wish almost before he could
anticipate it.

George was one of those few bondmen that one
would not care to see free; a sort of Uncle Tom
before leaving the Kentucky plantation — a steady,
faithful old fellow whom his master would trust
with the key to his bank — a practical, intelligent,
sober-minded, clear-headed steward, who could
see the path of duty in his humble sphere as well
as any of his pale-faced masters in theirs and was
more disposed to walk in it than they. George
had charge of all the forage on his master's

Gen* I Wm. J. Palmer 67

plantation, and I bought the corn of him to feed
the horses of our squad. He could neither read
nor write, but he ran up in his head what the corn
came to, sooner than I could. I feel tolerably
certain that all the money I gave him went into
the pocket of Massa Dixon — who by the way
was scouting around somewhere in the woods
afraid to come home by reason of a bad con
science while loyal soldiers were in the valley.
George was as happy as any old and near friend
of the family could be to hear that I was ac
quainted with Mr. Collins of Pennsylvania — a
railroad man who had built a big bridge on the
Memphis & Charleston Road near by, and who
lived with the Dixons while here and was held in
high esteem by them. They had even paid him
a visit at Philada. George had picked up a few
military words — which he thought he was in duty
bound to use to soldiers. So when I bade him
good bye he said — " I shall report you, Captain,
to my young Massa (the Lieutenant aforesaid)
as a friend of Mr. Collins." I did not inter
dict him — but I thought to myself it would
no doubt be more consonant with his " young
Massa's " views, as it would with mine, to pay
our compliments to each other in person on
another field.

68 Letters, 1853-1868

But would you upset the quiet cheerful course
of George's busy and self-respectful life — even to
make him free? I don't think I would like to
try the experiment — at least until his " old Massa"
should get hard up and be compelled to sell him,
or until his "young Massa" should gamble him
away in some spree or stock speculation.

I am surprised at the intelligence and shrewd
ness of the negroes away down here in the cotton
States, the inner dungeon of the great African
prison house. Their quiet wit would not dis
grace the " pisentry of ould Ireland." You meet
everywhere big, greasy fellows black as the ace of
spades who answer you promptly and to the point
— while a great many of the Whites are muddy-
headed and slow. In casting about for a reason
for this, I could only ascribe it ist — to labor —
they do all the work, and work is a great educator,
2nd — to greater social contact — just as men are
ordinarily brighter in cities than in the country —
there are more of them and they rub together,
exciting and communicating the electricity of
thought.

Lieut. Rosengarten and I were taking a ride
near Tuscumbia the other day when we met a
negro, whose wife had been sold away somewhere,
and who had to take care of his children himself

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 69

between the hours of labor. It was Saturday
afternoon, and he was half way on a walk of
seven miles to see them, carrying on his arm a
basket of gingerbread which he had baked him
self for them. We asked him how he liked to
be in bonds. He said he did not like it and he
did not think the Good Lord ever intended it
for any of his children. " But," said I, " don't
the Scriptures say — " By the sweat of thy brow
thou shalt earn thy bread ? " " Yes," he said
with energy, " but the Scriptures don't say that
Massa shall earn his bread by the sweat of my
brow." Sure enough Cuffee ! it can't well be
reconciled.

When we first came into this valley from the
Corinthian woods, the negroes crowded in groups
to the fences to see the soldiers march by. The
Anderson Troopers were so happy at being once
more able to " see a long ways," after having
been penned up for two months in the aboriginal
forests and swamps of Mississippi and Tennessee,
that they set up Dixie and other songs, as they
marched along, greatly to the delectation of the
Africans. One happy looking dog showed his
ivory from ear to ear, as our boys rolled out " I
wish I was in Dixie," and then vented himself
— "Well, here ye is" — as much as to say —

70 Letters, 1853-1868

You've been wishing you were in Dixie for a
good while — they told this dark you'd never get
here — but it seems to be a mistake, from all
appearances — and he yah yahed at his Massa's
disappointment, until we all joined in out of
sympathy.

I have run on so long with these yarns, that I
have not retained enough room on my paper to
thank you for your generous, patriotic, energetic,
and successful exertions to fill up the thinned
ranks of my Company. But it makes no differ
ence. I could not thank you sufficiently if I had
a whole sheet at disposal. I might as well fail
with six lines therefore as with a greater number.
I had no idea whatever of the difficulties you
were encountering — but I appreciated all when
you mentioned the character of the first one. I
had some taste of the fruit last fall while organiz
ing the Co., but I had at least, an official and
recognized position, while you had nothing but a
stout heart, unconquerable perseverance, a mind
quick to expedients, and energy that scattered all
opposition to the winds. It is one thing to have
a friend who can chat away the hours of peace
and leisure with you in agreeable, but idle society
— but quite another to have a friend who puts
his shoulder to the wheel for you at the moment

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 71

of rugged and earnest labor, and lends you his
intelligence, his wisdom and energy to bridge
over some gap in the path to success and honor.
Remember me to all our friends.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Burnett House,

Cincinnati, O., Feb. 4/63.
DEAR ISAAC:

I stopped here over a train to see Gen. Buell.
He is attending the Court of Inquiry in his case,
which is dragging its slow length along in this
city.

The Genl. looks well and was glad to see me.

Isaac, I wish you would write to me frequently
and without waiting for an equivalent. I will
write whenever an opportunity presents. Please
send me any newspaper, magazine or pam
phlet that may contain at any time anything im
portant.

You cannot imagine how difficult it is for us to
keep posted in the field. We get to attach the
utmost importance to matters of slight moment,

72 Letters, 1853-1868

and perhaps hear nothing of events and opinions
that stamp themselves upon the history of the
age. Write often.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Camp Gareche,

Murfreesboro, March 28, '63.
MY DEAR ISAAC :

After a long interval, I sit down again to write
to you.

I have received your letters of the ijth and
2Oth ult., and their perusal gave me great
pleasure. I have also been frequently reminded
of you since by the receipt of the newspapers
which you have so kindly sent. Unfortunately
the latter are given so little attention in these
western mails that they only arrive after a long
delay. For instance your copy of the Press with
my letter to Rev. Mr. Stine to which you referred
in your letter of the ijth Feby. has just reached
me to day. I presume this is because they had
on hand at Louisville such a large accumulation
of mail matter during the breaks in the Railroads

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 73

North and South of Nashville — and that here
after newspapers will come more regularly.

Lieut. Col. Lamborn arrived in due time, and
his services have been invaluable to me. He is
in command of the men left in Nashville, who
are awaiting the arrival of horses to mount them,
before being sent up to Camp Gareche. I shall
probably take most of the men here and go down
after them in a few days, doing a little runabout
scouting on the way, as there are considerable
numbers of what Gen'l. Rosecrans calls "scalla-
wags " on the Road, or infesting the vicinity of
the Road from here to Nashville.

The men are behaving as well as I could desire —
in fact there should never have been any difficulty
with such men, they are calculated to make the
best possible soldiers, and but for bad manage
ment, would have fulfilled throughout, every
anticipation that was formed concerning them.
I pity the poor fellows — who mutinied — so many
of them were led into it without reflection and in
that careless accidental way by which it is so easy
to stray from the right path into the wrong.
These men take it very much to heart, now that
the proper soldierly feeling has been restored,
and seem abashed and down hearted. It is a
good sign however and promises good fruits and

74 Letters, 1853-1868

is much better than the bold, defiant, reckless
air of audacity which characterized them when I
first came out. As I write there is a man doing
Private's duty as orderly at my tent door — a

fine soldierly looking fellow named P of

Bucks Co. He was a Sergeant before, but has
been reduced to the ranks in consequence of
being among the mutineers (all the non-com'd.
officers were reduced who participated) — and has
had to pull off his stripes since arriving at this
camp. I have now no doubt but that they will
all seek to prove that they are worthy of Gen'l.
Rosecran's clemency, and that their one unfortu
nate step shall not prevent their Regiment from
yet being what we all expected it would be when
recruited.

I hope the general Conscription Act will enable
us soon to fill the thinned ranks of the Regt. to
its maximum. Now, all you " light, active, and
hardy young men " in Penna. who desire special
service, I give you fair warning. If you join the
Anderson Cavalry, you must expect to behave as
soldiers, to fare as soldiers, and to be treated as
such. There is no special service in this army
that I know of which exempts a trooper from
cleaning his horse, or from living on hard crackers
and pork occasionally, and sometimes more

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 75

frequently. The service is healthy to a sedentary
man, interesting, and if performed well, highly
honorable — but there is no exemption with
this Regt. from the usual fatigue hardships and
dangers of a cavalry man's life. How'd you
like to join?

There are indications that the rebels purpose
attacking Rosecrans here shortly — but I hardly
know what to think. I hope they will postpone
it a month, provided it makes no difference
(unfavorably) to Gen. Rosecrans.

Give my regards to all friends, and write

frequently.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Camp Gareche,

Near Murfreesboro, May 5/63.
MY DEAR ISAAC :

I find myself your debtor for two letters, the
last dated Apl. 25th, both of which I was very
glad to receive.

I presume you have now entirely recovered
from the attack of illness which you were still
suffering from at the date of your first letter —

j6 Letters, 1853-1868

and that you are again attending to your usual
business avocations.

I have received the papers which you are so
kind as to send — and always read them with
great interest.

Charley Lamborn and I are particularly inter
ested at this time in the results of Hooker's
movement across the Rappahannock. We hear
to-day that 16 guns have been captured and that
1 Old Joe " expects to bag all the rebels north of
the Pamunkey. I hope his expectations will be
realized, but the dispatches are so muddy that we
do not derive much comfort from them.

Mr. Horn certainly proved to be a very faithful
messenger. I hope he did not exact a receipt of you
before he would deliver up the innocent cap box.

No mutineer has yet been appointed to a
single office, commissioned or non-commissioned
in this Regt. Of course, when they have wiped
out the stigma upon their character by faithful
service as soldiers, the official memory will be
come dulled, and will fail to remind of the serious
dereliction of last December.

The opportunity will not be wanting for this
vindication. We have already been out on sev
eral scouts — and under fire — and the men have
all behaved well. On one expedition towards

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 77

McMinnville about a month ago, we took 20
prisoners, and killed and wounded 5 of the
enemy's cavalry.

Your friend Sergt. Isaac Bartram has just
joined the Regt. to day. He is a good soldier
and it is to be regretted that he was not here
before, as he has lost the opportunity for drill
and instruction which the rest have enjoyed.
But I have no doubt he will shew himself worthy
of promotion. Benjamin Bartram was sent for
nearly a month ago, his parole not being deemed
binding by Genl. Rosecrans, in consequence of
the cartel not having been observed in his case.
He has not yet reported — and his brother tells
me he never received the notice. If you see him
tell him to come out imm'y.

Lieut. Col. Lamborn is very well and desires
to be remembered to you.

My friend Leonard Clark of Castle Thunder
is here on a visit. He has posted me up on
affairs in Richmond since I left. The Captn.
Webster — who came near interrupting the se
renity of my thoughts the night he entered our
prison by walking up to me and saying in an
abrupt and distinct voice : " I know you — you're
Captn. Palmer of the Anderson Troop, 'aint
you?" — has been hung. Richmond has been

78 Letters, 1853-1868

pretty well cleared of citizen prisoners by the
recent releases.

I reed, a letter from Harry Lamborn about a
week ago. When you see him tell him I will
answer it soon.

Charley and I were deeply interested in your
account of the lamentable catastrophe that has
befallen our friend John Will. We read it with
the same mournful interest that we would an
account of a grand shipwreck. As you learn
further details, please inform us, as the most
minute particulars of the going down of the
Royal George are of absorbing interest to us.

Alack ! Alas ! what direful events this war has
been the cause of. Will not the grim demon
be satisfied by this last sacrifice — or must still
another Curtius leap into the gulf.

(Entre-nous strictly — When will J. W. be able
truthfully to be called a " conscript Father).

My light blue pants suited exactly. Thank
you for making the selection.

Write often and excuse my long delays in
replying. Will you have the kindness to insert
the enclosed advsement in the Philada. Press.
If possible have editors notice it.
Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 79

Stevenson, Ala., Augt. 26/63.
MY DEAR ISAAC :

I was very glad to receive your two favors, the
last dated Augt. i8th. I have also received
various newspapers from you for which accept my
thanks. From one of them I learned that Ned.
Lewis and yourself had been drafted. I think
with Lt. Col. Lamborn that you are just the boy
for a Body Guard, and shall expect you out in
Georgia with him. All you have to do is to ride
out occasionally with Gen'l. Rosecrans, and the
officers will let you do just as you please. How
can you resist such a temptation ? Tell Lewis
we can provide a berth on this boat for him also.
Why not come in out of the draft ? The Southern
Confederacy is all falling to pieces, and I am
surprised that such ambitious and well disposed
young gentlemen should not wish to be in at the
death.

You will not be able to get here in time to help
take Chattanooga, but you might " assist " at
Atlanta.

I just returned with seven of our Companies
this morning from the Sequatchie Valley, whither

8o Letters, 1853-1858

they accompanied the General on a reconnaissance.
While at Jasper on our return, the General re
ceived a dispatch (by signal lights) from the
Secretary of War stating that Sumter had been
reduced and that the bombardment of Charleston
had begun the day before. The General was so
delighted that he had General Reynold's troops
ordered out and the five Regiments gave fifteen
boisterous cheers for the result. The General
ran on in this way — " Charleston ! where they
first fired on the American flag — where this rebel
lion began — I want to see it reduced to ashes —
I want to see the old flag which waved over it in
April '6 1 and which the Presidt. has carefully pre
served, raised again over Fort Sumter by the
hands of Gen'l. Anderson."

Burnside is in East Tennessee and Simon
Bolivar Buckner will commence to hop soon. —
10,000 men can live there without any supplies
but what the country affords.

Remember me to friends and write soon. Tell
Col. Lamborn I don't approve of the aristocratic
ways he is getting into. Who would have sus
pected that he would so soon have begun to wear

boiled shirts ?

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Gen* I Wm. J. Palmer 8 1

Camp near Nashville, June 30/64.

MY DEAR ISAAC :

It has occurred to me frequently of late that
no letter has passed between us since my return
from Philada.

Inasmuch as I do not wish this silence to
continue, I take the opportunity afforded by
the visit of one of our officers Lieut. Kirk (a
member of the Society of Friends) to Philadelphia,
to write to you.

I want to know how you are spending this
hot and momentous Summer — what you think
the prospects are of success for our armies — and
what the spirit of the people is at home.

You have of course been to the Sanitary Fair,
that marvel of shows. I have received several
copies of that gossipy little sheet which is pub
lished at the Fair. If you have read it, you
may have noticed some articles from a cavalry
man. They are written by one of our officers,
and embody some events in our Regimental
experience.

82 Letters, 1853-1868

Charley Lamborn is 32 miles from here
engaged in confiscating horses to remount our
men. Doubtless he is blessed by the Planters,
their wives, and above all, their daughters. Per
haps the last does not trouble him however,
as it might have done inuAuld Lang Syne," as
I believe this gallant gentleman like yourself is
among those who now count their title clear to
mansions in — well certainly in no place lower
than Heaven. All I have to say is "vive
1'amour!"

Last Sunday, Col. Lamborn and myself had
a pleasant ride of 30 miles to the Hermitage
and back. The weather was very warm — so
that about dinner time we could not resist the
temptation of stopping in at the beautiful place
of a sun-burned rebellious gentleman, and invit
ing him to take dinner with us. He accepted
our invitation with all the grace with which it
was extended, and we accordingly dined together
— a fact which we will be the less apt to forget,
from the circumstance of our having cucumbers
on the table — these vegetables being a rare
luxury with the Field and Staff of this Regi
ment.

The old gentleman turned out to be Mr.
Donaldson, a nephew of Old Hickory's wife,

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 83

and a cousin of Andrew Jackson Donaldson
former candidate for Vice President. He had
also been a trusted young friend of Gen'l.
Jackson, and intimated in a very mild way
that the Gen'l. would have been a Secessionist
had he lived until the present hour of the
Rebellion.

I think so too. I never yet heard of a Poli
tician that could be implicitly trusted.

Give my kindest regards to Miss Jackson
when next you happen by the merest chance to
be in the neighborhood of Darby — also to her
sister. When does the happy event transpire ?

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Camp near Nashville,

Aug. 5/64.
MY DEAR ISAAC:

I was very glad to receive your interesting
letter of July 2Oth.

We have received horses and marching orders
at last, and shall start in two or three days for
Gen'l. Thomas's camp near Atlanta. I avail

84 Letters, 1853-1858

myself of the last opportunity to write you
before starting, but you must not forget that
mail communication is open to the vicinity of
Atlanta, and that I shall expect to hear from
you frequently after you have settled in your
Eleventh street house — and by the bye, Ike,
you couldn't have selected in my opinion, a
more agreeable neighborhood to be at the same
time central and convenient. I wish you and
your fair consort a bountiful share of all those
joys and blessings which Heaven showers upon
the married life of those who love and live for
each other. I do not hope for you, that the
honeymoon may be perpetual, but that the burn
ing love of this happy period may give place to
that pure and steady flame which shall go out
only with life. Be assured how gladly I would
have welcomed the opportunity of standing by
you on the ist of September — had not some
thing more imperative than mere distance pre
vented. Consider me there, however, and leave
a vacant place for me on the right of the third
groomsman. I cannot fill it, corporeally speak
ing — but you know what Goethe says :

u The spirit with which we act is the greatest
matter."

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 85

You may leave therefore a tolerably large
space — and while on this subject. Col. Lamborn
says you may leave another vacant place for him.
He sends his hearty congratulations, and while
neither he nor myself approve altogether, or are
desirous of encouraging the too extensive adop
tion of this practice of getting married until the
soldiers are mustered out, yet on a full considera
tion of the whole matter, we have concluded out
of motives of particular friendship, to grant a
special dispensation in your case.

We shall therefore not forbid the bans — but
shall stipulate as a condition precedent, that you
shall, in addition to the number of kisses legiti
mately accorded to you on that occasion, imprint
two hearty ones on the cheek of the fair bride
in our behalf — we being necessarily absent —
and you will consider this as our power of
attorney for you to do all and singular the
above things.

Charley says, after listening to a portion of
your letter that I read him, he feels very much
like sailing away from this stormy ocean and
going into port on the " peaceful tide " himself.
Indeed from all that I see of the young officer
that helps to occupy this room of canvas, such
an event is not at all unlikely to happen very

86 Letters, 1853-1868

soon after the expiration of his term of ser
vice, or the ratification of a treaty of peace with
the so-called confederates. With a pardonable
deception he appears to be still carrying on the
siege of Troy — but I really believe he is inside
the wooden horse and within the gates.

It will take us between two and three weeks to
reach Atlanta — marching steadily, but we look
forward to the prospect of this march with great
pleasure. No doubt some of our recruits will
wish that the " Gate city " was moved several
degrees northward before we get there. Our
army is within 4 miles of the city, but it may be
some time before they enter it. It's defender
Hood, will fight always. He is the " fighting
Joe " of the Rebel army.

I hope Penna. has decided by the recent vote
to allow soldiers in the field the right of suffrage.
What does this reported movement among the
Republicans in favor of giving McClellan a com
mand mean ? Better not !

Write to me care of Gen. Thomas' Hdqrs. near
Atlanta — and be sure to give my kindest regards
to your Lady Love and to all friends.

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 87

St. Louis, April 19, 1867.

MY DEAR ISAAC :

I received your kind letter but ever since
have been such a wanderer that I have found
no fitting opportunity to answer it.

I have been thinking a great deal over the
subject which the Committee of Friends have
written to me about, and intend as soon as I
can sit down calmly and reply to their communi
cation to do so. I have every desire to retain
my connection with the Society, and hope they
will look upon my case in that liberal and chari
table spirit which I think distinguishes them
from most other sects and which is one of the
strongest incentives in my mind towards remain
ing a member of the Society.

I think my views on the subject of Peace
can hardly differ in essential points, from those
of our Meeting, or at least of a majority of the
members as I have incidentally learned them
through their conversation and actions during
and since the War. Of course under the same
circumstances as existed in the Summer of '61 I
would act precisely as I did then, and I do not

Letters, 1853-1868

understand that Friends desire me to think or
say otherwise — as they would be the last to
believe that principle should be compromised
for the sake of avoiding troubles. They might
say however that they would not sacrifice one
principle for the sake of another — but in regard
to this it seems to me that one of the most
essential principles of Friends is obedience to
conscience — much more essential than a belief
in non-resistance.

I do not ask more than that my case should
be treated in that light. I think that Peace is
holy and should be encouraged constantly — and
that an unjust War is only legalized murder.
But the inner light made it very plain to me in
the Summer of '61 that I should enter the army.

With kind regards to Mrs. Clothier and all
the members of your family, I remain

Yours,

WM. J. PALMER.

Willard's, Washington, D. C., July 6/68.
MY DEAR ISAAC :

I was very glad to get your interesting letter of
the 22nd ult. and to be informed of the important

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 89

change in your business prospects. I prophesy
for you the same success on a large scale that you
have met in a more limited range hitherto.

I will call and see you when I pass through
Philada. on my way to St. Louis. I do not think
I shall be detained here more than two weeks
longer — possibly not so long. The only hope I
have left is of getting additional aid for about 76
miles to a proper point of divergence for New
Mexican and Denver trade. This point is called
Cheyenne Wells — and there is abundant water
there. Congress will not give us through aid at
this session because of political timidity. Our
Radical Senators and Representatives would be
willing to jeopardize the most important practical
interests of the Country, rather than run the
slightest shadow of risk to their political schemes.
Being selfish, they are consequently narrow and
do not know that these measures are more popu
lar than anything else with the people.

I think you would enjoy a trip to the end of
our track — and hope I may be going up to Kansas
when you come out — altho there is no certainty
about that. Some of our friends may be going
however. If you reach St. Louis before I get
there, say to Col. Lamborn that I wish him to
pass you to Ft. Wallace and return — that is about

90 Letters, 1853-1868

700 miles west of St. Louis, and a little beyond
the end of our track.

I think you would find the " Great Plains "
interesting — altho monotonous after continuous
acquaintance.

You shall be admitted into any future contract,
if you desire. It will be necessary for our Road
to reach the base of the Rocky Mtn's before it
will be very profitable or have a flourishing traffic.
The business this year has not I believe been
proportionately so large as last. If we had
reached the mtns. — we should have had an im
mense amount of coal and timber to carry —
besides supplies for the gold and silver mines.
The weather is quite exhausting here and I long
to be once more in the Rocky Mtns. I often
find myself doubting that a kind Providence ever
intended man to dwell on the Atlantic slope.

Please give my compliments to Mrs. Clothier.

Yrs. truly,

WM. J. PALMER.

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 91

[The two following papers relating to the organization of the Anderson
Troop, which afterward became the noted Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry,
are copied from the originals in General Palmer's own hand-writing, in my
sion.]

PLAN.

" THE ANDERSON TROOP/'

A picked body of light cavalry from Penna.—
composed of young men of respectability, selected
from nearly every County of the State.

The men to be light, active and hardy and
more or less acquainted with horses — and to be
chosen for these qualities, and for their intelli
gence, good character and patriotic spirit.

Each man to pledge himself not to touch
intoxicating liquor (except for medical purposes)
during the term of enlistment.

Particular attention to be paid to drill^ the
ambition of each member of the Company being
to make it as soon as possible, a model light
Troop, as the " Chicago Zouaves " were a model
light infantry Co. It is believed that this may
be accomplished in a comparatively short time,
with good instructors, from the superior intelli
gence and enthusiasm of the men.

92 Letters, 1853-1868

The special duty of the Troop (in addition to
service on the field of battle) will be to perform
detachment service of all kinds in Brig. Genl.
Anderson's Department — to serve as escort or
Body Guard to the General when desired — make
reconnoissances — escort trains and convoys —
make arrests — seize Railroads &c. — perform
advanced-post or patrol duty ; and generally, to
be attached to the General for the performance
of any special service required by him involving
delicacy or danger.

If desired, a squad of men from the Railroads
of Penna. with telegraph operators, &c. will be
included in the Company to expedite the trans
portation of troops and supplies, and repair
and operate Railroads that it may be necessary
to seize or control in the prosecution of the
campaign in Kentucky and Tennessee.

The advantages of such a corps for the various
duties above specified, would be unusual intelli
gence, trustworthiness on duty, nervous energy
and courage, and patriotic spirit. While the
members would be gentlemen, they would be
of the kind who would feel proud to submit to
the strictest military discipline, hard drill, and
any hardships uncomplainingly for the sake of
their country. They will go determined to take

' I Wm. J. Palmer 93

everything roughly, and nothing like dandyism
or dissipation will be tolerated.

Arms — to be a light sabre, Colt's Revolver
worn on the person, and (in consequence of the
detached character of the service) a rifled carbine
slung to the shoulder.

Accoutrements so arranged that sabre can be
hung to saddle, when Trooper dismounts to
serve on foot.

The horses to be got in Central Kentucky and
to be light, active and hardy.

The command to be given to such person (of
cavalry experience if possible) as General Ander
son may select. The remaining officers and non
commissioned officers to be elected by the Co.
after it shall have been filled up.

Respectfully Submitted

WM. J. PALMER,

of Philada.

Approved by Brig. Gen'l. Anderson at Louisville,
Sep. 20/61.

94 Letters, 1853-1868

OFFICE
PENNSYLVANIA RAIL ROAD COMPANY,

Philadelphia, Sept. 24th, 1861.
DEAR SIR :

I take the liberty of enclosing to you herewith
a plan for the organization of a picked Company
of light Cavalry composed of Pennsylvanians,
which Brig. Gen'l. Anderson has requested the
War Department to accept as an independent
Corps for special service in the " Department of
the Cumberland." The Company will be called
the " Anderson Troop," and will be under the
immediate eye of the General Commanding — its
special duties being those of a Body Guard to
General Anderson, to make reconnoisances, escort
trains, make arrests, and perform such other ser
vice of a detached character as he may assign it.

In the letter which he has furnished me to the
War Department, the General says " I particu
larly desire the acceptance of this Company, and
I will be obliged if the Department will give
such facilities to Mr. Palmer as will enable him
to perfect its organization in the shortest possible

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 95

time. Such a Corps will be almost indispensable
to me in conducting the Campaign which is
already opened in my Department."

After this earnest statement of his wants, it is
not doubted that the Department will unhesitat
ingly accept the Company. I shall proceed im
mediately to Washington to secure this result,
and to procure the requisite orders for the mount
ing, arriving, and equipping of the men, but not
to lose any time I have addressed this note to
you as a gentleman of influence, and one well
acquainted in your section of the State, to ask that
you will aid me in making this Corps, one that
will fairly represent the intelligence, respectability,
and patriotic spirit of the young men from Penna.
The honor and fair name of the State will be in
its keeping in the campaign in Kentucky and
Tennessee — it is therefore desired that its ranks
should be filled with the very best of our youth,
taking physical as well as moral considerations
into view. The troop will be commanded by an
officer to be appointed by Gen'l. Anderson — the
Lieutenants and non-commissioned officers to be
elected by a fair vote of the Compny, after it
shall have been formed. It will be as much a
matter of pride however to be a private as an
officer in this Troop — and no member will be

96 Letters, 1853-1868

bound by his acceptance, unless he chooses, until
after he has seen his comrades, and been mustered
into service.

As soon as 85 men have been accepted, they
will be sent to Louisville, Ky. — the remainder of
the Troop to be selected from the counties of the
State which may not at first have responded, and
for which more time will be admissible.

It is not expected however that more than a
week or ten days will be required for the enlist
ment of 1 10 men in the State of Pennsylvania of
the character referred to — in response to this call
and most flattering compliment from the gallant
Hero of Fort Sumter. And let Penna. shew by
this little contribution, if in no other way, her
appreciation of and desire to repay the debt which
the West has put us under by the recent detach
ment of several regiments from Fremont's com
mand to reinforce the army of the Eastern Coast.

I have therefore to request that you will nomi
nate for the county in which you reside, and for
each of the adjacent counties, five young men, or
any less number, aged between 1 8 and 30 years
(the younger the better) who may in your opinion
answer the description given above and in the
enclosed plan ; and who may be willing to go
from a patriotic motive solely, and with a

' I Wm. J. Palmer 97

determination to submit to the strictest drill
and military discipline, and to endure any hard
ships for their Country's sake.

The men to be light, active, and hardy — and
more or less accustomed to riding — and the names
to be mentioned on your list (with their addresses)
in the order of your preference, so that in case all the
counties respond, the best may be taken from each.

I will personally see, or address a note similar
to this, to influential and well-known gentlemen
in nearly every section of the State, and make no
doubt but that they and you will heartily co
operate in this endeavor to furnish Gen'l. Ander
son a mounted Body Guard from Penna. worthy
of him and of the State.

Please let me hear from you with as little delay
as practicable, at the office of the President of the
Penna. R. Rd. Co., Philada.

Yours Respectfully,

WM. J. PALMER.

P. S. In order to comply with the existing
legal form, the Troop if accepted, will be com
missioned by the authorities of the State of Penna.
in obedience to a requisition made upon them by
the War Department for such a company.

I

98 Letters, 1853-1868

RITTENHOUSE MANSION.

DAVID RITTENHOUSE, the celebrat
ed astronomer, who had lived at Nor-
riton, came to Philadelphia, in 1770.
He was appointed Treasurer of Pennsylvania, in
1777, and held the office till 1789. He was
appointed Director of the United States Mint in
1792. In 1787 was finished upon the lot upon
which he had erected his observatory, at the
northwest corner of Seventh and Arch Streets,
the substantial house shown in our view. He
removed there from his previous residence at
the southeast corner of these streets. He died
June 26, 1796, and was buried near his observa
tory. The tomb was afterward removed to the
Old Pine Street burying-ground. His daughters
continued to reside in this house and that adjoin
ing, and here in 1 809 the United States and the
State of Pennsylvania nearly came into armed
collision. Rittenhouse, while State Treasurer,
became the custodian of a fund in a prize-money
case which was claimed by the State of Pennsyl
vania and by the United States. The latter

s^S

0681 — JI3MJA? J'H3O 1O :iMOH

9H Letters, 1853-1868

KITTEN HO USE MANSION.

DAVID RITTKNHOUSE, the celebrat
ed astronomer, who had lived at Nor-
rir.on, came to Philadelphia, in 1770.
He was appointed Treasurer of Pennsylvania, in
7i and held the office till 1789. He was
appointed l.)ire< of \ p I'm red States Mint in
'79 2. rne lor upon

HOME OF GEN'L PALMER — 1856

•nth and Arch Streets,
the substantial house shown in our view. He
removed there from his previous residence at
the southeast corner of these streets. He died
June 26, 1796, and was buried near his observa
tory. The tomb was afterward removed to the
Old Pine Street burying-ground. His daughters
continued to reside in this house and that adjoin
ing, and here in 1809 the United States and the
State of Pennsylvania nearly came into armed
collision. Rittenhouse, while State Treasurer,
became the custodian of a fund in a prize-monev
case which was claimed by the State of Pennsyl
vania and by the United States. The latter

GenU Wm. J. Palmer 99

obtained judgment, and called on Rittenhouse's
executors, his daughters, Mrs. Elizabeth Sergeant
and Mrs. Esther Waters, for payment. The
State ordered them not to pay, and to prevent
service of the writ upon them, armed State troops
were posted around this house from March 2jrd
to April 1 8th, when John Smith, the United
States Marshal, obtained access to the premises
by stratagem and made service of his writ. There
was considerable legal trouble over it afterwards.
From the circumstances the house afterward
obtained the nickname, still known to old Phila-
delphians, of " Fort Rittenhouse."

This historic old house was the home of
William J. Palmer for a few years, about 1856,
and here he and Isaac H. Clothier roomed
together for some time prior to the writing
of the 1859 letters.

ioo Letters, 1853-1868

THE GLEN EYRIE HOME OF 1905.

THE picture of General Palmer's home
in Colorado is necessarily imperfect on
the small scale which the pages of this
book permit. It is reproduced from a photo
graph taken last summer.

The house was originally built in 1871, but
rebuilt in solid masonry on precisely the same
architectural lines, during the past two years,
with the addition of Book Hall, a large library
building.

The house, itself, is most attractive as an ideal
American home on a broad scale, but the site on
which it stands, and the immediate surroundings,
are of the most interesting and unique character.

Glen Eyrie is equi-distant — five miles — from
both Colorado Springs and Manitou, the latter at
the very base of Pikes Peak, where the road up
the mountain starts. This grand natural park was
almost unknown until visited by General Palmer
in 1870, before the founding of Colorado Springs.
He was charmed with the beauty of the spot, and
took prompt measures, under the Homestead Act,

cOGl — 3MOH 315 Y 3 H3JO HHT

Letters, 1853-1868

THE GLEN EYRIE HOME OF 1905.

^pitt'ire of General Palmer's home

•ssarily imperfect on

i h the pages of this

Prom a photo

tnginafly r»um m 1871, but
nasonry on precisely the same

THE GLEN EYRIE HOME — 1905

fall, a large library

use, itself, is most attractive as an ideal
iome on a broad scale, but the site on
it stands, and the immediate surroundings,
are of the most interesting and unique character.

Glen Eyrie is equi-distant — five miles from

l>oth Colorado Springs and Manitou, the latter at
: very base of Pikes Peak, where the road up
the mountain starts This grand natural park v ,.,
almost unknown until visited bv Ger.c-r
in 1870, before the founding of (":>!.-•
Fie was charmed with the beauty of the s
took prompt measures, under the Homest

1

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Paltoer '• i jaji-

to occupy and become the owner of 160 acres,
where the house now stands. The Garden of
the Gods, immediately adjoining, was afterwards
similarly occupied under the Homestead Law.
By purchase of tracts adjoining Glen Eyrie, from
time to time since, he has acquired a large area
of mountain and park lands among the foot-hills
of the " Rockies," perhaps approximating 3000
acres in the aggregate.

Glen Eyrie proper is a valley, but the grand
Rocky Mountain Chain, with Pikes Peak domi
nating all, is in full view from various parts of
the estate. The scenery throughout the property,
and immediately about the house, within easy
walking distance, is of a varied grandeur not to
be described. Queen's Canon, beginning a few
hundred feet away, affords a walk of some miles
through striking and impressive scenery, remind
ing one of the world-renowned Grand Canon
of Colorado, or that of Yellowstone Park on a
smaller and more accessible scale. Driving roads,
well-constructed paths, and mountain trails have
for a number of years been gradually laid out, so
that to-day they aggregate perhaps twenty miles
in extent on General Palmer's estate alone. The
public are admitted and freely welcomed to the'
driving roads on the estate, excepting perhaps a

1 02 Letters, 1853-1868

hundred acres immediately about the house; and
during the tourist season long lines of carriages
drive through and about the roads, affording
at points excellent views of the buildings and
private grounds.

On the whole, the Glen Eyrie home is alto
gether unique, so far as my experience and
knowledge go. There are undoubtedly more
costly and pretentious houses, but the combina
tion of such a house with such surroundings in
the midst of scenery unexcelled in the Western
Hemisphere, causes it — I believe — to stand alone
among American homes.

I Wm. J. Palmer 103

IT is deemed appropriate to insert the fol
lowing poem as a great favorite of both
'General Palmer and myself, concerning the
great President in whom as young men we both
thoroughly believed during the stress of the Civil
War, and who soon afterward came to be re
garded in the South as in the North the Father
of the Nation.

Those whose memories reach back far enough
can recall how during his four years of labor and
sacrifice he was mercilessly reviled and caricatured
with pencil and pen by the English " Punch,"
followed soon after his career was tragically closed
by this magnificent recantation made in one of
the greatest poems of the times.

One reason for its insertion is that it appears
to be not generally familiar to the community
and is not included in usual collections of verse,
perhaps because of its impersonal and unknown
authorship.

I would add that whenever I look at the face
of Lincoln, with its expression of profound
thought and unspeakable sorrow, an old couplet
of the war time almost always comes into my
mind —

" We are coming Father Abraham
Three Hundred Thousand more."

104 Letters, 1853-1868

ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Assassinated April I^-th, 1865.

From "Punch."

You lay a wreath on murder'd Lincoln's bier,
You, who with mocking pencil wont to trace,

Broad for the self-complaisant British sneer,

His length of shambling limb, his furrow'd face,

His gaunt, gnarl'd hands, his unkempt, bristling hair,
His garb uncouth, his bearing ill at ease,

His lack of all we prize as debonair,

Of power or will to shine, of art to please ;

Ton, whose smart pen back'd up the pencil's laugh,
Judging each step as though the way were plain ;.

Reckless, — so it could point its paragraph,—
Of chief's perplexity, or people's pain, —

Beside this corpse, that bears for winding-sheet
The Stars and Stripes he liv'd to rear anew,

Between the mourners at his head and feet,
Say, scurrile jester, is there room for you ?

Gen'1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 105

Yes : he had liv'd to shame me from my sneer,
To lame my pencil and confute my pen ;

To make me own this hind of princes peer,
This rail-splitter a true-born king of men.

My shallow judgment I had learn'd to rue,
Noting how to occasion's height he rose ;

How his quaint wit made home-truth seem more true ;
How, iron-like, his temper grew by blows ;

How humble, yet how hopeful he could be ;

How in good fortune and in ill the same ;
Nor bitter in success, nor boastful he,

Thirsty for gold, nor feverish for fame.

He went about his work, — such work as few
Ever had laid on head and heart and hand, —

As one who knows, where there's a task to do,

Man's honest will must Heaven's good grace command ;

Who trusts the strength will with the burden grow,
That God makes instruments to work His will,

If but that will we can arrive to know,

Nor tamper with the weights of good and ill.

So he went forth to battle, on the side

That he felt clear was Liberty's and Right's,

As in his peasant boyhood he had plied

His warfare with rude Nature's thwarting mights, —

io6 Letters, 1853-1868

The unclear'd forest, the unbroken soil,

The iron bark that turns the lumberer's axe,

The rapid that o'erbears the boatman's toil,

The prairie hiding the maz'd wanderer's tracks,

The ambush'd Indian, and the prowling bear, —

Such were the deeds that help'd his youth to train :

Rough culture, but such trees large fruit may bear,
If but their stocks be of right girth and grain.

So he grew up, a destin'd work to do,

And liv'd to do it ; four long-suffering years,

111 fate, ill feeling, ill report liv'd through,

And then he heard the hisses changed to cheers,

The taunts to tribute, the abuse to praise,

And took both with the same unwavering mood, —

Till, as he came on light from darkling days,

And seem'd to touch the goal from where he stood,

A felon hand, between the goal and him,

Reach'd from behind his back, a trigger prest,

And those perplex'd and patient eyes were dim,

Those gaunt, long-laboring limbs were laid to rest.

The words of mercy were upon his lips,
Forgiveness in his heart and on his pen,

When this vile murderer brought swift eclipse

To thoughts of peace on earth, good will to men.

Gen'1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 107

The Old World and the New, from sea to sea,
Utter one voice of sympathy and shame.

Sore heart, so stopp'd when it at last beat high !
Sad life, cut short just as its triumph came !

A deed accurs'd ! Strokes have been struck before
By the assassin's hand, whereof men doubt

If more of horror or disgrace they bore ;

But thy foul crime, like Cain's, stands darkly out.

Vile hand, that brandest murder on a strife,

Whate'er its grounds, stoutly and nobly striven,

And with the martyr's crown crownest a life
With much to praise, little to be forgiven.

io8 Letters, 1853-1868

AS this volume is partly historical, I con
clude to add a little campaign song
written for a Republican meeting in
Newburyport, Mass., October 11, 1860, just
after the Pennsylvania State election then held
a month before the presidential election.

THE QUAKERS ARE OUT !

By JOHN G. WHITTIER.

Not vainly we waited and counted the hours,
The buds of our hope have all burst into flowers ;
No room for misgiving — no loophole of doubt —
We've heard from the Keystone! the Quakers are out!

The plot has exploded — we've found out the trick;
The bribe goes a-begging ; the fusion won't stick.
When the Wide Awake lanterns are shining about,
The rogues stay at home, and the true men are out.

The good State has broken the cords for her spun ;
Her oil-springs and water won't fuse into one.
The Dutchman has seasoned with Freedom his krout,
And slow, late, but certain, the Quakers are out !

Give the flags to the winds, set the hills all aflame !
Make way for the man with the Patriarch's name !
Away with misgiving — away with all doubt —
For Lincoln goes in, when the Quakers are out !

Gen'1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 109

In explanation to the young people of the
allusion to the Wide Awake lanterns, I would say
that in the Presidential campaign of 1860, many
thousands of young Republicans all over the
North formed associations under the general
name of " Wide Awakes," and wearing oil cloth
caps and capes, and carrying torches, marched in
military array to the political meetings of the
times. These clubs were a unique feature of the
campaign, and helped infuse a spirit into the
Republican movement which perhaps contributed
largely to its success. Many a night during that
exciting autumn General Palmer and I marched
in uniform with the local Philadelphia body — the
Republican Invincibles — to meetings held in
Philadelphia and different points within fifty
miles of the city, where we went by train, reach
ing home oftentimes in the early morning. I
distinctly recall the night of the Pennsylvania
State election of 1860, when the returns showed
unmistakably the success of the Republican party,
and presaged the sure election of Lincoln in
November, how with the Republican Invincibles
I marched up Chestnut Street after midnight, and
the street scenes of delirious joy can never be
forgotten. I remember as we passed the Conti
nental Hotel, that the then Prince of Wales, now

i i o Letters, 1853 - 1868

King Edward VII., a pale, slender youth, stood
at the window watching the wild street scenes, and
I saw him with the utmost distinctness.

Those uniformed and marching companies were
the precursors of the regiments, which, carrying
the musket and bayonet instead of the torch,
sprung into being six months later at Lincoln's
call, and were the advance guard of the vast
armies which stood for liberty and union, and
through untold loss and sacrifice, purged the
nation of slavery, and paved the way for a
national future, the grand possibilities of which
we, cannot even yet forecast.

All this reminds me of the only times I ever
saw Lincoln — on the afternoon of his arrival in
Philadelphia on his way to inauguration, and the
next forenoon when I was one of a company
which stood at the Ninth Street door of the
Continental Hotel, and saw him enter his carriage,
and then, shoulder to shoulder, with one of the
reserve policemen, a cordon of which surrounded
the carriage, I walked precisely opposite him and
within six feet of where he sat, listening to his
occasional conversation, down Chestnut Street to
Sixth, where the pressure of the crowd caused me
to lose my place.

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer I i i

The party alighted on Sixth Street below
Chestnut, and proceeded through Independence
Square to a platform erected in front of the State
House, and from a little distance, although I
could not hear what he said, I saw him address
the great crowd and watched every gesture with
the utmost interest, and afterwards saw every
movement of his as he raised the flag to the top
of Independence Hall. Later he departed for
Harrisburg on that day which soon became
historic.

I have often remembered since that he had on
his mind that morning the information which
came to him the night before, of his sure assassi
nation if he passed through Baltimore the next
day. I do not think I ever saw him again in
life, but four years and one month later, I saw his
great funeral procession pass down Arch Street,
and that night preceding the day when his body
lay in state in Independence Hall, I was privi
leged to have a somewhat deliberate view soon
after the coffin was opened.

H2 Letters, 1853-1868

LINES SENT BY A NASHVILLE (TENN.) LADY,

TO PRESIDENT LINCOLN, THE SECOND

YEAR OF THE CIVIL WAR.

These lines were recited to General Palmer by a prisoner of Castle Thunder,
Richmond, Va., and by him recited to me on his return, and put into writing
recently from memory, at my request. I have never forgotten the profound
impression they made on me at the time, as evidencing the spirit and deter
mination of the Southern people, and their sincere devotion to their cause.
As I have never seen them in print, I insert them here as another memento
of the war times.

You can never win them back,

Never ! Never !
Though they perish on the track

Of your endeavor ;
Though their corses strew the earth
Which smiled upon their birth,
And blood pollutes each hearthstone

Forever !

They may fall before the fire of your legions,
Paid with gold — murders' hire —

Base allegiance,
But for every drop you shed,
You will leave a mound of dead,
And the vultures will be fed

In our regions !

The battle to the strong is not given

While the Judge of right and wrong rules in Heaven,

And the God of David still

Guides the pebbles

With His will,
There are Giants yet to kill,

Wrongs unshriven !

APPENDIX

APPENDIX.

AS some of the letters in this volume refer
to a course of lectures of which General
Palmer and myself were managers in
1859, it is deemed best to add some account of
those lectures, which from the circumstances
attendant on their delivery became a part of the
history of the city and of the times.

The subjoined account was printed in the
Public Ledger of December 14, 1902, written
by a reporter from notes made in an inter
view sought by him with me, and without any
preparation or revision on my part. While
it is therefore naturally somewhat rambling and
imperfect in expression, it is in the main correct
as to facts, and is submitted in place of a more
carefully prepared account.

I would add, the young people of this genera
tion can form little or no idea of the state of the
public mind in those exciting times, or of the
intensity of the feeling which existed just before
it burst into the flame of Civil War.

I. H. C.

MR. CLOTHIER'S REMINISCENCES.

From the Philadelphia Ledger of December 14, 1902.

EXTRACT FROM AN ARTICLE ENTITLED

"PHILADELPHIA IN SLAVERY DAYS."

THE most exciting episode of all this ante
bellum period was unquestionably the effort
on the part of a pro-slavery mob to break
up a meeting at which George William Curtis delivered
his powerful address on the burning question of the
hour. The person most active in bringing Mr. Curtis
to Philadelphia on this occasion was Isaac H. Clothier,

then a young man who had scarcely reached his majority.
Mr. Clothier was recently induced by the writer,
after some persuasion, to tell the story of this remark
able episode in his own way, which is modesty itself.
As he talked Mr. Clothier grew warm with the generous
enthusiasm of more than forty years ago, and the mere
words themselves convey only a partial idea of the
interest which he enkindled in his listener in the course

("9)

120 Letters, 1853-1868

of the narrative. He was seated at the time in his
study at Ballytore, his beautiful chateau-residence at
Wynnewood.

" I was deeply interested in the important questions
of that time," said Mr. Clothier. u I had always a
particular fondness for oratory. The great speakers
then were mostly on the side of the anti-slavery move
ment, and chief among them were Wendell Phillips and
George William Curtis. In my thirst for listening to
the discussion of great questions I used to attend
lectures and meetings of all kinds. A young friend of
mine and myself finally concluded that we would have
a lecture course of our own in Philadelphia. (This
friend was William J. Palmer, who afterward entered
the army in '61 as Captain of the Anderson Troop, a
Company organized for special service under General
Robert Anderson, and which afterward became the
Fifteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment. He has
since the War been a prominent railroad man, President
of the Denver & Rio Grande and Rio Grande Western
Railroads, and a noted figure in Colorado life). This
was in the summer of 1859, anc^ we planned to have
the course the next winter. As my friend was the
private secretary of J. Edgar Thomson, President of
the Pennsylvania R. R., and was much confined to
his office, the executive business of the enterprise was
mostly in my hands. You can imagine with what vim
I, as an enthusiastic young man, entered into the work.
I wrote to Henry Ward Beecher, Wendell Phillips,

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 121

^

George William Curtis and others. I took journeys
to see some of them. Mr. Curtis I visited at his
residence on Staten Island, and Mr. Beecher at Peeks-
kill. We found that George William Curtis and
Wendell Phillips were the only speakers, among those
whom we wanted, that we could engage. Our arrange
ments were made in August ; one lecture was to be
delivered by Wendell Phillips in November, and one by
George William Curtis in December. There was then
no particular anti -slavery excitement in this city, and
we had no especial object in view in connection with
that movement. But between that and the date of the
first lecture John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry took
place in October. Instantly the whole country was
aflame. The lecture of Mr. Phillips was appointed for
the 28th of November in National Hall, on Market
Street, between Twelfth and Thirteenth streets, on the
south side. His subject was Toussaint L'Ouverture.
We had no reason to anticipate any particular disorder
until a little before the time for the lecture. A noto
rious Alderman, McMullin by name, came to the hall
with a crowd of roughs prepared to break up the meet
ing by force. But Mr. Phillips's wonderful eloquence
overcame them. They were charmed with it, and sat
as if spellbound until the end. Not a hostile word or
sound did they utter, and the affair was most successful.

MOB VIOLENCE THREATENED.

t

" The next occasion, however, was very different.
The date of George William Curtis's address was two

122 Letters, 1853-1868

weeks and a half later, the I5th of December, 1859,
or a little less than forty-three years ago. John Brown
had been hanged on the 2d of December, and the
Abolitionists had held what I have always thought was
a most unwise meeting at National Hall, at noon of
that day. It was a very lively meeting, and came near
being broken up. The lecture by George William
Curtis was on l The Present Aspect of the Slavery
Question.' It was powerful, but there was nothing
fiery about it ; and the subject and date, you must
remember, had been fixed in the previous August.
When the time arrived the whole city was in a turmoil.
We tried to get two men of some prominence to intro
duce Mr. Curtis to the audience, but they refused.
Judge William D. Kelley, however, accepted the
proposal with alacrity. He was perfectly fearless, and
he enjoyed doing things that were a brave vindication
of principle.

"That day, the I5th of December, was one of the
most exciting I have ever seen. Alexander Henry was
Mayor of the city. It was evident that there was going
to be a riot. That morning a number of people came
to see me, as the only person accessible to them who
had the right to put the meeting off. My associate
and myself both had a decided conviction that it would
not do to obey the behests of the mob, but to hold the
meeting at all risks. Judge Kelley, who strongly sup
ported us in this resolve, took me that morning to call
on the Mayor. Mayor Henry said, that while it was

Gen1 1 Wm. J. Palmer 123

his duty to maintain free speech, it was a very danger
ous time, and he wished the meeting could be given up,
but manfully added, that if we insisted on holding it, he
would protect free speech to the full extent of his
power. He added in a most earnest manner that
lives might be saved by giving up the meeting. But I
felt that we had no right to do that. It would be
pandering to the passions of the mob and a surrender
of free speech. Of course, in all this I had the advice
of older persons, who confirmed me in my views.
Mayor Henry made a personal appeal on the subject.
Prominent citizens were present, including Eli K. Price,
W. Heyward Drayton and others, who came to urge
that something be done to avert the danger. They
were afraid that blood would be shed. They besought
the Mayor to stop the meeting, with the result as stated
above. I went from the Mayor's office to the house of
Rev. Dr. William H. Furness, on Pine street, where, in
the meantime, Mr. Curtis had arrived. He had not
heard anything as yet of the impending trouble. While
we were talking a gentleman rang the door-bell. He
was a well-known and very estimable citizen. He said
that he had just come from the office of the Mayor, to
whom he had made a personal though unavailing appeal
to prevent the meeting, for fear that there would be
bloodshed ; and now he had come to make a personal
appeal to Mr. Curtis himself in the interest of safety
and humanity. Mr. Curtis asked me what I had to say
in the matter, as I represented those who had wished

124 Letters, 1853-1868

him to come here to lecture, and to whom he was
responsible. I told him that while I certainly did not
want him to go to that hall without knowing what he
was doing, and I regretted that we were confronted
with this danger, I saw no way out of it except to face
it without shrinking. Dr. Furness said : l If it costs the
lives of all of us we ought to go on.' Mr. Curtis
acquiesced, and so it was decided.

600 POLICE ON GUARD.

" Quite a party of us left Dr. Furness's house
together a little before the time for the lecture. We
walked from Pine street up Thirteenth, and went into
National Hall from the little street in the rear. There
was a terrible noise in Market street and a great crowd.
Mayor Henry had 600 armed policemen posted in front
of the hall and within it. A passageway was kept clear
for people who wished to enter. They came in great
numbers. It was surprising, the pluck they displayed.
After entering by the back way we sat for a while in a
little room behind the platform. Chief of Police Ruggles
was there, and he took me downstairs and showed me
the array of police. It looked to me more like war than
anything I had yet seen. Every policeman had a loaded
revolver. I felt the greatest confidence in the outcome.
I felt that free speech would be vindicated. Pretty soon
we marched in upon the platform. The sight was some
thing I can never forget. The Mayor had ordered that
the Anti-Slavery Fair, which was being held in Concert

Gen' I Wm. J. Palmer 125

Hall, on Chestnut street, should be closed for the even
ing, in order that all the available police not already on
guard could be kept in readiness for service at National
Hall, if needed. This order also swelled our audience.
Among the noted persons present were James and Lu-
cretia Mott, Mary Grew, Charles Wise, Henry C. Davis,
Rev. William H. Furness, D. D., and Mrs. Furness,
Robert Purvis, Dr. John D. Griscom and Mrs. Gris-
com, Clement M. Biddle, Edward M. Davis, Caleb
Clothier, Daniel Neall, Warner Justice and his wife,
Theodore Justice, Abby Kimber, Sarah Pugh, William
Still, James Miller McKim and George A. Coffey, Dis
trict Attorney.

"George William Curtis had walked to the hall, with
Mrs. William H. Furness leaning on his arm. A self-
constituted bodyguard of young men kept close to him
all the way and throughout the meeting. Many have
since become prominent in' public affairs. Those whom
I remember were William J. Palmer, Clement A.
Griscom, James C. Parrish, William W. Justice,
Edmund Lewis, Frank L. Neall, Henry C. Davis and
the Steel brothers, Edward T., William and Henry M.

" Other persons than the police were prepared to
give an account of themselves if free speech had been
seriously retarded or the lives of law-abiding citizens
had been assailed. Mr. Coffey, the District Attorney,
sat on the platform with a loaded revolver in his pocket.
1 remember him saying on that day : ' There will be
hundreds of armed men in the streets to-night, ready

126 Letters, 1853-1868

to back the posse comitatus in behalf of free speech.'
Judge Kelley had a billy, or small cudgel, up his sleeve.
It is now in my possession.

A MOST EXCITING HOUR.

u In introducing Mr. Curtis, Judge Kelley gave his
listeners to understand that free speech would be vin
dicated, and that the orator of the evening would be
protected. He further said (the words are securely
graven in my memory) :

' It is my privilege to introduce to you my friend,
George William Curtis, who is here this evening in pur
suance of an engagement made more than three months
ago, to present to you his views — the views of an accom
plished scholar, a polished gentleman and, withal, a great
hearted lover of his race and kind — upon the subject which
God is pressing closer and closer upon us every day of our
lives — the great question of slavery.'

" Mr. Curtis did not speak as long as he would have
done, perhaps, if disorder had not been so rampant. His
lecture lasted a little less than an hour. It was an hour
of menace, noise and confusion. The building would
have been torn inside out and burned to the ground if
it had not been for the police. The mob on Market
street made several charges upon the entrance, but the
police charged them in turn and kept them out. Brick
bats were thrown through the side windows of the hall.
A bottle of vitriol was also thrown, and the sight of one
person was destroyed by its contents. The mob had its
delegates in the auditorium, too. Two or three attempts

Gen'1 1 Wm. J. Palmer i 27

were made to stop the lecture. Rough -looking men
jumped upon the benches and gave cheers for the
Union, to drown the voice of the lecturer. The police
rushed at them, seized them and carried them out
through a doorway under the platform. Robert E.
Randall, brother of Samuel J. Randall, who became
Speaker of the National House of Representatives, was
one of the ringleaders, and was arrested.

RIOTERS AS HOSTAGES.

u Underneath the hall was a wholesale flour store,
into which freight cars were run for the purpose of
unloading. The prisoners were taken down into this
store and were locked up in an empty freight car.
Their confederates in the auditorium and in the street
were then informed that if the building was fired the
prisoners would be sure to be burned to death. To
show how tense was the suspense of those on the plat
form while the lecture was in progress, I will mention a
little incident. My associate in the management of the
course of lectures, William J. Palmer, did not know
Mr. Henry by sight. At one stage of the tumult, the
Mayor appeared suddenly beside Mr. Curtis, as he stood
near the edge of the platform, and made an appeal to
the audience for order. Mr. Palmer leaned over to me
and asked : l Who is that man ? ' He afterwards told
me that, supposing at first Mayor Henry was an accom
plice of the mob, he came very near seizing him from
behind and pushing him ofF the platform.

128 Letters, 1853-1868

u In spite of the menacing interruptions the lecture
was delivered, and was heard, and free speech was
vindicated."

Almost one year afterwards to a day, George William
Curtis was again invited to speak in Philadelphia. But
Lincoln had meanwhile been elected President, the
secession agitation in the South had reached its highest
pitch, and the anti-slavery advocates in the North were
held by many thousands to be directly responsible for
the great troubles which threatened the nation. The
condition of public sentiment in Philadelphia was more
dangerous even than it had been immediately after the
execution of John Brown. The Mayor was strongly
opposed to the delivery of the lecture, and Mr. Andrews,
the lessee of Concert Hall, refused to allow its use for
that purpose.

In connection with the above reminiscences and as
an instance of the whirligig of time, it may be inter
esting to observe that during the past week the Hon.
Grover Cleveland, twice elected President by the Demo
cratic party, presided at a meeting in Philadelphia held
in behalf of an African industrial school, and was pre
sented to the audience by the author of these reminis
cences, Mr. Isaac H. Clothier.

ADDENDUM.

Since this volume was issued, it has
been ascertained that the author of the
lines on Lincoln was Tom Taylor, a writer
for " Punch," and subsequently its well -
known editor.

The lines were included in " Parnassus,"
a collection of poems published in 1876,
compiled by Ralph Waldo Emerson, and
also in Stedman's Victorian collection pub
lished in 1895.

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