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CENTRAL ILLINOIS TEACHING WITH PRIMARY SOURCES
NEWSLETTER
December 2008
The Confederacy
Welcome to the 20th issue of the Central
Illinois Teaching with Primary
Sources Newsletter, a collaborative
project of Teaching with Primary Sources
Programs at Southern Illinois University
Edwardsville
and
Eastern
Illinois
University.
Galbraith Map Illinois
Contents
Introduction—pg 1
Beyond President
Lincoln—pg 2
Library of Congress
Topic Connections—
pg 2
Lesson Plans,
Activities and
Resources—pg 4
What’s New at
www.loc.gov?—pg 5
Activity-Test Your
Knowledge-pg 6
Image Sources—pg 7
Contact
Information
Amy Wilkinson
[email protected]
Cindy Rich
[email protected]
Editor
Melissa Carr
[email protected]
Websites
www.eiu.edu/~eiutps
www.siue.edu/
education/tps
With
this
i ssu e
an d
continuing through February
2009 the theme each month
will reflect primary sources
of the Abraham Lincoln
Calendar.
You
can
download and print a copy of
the calendar at
http://
www.eiu.edu/~eiutps.
Eight days after Abraham
Lincoln
was
elected
president, South Carolina
succeeded from the Union. This was the
beginning of the Confederate States of
America.
The
Confederacy
elected
Jefferson Davis to be their
President.
After his inauguration Davis sent a peace
commission to Washington, however
President Lincoln
refused to see the
representatives from the south.
In April 1860, President Lincoln sent
supplies to Fort Sumter, a Union fort
surrounded by Confederate states. Davis
responded by ordering an attack on the
fort which signified the start of the Civil
War. Davis believed he could find allies
in England and France, as both countries
already recognized the Confederate
States of America. In November 1861,
Jefferson Davis sent James Mason and
John Sidell to appeal to England and
France for support of the Confederate
states in the war. Union soldiers
apprehended the diplomats and returned
them
to
the United
States
as
prisoners.
England
was
furious
and
considered
this
action as a violation
of their neutrality.
Lincoln also found
himself
in
the
position of avoiding
a
war
with
England.
The war had taken a toll on Lincoln, not
only as President but in his home life.
Because his wife was from Kentucky, most
of Mary Todd Lincoln’s family supported
the Confederacy during the war. This was
hard for Mary to bear, supporting her
husband meant disagreeing with
her family in Kentucky.
President Lincoln granted a pass
to Martha Todd White half-sister
of Mary Todd Lincoln, to travel
into
the
Union.
Almost
immediately stories and rumors
of Martha smuggling contraband
back to the south emerged. More
controversy followed when Emily
Todd Helm, another half-sister of
Mary, attempted to cross Union
lines. Emily was
married to
Benjamin Hardin Helm, a
general in the Confederate army. When
General Helm died in battle, Emily wished
to return to her family in Kentucky. For a
while she stayed with President and Mrs.
Lincoln, to have a Confederate widow in
the White House outraged many.
Lincoln issued an amnesty and loyalty oath
for Emily Todd Helm so she could pass
Union
lines
and
enter the south to
attend
to
her
property. The amnesty was conditional
on
Emily
taking the loyalty
oath to the Union,
which she never
did. When she
returned to Washington the following fall to acquire
a license to sell
cotton
she
owned in Mississippi,
Lincoln refused to grant it
unless she affirmed loyalty to the Union.
Rather than doing that, Mrs. Helm returned to Kentucky and after one angry
letter, was never again in contact with the
Lincoln’s. Library of Congress American Memory
accessed 11.03.08
The Confederacy
Page 2
Beyond Lincoln
On April 9, 1865 General Lee surrendered
bringing an end to the Civil War. For several
weeks the Union Army had been in pursuit of
Jefferson Davis and his cabinet. Davis plan
was an escape by sea from the east coast of
Florida
sailing
to
Texas
where
he
hoped to establish a
new
Confederacy.
His dream of a new
Confederate nation
was crushed on May
10, 1865 when he
was captured by
Union Soldiers.
A s
D a v i s
cabinet
disbanded,
they took gold from the treasury. With rumors
spreading among southern troops of the
defeat of the Confederacy, Davis was
in hourly anticipation of
attacks by Confederate
soldiers in search of
treasure.
Expecting
these soldiers, Davis
was not prepared for the
Union
soldiers
that
charged upon their camp.
Davis and his family were put onboard a ship,
along
with
Confederate
Vice-President
Alexander Stephens, and taken by sea to Fort
Monroe, Virginia. On May 22, 1865, Davis
was taken ashore in shackles and placed into
solitary confinement. He was indicted on the
charge of treason but never tried, and was
released two years later in May 1867. Davis
never requested or was granted a
pardon
for
his
actions.
Library of
Congress Today in History
accessed 10.03.08 Library
of
Congress
America’s
Library accessed 10.03.08
Varina
Davis,
feeling her husband
had
been
wrongly
portrayed as a
coward in the
northern newspapers, wrote a letter to Montgomery Blair, a family friend and Post Master
General under President Lincoln, detailing
the capture of her husband. Varina Davis
was imprisoned at Savannah, Georgia and
later joined Davis at Fort Monroe. (http://
l c w eb 2 . l o c .g o v / cg i - b i n / q u er y /r? a m m e m /
mcc:@field(DOCID+@lit(mcc/005))
Library of Congress American Memory accessed
11.11.08
Topic Connections
America Singing: Nineteenth-Century
Song Sheets http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/
amsshtml/amsshome.html
Song sheets, not to be confused with
sheet music, are mass produced sheets
with lyrics but no music. Song sheets were
first popular in the British Isles as early as
the 1500’s. They found their
height of popularity in the
United States during the early
nineteenth century. These song
sheets provided entertainment
during a time when there was
little happiness in people’s lives.
The country needed a diversion,
especially the south towards the
end of the war. Their way of life
and all they knew was
destroyed, their government
had collapsed and t h e i r
president
was
trying to avoid capture from the
Union. The song sheets in this
collection tell that story from
“The Bonnie Blue Flag” to “The
Capture of Jeff Davis”.
Southern
Voices
http://memory.loc.gov/
ammem/award99/ncuhtml/ncuhome.html
The toils of southerners and Confederate
soldiers during the Civil War can be found in
diaries and letters in this collection. It
includes a range of individuals telling their
stories, from Confederate
soldiers, a Virginia girl during
the War to a Confederate
Chaplin.
The Civil War diary of Miss Belle
Edmondson of Shelby County,
Tennessee, is available in this
collection. Belle recorded news
from the front, local skirmishes and rumors,
troop movements, the running of contraband
through federal lines and activities of family
and slaves. According to family legend, which
appears supported by diary accounts, Miss
Edmondson was a Confederate spy.
These diaries and stories tell of a life that are
at risk of being forgotten. Primary sources
such as these are a connection we have with
this devastating time in our history.
The Confederacy
Page 3
Topic Connections Cont.
An American Time Capsule: Three
Centuries of Broadsides and other
Printed Ephemera http://memory.loc.gov/
ammem/rbpehtml/
Broadsides, leaflets, pamphlets and tickets
are examples of printed ephemera that were
originally meant to be read or used and then
thrown away. It is amazing that so many
have been saved. The Library’s collection of
printed ephemera contains 28,000 items.
It is almost as if you can follow the rise and
fall of Jefferson Davis through broadsides.
From a Virginia electoral ticket boasting
Jefferson Davis for President to addresses by
Davis to the people of the free states as well
as the Confederacy.
There is a May 2, 1865 proclamation from
President Andrew Johnson offering a reward
of $100,000 dollars for the arrest of Jefferson
Davis. This proclamation states that “the
murder of the late President Lincoln and the
attempted assassination of the Honorable
William H. Seward, Secretary of State, were
incited, concerted and procured by Jefferson
Davis” and his cabinet.
After Davis capture and arrest he spent two
years in prison before allowed bail. Davis bail
bond with original signatures and an eight
page leaflet from Gerrit Smith one of the
men who signed Davis bail bond justifying
his signature
brings to an
end Davis presidency.
Apparently
even
the
President
of
the
Confederacy is not beyond
being poked fun at in
advertisements.
One
humorous advertisement
asks the question “Why
does Jefferson Davis look
so thin? Why is Stephens so
boney?” to find the answer go to http://
memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/r?ammem/
rbpebib:@field(NUMBER+@band
(rbpe+20506100)).
Historic American Sheet Music 18501920
http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/
award97/ncdhtml/hasmhome.html
With marches, polkas and anthems, the
music of the Confederacy during the Civil War
is abundant. Not to be confused with song
sheets, sheet music may not contain words to
the songs. There are upbeat tunes written to
lift the spirits of soldiers and songs played in
southern homes while waiting for a loved one
to return. Sheet music provided a form
of entertainment during the Civil War.
Like music today, songs of the Civil
War were meant to be listened to over
and over. Unlike CD’s and MP3’s sheet
music shows
wear over time and
some sheets are discolored or torn.
The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the
Library
of
Congress
http://
memory.loc.gov/ammem/alhtml/
malhome.html
There are many letters to and from
President
Lincoln
concerning
the
Confederacy, most dealing with peace
negotiations or rumors of peace. A letter to
Lincoln from Prince de Joinville, a member of
the House of Orleans, explored the rumor that
the Confederacy was about to make a
declaration of emancipation of their own. Of
course, there were strings to the Confederate
emancipation; it wouldn’t actually take effect
for twenty to thirty years. There were even
rumors of an attack by the south on
Washington D.C. and that there was not an
office in the Union not saturated with friends
of Jefferson Davis. Being bombarded with
diverse and rampant rumors and opinions
on a daily basis had to
place additional pressure
and burdens on President
Lincoln during the war.
Lincoln had to run a country
in the middle of a Civil War
but as president
also
conducted foreign affairs.
The possibility that England
and
France,
who
each
recognized the Confederacy,
might come to the aide of
the south was a threat that
would extend the war beyond the United
States boarders. The Union did not have the
manpower needed to fight another enemy.
This was a war that had to be fought between
the states, without foreign interference.
Of all the letters in the Lincoln papers, there
are none from Lincoln to Jefferson Davis and
one from Davis to Lincoln. The subject of Davis
letter is the capture of the vessel Savannah
and an offer of exchanging
prisoners. An
interesting point in the letter; Davis addresses
Lincoln as sir and not Mr. President, yet signs
the letter Jefferson Davis, President and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the
Confederate States of America.
Page 4
The Confederacy
Topic Connections Cont.
Civil War Maps http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/collections/civil_war_maps/index.html
There are a numerous maps in this collection so a simple search for Confederacy will find a
map for every southern state. Finding specific maps such as Confederate States of America
transportation, army or campaign maps are easier to locate by using the index and browsing
by subject.
Camp Lawton, a Confederate prison camp, once confined approximately 8,600 prisoners. One
prisoner was Robert Knox Sneden. Sneden was paroled by Isaiah White a surgeon for the
camp who made Sneden his assistant. Sneden created a map of Camp Lawton with great
detail containing the exact location of the camp, hospital and the number of dead buried in the
camp. Robert Knox Sneden also created a map showing the route he took as a prisoner of war
from Richmond, Virginia to Camp Lawton in Andersonville, Georgia.
William Henry Fitzhugh, a member of the 4th Virginia Calvary, was wounded
and captured during the battle at Williamsburg. While recuperating he created
a map designed to aid in his escape. The map is of the James River and
depicts the area of the Virginia Peninsula between Williamsburg and
Richmond.
The Library has two special collections of Civil War Maps. The Hotchkiss Maps
created by Major Jedediah Hotchkiss, a topographic engineer in the
Confederate Army, these are detailed battle maps used by Generals Robert E.
Lee and “Stonewall” Jackson. The Sherman Map Collection which consists of
210 maps and three atlases belonging to General William T. Sherman.
Lesson Plans, Activities and Resources
Exhibits:
Battle of Fort Sumter http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm117.html
Ruins in Richmond http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/treasures/trm110.html
America’s Story:
Jump Back in Time:
Robert M. T. Hunter was Born http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/nation/hunter_2
Jefferson Davis Elected President of the Confederate States of America http://
www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/davis_1
Charleston Surrendered http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/charlstn_1
Lee Surrendered http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/surrender_3
Jefferson Davis was Captured http://www.americaslibrary.gov/cgi-bin/page.cgi/jb/civil/jeffdav_1
Special Presentation:
Journal of the Congress of the Confederate States of America 1861-1865 http://
memory.loc.gov/ammem/amlaw/lwcc.html
Local Legacies:
Jefferson Davis Days http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/legacies/KY/200003058.html
Wise Guide:
A Confederacy of Copyrighters http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/may07/confederacy.html
A Confederacy of Maps http://www.loc.gov/wiseguide/oct05/maps.html
The Confederacy
Lesson Plans, Activities and Resources Cont.
Learning Page:
Lesson Plans:
Ladies, Contraband and Spies: Women in the Civil War http://memory.loc.gov/learn/
lessons/01/spies/index.html
Features and Activities:
Civil War and Reconstruction: The South During the War http://memory.loc.gov/learn/
features/timeline/civilwar/southwar/south.html
Today in History:
Jefferson Davis Elected http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov06.html
Jefferson Davis Captured http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/may10.html
Andersonville Prison http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/nov10.html
I am a Southern Man http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/apr21.html
The Fall of Atlanta http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/sep01.html
What’s New at LOC.GOV
Celebrating Lincoln’s 200th Birthday
Even though President Lincoln’s 200th birthday is still two months away, the Library of
Congress is preparing for a spectacular exhibit. On February 12, 2009 the Library will open
“With Malice Toward None: The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Exhibition”, an exhibit
celebrating Lincoln’s 200th birthday. The exhibit will contain items from Lincoln’s early years as
a lawyer through his assassination. This exhibition will include many of the abundant Lincoln
items in the Library’s collections.
Although still in developmental stages, items have arrived at the conservation department for
preparation. In the LOC blog on October 30, 2008 you can see an example of items going on
display. The objects Lincoln had in his pocket at the time of his assassination which most of
you have seen in the online exhibit “Artifacts of the Assassination” http://www.loc.gov/
exhibits/treasures/trm012.html in the picture below showing how items are stored. Making a
rare appearance is a seed pearl and gold necklace and bracelet often worn by Mary Todd
Lincoln. Although these items have been displayed before, to view all of them in one exhibit
will be extraordinary.
This exhibit will have something for everyone. Personal items, letters, military and campaign
items, the Lincoln family Bible, political cartoons and photographs will be included. These
items may show a new perspective of who Abraham Lincoln was, as president and a man.
A companion volume to the exhibit will be available through the Library. “In Lincoln’s Hands;
His Original Manuscripts with Commentary by Distinguished Americans” will feature original
essays about the most important Lincoln documents, including the Gettysburg Address and
Lincoln’s Second Inaugural address. The Library will also offer a Lincoln Symposium and
Teacher Institutes to better equip educators for using primary sources relating to Lincoln.
Library of Congress; LOC Blog by Matt Raymond, October 30, 2008.
Accessed October 30, 2008
Library of Congress; News from the Library October 28, 2008.
Accessed October 30, 2008
Images provided by Matt Raymond on LOC Blog October 30, 2008.
Accessed October 30, 2008
Page 5
Page 6
The Confederacy
Test Your Knowledge...
Draw a line connecting the correct word and phrase. There is not a match for each word.
Create a phrase for the remaining words.
1.
South Carolina
2.
Emily Todd Helm
3.
April 9, 1865
4.
England and France
5.
Texas
6.
Belle Edmondson
7.
Kentucky
8.
Sheet Music
9.
Pardon
10. Camp Lawton
11. Jefferson Davis
12. Fort Sumter
13. Song Sheets
14. May 10, 1865
15. Andrew Johnson
16. Fort Monroe
17. “Savannah”
18. Varina Davis
19. James Mason
1.
He offered $100,000 reward for the arrest
of Jefferson Davis.
2.
President of the Confederate States of
America.
3.
Where Mary Todd Lincoln’s family lived.
4.
Confederate Prison Camp.
5. First state to succeed from the Union.
6.
Where the Civil War started.
7. Mass produced sheets with lyrics but no
music.
8.
Davis sought these countries as allies.
9.
Where Jefferson Davis was imprisoned.
10. Confederate spy.
11. Date Jefferson Davis was captured.
12. Topic of only letter found in the Lincoln
papers from Davis to Lincoln.
13. Delegate for Confederacy.
The Confederacy
Image Sources
Library of Congress
Jefferson Davis, full-length portrait, seated
Prints and Photographs
The Library of Congress
Abraham Lincoln
Prints and Photographs
The Library of Congress
The starting point of the great war between the states. Inauguration of Jefferson Davis
Prints and Photographs
Library of Congress
The true story of the capture of Jeff. Davis
Prints and Photographs
Library of Congress
The casemate, Fortress Monroe, Jeff Davis in prison
Prints and Photographs
Library of Congress
Jeff. Davis in prison
Prints and Photographs
Library of Congress
The capture of Jeff. Davis. By DeWolfe. [n. p.] [n. d.]
American Memory-America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets
Library of Congress
The bonnie blue flag. H. De Marsan, Publisher, No. 54 Chatham Street, New York, [n. d.]
American Memory-America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets
Library of Congress
Jeff Davis' dream. Air--Lord Lovel. Johnson, Song Publisher, Stationer &c., Phila. [n. d.]
American Memory-America Singing: Nineteenth-Century Song Sheets
Library of Congress
Illustration from The Heart of a Soldier as Revealed in the Intimate Letters ... by George E.
American Memory-Southern Voices
Library of Congress
Election, Wednesday, November 6th, 1861. For President. Jefferson Davis of Mississippi. For
Vice President, Alexander H. Stephens, of Georgia. Electoral ticket for the state at large .....
[Virginia 1861].
American Memory-An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Printed
Ephemera
Library of Congress
Secession march; Op. 17. 1860
American Memory-Historic American Sheet Music 1850-1920
Page 7
Page 8
The Confederacy
Image Sources
Library of Congress
Pertinent questions'. Why does Jefferson Davis look so thin? Why is Stephens so singularly
boney? .... The fact that neither of them have ever called at M. Samstag's Nos. 462 and 464,
Seventh street and consequently neither have ever tasted his
American Memory-An American Time Capsule: Three Centuries of Broadsides and Printed
Ephemera
Library of Congress
God save the South; Our national Confederate anthem. 186American Memory-Historic American Sheet Music 1850-1920
Library of Congress
Jefferson Davis to Francis P. Blair Sr., Thursday, January 12, 1865 (Peace Negotiations)
American Memory-The Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
"Camp Lawton" at Millen, Georgia : about 8,600 prisoners confined here 14th November
1864.
American Memory-Civil War Maps
Library of Congress
Map showing route taken by U.S. prisoners of war, Feby. 1864, when sent from Richmond,
Va., to Andersonville, Georgia.
American Memory-Civil War Maps