Monthly Archives: May 2011

31 May 1861: “[I] was really gratified to see the promptitude with which the convention acted. We are now where we ought to have been months since.”

Item description: Charles Pettigrew writes to his brother, William Pettigrew, a delegate at the Secession Convention in Raleigh, N.C., commenting on party politics and military mobilization in the state. Item citation: From folder 242 of the Pettigrew Family Papers #592, … Continue reading

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30 May 1861: “To the President of the United States: SIR: The course of despotism is that of rapid and aggravated progression.”

Item Description: Editorial written anonymously by a “southern spy” decrying Abraham Lincoln a despot for his alleged violations of civil liberties. “A citizen remaining in the Union is no longer free,” the writer suggests. Item Citation: From catalog #2824 Conf. … Continue reading

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29 May 1861: “we arrived in camp yesterday near 4ocl all our company are on foot.”

Item description: In this letter, Robert W. Parker tells his wife that he was just appointed officer of the guard.  He remarks on the status of troops present, portraying the typical conditions for cavalry soldiers. Item citation: From the Robert … Continue reading

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28 May 1861: “…I send herewith a list of the companies tendered from each county, and the numbers of men.”

Item description: Portions of a report submitted to the Secession Convention by the governor and adjutant general of North Carolina. Item citation: From “The Military of the State.” [Raleigh, N.C.] : Syme & Hall, [1861], VC342.2 1861d v. 1, from … Continue reading

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27 May 1861: “[Confederate] soldiers are very different from the miserable rabble composing Lincoln’s Army…”

Item Description: In his diary, Rev. Overton Bernard compares the northern army against that of the South. He portrays Confederate forces as more honorable, religious, and capable. Item Citation: From folder 2 of the Overton and Jesse Bernard Diaries #62-z,  Southern Historical Collection, … Continue reading

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26 May 1861: “By the late papers I’ve seen the account of the unanimous secession of No. Ca. It is great comfort & strength in these awful times that there be no divisions among us.”

Item description: Letter, 26 May 1861, to Jane Caroline “Carey” North Pettigrew. The letter is unsigned but is believed to have been written by Pettigrew’s aunt Minnie (based on handwriting similarities among other items in the collection). Please see item … Continue reading

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25 May 1861: “I made no tender to the State until my ten Companies were all full and organized.”

Item description: Col. Charles F. Fisher petitions Governor John W. Ellis to get Leonard Henderson placed under his care in one of his companies. Item citation: From the John Willis Ellis Papers #242, Southern Historical Collection, The Wilson Library, University … Continue reading

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24 May 1861: Col. Ellsworth “House Breaker and Thief”

Item description: A Confederate pictorial envelope casting Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth as a thief. Ellsworth was the colonel of the 11th New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, or the Fire Zouaves, known for their French inspired uniforms. He and his troops were stationed … Continue reading

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23 May 1861: “Carolina’s Sons Are Ready”

Item description: The Daily Journal (Wilmington, NC) publishes a song written for the Wilmington Light Infantry’s anniversary celebration. Item citation: “Carolina’s Sons Are Ready,”The Daily Journal. 23 May 1861. Wilmington, N.C.: Fulton & Price. C071 W74j. North Carolina Collection, Wilson … Continue reading

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22 May 1861: “…in three weeks past have lost many men for lack of means to hold them–who became restless at not being organized.”

Item description: Col. Charles Fisher expresses his dismay with the process of mobilizing and mustering troops. The delay in swearing in soldiers caused, Fisher argues, the loss of many troops. He calls for more organization in troop mustering. Item citation: … Continue reading

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