Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC08375

Author/Creator: Barton, Clara (1821-1912)

Type: Autograph letter signed

Date: 29 February 1864

Pagination: 8 p. ; 20.3 x 12.8 cm.

Summary of Content: [Abraham Lincoln] ”Th Pres. grows more gaunt, pale, and careworn than ever. I feel badly when I think how much four years have changed him. I do not want to think that he could not endure another four years of toil and care like the last, and yet it would seem doubtful when one looks at him . . .” Also mentions set backs at Fort Wagner and in Florida.

Historical Era: Civil War and Reconstruction, 1861-1877

Full Transcript: Washington, D.C. Feb. 29 /64 Monday Morning, My dear good cousin Lon - , I remember to have written you a bad Book by last steamer here comes a 2nd Ed. The papers brot us the news of the repulse in Fla. - It seems to be characteristic. I regret exceedingly that the weight should have fallen on the same old Regts that went through Wagner & the hardest of the siege. 7th NH. 7th C - Unofficial reports place Genl. Seymour under arrest by order of Genl. Gillmore. This is not authentic - at all events it seems that Genl. G. slipped out in a good time from the responsibility it is easy to say now that all went well as long as the Genl. remained with them but as soon &c. <2> I have not much to report of my own doings in the last week having had company most of the time (a lady friend). I could not seem accomplish great things, I find myself almost a stranger to parties here in military power and must go all over the ground and and make new acquaintances or give up needing them which is a hard conclusion for me to arrive at. Col. Ewell came here, and was at Col. Reicker’s? and must have been ordered somewhere ”Forthwith” as I have neither seen or heard from him since. I am going to the QM Genl’s office to require from him - I regret exceedingly that I did not see him. I fear he has been ordered off into the woods somewhere. Do you think David will resign? I should not be surprised if it , <3> would be the happiest thing he could do. He has always expressed himself so even before any change was thought of and as he is perfectly free now it might be as well considering the nature of his location and all. He can leave the service I trust now without feeling that it has been any detriment to him. I think he is all out of debt. And can go home and be happy and comfortable. You can scarce be made to realize how warm it is here. Last night was like a summer night. Could not endure the windows down - I can scarce keep the little fire that seems necessary to health at this season of the year with all its dampness and change - It seems astonishing that you should have had such cold weather. It was cold here at that time. , <4> I rec’d a call last evening from Dr. Elliot whom you will recollect is at the head? last summer, He is now out of the service. I think likely discharged, but do not know. He and Dr. Craven were foes and of course poor Elliot suffered whether guilty or not - no living creature could withstand unharmed the virus of Craven’s bile anymore than flesh could resist that of the asp, a copperhead that lurks among the flowers or crawls in the old logs at your feet - talk about the subtility of corrosive sublimate!!! A precise acid!!!! Blunt - I have not heard a word from Oxford since I wrote you of course. Sam and Amelia have read letters, but they have not mentioned them to me, and I should not be likely to ask the contents of letters they get in return for those they write. , <5> They re well now. Mrs. Parks is still with them - I attended Mrs. Lincoln’s levee another reception last Tuesday. She was looking remarkably well, but the Pres. grows more gaunt - pale and careworn than ever. I feel badly when I think how much four years have changed him. I do not want to think that he could not endure another four years of toil and care like the last and yet it would seem doubtful when one looks at him. I know he is wiry and recuperative, wears like steel, still steel will wear out and I do no know but he may at last - hope not - till his work is done. , <6> They say that the army of the Potomac is moving a little. But I do not think it can get far at this season. Although if this weather holds the spring campaign will commence very early. Capt. writes me that Jean has left him and Columbus wrote me that her daughter had been sick. Has Jain? Gone to St Helene I wonder. I thought she feared the small-pox. I hope she did not get tired of working for the Capt - did she. I should not wonder in so small a space I wonder where my things were put. It seems to me that by some means the Capt will yet back his old orders again but I dont know how. I have a presentiment!! , <7> What will be done at Fla now after this repulse will our forces remain, or will they draw back to Hilton Head. I sometimes think that the Dept will be broken up save the Blockade and then that would not seem well but it is unfortunate and always has been. Is Genl Gillinar [Gilmore?] confirmed yet - I wonder. , Mr. Brown desires to be remembered to you most kind when I should write. He is still in charge of the Loyal League Prons?. And I think his friends desire him to take or have a position in the Dept of the Interior also Mrs. B is still here with him. She is a fine woman. , Do you remember that I brought home some little bunches of , <8> the dark feathering gross?. Not supposing that it would last to yet, have with a spring and ? Well it is beautiful come to get it here everyone admires it and I am only sorry that I could not have known last summer that it would come so well. I should have sent home a whole box of it to my own address. It is one of the prettiest things in my room. Did I tell you that I had Col. Legit’s picture framed? You know how nicely you packed it. Not a scratch or bend on or in it. And I have put it in a nice frame and it is really beautiful. You’ll say so when you see it. I wonder when that will be. Surgeon Genl. Hammond is still under arrest and undergoing Court Marshall. I cannot learn with what prospects who is med director at Hilton Head. Have a you a copy of the New ”South” containing an acct of the repulse and names of killed & wounded. &c I should like one but no matter if you have none I have written you in great haste stealing time from company, but you must expect little from me and not be disappointed. I will write more if I have time., , Your aff, Cuz Clara , , [Postscript vertically on page five.], Am glad that Mr. Leach is recovering. My regards to him please., Love to all enquiring friends. I shall write David.

Sub Era: The American Civil War