Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) to Mary Bethune Craig Hunt
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02382.218 Author/Creator: Hunt, Henry Jackson (1819-1889) Place Written: Raleigh, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 August 1870 Pagination: 2 p. ; 25.8 x 20.6 cm. Order a Copy
Hunt discusses the events following the so-called Kirk-Holden war of 1870. Mentions "scrape Stephen Douglas has put himself into." Cites possibility of being called to enforce a district court action against North Carolina governor William Woods Holden. "If permitted to do so I think Gov. H. will surrender on the first demand I make and that it will probably settle the case by turning the whole business over to the Civil Court. So far I have had no trouble, am on very good terms with both parties and the so called 'KuKlux' are as glad that I have troops here as are the [Government?] party." Mentions Radical Reconstruction. Notes that an election held recently in North Carolina did not instigate violence. Also discusses the Franco-Prussian War and financial matters. Written on National Hotel stationery.
Hunt appears to have been called to North Carolina to assist in the aftermath of that incident. In an attempt to control increasingly violent Ku Klux Klan activity in the state, North Carolina governor William Woods Holden had declared martial law, but then had trouble controlling the lawmakers he appointed to enforce it. Holden was subsequently impeached.
Hunt served as Chief of Artillery for the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War. After the war, he served at various military posts.
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