Collecting pieces of Minnesota's past for the future
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The Minnesota Historical Society preserves and makes available a wide range of materials chronicling Minnesota's history and culture. The goals of the Collections Department are to collect and preserve; provide access and interpretation; and engage in education and outreach. This blog is a tool to share these stories and let people know what is happening in the department.
Civil War Daybook
Letter from James Madison Bowler to his wife, Lizzie, from Little Rock, Arkansas, providing further comment on the news of President Lincoln's death - April 22, 1865
By: admin
| Civil War Daybook
| April 22, 2015
Letter from James Madison Bowler to his wife, Lizzie, from Little Rock, Arkansas, providing further comment on the news of President Lincoln's death.
A partial transcription of the letter:
Little Rock, Ark., April 22, 1865.
Dear Lizzie:
[…] Our late victories have been most complete and glorious; but the sad calamity which has befallen the Nation in the death of our beloved President, turns our joy to grief, our symbols of of rejoicing into the habiliments of mourning. How hard it is to make ourselves believe that this dreadful news is a reality. We are not only shocked at the deed, but are completely lost in sorrow and sympathy for the cruel death of him we all had so much reason to love and admire, and who deserved a better fate. But Abraham Lincoln is not dead as other men die, he lives, like Washington, in the hearts of his countrymen. Yes, in the hearts of every man, woman, and child throughout the civilized nation of the world, except such as have besotted their hearts in sin and treason. May Providence soothe the sorrow of his bereaved wife and children. […]
Ever your loving
Madison
A partial transcription of the letter:
Little Rock, Ark., April 22, 1865.
Dear Lizzie:
[…] Our late victories have been most complete and glorious; but the sad calamity which has befallen the Nation in the death of our beloved President, turns our joy to grief, our symbols of of rejoicing into the habiliments of mourning. How hard it is to make ourselves believe that this dreadful news is a reality. We are not only shocked at the deed, but are completely lost in sorrow and sympathy for the cruel death of him we all had so much reason to love and admire, and who deserved a better fate. But Abraham Lincoln is not dead as other men die, he lives, like Washington, in the hearts of his countrymen. Yes, in the hearts of every man, woman, and child throughout the civilized nation of the world, except such as have besotted their hearts in sin and treason. May Providence soothe the sorrow of his bereaved wife and children. […]
Ever your loving
Madison
See whole letter here: 1865-04-22_Bowler
Citation: April 22, 1865. Letter from James Madison Bowler to Lizzie, Correspondence, undated, 1829-1865. Bowler, James Madison and Family, Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1330]
"Last Public Speech of Mr. Lincoln" and "Mobile", Saint Paul Pioneer and Democrat - April 21, 1865
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| Civil War Daybook
| April 21, 2015
"Death of President Lincoln", "The Great Tragedy" and "Inauguration of Andrew Johnson", The Rochester Republican - April 19, 1865
By: admin
| Civil War Daybook
| April 19, 2015
Abraham Lincoln Commemorative Ribbon - April 1865
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| Civil War Daybook
| April 18, 2015
Silk ribbon commemorating the death of President Abraham Lincoln. Center of ribbon features a black and white drawing of Lincoln, with the words "THE LATE / Lamented / President / Lincoln" written below. Written at the top are the dates of Lincoln's death, as well as a quote.
Citation: April 18, 1865. Minnesota Historical Society collections [PUID 1985.142.4].
A letter to Sergeant Thomas Christie of the First Minnesota Battery from Minnesota Governor Stephen Miller, responding to an April 12 letter regarding a piece of captured artillery - April 17, 1865
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| Civil War Daybook
| April 17, 2015
A letter to Sergeant Thomas Christie of the First Minnesota Battery from Minnesota Governor Stephen Miller, responding to an April 12 letter regarding a piece of captured artillery.
A transcription of the letter:
State of Minnesota
Executive Department
Saint Paul, April 17, 1865
Sergeant Thomas D. Christie,
Clyman, Dodge Co, Minn
My Dear sir,
Your favor of the 12th instant just received informing me that a Blakely gun forwarded as a present to the State, by the 1st Minn Battery, has been deposited at Baltimore, where it remains for want of means to pay the freight. The Company has done its state of the work very nobly, and I will very cheerfully [ap…] the transportation on behalf of the State. I will order it home and will place it with other trophies in the State Arsenal, with an inscription engraved upon it, commemorating the gallant company, whose signal services during the campaigns of Gen’l Sherman have reflected honor upon the State of Minnesota.
Very Respfy Yours
Stephen Miller
Gov’r Minn
A transcription of the letter:
State of Minnesota
Executive Department
Saint Paul, April 17, 1865
Sergeant Thomas D. Christie,
Clyman, Dodge Co, Minn
My Dear sir,
Your favor of the 12th instant just received informing me that a Blakely gun forwarded as a present to the State, by the 1st Minn Battery, has been deposited at Baltimore, where it remains for want of means to pay the freight. The Company has done its state of the work very nobly, and I will very cheerfully [ap…] the transportation on behalf of the State. I will order it home and will place it with other trophies in the State Arsenal, with an inscription engraved upon it, commemorating the gallant company, whose signal services during the campaigns of Gen’l Sherman have reflected honor upon the State of Minnesota.
Very Respfy Yours
Stephen Miller
Gov’r Minn
Citation: April 17, 1865. Letter from Governor Stephen Miller to Thomas Christie. James C. Christie and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1281, box B]
Diary entry by Thomas Montgomery of the 7th Minnesota Regiment, Company K – April 15, 1865
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| Civil War Daybook
| April 15, 2015
Cloudy. Heavy rain. Relieved Capt MCoy as Reg. Of. of Day. Visited the Boat “Adams” saw the Com. Sub. Capt. Howard & received $50.00 & paid it over to Capt. Laughlin & Whitford & received their receipts. $158.64 still due.
Citation: April 15, 1865. Diary entry by Thomas Montgomery, Diary, 1865. Thomas Montgomery and family papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P2812 box 1]
Citation: April 15, 1865. Diary entry by Thomas Montgomery, Diary, 1865. Thomas Montgomery and family papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P2812 box 1]
Letter from James Madison Bowler to his wife, Lizzie, reporting from his Little Rock, Arkansas location and commenting on the good news for the Union forces at Richmond - April 14, 1865
By: admin
| Civil War Daybook
| April 14, 2015
Letter from James Madison Bowler to his wife, Lizzie, reporting from his Little Rock, Arkansas location and commenting on the good news for the Union forces at Richmond.
A partial transcription of the letter:
Little Rock, Ark
April 14th, 1865.
Dear Lizzie:
[…] We have received the glorious news of the capture of Richmond and of General Lee and his army. Also a rumor of the capture of Johnston and his army. There has been great rejoicing here. Yesterday and day before two hundred guns were fired in honor of our success. Last night there was an illumination in Little Rock, accompanied with bonfires, rockets, noise, and bad whisky. The war is virtually to an end. Peace must soon follow. What a grand, glorious result of four years of strife! The joy is exceeded only by my gratitude to God who has vouchsafed our national safety and about ended our sacrifices of blood. […]
Ever Your Loving,
Madison
See entire letter here: 1865-04-16_BowlerPDF
Citation: April 14, 1865. Letter from James Madison Bowler to Lizzie, Correspondence, undated, 1829-1865. Bowler, James Madison and Family, Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1330]
A partial transcription of the letter:
Little Rock, Ark
April 14th, 1865.
Dear Lizzie:
[…] We have received the glorious news of the capture of Richmond and of General Lee and his army. Also a rumor of the capture of Johnston and his army. There has been great rejoicing here. Yesterday and day before two hundred guns were fired in honor of our success. Last night there was an illumination in Little Rock, accompanied with bonfires, rockets, noise, and bad whisky. The war is virtually to an end. Peace must soon follow. What a grand, glorious result of four years of strife! The joy is exceeded only by my gratitude to God who has vouchsafed our national safety and about ended our sacrifices of blood. […]
Ever Your Loving,
Madison
See entire letter here: 1865-04-16_BowlerPDF
Citation: April 14, 1865. Letter from James Madison Bowler to Lizzie, Correspondence, undated, 1829-1865. Bowler, James Madison and Family, Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1330]
"Victory!! All Lee's Army Surrendered!", The Saint Cloud Democrat - April 13, 1865
By: admin
| Civil War Daybook
| April 13, 2015
A letter from Thomas Christie to MN Governor Miller reporting on a piece of artillery - April 12, 1865
By: admin
| Civil War Daybook
| April 12, 2015
A letter from Thomas D. Christie, Sergeant First Minnesota Battery, to Minnesota Governor Stephen Miller reporting on the piece of artillery which was a gift from Capt. Clayton of the First Minnesota to the State of Minnesota, and how it was acquired.
A partial transcription of the letter:
Clyman, Dodge Co. Wis
April 12, 1865
Governor Stephen H. Miller
St. Paul-
Sir,
I am a Sergeant of the First Minnesota Battery, now at home on Veteran furlough, and write to tell you that I brought to Baltimore, Md, a piece of Artillery which was given into the charge of Sergt. Gordon and myself to take home and present to you as a gift from Capt. Clayton of our Battery to the State of Minnesota. We got the trophy as far as Baltimore without much trouble, but could get it no further without paying for it, transportation ourselves, which could hardly be expected of us in view of the fact that our pay is now 8 months in arrears. […] When our Army Corps captured Cheraw S.C. on the 3rd. […] we found […] a park of 27 pieces of Artillery which the Enemy had been unable to get off. […] all of them except three were rendered useless and thrown into the Peedee. One of these three is the piece I left at Baltimore. Capt. Clayton obtained permission from Maj. Genl. Blair to bring it along from Cheraw, in order that it might be presented to the State of Minnesota as a trophy of Sherman’s Carolina Campaign[…] It is a Blakely, of three & a half inch caliber, and made in Liverpool in 1862 – a very interesting specimen of British neutrality, I assure you. […]
I remain, with respect
Your obt. Servt.
Thos. D. Christie
Sergt 1st Minn. Battery
A partial transcription of the letter:
Clyman, Dodge Co. Wis
April 12, 1865
Governor Stephen H. Miller
St. Paul-
Sir,
I am a Sergeant of the First Minnesota Battery, now at home on Veteran furlough, and write to tell you that I brought to Baltimore, Md, a piece of Artillery which was given into the charge of Sergt. Gordon and myself to take home and present to you as a gift from Capt. Clayton of our Battery to the State of Minnesota. We got the trophy as far as Baltimore without much trouble, but could get it no further without paying for it, transportation ourselves, which could hardly be expected of us in view of the fact that our pay is now 8 months in arrears. […] When our Army Corps captured Cheraw S.C. on the 3rd. […] we found […] a park of 27 pieces of Artillery which the Enemy had been unable to get off. […] all of them except three were rendered useless and thrown into the Peedee. One of these three is the piece I left at Baltimore. Capt. Clayton obtained permission from Maj. Genl. Blair to bring it along from Cheraw, in order that it might be presented to the State of Minnesota as a trophy of Sherman’s Carolina Campaign[…] It is a Blakely, of three & a half inch caliber, and made in Liverpool in 1862 – a very interesting specimen of British neutrality, I assure you. […]
I remain, with respect
Your obt. Servt.
Thos. D. Christie
Sergt 1st Minn. Battery
See the entire letter here: 1865-04-12_Christie_combined
Citation: April 12, 1865. Letter from Thomas Christie. James C. Christie and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1281, box B]
"The News" and "General Hood", The Stillwater Messenger - April 11, 1865
By: admin
| Civil War Daybook
| April 11, 2015
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