Rose O`Neale Greenhow - The O`Neal Genealogy Association

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Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
INTRODUCTION
4
ROSE O’NEALE GREENHOW – A BRIEF HISTORY
8
BACKGROUND
10
CHAPTER I: THE ADVENTURE BEGINS - RUNNING THE BLOCKADE
CHAPTER II: THE VOYAGE
CHAPTER III: ROSE ARRIVES IN BERMUDA
CHAPTER IV: THE TOWN OF ST. GEORGE
CHAPTER V: A CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF BERMUDA
CHAPTER VI: ROSE LEAVES BERMUDA ON THE HARRIET PINCKNEY
CHAPTER VII: ROSE ARRIVES IN LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
CHAPTER IIX: ROSE ARRIVES IN LONDON
CHAPTER IX: ROSE ARRIVES IN FRANCE
CHAPTER X: ROSE VISITS NAPOLEON
CHAPTER XI: ROSE RETURNS TO LONDON
CHAPTER XII: ROSE DEBATES WITH LORD DERBY
16
18
20
21
24
31
33
35
38
43
48
51
ILLUSTRATIONS
55
Rose and Unknown Man ..........................................................................................................55
Little Rose ................................................................................................................................56
Rose seated...............................................................................................................................57
Rose’s Granddaughter, Mary Lee (Duvall) Marie ..................................................................58
Rose’s Son in Law, Seymour Tredwell Moore .........................................................................59
Squailes ....................................................................................................................................60
Mother Carey’s Chicken’s .......................................................................................................60
CHAPTER XIII: ROSE RETURNS TO PARIS
61
CHAPTER XIV: ROSE RETURNS TO LONDON
64
CHAPTER XV: THE ENTRANCE OF GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI
65
CHAPTER XVI: SIGHTSEEING AND NETWORKING
67
CHAPTER XVII: BACK TO LONDON AND TO WORK
72
CHAPTER XVIII: ROSE MEETS THE GREENHOW FAMILY
75
CHAPTER XIX: ROSE GETS INVOLVED IN A CEASE FIRE NEGOTIATION
76
CHAPTER XX: THE TEMPEST
82
CHAPTER XXI: FLORENCE ARRIVES
84
CHAPTER XXII: THE ALABAMA & THE KEARSARGE
87
CHAPTER XXIII: ROSE RECEIVES COMMUNION
90
CHAPTER XXIV: ROSE’S LAST DAYS
96
CHAPTER XXV: GOODBY TO EUROPE
104
EPILOG
105
KEY PLAYERS
106
Beauregard, General J. P. T..................................................................................................106
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Boteler, Alexander A. .............................................................................................................107
Gwin, Senator William...........................................................................................................108
Granville, 2nd Lord ...............................................................................................................110
Mason, James Murray ...........................................................................................................111
Palmerston, Lord ...................................................................................................................112
Slidell, John............................................................................................................................114
Stowe, Harriet Beacher..........................................................................................................115
Walker, Georgiana Gholson ..................................................................................................116
KEY HISTORICAL EVENTS
119
The Trent Affair......................................................................................................................119
The Battle of The Kearsarge & Alabama ..............................................................................121
BIBLIOGRAPHY
123
ON – LINE RESOURCES
125
THANKS TO:
127
ILLUSTRATIONS
128
FOOTNOTES
129
OTHER LETTER WHILE ROSE WAS IN EUROPE
148
Rose sends a letter home........................................................................................................148
Rose sends a letter to Alexander Boteler ...............................................................................148
Rose receives a letter from home ...........................................................................................150
Rose sends another letter to Alexander Boteler.....................................................................151
INDEX
153
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Introduction
When Rose drowned in 1864 her diary was nearly lost forever.
According to Cornelia Phillips Spencer, who published “The Last Ninety Days Of The War”
in 1866,… “found among the effects of Mrs. Rosa Greenhow, which floated ashore from the
wreck in which she perished. Among such of her books as were recovered, much damaged
and stained with sea-water, was her narrative of her imprisonment in Washington, just
published in London, and the MS. of her private journal kept during her visit to London and
Paris.”
We learned about the existence of Rose’s European Diary through Washington author Ann
Blackman in her book, Wild Rose, Civil War Spy, A True Story, published by Random House
in June 2005. According to what we read there, this is a brief history of the diary:
“The diary ended up in the hands of David L. Swain, a North Carolina State Supreme Court
Judge, Governor of North Carolina, and President of the University of North Carolina, who
died in 1868, four years after Rose. Upon Mr. Swain’s death the diary sat among his
voluminous collection of papers.
One hundred and one years later, Dr. H. G. Jones, former state archivist and curator
emeritus of the North Carolina Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
was going through Mr. Swain’s papers and cataloging them when he came across a diary. It
was unsigned and untitled. But the woman's bold, black script made an impression on the
archivist.
"I read the first page and saw that it was a woman leaving Wilmington," Jones said. "It was
1863, and I thought it was odd that a woman would be leaving Wilmington in the middle of
the Civil War."
One night Jones awoke, certain he had seen the handwriting in a published work. He went to
his bookcase, retrieved his copy of Ishbel Ross's "Rebel Rose" and turned to a photograph of
a page from Greenhow's address book. He compared the two scripts and recorded the
following entry in his journal on Nov. 17, 1965: "I found the diary of Rebel Spy Rose O'Neil
Greenhow in the archives unidentified. Apparently never used."
In the academic world of history, it was a good find -- one Jones planned to keep to himself
for a while. "It was my secret because I wanted to publish it," Jones said.
But to publish the Greenhow diary would take a lot of work.
Not only would Jones have to go through the laborious process of transcribing the barely
legible entries, he would need to do a lot of research for annotations that put into context her
comings and goings through the palaces of Great Britain and France. Unknowingly, the last
year of her life -- from the time she slipped past Union blockade runners at the height of the
Civil War until her drowning at sea in 1864 off the Wilmington shore.
At a manual typewriter, Jones deciphered the European journey of Greenhow and her
daughter "Little Rose,” and then Jones decided to share his secret with one other person -Haskell Monroe, a Civil War specialist who agreed to provide the annotations for a jointly
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edited publication. In March 1972, 6 1/2 years after the discovery, Monroe wrote Jones,
saying his work would be done by summer's end…”
……But the annotations never arrived and today, some 40 years later, the diary remains
unpublished.
Hoping to read the long lost diary of my ancestor, I decided that I should attempt to
transcribe it myself. My cousin, Bev Crowe, in Gibson City, Illinois offered to help with the
transcription, so in October of 2005, I drove to Raleigh, North Carolina and obtained photo
copies of the diary pages from The North Carolina State Archives. I photographed each page
of the 128 page diary at high resolution, using a Canon EOS Digital Rebel camera and a
Canon Flat Field 2X macro lens. I mailed the Xerox copies and digital images to Bev and we
began the long process of transcription.
The first thing that we noticed was that Dr. Jones was correct when he said there was no
handwriting he had ever seen like this. The diary was indeed quite difficult to read. We’ve
transcribed letters of Rose’s in the past, including those housed at Duke University, but the
handwriting in the diary seemed much more difficult to decipher than most of her writings;
And upon reflection this makes perfect sense. The letters Rose sent to others needed to be
intelligible, so she wrote them neatly. The diary, on the other hand, was meant for no eyes
other than her own. The purpose of the diary was to log daily events while in Europe and act
as a mnemonic device for her personal use at a later date.
When I’m writing, I do the same thing. When I write a letter to someone, I use my very best
“Sunday go to meeting” script. It’s time consuming, but pretty, and gets my point across.
When I write articles and/or notes for myself, I hurriedly scrawl cryptic looking lines of text,
which my wife says appear to be written in Greek, but serve my purposes. If one or two
words in a sentence are legible upon my rereading the notes, the rest of the thought just
seems to jump back into my mind and I can sit and type from my notes as if they were
perfectly clear. While even I may not be able to read every letter or word in my notes, I am
able to use my notes to recall the thought that prompted the scrawling on the paper. And I
believe that’s what Rose did here.
Author Ann Blackman said that she took copies of the diary to two handwriting analysis
experts and they told her that it was indecipherable. They said that the diary was probably
written in some kind of code. And they were partially right. While the diary is not written in
code, the handwriting is very singular to the writer and to the period of time it was written in.
After working on the diary for awhile, I noticed that I was actually
beginning to learn a new alphabet. In Rose’s handwriting style a “t”
often looks like an upside down v; See the word “wait” at the left.
More often than not, Rose didn’t bother to cross the letter “t”.
The letters I – J & G all look exactly alike, with the j being in line with the line it is on, the I
being superscripted and the g being subscripted.
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For example, “I” looks like this:
G
“J” looks like this:
G
: and “G” looks like this:
G
Some words even have little nuances too. The words this, that and thus all look identical.
Also the letters u, a and d all look the same, because Rose did not close the “a” at the top, or
the “d.” And she rarely put the upright staff on the d.
Notice in the word “board” to the right. The “a” and “d” are
identical. “U” also looks like this.
The word “to” looks like a heart turned upside down. Notice how Rose used the
“o” to cross the “t”.
Another thing that made the diary difficult was that the
paper was thin and the ink bled through. Once we realized
that Rose’s writing leaned to the right, we realized that
anything that seemed to lean to the left was probably bleed
through and could be ignored.
In actuality, transcribing the diary was less of a job of transcription and more of a job of
assembling a puzzle. Once we learned that the word “to” looked like an upside down heart,
we could go through and find them all and write them in. When we learned that a & u & d all
looked the same, we could look at words like “board,” illustrated above. Then we could
substitute letters and try the word and see if it fit the context of the sentence.
Then there are other nuances we noticed. When Rose’s pen was freshly inked, she used long
quick strokes, probably to keep the ink from accumulating in any one spot and bleeding
through the page. When the pen was going dry she would write more concisely, yet lighter,
as if she were afraid of ripping the page with the sharp end of the pen.
Likewise, her mood affected her style of writing. When discussing Yankees and oppression
or something she felt similarly strongly about, she seemed to write in more of a script style
font, with long, bold graceful strokes of the pen, and I felt as if I could literally see the venom
escaping her pen.
Probably the most difficult sections of the diary to read were written when Rose was in a
hurry. I can imagine her sitting down after a long day of negotiations, being dead tired, but
feeling obligated to mention the events of the day. At times like this she just sort of drug the
pen across the paper, barely lifting it between words, sometimes making an entire line in the
diary look like a long line of waves across the page.
I’d like to say that as we went along the transcription got easier. It
did to a certain extent, but there are some words and letters in the
diary that are just plain illegible. Some are slurred beyond
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recognition, and some have ink blots obscuring them. Sometimes little cryptic symbols seem
to crop up out of the blue.
We have striven for accuracy in the transcription. We combed over the diary using every
digital and optical magnification and enhancement device we could find, and wracked our
brains endlessly for months trying to make sure everything was written as Rose intended it to
be written. If errors are found in our transcription, believe me, it is not for a lack of trying.
The last hurdle to overcome in the transcription was Rose’s apparent disregard for the use of
punctuation and capitalization. She would often write entire paragraphs without the use of
either, and sometimes she used hyphens “-“ to separate sentences. I point this out not to
discredit Rose or belittle her intelligence or education. Actually punctuation and spelling was
not standardized then, as they are today. Rules of writing differed dramatically by geographic
location and even religious bent. Spelling was often phonetic and left to the discretion of the
individual writer.
To allow the reader to enjoy Rose’s diary more thoroughly we have added punctuation to the
transcription. We have also taken the liberty of spelling her words correctly. We considered
using Rose’s exact spellings until we realized that we could actually introduce more errors
into the transcription by not reading every single letter correctly. Rose also dated her entries,
but did not use a consistent format, Sometimes she just wrote the date.; i.e. 21 or Tuesday.
Sometimes, she wrote the month & day, i.e. Jun 21. To make the dating more consistent to
the reader we have added date info where needed. This will give the reader a better
understanding of the flow of time in the diary entries. (At the very least, it helped us in the
transcription process!)
Rose studied French for many years and she uses it frequently in the diary. Thanks to Mrs.
Madeleine Sandford of Loda, Illinois, we’ve included translations in brackets.
When you see brackets used ( ) they were placed there by Rose. In some instances Rose left
out a word. I’m sure she thought the word, but obviously forgot to write it. For instance, one
sentence reads, “The Capt. was off on his duty and I went below to put Rose to bed, who was
by this nearly asleep”
…who was by this nearly asleep... doesn’t make sense, something is missing. Now, try the
same sentence with {time} inserted.
“The Capt. was off on his duty and I went below to put Rose to bed, who was by this {time}
nearly asleep”
This seems more like Rose intended the sentence to read. By using these { } brackets the
reader will know that I inserted the word or comment, not Rose.
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Rose O’Neale Greenhow – A Brief History
Rosatta Maria O’Neale was born in Montgomery County, Maryland into a wealthy farming
family around 1814. Her father, John O’Neale was murdered by one of his slaves when Rose
was about 3 years old. She was raised by her mother and Grandmother at the O’Neale
plantation near Barnesville, Maryland, and attended St. Mary’s Catholic Church there.
As a teenager Rose and her sister Ellen left the family home and moved into the Old Capitol
Boardinghouse in Washington, DC, which was owned and operated by Rose’s Aunt & Uncle.
There she met many prominent statesmen who resided at the boardinghouse while Congress
and the Senate was in session.
Rose had a penchant for politics and earned the respect of many prominent politicos of her
time. In 1835 she met and married Robert Greenhow, a prominent statesman. Rose and
Robert had 8 children, only 3 of whom survived to adulthood. Robert died in San Francisco
in 1853, leaving Rose a widow with 3 young daughters, and pregnant with a fourth.
Rose maintained her political and social connections in Washington, DC and when the Civil
War began she was conveniently placed to aid the Confederate cause through her extensive
network of political contacts, both Northern and southern.
Colonel Thomas Jordan, the Confederate Secretary of State, contacted Rose, gave her a
cipher code and asked her to continue socializing as she had in the past, but to keep a
watchful eye and open ears for any information that might be used by the Confederate
government.
Soon Rose had established an elaborate spy ring with couriers moving throughout the District
of Columbia and surrounding areas. She entertained both Northern and southern
sympathizers and coerced information from them. She supplied the Confederate government
with such valuable information as numbers of troops in the DC area, their movements,
embattlements, firepower, marching orders, etc.
General Beauregard and Confederate President Jefferson Davis both credit Rose with
providing critical information which allowed the Confederate Army to defeat the Union
soldiers at the first Battle of Bull Run, the first major battle of the Civil War; Which was a
key battle. Many historians speculate that if the North had won this battle, it probably would
have ended the Civil War before it ever really got started.
Rose was not a trained spy and although she did a good job at spying, she did little to keep
her activities a secret. Soon Allen Pinkerton of the Secret Service learned of her activities. He
followed and observed her for awhile and before long had her placed under house arrest.
Confined to one room in her home Pinkerton was sure that he had the situation under control.
Tenacious Rose, however, continued to collect and disseminate hurtful information.
To stop further communication with the outside world Rose was moved to The Old Capitol
Prison, where much to everyone’s dismay she continued her activities. She even succeeded in
getting letters out to the press and to high ranking Union Officers.
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After five months, and at wit’s end, The Union decided to release Rose and banished her to
the South. She gladly went south to Richmond, where she was given a hero’s welcome.
While in Richmond she collected her papers and daily journal and from these wrote her story,
entitled “My Imprisonment and the first year of Abolition Rule at Washington.” It was a
scathing review in which she related her impressions of the indignities heaped upon her
during her confinement and upon her fellow Southerners during the first year of the war.
While in Richmond, Jeff Davis visited Rose and asked her to go to Europe to act as an
emissary to the Confederate government, to which she heartily agreed. Not only would Rose
do anything in her power for the Confederacy, she had other reasons to visit Europe, as well.
Most importantly, Rose was concerned about her daughter. War torn America was not a safe
place for a little girl. She also desired to publish her book. The war torn South was not the
place to expedite publishing, but merry olde England would do just fine.
So, on August 5th, 1862 Rose boarded the steamship Condor to begin her journey abroad;
And on that same day made the first entry in her European diary…………..
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Background
To understand the importance of Rose’s role as a diplomatic emissary for the Confederacy
we need to look at the social and political climate of Europe and the relationships of both the
Union and the Confederate governments with the European Nations. How Europeans
perceived the war played an important role in their decision making process.
In the beginning of the war European opinion was decidedly pro Confederate. First, and most
importantly, Europe was a major importer of Southern cotton, so they sided with the
Confederacy through an economic concern. Secondly, European aristocracy felt a certain
familiarity with the Southern aristocracy. Third, the issue of slavery was not a major concern
at the start of the war.
In spite of what we have been told in modern times the Civil War was not begun over
slavery. While it played a role, especially in the latter parts of the war, it was not the major
impetus of the war. The war was actually fought over issues of sectional interests between
Northern and Southern states, and their differing views of the constitutional rights of states.
When the constitution was drafted the US was merely a group of states; i.e. Virginia,
Kentucky, Maryland, the Carolinas, etc. Each state was a sovereign nation unto itself and
ruled and legislated itself as it saw fit. When our forefathers wrote the constitution of the
United STATES they formed a federal government with limited power that bound the states
together as a group, but allowed each state to remain a self governing, sovereign entity.
For quite some time this system worked well, but by the early to mid 1800’s frictions began
to arise. The Southern states remained agriculturally based, while the Northern states were
becoming more industrialized. This resulted in different needs for the different states and
placed the Northern, industrial states and Southern, agricultural states in conflict.
By the mid 1800’s a predominantly Northern republican party was gaining strength and
culminated in the election of Abraham Lincoln. The newly formed Republican party placed
large tariffs on Southern cotton exports, which amounted to a staggering 80% of the world’s
cotton supply. 75% of the yearly annual cotton supply of the Southern states was exported.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the world, countries such as South America and India were
becoming established cotton exporters, spurred on by the British Cotton Supply Company,
which was started as a result of concerns by British merchants who were aware of the
American situation and apprehended problems with American cotton exports.
The increased competition for the European market and the high tariffs imposed by the
Federal Government were hurting Southern planters and the economy of the Southern
agriculturally based states. They felt that they were being persecuted by a federal government
that was using a political agenda to gain more power than the constitution allowed for.
Of course there were other grievances involved, including the issue of slavery, but the bottom
line was that Southern states felt that Northern doctrines were damaging their livelihoods and
were beyond living with, so they exercised what they perceived to be their constitutional
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right to withdraw, or secede from the Union they had established so many years before.
Several states seceded and drafted a new constitution and formed the Confederate States of
America.
Abraham Lincoln perceived this move as an act of war on the part of the Southern states.
However, if he went to war with the Southern states, he would, by proxy be recognizing the
South as a foreign power. Doing this would allow the Confederacy to be recognized by the
rest of the world as a foreign power, and thus able to seek aid and allies, munitions and war
supplies.
Not wishing this to happen, Lincoln took a different approach. He announced that individual
states were NOT ALLOWED to secede from the Union. That by signing the constitution the
states involved gave up their sovereignty and gave the federal government total control over
them. He argued that the Southern states were still part of the United States, no matter what
they chose to call themselves; and that this was an internal struggle, a simple insurrection, or
rebellion. He didn’t use harsh words, but subtly hinted that anyone who interfered in this
internal conflict could be construed as declaring war on the United States and would be dealt
with appropriately.
This put the Europeans in an awkward position. While they desired to help the South and
keep the cotton flowing, they did not wish to go to war with the United States. Besides, as
mentioned earlier, they were getting increased amounts of cotton elsewhere. Also, they were
beginning to become dependant on Northern industrial exports.
Some factions in Great Britain were glad to see the rebellion going on. With the expansion
going on in the US and the industrial base growing, some British Parlimentarians feared that
the US was starting to become a world power in its own right. This conflict would, they felt,
slow the expansion and decrease the chances of the US becoming a world power and
threatening European sovereignty.
Napoleon, of France had an active interest in Mexico. While the US was not interested in
helping him, he felt that the Confederate States would be obliged to him if he came to their
aid during the war. However, he would not take this step without British approval, which was
not forthcoming.
William Seward, Lincoln’s Foreign Affairs Officer had a reputation for hostility to England.
The Duke of Argyle described him as "the very impersonation of all that is most violent and
arrogant in the American character." The British Minister to the United States, Lyons, wrote
that Seward was "a dangerous foreign minister" who would even start a war with Europe if it
would maintain the Union. Lyons wrote further that the temptation for the North would be
"to endeavor to divert the public excitement to a foreign quarrel."
Seward’s logic was simple. If a foreign power were to attack American soil, Union or
otherwise, the South would reunite to battle the common foe. During the Trent affair, he
almost got his wish for war when two Confederate agents were confiscated from aboard a
British mail steamer. A British ship, the Trent was not only fired upon, but boarded by the
captain of the US San Jacinto and two Confederate agents, Mason & Slidell, sailing under
British protection, were removed from the vessel and taken to Fort Warren, Massachusetts,
where they were held prisoner.
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The British Government was appalled. Lord Russell wrote that an act of a very grave nature
had reached her Majesty's government concerning" an act of violence which was an affront
to the British flag and a violation of national law." Immediately British warships containing
8,000 troops began steaming towards Canada. Britian demanded the immediate release of
Mason & Slidell and a public apology from the US for attacking one of her ships in
international waters. Under orders from Lincoln to make the situation right, Seward
reluctantly released the agents after months of detainment in Fort Warren. He also disavowed
giving any orders for the British Steamer to be attacked and placed the blame on the “overly
zealous” actions of Captain Wilkes of the San Jacinto, saying that he acted solely of his own
volition.
Seward also ordered his agent in England, Charles Francis Adams, in Dispatch number 10,
delivered on May 21st to advise the British that he was to have NO relations with them until
they stopped interfering in the US “domestic problem,” and as long as they continued to hold
discourse with Confederate agents. Lincoln softened Seward’s language a bit and Adams,
son of John Quincy Adams, merely advised caution, and against Seward’s orders, continued
to negotiate with the British. Through Adams keen negotiation skills he coerced Lord Russell
into stating that he intended no further intercourse with Confederate diplomats.
Though Lord Russell had met with Confederate diplomats in May, the meetings were
considered unofficial. Upon repeated attempts by Confederate emissaries to meet
“officially”, Lord Russell announced in August that any further negotiations were to be
presented in writing.
This was the situation Jefferson Davis was looking at in January, 1862. He withdrew his
diplomats in Europe and dispatched two new ones. James Murray Mason, to negotiate in
London & John Slidell to negotiate in France. Davis had high hopes and expressed
confidence in their abilities.
Davis had hoped that the Trent Affair, as it became known, would hurt negotiations with the
US and Europe. However, much to his chagrin, just the reverse happened. In spite of
Europe’s dislike of Seward, Adams was a man to be reckoned with. His finesse in handling
the Trent Affair won him a fair measure of respect and softened Europe’s disdain towards the
US.
Henry Adams, brother of Charles, wrote in December, "our stay here is at an end." Then, on
January 10th, he followed up with “The current which ran against us with such extreme
violence six weeks ago now seems to be going with equal fury in our favor."
To Davis’ chagrin, he did not get the expected results from Mason & Slidell that he had
anticipated. This is not to detract from their efforts, for they were making contacts and he
was receiving favorable reports on their progress. But he needed to reach more people of
power & influence in Europe and at a faster rate than was currently happening.
Time was of the essence. He needed someone in Europe who could relate with the
aristocracy, such as Rose had done with the social elite of Washington, DC. Someone who
could mingle socially, play both sides of the coin and sway opinions. He needed someone
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who could read people’s ulterior motives and report a true picture of the inner goings on of
the ruling classes.
Thus he again called on Rose. He knew she had the interpersonal skills to network with the
aristocracy of England, and she spoke fluent French, so would also be useful in the courts of
Paris. She had the ability to open doors the recognized agents of the Confederacy could not
access. I believe her primary goal in Europe was to open those doors and blaze a trail for
Mason & Slidell to follow. It’s evident in the diary that she did just that on several occasions.
When Davis sent Rose to Europe he sent her with letters of recommendation to both Mason
& Slidell. Some historians seem to think that these letters were pink slips. That Davis was
sending Rose to take their place in Europe. In reading the diary, this does not seem to be the
case. Both Mason & Slidell remained in Europe and continued working for the Confederacy.
Both seemed pleased, as Rose reported it, with the letters she delivered.
This leads me to believe that the letters were advising Mason & Slidell to use Rose as a
resource. To tell her who they needed to meet and when and why, and give her free rein to
meet these people and open the doors for them.
In a letter to Colonel Boteler, dated February 16th, 1864, Rose wrote the following… “It has
been a very wise thing to continue Mr Mason - as Commissioner Genrl at the same time that
we relieved him from his false position as Commissioner here - His services here are
indispensable not only to hold in check the hostile movements of the Yankee emisaries, but as
a person who has the confidence and respect of all who sustains properly our national
character - I perhaps have had better opportunity than any one else here and in France of
knowing what is said, for I have mingled more freely in society and not being an agent of the
Gov have heard opinions more freely… I have had every thing to gratify me as no stranger
has ever been better received - unacknowledged unrepresented as we are.”
And open doors she did. In several instances she met with officials who decided during her
discussion that they needed to talk to Mason or Slidell. And she would quickly announce that
she would make the necessary arrangements. I’ve heard it said that the true success of any
diplomat is not in making someone bend to their will, but in doing it so successfully that the
other party thinks it was his idea.
Rose utilized all the skills she had honed over a thirty year period in the nation’s capitol,
among the highest social circles in America. She opened doors by socializing with high level
European officials and with their wives and lovers. She entertained the polite society of
Europe, and did everything in her power to sway public opinion among the elite ruling
classes. She met with religious leaders and negotiated for pursuit of a cease fire. She
negotiated with Adams to have a Confederate prisoner of the Kearsarge/Alabama battle
freed. In the letter mentioned above, Rose also told Boteler, “I have had a very pleasant time,
and accompanied my wishes in some instances beyond my hopes.”
She definitely made her presence known. But it was just too little, too late. By the time Rose
reached Europe, President Lincoln had already delivered a mortal blow to the Confederacy.
He introduced a weapon so powerful that no amount of Confederate negotiations, munitions
or army could counter or overcome.
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He issued the emancipation proclamation!
No longer was this a war of opposing theologies. No longer was this a war of Southern
independence from an oppressive Northern federal government. Now it was a war to end
slavery. Now the Northern army was betrayed as holy evangels of divine providence, and the
Southern army as the devil’s horde, as evil oppressors of humanity.
Lincoln had stumbled across the key to the candy store. The Union would be preserved.
Nobody seemed to notice that Lincoln did not promise to abolish slavery in Union States. He
only abolished slavery in states that had seceded from the union; and then he only promised
to abolish slavery if the states continued hostilities. According to the emancipation
proclamation, if the rebel states were to lay down their arms and rejoin the union, they could
keep their slaves. Nobody seemed to notice that this was not a philanthropic move to free an
oppressed race, but was more appropriately a calculated move to preserve the Union.
The world rejoiced. Prayer meetings were held in the North and the South and throughout
Europe. Overnight the Union Army became the instrument of God’s wrath against the
infidels of the South. Another letter from Henry Adams to his brother states, "The
Emancipation Proclamation has done more for us here than all our former victories and all
our diplomacy. It is creating an almost convulsive reaction in our favor all over this country.
The London Times furious and scolds like a drunken drab. Certain it is that public opinion is
deeply stirred here and finds expression in meetings, addresses to President Lincoln,
deputations to us, and standing committees to agitate the subject and to affect opinion, and
all the other symptoms of a great popular movement" which "rest altogether on the
spontaneous action of the laboring classes. . . ."
Even some Southerners reluctantly acknowledged their feelings. Mary Chestnut, a compatriot
of Rose’s, wrote "If anything can reconcile me to the idea of a horrid failure after all efforts
to make good our independence of Yankees, it is Lincolns proclamation freeing the negroes.”
So, in reality, Rose’s mission to Europe was doomed to failure from the start. She did not
know this, nor did Jeff Davis. Mason may have had forebodings about the success of Rose’s
mission, but if he did, he never shared them with her or cast any doubt upon her aspirations.
Rose pursued every avenue available to her in Europe, but eventually came to realize the
futility of her mission. At which point she decided to leave her “little darling” in a convent in
Paris and return home. In her diary she wrote, “Taking leave of kind friends. My child is here
with me and my heart is sorely tried when I look upon her lovely face and pleading eyes.
Until the last minute she had hoped that I would not go, but alas, inexorable destiny seems to
impel me on. My heart yearns to stay and also to go. I thirst for news from home. The
desperate struggle in which my people are engaged is ever present, and I long to be near to
share in the triumph or be burned under the ruins, for life without honor, without nationality
…”
“Took my child back to the convent and left her sobbing bitterly. It was a heavy trial to say
good-bye. God bless her. My heart is very sad.”
Page 14 of 157
“Here the good bye was spoken to my kind friends, and I felt myself leaving behind warm
friends, and true and a sad, sick feeling crept over me of parting, perhaps forever, from many
very dear to me.”
“A few months before I had landed as a stranger; I will not say in a foreign land, for it was
the land of my ancestors and many traditions and memories twined around my heart when
my feet touched the shores of Merry England; But I was literally a stranger in the land of my
fathers and a feeling of cold isolation was upon me.”
Rose O’Neale Greenhow was a true hero to her people and to the Confederate cause. Had she
not drowned in 1864 on her return from Europe, she would have published her story and
made the details of her contribution to the Confederate effort known to the world.
As it was, her diary sat lost for 140 years. Only now can we read her words and discover
what a brave, heroic woman Rose O’Neale Greenhow truly was, both to the Confederacy and
to the history of the United States.
Yet, even so, we’ll never truly know the full extent of her European negotiations for there
was much she would not write, even in her own personal diary, lest it fall into enemy hands.
In a letter to Colonel Botoler, Rose hinted to this when she said, “I wish I could write fully
and freely but the fear of seeing myself in the NY Herald restrains my desire to tell you many
things… I would write you many interesting particulars but the publication of the late
intercepted letters is a good warning to me to be careful. If you will get from Mr. Benjamin a
cipher and use my name as the key, I can then tell you many things… I repeat -- I wish that I
could write you freely - but patience and forbearence is yet to be exercised…”
What she feared to write, she committed to memory, to see the light of day only after the
great debate was settled and the hostilities ceased. Only then could she safely make a full
disclosure of all she learned and discussed in Europe.
But alas, her full contribution will never be forthcoming... For, as we all know, Rose took her
secrets with her to a watery grave that fateful night of October 1st, 1863 near Wilmington,
North Carolina. Although her lifeless body and her diary resurfaced the following morning,
her secrets, like her life force, will remain forever beyond our grasp, eternally lost at sea.
An anonymous writer summed up Rose’s commitment and contribution to the Confederacy
when he penned the following soliloquy for her obituary……….
"At the last day,
when the martyrs who have with their blood sealed their devotion to liberty
shall stand together firm witnesses that truth is stronger than death,
foremost among the shinning throng,
coequal with the Rolands and Joan d'Arcs of history
will appear the Confederate heroine,
Rose O’Neale Greenhow."
Page 15 of 157
CHAPTER I: The Adventure Begins - Running The
Blockade
Page 1
At twelve o’clock in the morning of 5th August I left Wilmington to go on board the
Phantom, one of the vessels of the Confederate States successfully engaged in running the
blockade between this Port and the island of Bermuda.
Capt. Porter (1.1) of the Phantom(1.2) and Mr. Seixas (1.3) our polite and Gentlemanly agent at
Wilmington escorted us aboard. Soon after we dropped down the river to be in readiness for
the tide and the friendly screen of night to get over the bar and through the blockading
squadron out at sea, when we should consider ourselves fairly launched upon our voyage.
During the day all was preparation in the little vessel. She had been but recently transferred
to the Confederate service having been built and owned by one of our Merchant Marines Mr.
Trenholm(1.4) of Charleston. Capt. Porter being in command for the first time.
I was his only passenger including my little girl. The Capt. took me to my stateroom where
everything good taste could suggest was provided for my comfort. I busied myself in
arranging the necessary toilet articles for the voyage with a distinct foreshadowing of the
inutility of such
Page 2
Of such preparation.
The Elizabeth (1.5) and Hebe (1.6) lay near being in the same perilous venture.
The Port officers came on board and went through the usual ceremonies of mustering the
crew and fumigating the ship in order to be certain that no one was concealed on board who
was not authorized to be here. This done all the officers departed. We were in eager
expectation of the momentous moment.
At last the hour approached. The Elizabeth & Hebe steamed out ahead of us and yawed (1.7)
us gracefully & heartily - her parting salutation of good luck and God speed you-- to which
we dispensed with a fervent prayer for their success.
Capt. Porter. said in rather a piteous voice, “There they go ahead of me.” To which I replied
“O, never mind, Wait ‘til full tide is in.”
He sat with his watch in his hand watching the moments, which seemed to move on leaden
wings. At last the time was pointed 9 o’clock, and the order to swing the ship was given.
The Capt. was off on his duty and I went below to put Rose to bed, who was by this {time}
nearly asleep - and soon after returned to my post of anxious observation, for we had to run
the gauntlet of the blockading squadron.
Page 16 of 157
Several more lying out there not in sight could be
Page 3
Watching us.
Under full head of Steam we got under weigh. We passed the Elizabeth and the Hebe, who
had each got aground, but our anxiety was too great on our own account to bestow much
thought upon our friends.
At this moment the Yankees threw up rockets(1.8), which revealed to us the fact that we were
in the midst of five of her “blockaders,” but right gallantly we went through them at the rate
of Sixteen Knots. The nearest three of them followed in pursuit, which we distanced, and
finally lost site of them.
We then relaxed our speed, and gradually resumed our regular course, by this {time} I had
become very seasick.
Page 17 of 157
CHAPTER II: The Voyage
We had gone past the gulf stream and our little ship was tossing and dancing upon the waters
in the most phantastic (sic) and irregular way; Making good speed, however, all the while.
Capt. Porter had a mattress spread upon deck, upon which I lay by turn watching the moon,
which had risen and was shining gloriously high in the Heavens, and pitying myself as the
victim of that most unfortunate infirmity of seasickness.
After several hours Rose came stumbling upon deck saying in duress, “I can’t stay there to
have my head bumped
Page 4
from side to side,” and she crouched by my side, amidst the cotton bales which crowded the
deck.
I twined my fingers in the bagging in order to keep myself steady and fell into a feverous
sleep from which I was arisen about day light by the ship being again put under full head of
steam and her course changed.
Capt. Porter shortly after came to tell me that we were again chased by a Yankee cruiser
having discovered at daylight one clue off our sound.
We soon, however, left our dangerous neighbors far out of sight, but a sharp lookout was
kept all the time by Capt. Porter, for eternal vigilance is the price of freedom in a blockade
runner.
How my blood boils to think that even in the wide ocean we are not free from the despicable
foe who seeks by numerical strength to crush us, aided by the policy of Nations. Yet God is
just, so can this thing continue?
But a truce to reflections. Time solves all problems, even those where in it is written in the
book of fate that we shall triumph over our ruthless adversary; And profiting by the
experience of the past, have built up a mighty empire upon the blasphemies of the old
system, which has in it the seeds of corruption and destruction.
Our course continues and although
Page 5
the sea was rough, we had the certainty of a speedy termination of our voyage unless over
hauled by the Yankee cruisers who seemed to infest the sea.
And as discretion has to be considered in such events the better part of valor, we yielded to
the necessity of the times and made clear of every sail. Our cargo was very valuable being
some flour, medicine and fifty bales of cotton, besides turpentine.
Page 18 of 157
The return cargo would pay for the ship, which has admirable qualities for the trade. She is
steel clad, short, point narrow like a needle, of light draft and great speed, and Capt. Porter
proud of her as if she were his lady love.
On Saturday evening, the fourth day out, we hoped to reach the Island, but alas, a cruiser fell
in our track and we were again forced to change our course and so ran four hours out of our
course to get rid of her.
This brought to us in the night - and as the harbor is difficult, we did not venture in without a
pilot.
We anchored and anxiously waited the coming of one. At daylight the Pilot got aboard and
at 6 o’clock, much to my joy, we anchored in the harbor of St George(2.1) after the short
voyage, but one yet made.
Page 19 of 157
CHAPTER III: Rose arrives in Bermuda
Here the Port officer came on board and
Page 6
Was introduced to me and kindly offered the civilities of the place.
Capt. Porter went ashore to secure accommodations for me at Mrs. Haywood’s, (3.1) a sort of
lodging house or Hotel, and the only one which the place afforded.
A short time after I went ashore and was put in the parlor, to which the ladies resident in the
house, being all Confederates, kindly yielded to me. Every attention was payed by their
proprietors to my comfort.
It was Sunday and although the church bells were ringing I felt too ill from the effects of the
voyage to obey the sanctimony, so after a bath I enjoyed the luxury of a good sleep from
which I awoke very much refreshed.
Maj. & Mrs. Walker had called during the afternoon and I was very sorry not to have seen
them.
Page 20 of 157
CHAPTER IV: The town of St. George
The town of St. George presents a rather picturesque appearance from harbour as you
approach.
It is built with order or system of soft white stone. The roofs are all white washed, as all the
water used on the Island is the rain, which is caught on the roof. Each house has a tank to
receive it.
The town is helter skelter.
The Gov. House (4.1) is a very unpretending building. The ordinance of which a flag staff
points with the British flag
Page 7
Floating from it whenever the Gov. honors St. George with his presence.
The approach to it is rough and rude but the grounds inside of the enclosure give token of the
proverbial English care and order.
Some days after my arrival Mrs. Maj. Walker (4.2) and myself went up to call on Mrs. Ord (4.3)
who was not home. We were requested by the footman to register our names in a book,
which lay on a plain wooden table at the entrance.
Altogether I was reminded fondly of an interior village garrison in the Confederacy.
The barracks for the soldiers one regiment of which 39 numbering eight hundred men being
stationed here are located conveniently and present an orderly and comfortable appearance.
This regiment is intended for the defense of the dockyards and other government property
and not for the protection of the colonists, amongst whom great anxiety prevails at this time.
The negros are lazy, vicious and insubordinate, and are constantly encroaching upon the
prerogatives of the white settlers who apprehend some serious conflict at no distant day.
The negros are busy with the best lands and other property in the island - and a negro by
name of Smith will be returned at this election to the legislature which sits at Hamilton,
Page 8
The Capitol, a small town about eight or ten miles distant from St. George.
The Beecher Stowe’s and the English philanthropists generally who have interested
themselves in the destruction of the wise and beneficial system of servile labor of the South
would here find ample field for the exercise of Christian humanities.
Page 21 of 157
The negro in this as other English Islands were emancipated in 1834, since which time the
material wealth and prosperity of the Island has been constantly diminishing.
And now all signs of agriculture improvement has entirely disappeared, and the product of
this Island would be integrated to the most parsimonious support of the population.
Happily for these unfortunates, during the last two years, this Island has been resorted to as a
convenient depot by the Confederates. And some of the inhabitants who have not been able
to eak out a miserable subsistence are now in the enjoyment of comparative affluence, under
the patronage and liberal dispensations of our people.
The negro population but illustrate the case in every other place where the wholesome
restraints and dominance of the superior race does not exist.
They have no regular system of labor - and have no idea of provision for the future.
Sufficient for the
Page 9
day seems to be their motto. A few hours of labor supplies enough for the support of life, the
climate being so mild as to relieve them from all the necessity of colder regions.
The negros seemed to have no idea of moral or religious restraint, and like the beasts of the
field unconscious that they offend against the laws of God or man. Their social lives are in
union with this.
Few negro women reach the age of puberty without becoming Mothers and it is an
established etiquette that the first child shall be white in order to make indisputable the claim
of the mother to good society. After this it does not damage her position should her
succeeding progeny be black.
The proportion who can read and write compare very unfavorably with our slave population
In fact I have not met with a single negro here who can read & write, and I mention this with
no disposition to censure the omission - for nature has gifted this race with none of the higher
intellectual attributes of the Caucasian race.
They have imitative qualities which under the influence of constant contact with the white
race approximates to reason and intelligent qualities shared in a lesser degree with the
orangutan and the ape. A reasoning mind cannot resist speculation upon the probable future
of so fair
Page 10
A portion of creation where all save man is divine.
Page 22 of 157
It would perhaps solve the problem for the British should the Confederacy finds it convenient
to acquire this island as a depot and restore the political and social relations of the two races
to that which seems to have been intended by divine providence from the beginning of time.
A short time before my arrival there was quite some excitement warranted by a negro strike
for higher wages, which, being resisted by our agents, the negroes attempted to burn the
Confederate cotton – some three hundred bales of which was destroyed or materially
damaged.
Maj. Walker, our agent here took active measures to suppress the fire and to prevent its
repetition.
He dismissed the entire negro force who had participated in the proceeding and procured
white labor from Hamilton and other parts of the Island.
The negros finding they had a resolute man to deal {with} soon repented of their attempts to
take the law into their own hands and look for pardon and work at the old rates.
The entire trade of the Island is Confederate, consequently many new and delicate questions
arise which require tact and good judgment to evade
Page 11
or dispose of without coming in collision with the status, which the British Government
affects to maintain towards the Confederate Government. And I cannot but do justice to the
talents and skills which Maj. Walker exhibits amidst these complications, at the same time
that he so admirably maintains the dignity of the Confederacy.
Thus he inspires confidence and wins adherents to the cause by the personal estimation in
which he is held.
He is ably seconded in this latter by his wife who is gifted with every womanly grace and
attribute, and fitted to adorn any station of life, and seems here amidst the surroundings like
some rare exotic transplanted to an uncongenial clime.
There is but little to interest a stranger here unless it be a Confederate and to us the interest is
great because this place is the life giving artery to our nation, as it enables us to acquire
through it the means of dealing death to Yankees.
Our vessels come as regularly here as the British Mail Steamers.
Just now we are under considerable anxiety that the steamers going out shall reach their
destination, the Port of Wilmington in safety.
The Sumpter (4.4) or Gibralter carries only
Page 23 of 157
CHAPTER V: A correspondence with His Excellency, The
Governor of Bermuda
Page 12
Two guns (large space) (5.1) and the Eugenia, (5.2) Lady Davis (5.3) and Phantom (5.4) carry
power and arms amounting
(large space)
which will be valuable acquisitions
at this time. In addition to our anxiety in this head, new causes have developed themselves in
the opinion delivered by the law officers of the Crown of Great Britain. That British vessels
carrying cotton and turpentine liable to capture & this concerns us so much more nearly than
would appear to the casual observer, thus I deemed it advisable to check if possible some
information on the subject from the Governor of this Island
So I addressed him the following letter
To His Excellency Gov of Bermuda
St. George August 19th
Sir – Having no recognized representative on this Island of the Confederate States of
America and being a citizen thereof – I was constrained to address you personally and to
appeal to your courtesy as an officer of the British Empire for satisfactory information upon
the subject herein indicated, and which is of vital importance not only to me personally but
on account of my numerous friends whose pleasure and interests may influence them to visit
Page 13
England.
My purpose was to embark upon the Harriet Pinckney (5.5) from this port for Liverpool
having received satisfactory assurance of her being a British vessel sailing under British
papers & colors - and relying upon the protection which that gov. has uniformly given to it’s
own subjects engaged in legitimate commerce – or of the stranger who sought safety under
its flag – I had hoped to reach England without lest molestation hindrance from the Yankee
cruisers.
But information has reached me through channels entitled to my respect that a decision has
been rendered by the law officers of the British crown – That all vessels on the high seas
carrying cotton - Whether or not British vessels, the cargo of which lawfully belongs to
British subjects was liable to Capture and condemnation as prizes, etc.
This seems so extraordinary a decree that I am forced Sir to apply to you for information
before continuing my journey on board the Harriet Pinckney – as I should incur great danger
from being captured – The least of which would be a prolonged and cruel imprisPage 14
Page 24 of 157
-onment. For you are probably not aware that in their crusade against the liberties of my
country that women and children are subject to the same ordeal as the armed soldier and oft
times more severe as they are not liable to exchange.
If taken I could expect nothing less than imprisonment for an indefinite period, and I
therefore may be excused for pressing for information on the subject of the decision of the
law officers of the crown – and whether or not
the safety of passengers relying upon British protection will be compromised thereby.
I respectfully ask for an early answer to this, and meanwhile have the honor to be, with most
distinguished consideration x x
Rose O’N Greenhow
To this letter I received the following reply
Government House St. George
20th August, 1863
Madam
I am directed by the Governor (5.6) to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of yesterday’s
date, stating that it was your purpose to embark on the Harriet Pinckney from this Port for
Page 15
Liverpool, but that information has reached you that a decision has been rendered by the Law
Officers of the Crown that all vessels on the high seas carrying cotton, whether or not British
vessels, the cargo of which lawfully belong to British subjects, are liable to Capture and
condemnation as prizes, in and upon this point you accordingly apply to his Excellency for
information before prosecuting your journey.
In reply I am instructed by his Excellency to acquaint you that no such decision as that I have
quoted above from your letter has been promulgated within this government by his
Excellency’s authority.
I have the honor to the Madam
Your Most Obedient Servant
Henry Frederick Plow (5.7)
Private Secretary
To this I replied
To His Excellency The Gov of Bermuda
St George
August 20th, 1863
Page 25 of 157
I have the honor to acknowledge through your Excellency’s Secretary, the answer which you
directed to be made to my letter of 19th inst, (5.8) and I trust that I may be pardoned for still
further intruding upon your notice
Page 16
In as much as your Excellency seems to have misapprehended the nature of the information
which I desired to obtain.
My object was to ascertain whether or not a decision had been given by the Law officers of
the British Envoy rendering British vessels freighted with cotton & turpentine liable to
seizure and confiscation.
And whether the rights and safety of passengers upon such vessels would be jeopardized
thereby.
And not as to whether Your Excellency has caused such decisions to be promulgated in this
government, for it would then have been a matter of public notoriety and I should have had
no occasion to appeal to you for information.
You will therefore, I trust, excuse this pertinacity with which I return to the subject of my
first communication.
I desire earnestly to continue my journey to England and I wish to know whether I can do so
in safety upon a British vessel, thou cotton & turpentine may compose or form part of her
cargo.
The Harriet Pinckney will be freighted with cotton and I am credibly informed that the
British
NOTE: Pages 17 & 18 are missing, presumably torn out of the diary. H.G. Jones, who found
Roses diary notes that Pages 17 and 18 were missing from the diary. Author Ann Blackman,
in WILD ROSE suspects that Rose probably “edited” the diary by removing certain pages.
Page 19
Providence.
As her escape is almost miraculous, for as the good ship neared the harbour and the Yankee
Cruiser, her machinery got out of order and became utterly unmanageable.
But the gallant Captain Reid(5.9) not being daunted by this terrible catastrophe hoisted sail and
went right through the blockading force, who did not seem to realize the character of the ship
until after she got under the guns at Fort Fisher, when they sent a few volleys after her.
And I have no doubt that Capt. Reid even in this extremity had cooly calculated a more
desperate resort still, that of blowing up his ship rather than her cargo should be captured.
Page 26 of 157
All honor to him and I hope a salute will be fired in his honor, directed against the Yankee
fleet where they are mounted at Charleston by order of Gen. Beauregard who at last has
“there big guns which Providence is so fond of.”
Gov & Mrs. Ord came to make the return visit at Maj. Walker’s this afternoon. He is a fine
looking man, handsome enough to be a Southern Planter, of cultivated manner and pleasing
address.
Mrs. Ord without being handsome is fine looking and like her
Page 20
husband has charming manners with that entire absence of pretense common to all high bred
people.
Gov. Ord congratulated me upon the safe arrival of the Gibraltar, commending the cleverness
of Capt. Reid in the manner of getting in. (5.10)
I was rather amused at this for the Government is supposed to be entirely ignorant of
munitions of such being shipped from this Port.
He has uniformly however extended every possible courtesy to our agents here. Or rather the
private Gentlemen who are engaged in trade on their own account.
I had a good deal of conversation with his Excellency, but no allusion was made to our
correspondence
August 25th 1863
Mrs. & Maj. Walker and myself dined with Monseigneur Virtue (5.11) the Roman Catholic
Chaplain to the Regiment here.
We were invited for seven o’clock at which hour my friends were to call for me. But alas
seven half past came when Maj. Walker presented himself with disgust and vexation on his
face.
He had engaged a carriage, which not coming at the proper time, he had sent to hasten and
was told that the driver having been to Hamilton in the morning refused to venture out again.
So he had to appeal to the humanities of another estate house
Page 21
And I believe was only successful in obtaining it by announcing the fact that is was to go to
Monseigneurs, whose turtle soup would be spoiled by the delay.
Finally at about eight he arrived and found consternation at the threshold.
Monseigneurs cook had announced that the dinner would be spoiled. So, amidst the greeting
of Mr. Virtue who is by his way a most accomplished person and our protest against the
social system which prevents a white man from being a free agent in this emancipated Isle,
Page 27 of 157
we entered this house and were shortly after whisked into dinner, Mr. Virtue giving me his
arm. We had a most admirable dinner seasoned by pleasant discourse.
An intelligent English officer, Dr. Muir being present, upon whom I laughingly visited the
sins of his nation for not recognizing us.
Time hangs heavily. I am impatient to be gone. The narrow bounds of this Island oppresses
me and I chafe at the detention.
And yet a more ambitious and daring spirit than mine was doomed by a refined species of
cruelty to die by degrees upon a more contracted area than this.
Napoleon
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx (several lines scribbled
out)
It has been my good fortune to find here some
Page 22
Very pleasant society here past our own lines.
Maj. & Mrs. Stansbury (5.12) are staying in the same house.
The Maj. is a most accomplished and indefatigable officer, who like Maj. Walker has been
banished here for his country’s good.
And I only trust that such happy selecting may be made in the choice of our agents
elsewhere.
Poor Mrs. Stansbury is just now in deep affliction at the loss of a favorite brother who has
fallen. Another martyr to our country’s cause!
Alas, as time moves on, and the war enters deeper into our lives, it is the cries for vengeance
which reach the foot stair of the Immortal rather than the prayer for peace.
For in the future still darker, scenes of carnage and bloodshed are foreshadowed and if we are
doomed to perish, the civilization of this continent falls with us. And a carnival of horrors
and high Saturn’s(5.13) malice will be enacted in the spot where Troy was.
But what nonsense I am writing. The star of our destiny will rise grandly, even tho the world
combined unites to crush us.
The English residents here are very amiable and attentive to us Confederates. A venerable
old Gentleman Mr. Pickthorne and his wife called upon me.
They all strive to be the resident aristocrats
Page 28 of 157
Page 23
Of this Island.
I was much gratified by the interest they took in my wayward fate, the old being told that
their friends from England had porters there.
A few evenings, ago Maj. & Mrs. Walker and myself were invited to take tea with Mrs.
Capt.-P (Blank space)
We had a very pretty and unpretending supper set, which we all enjoyed, and were duly
impressed with the genuine hospitality of the Capt. and his wife.
Several persons, all belonging to the militaire were invited to meet us, and after supper I was
indoctrinated in a new game ~ squailes(5.14) - at which, as children of a longer groth
{growth} we played until a late hour.
I usually spend my evenings with Mrs. Walker. They have a pretty little cottage embosomed
in tropical trees and plants, which you reach by tortuous and devious wanderings through
crooked allies and lanes.
Maj. Walker is by tacit consent recognized as the representative of the Confederacy here and
dispenses the lavish hospitality which has long distinguished the South of the old dominion.
Although I have often laughingly chided them for continuing it here, as the pay of a Maj. is
inadequate to such demand.
The climate of this place is peculiar to cordial. I was agreeably surprised to find the heat not
so great as in the Southern States or even in Richmond and Charleston. For a short time
Page 24
Luxuriated in the sea breeze.
But this enjoyment is of brief duration. A week or ten days places one thoroughly under the
influence of the climate, which, resist as you may, enervates the physical strength and
reduces one to the prevailing inertia.
Such has been the affect upon me, and I believe it is that universal experience of everyone
who remains here a few weeks.
The atmosphere is very dry and hot. Little or no rain during the summer, although the Island
is subjected to frequent hurricanes or tempests which are often very destructive and frightful.
This Island was once a penal colony and some of the most respectable of the inhabitants now
here are of that involuntary clan of emigrants.
It was here that John Mitchel (5.15) the Irish patriot was held in close confinement upon a
prison hulk (16) to expiate his sin of devotion to his country for many months.
Page 29 of 157
Until afterwards transferred to Australia, where after eight years imprisonment and exile he
escaped to the United States, and is now a citizen of the Confederacy, to which cause he has
devoted his great talent as well as the lives of his four sons who are gallantly fighting
Page 25
Battles of our country, which is now also their country.
They came amongst us when the tempest was gathering and skies were dark, and won their
claims to citizenship upon many a bloody field.
The Harriet Pinckney is to sail tomorrow, so I am occupied in writing some letters for the
Confederacy and other preparations.
An agent of Erlanger, the French banker,(5.16) to arrive here in the British Steamer enroute for
the Confederacy.
On Saturday August 29th 1863 I was notified by Maj. Walker that the Pinckney would sail at
5 o’clock in the afternoon and to have my traps(5.17) ready to be sent aboard on time.
I busied myself most energetically to complete my preparation, so as to be able to spend the
last hours with my friend, the Walkers, with whom I was to dine and to go from their house
to the steamer. All being concluded,
I finally made my adieus and took my departure from the hotel.
The hours glided quickly by and the hour of embarkation arrived.
The boat of Maj. Walker lay in readiness to take me to the vessel. And we started, children
along, in a procession for the good ship, which was to bear me over the water.
Mrs. Maj. Stansbury having also come to wish me God Speed.
Arriving at the place of embarkation, to my disgust I learned that the vessel would not get off
until next morning and that it would be impossible to get aboard.
So here I was with not even a trap(5.18)
Page 26
Left on shore. There was no help for it so I resolved to make the best of the dilemma.
Returned with my friend Mrs. Walker with whom I spent the night. Banished the Maj. for the
night from the conjugal couch, took his place and slept in one of his robe de nuit,
{nightgown} as the garments of his dear little wife were far too small for me.
At an early hour I arose, bade my kind friends goodby, and after a short row got aboard the
Harriet Pinckney.
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CHAPTER VI: Rose leaves Bermuda on the Harriet
Pinckney
Capt. John received me on board after saying goodby to Maj. Walker and “the little folks”
who had accompanied Rose on board.
I went below to talk some. A most excellent breakfast was spread for us and here too the rest
of my fellow passengers were assembled. The Rev. Dr. Jackson(6.1) and wife. She and I
being the only women on board. Dr. Chas. Gerard,(6.2) Col. Thornburn, CSA (6.3)- here
composed the passengers. Being seven in all.
The accommodations were ample, and we had every prospect of a pleasant voyage.
At 12 o’clock we weighed anchor and put to sea. Shortly after I became very seasick and
was glad to take refuge in my cabin. For the first day I was too ill to take note of anything. I
only know that we were supposed to have a good sea, and were getting along finely. I
suffered a good deal having got a touch of fever at Bermuda. Rose enjoyed the voyage very
much.
The Capt. was a jolly Englishman who did all in his power
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to make his passengers comfortable and to lighten the tedium of the voyage.
We had good weather and spotted no vessel.
Three days before the end of the voyage he came to me to say that he would put into
Falmouth instead of going to Liverpool for which Port we had embarked, giving as his reason
he wished to avoid the Yankee cruisers in the Irish Channel.
This was unexpected to us all and everyone set to work to know where Falmouth was and
what sort of a place. Even the Capt. could give but a little information. All know that Delft
Haven was nigh from where the Pilgrim fathers embarked.
The day was gloriously bright when at 6 in the morning of Sept 13th we arrived in the
harbour of Falmouth. Here the custom house officer came on board and for the first time I
knew how disagreeable a thing it was. However, I had only soiled clothes and a box of
tobacco to bring to Mr. Mason which was allowed to pass. Doleful enough I felt.
We all went to the Hotel. Some of the passengers went that evening to London. I resolved to
go to Liverpool.
Mr. & Mrs. Jackson also remained over, and I shall always remember their kindness to me.
My little one was very tired.
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Mr. Jackson and myself went out to see the town of Falmouth(6.4) which but is known is in
Cornwall, and the inhabitants the most ignorant and benighted in
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Being miners or more or less connected, course and boorish in manners and ugly beyond
description.
The town resembled some of the villages in Pennsylvania, low & small houses, although the
situation very picturesque.
The old castle of Pendennis, which lay above the town is a strong fortification and surrounds
the harbour.
Plymouth, on the other side of the river made an imposing picture as a torch ensemble, but
truth to say I was in no mood to do justice. I was restless and anxious to be off and ever
nervous at launching out in an unknown world.
My good friends Mr. & Mrs. Jackson went with me as far as Exeter and then we parted
company.
My journey lay through the finest parts of England. The mines here in Cornwall are a royal
dominion and belong to Prince of Wales as Duke of Cornwall. Through Devonshire we past,
(passed) and it looked like one vast garden. The beautiful hedges, which divided the smaller
fields into which the county is cut up, made a most pleasing picture. It was the first time that
I had seen this.
Here too was the famous Devonshire sheep with their flat tales (tails) and firm carriage. (5)
The Derham breed. We passed through most of the Cathedral towns of England by this route,
but unfortunately
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Could only catch a bird’s eye view.
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CHAPTER VII: Rose arrives in Liverpool, England
We, that is, my little Rose and I, started at 7 o’clock, and a long journey we found it,
reaching Liverpool at 11 1/2, distance 240 miles.
Met with what might be called incidents. At Bristol a porter went with me to get my tickets
and took charge of my luggage & was so very civil that I was overwhelmed with gratitude.
And on taking my place in the carriage gave him half a crown, feeling quite mortified at
having such an insignificant sum to offer.
Three Gentlemen who had taken their places in the same carriage simultaneously exclaimed,
“He dare not take it, he will lose his place.” Also, “You are an American, Madam, you spoil
traveling for us.”
Whilst the confusion caused by this little incident lasted, a Gentleman came to the window
and said, “Is Mrs. Greenhow here?”
Imagine my surprise here in the heart of England when a stranger called my name. He had
known some person of the family, and seeing my name on my trunks came to tender his
service. The train now moved on with little incident.
Established quite amicable relations with my companions, who were very amiable
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And communicative during the journey, at each stopping place getting out to get
refreshments or fruit for Rose.
Also pointing out the various objects of interest and accompanied her and stayed beyond
their destination.
They were going to visit at some nobleman’s home in the neighborhood whose name I have
forgotten. They took care of us with great kindness and surrendered us to the care of the
guard.
As they turned away, and before the train started, a fat, good humored person came to the
window and said,
“You will be lonely now that your companions have left.” & I said
“O, no, I have my child.”
He then continued, “I am in the next carriage and should you want anything will be only too
happy to serve you.”
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I thanked him. When we arrived at Liverpool he came to the carriage, helped me out,
collected my baggage and gave it in charge of a porter, put us in a cab with directions to the
Queens Hotel.
While doing this a servant in handsome livery came and said, “Your carriage awaits, my
Lord.”
After I got to the hotel he came and directed that comfortable rooms should be (available)
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And bade me good night.
No tongue can tell how grateful I felt for all this was from the well reserved English.
15th September {1863}
I arose in the morning very much refreshed but rather late, got the direction of Messrs.
Fraser, Trenholm & Company Bankers.(7.1) Arrived there, arranged my business with them
and hoped to get off by the 11 train for London.
Too late by 10 minutes for the train, not sorry, as it afforded an opportunity to drive around
Liverpool. First drove to the docks of which I had so often read. Were at low tyde, so saw
them to advantage. To the Town Hall and other places of interest. In four hours “did
Liverpool” in Yankee parlance - went back to the hotel in time for dinner. Payed my bill and
off for Liverpool by the first train.
This time also accident favored me. A young man came to the carriage to speak with a
Gentleman who had taken his place inside, saying “O rather a curious coincidence. Mrs. &
Miss Greenhow names are published at Lloyd’s(7.2) as passengers in the Harriet Pinckney.”
Rose gave some start of surprise at the moment, which I endeavored to restrain, but too late.
The Gentleman
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Addressed turned and said, “Is this Mrs. G?”
I bowed my head. In a moment he handed me his card, with the same name. A few inquiries
proved that he was a branch of the same family living in London. My journey, of course,
after that was very pleasant. Another young man got in who proved to be a partner of a
mercantile firm connected with the South.
Mr. G got out at Hampstead but the other conducted me to the Burlington Hotel and secured
my rooms & for him. Thus far I could not have had more kindness in my own country
amongst my own people.
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CHAPTER IIX: Rose arrives in London
The next morning Mr. & Mrs. Greenhow came to go out shopping with me – for it may be
readily supposed that after running the blockade from the Confederacy I was not in the most
presentable trim. These kind friends made me feel or seem at home and dissipated the sense
of loneliness, which was upon me.
September 16th 1863
Drove to Mr. Masons and gave him my letter from the president. He was very kind, and we
had a long talk. The next morning he came and asked me to dine and to bring Rose. Several
persons there.
In to evening Mr. Spence (8.1) of Liverpool came in. I was glad to meet him as he has written
a very clever book upon the American
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Question. Many persons called during the day.
September 17th 1863
Went to see Westminster Cathedral and wandered amongst the tombs of the mighty dead, to
the House of Parliament, grand and imposing on the pile. I stood with a strange feeling in
Westminster Hall – upon the spot where Kings & Queens were crowned – and in my
imagination I imagined the solemn pageantry.
Here too the trial of Warren Hastings(8.2) had taken place – Macaulay’s(8.3) magnificent
description of that trial and the imposing array came so vividly before my mind that I could
hardly convince myself that it was not some reminiscence of some scene that I had witnessed
in the far off ages.
From this Hall we proceeded to the House of Lords which is a beautiful little chapel. Some
historic paintings hung opposite the door of entrance. The rows of benches were arranged
ampitheater fashion, one rising above the other – very small and confined
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Page 35
Page 36
November 1st 1863
Things look squably in Europe. Talk of war-difficulties with Denmark and the German dist.
& news from here. Preparation for vigorous defense.
November 5th 1863
The Emperor of the French proposes European Congress to meet at Paris.
November 8th 1863
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His letter or circular to European powers very able, and with a proud humility which only the
finest man in Europe would have ventured. Says he is looked upon as ambitious, and alludes
to his former position of trade, &.
November 9th & 10th 1863
Speculations, as to whether there will be a Congress. Don’t believe there will- or that
Napoleon either expected or desires it.
Destiny is playing his game for him, and the Rhine provisions with him yet accrue to France.
The Mexican question occupies the French. The people oppose the French occupation. Arch
Duke of Austria selected by Napoleon to help him out of the difficulty.
All Europeans whom I have met {are} ignorant about Mexico & Mexican politics. They
fancy that the Mexicans trouble themselves about constitutions and governments when as in
reality a few vandals get together and wage war for plunder upon the country. The best thing
which can happen is that a strong absolute Gov. be established. Anything better than the
anarchy and misrule of the present.
November 19th 1863
Lord Russell(8.4) has refused the Congress in a curt, rude note. Austria & Prussia & Russian
also, but more civilly. War, of course, inevitable. {Page folded. Can’t read last two words.}
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On the morning of December 12th at 630 am. I left London for Paris. In a short time we left
the smoky and murky atmosphere of London behind and some faint glimpses of the sun
could be seen, giving however no idea of the clear skies of my own land. From Dover to
Calais was the route selected by us with a special preference to the shorter passages by sea as
the hint of sea sickness rises before me as the greatest evil to which poor human nature can
be exposed.
The country through this portion of England is flat and uninviting.
We passed the celebrated Cathedral of Canterbury, a magnificent old building which is now
being restored at vast cost. Here lives also the Archbishop of Canterbury, the highest
ecclesiastic of the Church of England.
Soon after entered the Devons and passed through the city (blank space) upon the (blank
space) one of the naval depots of England.
At 9 1/2 we reached Dover and were hurried on board the small packet for Calais. The
baggage being registered, there was no trouble about it. I determined to remain on deck and
resist my ensuing le mal de me’re, (le maladie de mer) but alas for human resolutions before the white cliffs of Dover began to fade from my eyes, my vaunted(5) resolution had
been set at naught.
In short time I was crouching on the deck
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Page 38
only too glad to hide my face into my hands. For one who has been much at sea has always
the uncomfortable assurance of being laughed at by all who are not found to pay the same
tribute to Neptune. But the hour soon passes, even with a sea sick person.
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CHAPTER IX: Rose arrives in France
We landed at Calais. The first thing however which struck my eye before my foot touched
the shore of France was a beautiful little ship of ours, with the Confederate flag flaunting
gracefully to the breeze, anchored in the harbour. It was the first time that our flag had been
seen and all were curious to know what flag. So soon as Rose saw it she danced with delight
saying “O, Mama, here is our flag.”
Soon we landed and walked to the train, saw in the crowd an officer in Confederate uniform.
It was young Forest who is to be attached to this place.
It is the English vessel, which was purchased a short time since, and got out so cleverly, and
is now fitting out at Calais, with every faculty as afforded by the French authorities.
I arrived at Paris at 9 o’clock. After some detention about baggage drove to the grand hotel.
I must first tell of the politeness of the custom house officers. I gave him my keys. After a
moment he said in French, “Will Madam declare that she has nothing upon which duties
must be paid?”
I said, “Yes, I have only my wearing apparel.”
Page 39
He passed my trunks and in due course of time they were mounted on a cabriolet,
porter mounting upon a ladder to put the trunks up.
(9.1)
the
At last I reached the grand hotel, which is more magnificent than imagination can conceive.
The entrance to it is like fairy land. You drive in through a large square court filled with
orange trees and other tropical plants. The immense tubs in which these are planted are
covered with moss.
Being too late for the dinner in the Salle de manger, we took our dinner at the table d’hote.
{host table} A young steward had joined us but an old English officer of the Navy came with
us from London. I must say that this meal was rather unpromising.
So, retired soon after and slept soundly. Arose in the morning very much refreshed and went
to the Madelain for dinner, several my old friend accompanying me.
Afterwards we drove to the Louvre, The Place Vendome and other celebrated places, and it
was then only that the Magnificence of Paris dawned upon me.
At two o’clock we drove to the Bois de Boulogne, which certainly exceeds anything in the
world, both on account of its exterior and beauty and the magnificence of the spectacle which
everywhere met the eye. It was imposing beyond description and worthy of the General
Page 40
Page 38 of 157
Louis Napoleon.
It is a perfect maize of trees with beautiful grottos(9.2) and artificial lakes and must have cost
untold thousands and this I am told (has) done more than anything else to popularize
Napoleon than any other act of his.
We returned at five. Dressed for dinner in the Salon. I entered late when the roomful was
fuller, and my eyes were fairly dazzled by the blaze of light reflected from glasses, for the
whole walls were lined with gilding and glasses set on over the doors. The room is circular.
The appointments of the tables were in perfect keeping with everything else.
After dinner we went into the reading room where everyone else went. Sat there for a time,
then came to my chamber, and have written this hasty scrawl of my first impressions of Paris.
I found on my return the cards of Mrs. O’Sullivan and Miss King, also Mr. Corcoran.(9.3) I
was sorry to have missed seeing them.
December 14th 1863
Mr. Mason, Slidell and other Confederates came to call upon me. Also Mrs. Slidell and a
daughter.
Today commenced my first sight seeing in Paris. Capt. Whitehead engaged a commisaire
and we drove North to the places of greatest & to the Place des Greves, as it is now called
Place de la Concord with its magnificent columns, and to
Page 41
where Marie Antoinette and Louis 16th were executed.
The old city is being rapidly expanded by a new one of entirely different plan. The narrow
crooked streets of the days of barniculla now can only be recalled to the mind by driving
through a section which is still undisturbed. The boulevards intersect all Paris where troops
and cannon can sweep through To the Place Vendome.
We next drove to see the Column of Vendome crowned with the statue of Napoleon 1st. Then
to the Champs-Elysees, a beautiful drive of miles in length with chairs and seats scattered the
whole length. This constitutes the fashionable promenade and drive of Paris in the summer
season. Even now a few gleams of sunshine brings out hundreds. It is a gay scene.
December 16th 1863
Today I walked through the gardens of the Tuileries. From there to Hotel des Invalides where
rest the mortal remains of the great Napoleon. As I stood over the railing and looked down
upon that conquering world, the same old sympathy with his fate was strong upon - This is a
refuge (Two words scratched out.)
The sarcophagus is near the top of the chapel and is surrounded by a railing. It is in the
basement floor and we look down upon it. Before this was completed the remains had rested
in a very beautiful compartment in the chapel.
Page 39 of 157
I did not go into the
Page 42
the vaults as it was too cold - although below in the little chapel, this is also the hospital for
the old soldiers who lived in the building. I went through the various apartments into the
kitchen - saw them cooking. Also the set of silver presented by Josephine to Les Invalides.
December 17th 1863
Today I went to the Louvre and through the Vas picture galleries, which I enjoyed very
much.
December 18th 1863
I was tired beyond description but have seen that which has pleased me more than anything
else.
The Hotel De Cluny a magnificent old castle, a portion yet in ruins. Here are collected the
rarest things in Paris. Gems of art and curious relics of Court dresses, laces, tapestry & of the
celebrities of France in days long gone. Here had the Emperor Adrian held his luxurious gala
(word scratched out) apostate had luxuriated. Also his bathe is pointed out. It is an intensely
interesting place.
December 19th 1863
Today I went through to The Hotel de Ville, Garden of Palais Royal, Concord soirees des
Arts a Metriers Music de Sevre.
December 21st 1863
We drove through the Faubourg Saint Antoine, the most filthy, terrible looking place in the
world.
This is said to be the only part of Paris which gives Napoleon anxiety as it is the only link
with the bloody days of revolution.
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And is already doomed to disappear in the early spring.
I drove through it in order to reach the manufacturer of the Gobelin Tapestry. A permit was
necessary here but I showed my passport and was allowed to pass by slipping a frank into the
hand of the guard. It is curious and was worth seeing. A very admirable picture full length of
the Emperess is here. I went through and saw them at work upon the various kinds printed
picture like painting to the lesser kinds for royal presents on carpets. Very tedious in the
process.
December 22nd 1863
I visited Notre Dame, a magnificent structure exceeding all description in the exterior, but
greatly disappointed my expectations in the interior being cut up with chapels & railings and
galleries, which takes away all ideas of grandeur or solemnity.
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I visited also the Chapelle Expiatore in Rue Lavoisies Plan (le aberde) where the bones of
the victims of the guillotine during the reign of terror have been collected. Mass is said here
once a month and at each anniversary solemn services. The faubourg St Denis no longer
exists. A boulevard runs through and splendid palace in place of the dirty crowed edifices.
All Paris is being rebuilt upon one uniform plan of white stone. The remains of Louis 16 &
Maria Antonette are also in the Expiatore.
Page 44
December 22nd 1863
Train to Faubourg, St Germain the only part of Paris which accesses the past. Went to make
some visits in the aristocratic region. It is across the Seine. The celebrated Convent du Sacré
Coeur(9.4) is in this region and Rue de Varenne 77. It is in this quarters formerly the Hotel de
Biron.(9.5)
December 24th 1863
Visited the convent and presented my letter of introduction to to Mrs. Davidoff(9.6) from my
friend John Mitchel, the great patron who is now a citizen of Confederate States. Mrs. D
received me very kindly. My little one was very shy, and she does not like the idea of being
placed here. Never the less it is to be her destiny. Came home very tired. Went to dinner at
Mr. De Leone’s where I met a very pleasant party, principally Confederates.
24 Made my visits of ceremony to Slidell. Presented my letter from the President, which I
brought to him. Himself, Mrs. S, the girls called in the course of the day. Mr. Mason illegible
Eustis illegible illegible & I.
In fact all Confederates in Paris have been very kind and attentive to me. My commission
arrives each day. I was thru sightseeing. Tonight went to the theatre Imperial du Chatelet(9.7)
where Alladin was being played. It was a good serious display. Rose was delighted. Sight
seeing each day.
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January 5th 1864 The cold weather has frozen all the lakes and introduced a new element of
enjoyment for the fashionable world. Skating not unusual at the Bois de Boulognes. (9.8)
I went out this morning and saw the Emperor and Empress, Prince Emperial, Princess
Mathilde and all the court enjoying the pastime. The Little Prince was soon muffeted up and
sent away, but their Majesties remained. The Empress seemed especially to enter into it. She
fell 4 times. Ill natured people sayed it was to show her feet, which are pretty. Her dress was
entirely black. Black velvet petticoats, black silk dress looped over it. Black velvet basque
lightly drawn in at the waist with a bow and lovely cuffs, black hat with a heron’s plume in
front, high boots and black pantalets, so that when she fell no white was visible. Stayed until
five.
January 6th 1864
Again to the Bois.
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January 7th 1864
To the Bois and to the opera to hear Patti (9.9) in Sonnambula. (9.10)
January 10th 1864
To the Bois again, and that is my last appearance as I was tired of it.
January 11th 1864
Wrote to the Emperor, asking an audience, in these words: Being a stranger without
acknowledged representation I approach your Majesty with the request of being admitted to
the honor of an audience. It would fill me with great grief to be obliged
Page 46
To return to the Confederacy and to tell President Davis that I had not seen the only man in
Europe who was his peer and who has filled my mind with wonder as the originator of this
wonderful city which has become the centre of the civilization of the world.
Your Majesty I have the honor to be
Rose ON Greenhow
To this on January 18th I received an answer from the chief of the cabinet of the Emperor.
Thus by his Majesties command it has been referred to the Grand Chamberlain. Charged with
& I thereupon fore addressed a note to the grand Chamberlain the Duke de Bassano. Saying
that, being officially informed that my request for an audience had been referred to him, thus
took the liberty of referring him to the Confederates States commissioner now in Paris for
any enquiries he might choose to make as to my social right to enjoy such a distinction. And
who under other circumstances would have been my medium of communication.
On January 21st 1864 I received a note from the Duke de Bassano saying his Majesty had
directed him to say that he would receive me at half past one on January 22nd.
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CHAPTER X: Rose visits Napoleon
I then went to tell Mr. Mason who was very much pleased and I
Page 47
Also informed Mr. Slidell and requested him to send Mr. Eustis(10.1) the seat of his mission
with me, which he accordingly did. Mr. Eustis came at the appointed time and accompanied
me to the Tuileries, but he would only go as far as the ante chamber with me.
After that I passed through the hands of numerous officials and through more halls and up
and down several flights of steps until I reached what is called the audience chamber.
Here the Grand Chamberlain received me and seated me, saying his Majesty would receive
me in a few moments. A moment after he returned bowing low said “entrez, Madam, dans la
cabinet de l’Empereur” (“Enter madam, in the cabinet of the emperor.”) and closed the door
behind him.
His Majesty was standing in the middle of the room. I made my obeisance - and he advanced
to me and extended his hand saying “vous parlez Francais, Madame?” (“You speak French,
Madam?”)
“No Sire, je me parle pas assez pour me faire comprendre, mais je connais votre, Majesty
parle parfaitment Englais” (“No Sire, I do not speak it well enough to be understood, but I
know your Majesty speaks perfect English.”)
With that said, holding my hand, he led me to a chair and seated me, seating himself
opposite, saying, “You are from the South.”
“Yes sire, from that unhappy county.” He then expressed his earnest sympathy for our cause
entering upon the subject
Page 48
And showing an intimate knowledge of the situation & perfectly characteristic. He
questioned me closely and when my opinions came in conflict with his preconceived
opinions, he admitted the force of my reason as only a great man could.
I urged the question of recognition with great earnestness, showing that we considered
ourselves entitled to it, and the moral strength it would give us.
He said that he had hoped to render us efficient aid but that he could not do so alone. That he
had frequently made overtures to England on the subject. But thus she had either evaded or
rejected his overtures.
He charged me repeatedly to assure the President of his sympathy and that his efforts would
be untiring to secure us upon one point.
Page 43 of 157
I quote his remarks. He said, “Tell the President that I have thoughts on his military plans he has not concentrated enough. The Yankees have also made true blunders. If instead of
throwing all your strength upon Vicksburg you could have left that to its fate and
strengthened Lee so as to have taken Washington. The war would have ended.”
“England would have been obliged to recognize you, as I should, of course.”
I replied “The President is fully convinced of the wisdom of such a movement. But,” I said,
“there (were) grave military political reasons for pursuing the course we have pursued in
order to prevent the alienation of our own territory. Besides, you
Page 49
can have no just conception of the war and of our military operations. The State of Va is as
great as this mighty Empire and to show disregard to any portion of the county would excite
feelings injurious in a crisis like this.”
The importance of this view he fully recognized and accepted as a good reason for our policy
& much conversation ensued.
He asked about the President, of our different Gov, & Lee.
To which I replied, “Sir, he is worthy to be one of your Marshals.”
After I had said all I wished, I arose. He took my hand and said some amiable things - wished
that I would remain in France, & I said, “Even the attractions of your mighty capital cannot
keep me.”
He said, “I know your history. The women of the South have excited the admiration of the
world.”
He said “I wish you a prosperous voyage and tell President Davis that my admiration and my
sympathy are with him and his people.”
I said, “Ah, Sire, I wish you would bid me tell him that you would recognize us as one.”
He said, “I wish to God I could. But I cannot do it without England. I had hoped to help you
through Mexico, but you see, they try to draw me from that.” (alluding to the opposition
party of France headed by Mr. Thiers) (10.2)
“But you may assure the president that I will make renewed efforts to serve him.”
After that he conducted me to the door, again shook hands with
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me and we parted. So much for my interview with this ruler of the destiny of Europe.
Page 44 of 157
I reported my interview to Mr. Mason and Slidell whom I found waiting at my apartment,
very anxious to hear the result.
I wrote that same afternoon a verbatim account to the President indulging in no exaggerated
speculation as to what might be the result.
I also sent him some accounts which conflicted with the friendly policy and feeling indicated
in this interview.
My belief is the stronger now that our only chance of recognition must now come from
England and that, that is the place to which our efforts must be directed.
February 1st, 1864
I received a very flattering letter from the Archduke Maximilian,(10.3) that he is but a puppet,
and obligated to play the role mapped out by Napoleon.
It is said here that the Yankee government have signified their intention to recognize the
Imperial Gov. in Mexico if the French Emperor will adhere to this present policy, or take
sides against us.
All accounts describe Max as warmly our friend. But that will not weigh in the scale a
feather, as feeling has nothing to do with the policy of Kings.
I went last night to the Grand Bath at the Tuileries. It was a magnificent sight. The scene
was entirely reminiscent
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of the scenes in the Arabian nights that was being played here.
The grand stairs were lined with the court guard who stood in their magnificent armor like so
many petrified steel clad warriors.
The salons were filled with other people in gorgeous attire and the men in court dress, and
foreign ambassadors, brilliant with medals & decorations - quite bewildered me by the
dazzling display.
The Emperor, Empress, Princess Clotilde & Mathilde were seated were seated in the salon
upon a throne with crimson and gold hanging above.
At 12 o’clock the supper - room was thrown open, but only the ambassadors & families have
the privilege of supping with their Majesties.
A foreign Embassador good naturedly took me into supper and I was placed very near by her,
standing next to the Dutchess de Bassano.
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The Duke came and talked to me some time. I had a good opportunity to see the Empress &
court. She was standing near me for some time.
She is not at all pretty, nor distinguished in appearance.
Her dress was of tulle, white, garnished with brown butterflies and velvet and a quantity of
white flowers in the hair fastened in front with an ageu of diamonds.
Numerous quantity of pearls of large size surround the throat, also fastened with diamonds
The Emperor had on a simple court dress with the order of
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Feb (space) I left Paris on my return to England retracing my
The Bath, a broad red ribbon from the left shoulder to the side with decorations.
The Duke de Morny(10.4) had the same. He is very like the Emperor only younger, handsomer
& not so intellectual looking.
The Princess Mathilde had a magnificent tiara of diamonds, was dressed in white, is fat and
vulgar looking.
Clotilde was dressed in red gauze with also a tiara of diamonds, pearls & is thin with sharp
features, turned up nose and very unnatural looking.
The order of arrangement - We were all in the supper room some fifteen minutes, standing
with our backs to the table when the Emperor entered with his Empress on his arm, walked
up to his place at the head of the room, followed by the members of his court in attendance.
The Duke De Morny preceded the Emperor.
I was not at all struck by the appearance of anyone. The Emperor is himself a very striking
person and looks the King.
I saw no handsome women in the circle, although blazing in jewels the toiletry did not strike
me as very pretty.
I enjoyed the pageant to my entire satisfaction, seeing every thing and every body, and felt no
desire to enter further with the gaieties of Paris.
I quitted Paris the morning of the Balmasque {masquerade ball} as the Duke de Bassano to
which through Mr. Corbin I was introduced.
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Feb 6th 1864
I left Paris on my return to England retracing the route I had traveled over for as the weather
was lowering I did not desire a longer passage by sea, as the route by Boulogne was. Capt.
Page 46 of 157
Bulloch (10.5) put me in train and I started on my journey alone. I had left my little one behind
and my heart was heavy.
It is no pleasant thing traveling alone at any time but in a strange country it is something very
disagreeable. The arrangements, however, I must say was excellent. The railroad carriages
are divided with compartments holding 6 persons.
On some of these you see written dames seule. (Ladies only) That is for ladies traveling
alone. Into one of them I was put and was very sure to have no objectionable women placed
with you.
After various detentions we reached Dover.
Several persons going to England were in the same compartment with me, which destroyed
that utter sense of loneliness. The weather now became very bad, nasty and blowing
fearfully, and a rough trip we had across the channel. Everyone on board were sea sick and
huddled as close as could be packed in the cabin as the sea washed over the deck which was
several feet in water.
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CHAPTER XI: Rose returns to London
At last we were over and once more in the train for London. I cannot say how glad I was to
be in England once more. I had a nervous feeling which quite irritated me.
Page 54
For I could not help remembering my own dear land and the bloody struggle which was
desolating her, all on account of the selfish policy of this country.
My maid met me at the Victoria Station and after a short time my baggage was secured and I
was on my way to the Burtroyre. Arriving there, I soon was ensconced in {a} comfortable
apartment with a good supper.
I must not wait to state that at Dover the baggage was examined. I did not fancy mine being
opened so I tried the virtue of my passport once more- which being carefully read was
returned to me and my baggage allowed to pass. Two shillings slipped in the hand of the
police was my acknowledgment for this.
On Tuesday, February 8th 1864 I took rooms in New Bond Street 157 and soon established
myself. Some of my Confederate friends came to see me this evening after my arrival. Gen.
Morehead and Col Buchanon.
For two weeks confined with a severe cold or la grippe as it is called in Paris.
February 23rd 1864
Have seen my young friends - met on a visit at Mrs. Jones (niece of Lady Morgan) Miss
Jewsbury, an authoress, has written some petty things.
February 24th 1864
Miss called upon me.(11.1) The same evening wrote me sending an invitation from Mr.
Carlyle (11.2) to tell me the next day (Sunday) I could not go, being engaged to Lady
Georgiana.
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Fullerton.(11.3) The invitation was repeated for Monday. Found him entirely different from
what I had expected. He is erect, tall 5 foot 8 or 10 inches, little sinewy figure, full brown
beard and slightly grizeled hair. Has a strong Scotch accent in speaking which he uses less
when he is animated. Talks a great deal. Is deeply interested in American affairs and a most
noble advocate of the South.
He asked me a great many questions amongst others, what sort of a looking animal was
Lincoln. I endeavored to do justice to this appearance and where upon Mr. C arose from his
seat and shook himself like a great dog, and soliloqued the flat nosed negro of Haty {Haiti}
and Abraham Lincoln the rail splitter of United States as a worthy pair to stand side by side
in history.
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He asked about our President Mr. Davis and I described him. He placed his fingers over his
eyes and said, “I see him. God has made the situation for the man”.
He spoke in strong language of the crimes and imbecility of the North and when I arose to go
as a late hour, 11 1/2 o’clock. He said, “I will do anything for your country.”
I said, “An article or few words from you, sir, will carry weight and would be deeply
gratifying to our President and our people.”
Mrs. Carlyle is sick of a nervous disease, which makes him very unhappy as he is deeply
attached to her.
Page 56
Went to dine with Mr. Roebuck(11.4) who made such an unfortunate move in our behalf. He is
very excentric, but evidently a man of tutelage, lives to talk and talks well. I told him that I
had seen Carlyle and of his politic biases in our favor. He replied it is the first time he ever
had a right idea.
We talked a great deal and he gave me his account of his interview with the Emperor and
sayed that he was instructed by them to make it public. That the denial by Baron Gros, the
French Minister,(11.5) which caused the trouble was without authority, and as we all know was
immediately recalled.
Mrs. Roebuck is a very pleasant person and the young girl quite surprised me by her
knowledge of recent dates, literary subjects as well as politics.
Mr. Roebuck asked me to come on Friday for an early dinner and afterwards to go to the
House of Commons.
February 25th 1864
This day I also went to se Cardinal Wiseman. The first impression is not so favorable, as
regards his intellectual qualities. But as he converses his face assumes a higher character and
I left with the impression that he fully merited his reputation for talent of a high order. He
also was warmly our advocate. He introduced the subject of politics upon which we
continued during my visit. He spoke of my book and asked where he could get it.
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When I said I would have the host to send him a copy, he told me to write in it as he wished
to have it. And that he would send me something not so worthy of me & meaning his works.
On Friday went to dine with Mr. Roebuck, Miss Jewsbury also. Afterwards went to the
House of Commons. It reminds me of a county court. The members all sitting on benches
ranged on either side of the room. The head of the room, the speaker occupies a chair and just
beneath him is a table around which the members of the gov sit and by which they, when
replying, stand. {There is some text above and below this line which is mostly illegible
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except for the passage “where they remain when they get up to speak.”} The cabinet here sit
in either house and defend their measures when attacked.
The place assigned for ladies is small and dark and screened from observation by a bronze
grating. It is almost impossible to hear. Written up on the wall in the only place where a ray
of light penetrates, “Silence is especially enjoined,” which seemed the most absurd idea for a
ladies gallery and never fully satisfied me with the House of Commons.
The government here have no sinecure.(11.6) The most talented members are in the opposition
excluding Cobden(11.7) & Bright(11.8) who vote with the government. They are the abolition
leaders, and loose no occasion to fulminate falsehoods against the South. These men are pure
revolutionists, social disorganizers and would upturn this British gov. tomorrow if they
believed they would rise upon the ruins of this established
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Order.
They are however in a minority and take other means. They look on the South as aristocrats,
and seize the popular fanaticism of anti slavery, and brow beat the gov. to maintain its quasi
hostile attitude against us.
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CHAPTER XII: Rose debates with Lord Derby
I had a long interview with Lord Derby who but for the Danish complication would ere thus
have been at the head of the government. My object was to give him information about the
Confederacy and to let him know what our expectations were.
What I liked about him was that he opened the subject at once and showed me that he was
utterly ignorant of everything, save that we had once formed a part of the Old United States
Gov; without any clear idea of the grounds upon which we claimed the rights of secession.
He said that he had always thought that the union could never be reconstructed. He asked
what we expected. I said, “Recognition, and the impartial observance of the neutrality laws.”
“Not”, I said, “Lord Russell’s interpretation of them. Where he strained them to the utmost
against us and proposed new enactments to make them suit the Yankees.”
He said, “Lord Russell is bitterly hostile to you & you do not pretend to say”, he continued,
“that recognition is all you would expect. That you would not expect us to raise the blockade
of your Ports?
“I do, Sir, most emphatically. We would reject your intervention tomorrow, as we feel
competent to establish our own independence”
Page 59
“upon a basis as proud as that of your own government. We want to have equal rights with
our adversaries and the moral strength which recognition would give us. Recognition would
bring us peace in 60 days.”
“Show me how?”
“There is a large minority at the North composed of the best and most enlightened class, who
have long since abandoned the idea that the South can be brought back or subdued. And they
now begin to view with alarm the other subversions of our constitutional government. The
encroachment upon individual rights as also the rights of property.
These people see an absolute despotic central government breaking down all barriers, and
ruling as never zar {Czar} of Russia ruled. And they tremble for the time when the feeble
resistance, which their own state organization makes, shall be swept aside. These people
desire peace-but they have not the moral courage to boldly resist.
Validating here is an extra. Recognition would give them that moral courage. Together with
the political aid we would give them. The war would end, as the pretext, now of States in
Rebellion, would no longer avail when our national character had been fairly recognized by
the great powers of Europe.”
“What would you expect us to recognize? Half of your country is in the hands of the enemy.”
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“How absurd.”
& I replied at some length, sharing the nature of the occupation, and “that they dared not go
beyond reach of their gun boats.”
As to what they were expected to recognize, I said this
Page 60
“The de facto government at Richmond. The question of boundaries is one belonging to
ourselves, and we would repel the intemperance of other governments.”
“But what composes the Confederate States?”
“These States”, I replied, “which by the act of their Sovereign authority, the legislature and
people thereof, formally seceded from the union. The same power, Sir, that entered with the
Federal compact.”
He said again, “We know little about your country.”
“I perceived it, but now it comes with a bad grace from an English statesman to make this a
game of reproach. We payed you the compliment of sending one of our most eminent
statesmen to present us, and to give all needful information, and he has been treated with
such discourtesy by Lord Russell that the dignity of our gov. requires that his functions
should cease.”
A great deal more upon other points equally interesting followed.
In conclusion he said, “I can not be expected to say what I would do in the event of my
being placed at the head of the government. I should have to act according to that which
seemed best for her Majesties government.”
I smiled, replying, “I trust your Lordship has not misinterpreted anything which has fallen
from me as expression of such an expectation. I have too profound an appreciation of you as
a statesman and diplomatist to have entertained such an idea.”
He replied, “I think you are”
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“the best diplomatist I have ever seen.”
Some other unimportant observation followed and I took my leave.
March 15th 1864
Dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Raulinson, who is a very clever and influential, was sent by the
government to the Crimean to Superintend and direct the Sanitary arrangements. He is a
great friend of Florence Nightingale who is now in a very feeble state of health. He has
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given me a great deal of information and if possible will procure an interview with her for
me.
March 17th 1864
Went to the House of Lords. Lord Shaftesbury took me in, was very attentive and
communicative and as we entered upon the subjects of the war, asked me what I though of
Banks proclamation(12.1) with regard to the Negros.
I laughingly said “What do you think? We regard it as the introduction on land of the horrors
of the middle passage.(12.2)”
He said, “If the South would only make some declaration of her policy upon this subject all
England would be with us.”
& I showed him the absurdity of such an expectation at such a moment. But that the events
of the war had proved conclusively that the question, for good or evil rested entirely with us
and under now perfect control.
& he asked, Is he allowed to come to see me to talk on this subject as he said some good
might result from it.
He pointed out the different celebrity
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And that I was then sitting on the gov.side of the House.
I said “O, I am, of course, with the opposition.”
The House of Lords looks like a pretty little chapel. The throne seeming as the pulpit of
Saints.
On Sunday, March18th 1864, Went with Lady Fullerton to the Royal Chapel in St. James
Palace. Heard the Bishop of Canterbury(12.3) preach. Duke of Cambridge sat behind. Prince
& Princess of Wales were in the seats above me but too far back to be seen.
Went to dine at 7. Had a stupid dinner. I dined at Lady F this evening. I went to the House
of Lords. Consequently, had to hurry away from there.
After dinner we went to the Kensington Museum to hear Mr. Beresford Hope (4) lecture upon
Mechanic Act. He was very well satisfied with himself, and laughed in advance when he
intended to say a funny thing.
Returned with Lady F. Took tea and then home, very tired.
March 19th 1864
Many visitors. Letters from home and letters to write. Dinner parties for 15 days ahead.
This evening at Mrs. Stuart Lane’s. Was entertained by the dogs. Met then Sir Henry Woolfe,
Page 53 of 157
whose father was a missionary. He, having married Lady Hester Stanhope. Dinner utterly
stupid.
I met the father years ago in America.
Page 63 is blank.
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Illustrations
Rose and Unknown Man
To the right is a photo of 3rd Lieutenant Joseph D. “Fighting
Joe” Wilson, CSN. He was on the fateful ship Alabama
when she was sunk in battle with the USS Kearsarge. When
his Superior Officers swam away from the sinking Alabama
and boarded the Deerhound, a French vessel that lay nearby,
Lt. Wilson made his way to the Kearsarge and as the highest
ranking Confederate Officer aboard rightfully surrendered
his sword to the Union Captain, also named Wilson.
In ill health after the battle, Rose successfully negotiated
with Charles Adams and Captain Wilson for his release.
Rose met him after his release and they became friends.
When Rose returned to Fort Fisher in October, 1864, Lt.
Wilson was on board with her. Wilson was also in the
lifeboat with her when she fell overboard.
The photo below is marked on the back “Rose and unknown
man. This photo was sent to me without a word.”
For many years historians have wondered who the man in
the photo was. After seeing the photo above it’s obvious that
this gentleman is a slightly older Lt. Wilson, taken in Europe
before their return voyage.
It’s interesting that the photographer chose this
particular pose for Rose and Lt. Wilson, a pose
commonly reserved for married couples of the
time…Or is it?
In Rose’s European Address Book, Rose’s daughter
scrawled a note saying “This man would have been
your Grandfather if your grandmother had not
drowned.” The note is written between the lines for
the entry with Lord Wharncliffe’s name. However,
historians agree that Rose was NOT betrothed to
Lord Wharncliffe.
Intrestingly, directly next to the note is the entry for
Lt. Wilson. Could he have been the intended spouse?
Is this why the photographer chose this particular
pose for Rose and Lt. Wilson?
Even more interesting information can be found on
The Wilson Family History website, where it is
stated by one of Lt. Wilson’s relatives that there was
a “love interest” between Rose and Lt. Wilson.
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Little Rose
Page 56 of 157
Rose seated
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Rose’s Granddaughter, Mary Lee (Duvall) Marie
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Rose’s Son in Law, Seymour Tredwell Moore
Page 59 of 157
Squailes
Squails, the Oxford English
dictionary has the following
reference to "squail":
A table-game in which counters or
disks are propelled towards some
mark
by
snapping.
App.
introduced in 1857 by Mr. John
Jaques, London. Squails later
appeared in the USA published by
Milton Bradley Games in 1867
accompanied by a set of highly
dubious marketing assertions
about it's long history.
The old English game of Squails
was played on a round table and the objective was to hit discs with the heel of the hand from the edge
of the table at a small lead target in the centre called a "jack". If the jack was moved more than six
inches it was replaced. Once all sixteen Squails had been played, they were scored 16 for the squail
nearest to the target down to 1 for the squail furthest away.
Often, a squail would be directed with the aim of knocking an opponents squail away, as much as to
end up near the target, in the same manner as for bowls.
In the diary Rose mentions playing Squailes with a group of Confederate friends until the wee hours
of the morning.
Mother Carey’s Chicken’s
Or Wilson’s Petrel (Oceanites
oceanus) is a small pelagic bird
classified as a member of the family
Hydrobatidae (pelagic birds are
birds that live in open oceans and
normally only come ashore to
breed). Wilson’s petrel is found in
seas around the world. Adult birds
are usually about the size of a
smaller pigeon and have tube-like
bills, sooty brown plumage with a
white stripe across the tail. They
also have clawed, webbed feet that
are equally well adapted to digging
burrows on offshore islands and
taking flight in rough seas.
In the eighteenth century, mariners
called the petrel “Mother Carey’s Chicken,” or “Cary’s chick” and believed its appearance to be an
omen of bad weather. The origins of the name are unclear, but it has been suggested that in seamen’s
lore Mother Cary was the name given to a water spirit, whose “chickens” were the souls of drowned
sailors.
Page 60 of 157
Page 64
CHAPTER XIII: Rose returns to Paris
I left England on Saturday 24th, March {to} spend ten days again in Paris with my little
darling who is at the Sacré Coeur. I went under escort of Cap Bulloch of CSN. At 7 ½ we
had to wait at the station some time as the holiday- illegible -the train and we were packed in
most uncomfortably. Crossed over at 11. The sea very rough. Everybody sea sick except
myself. At Calais we had the same difficulty and packed tight.
Arrived at 9 ½ at the Grand Hotel Paris and did not find a place for our weary heads. Went to
the Amirantr and there were placed at the top of the hour with the assurance of being
removed in a few hours.
Had breakfast and sent out for Rose. To my annoyance they would not let her come until
after mass. I finally went out for her and found the little darling so overcome that she burst
into tears. However they were soon dried and we came home.
Dressed and went out to dinner with Mr. DeLeo at 7, where we had a very merry dinner,
being principly Confederates with the English sympathy.
Monday went out to pay some visits, met Count Barrow {or Barren} for my escort.
Went to Slidell’s, found that Mrs. S had just received the announcement of her sister, Mrs.
Beauregard’s death.(13.1) Came home tired but with the hope of a pleasant evening, but alas
more proposals, e&. This has been the most miserable day. Consequently I will always hate
Paris.
Page 65
What trifles color life and make it dark as night? Blessed are they who let no human feeling
stir their lives. I know I ought not to be miserable and yet I am and tears which I try to keep
back, flow down my cheek and blind me.
Well, I will put up my paper and hope that tomorrow’s sun will disperse the cloud, which is
now heavy upon my soul. Je suis tres miserable ce soir. Au revour, Mrs. Greenhow, vous etes
tres mal companion.
{I am very miserable tonight. Goodbye, Mrs. Greenhow, you are very poor company.}
Tuesday March 28th 1864
Nothing is so changeable as my own moods except that Paris climate. Yesterday was a dark
heavy day both figuratively and on account of the weather. Mr. Slidell came in and spent an
hour. He is looking well, he was very kind, and hoped I would not expect Marie, on account
of her sisters death 1st August. I am waiting for my breakfast, so killing time. The sun is
shining gloriously bright. I was very happy yesterday and today the clouds are quite gone.
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Mr. Corcoran, Mr. Eustis, Capt. North,(13.2) Capt. Sinclair, Count Barns/Basson, the Gwins &
several other people have called. All in good spirits at the news from home. Mr. Slidell also.
My little one is quite happy, but quite jealous that I should smile on anyone.
Mr. & Mrs. Senan are charming people. Young Trenholm(13.3) has been here also, several
times. Spent part of this evening with the Senans.
Came down to put Rose to bed. Found Capt. Bulloch waiting for me. He is going off in the
morning for which I am sorry, but he is one of the most active intelligent
Page 66
of our agents. God speed him in his work. Although I have seen but little of him in Paris I
am very sorry he is going for it is a pleasant thing to feel that a true friend is near and such he
is to me.
Thursday- I have been visiting all day had a pleasant visit at Eustis. Mrs. E looking very
charmingly.
I went at night to the Grand Hotel to look down upon the assembly, a Ball-ly-ho, {a ball by
the} English for a charity prospect under the patronage of Lady Cowly, two English
ambassadors being the objects. It seemed dull and lifeless. The men arranging themselves on
one side the women on the other. No conversation going on between the sexes.
All the Confederates in Paris were assembled as spectators and we had decidedly the most
brilliant company. Any one, for paying 20 francs could go. And but few of the- illegible were there. Capt. North CSN came for me and brought me home.
Friday, March 31st 1864
Letters from England. Invitations. Obliged to decline. Note from Lord Shaftesbury. News
from home, thank God. Went at 9 to spend the evening with Wm. Colmache, where I met
some of the literary people and talked a great deal about the South. Sympathy with us, but
always the slavery question is brought forward of which they know nothing save what Mrs.
Beecher Stowe has said.
Saturday have just read Mr. Ruyn de Louis letter to Minister Marine, directing him to the
violation of the French neutrality by Confederate agents, letters & publish in testimony,
“The Yankee Spies keep us ever on the alert.”
Diner at the Table d’ Hotel, found it very stupid and disagreeable
Page 67
Mrs. Gwin spent some time with me. Also Mrs. Suiter and her daughter who are charming
people. Spent the evening with the Senans whom I like very much. Sunday got up too late
for church. Had a pleasant visit from Mr. Colmache who wishes me to stay for next Friday
to visit some special people.
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Left Paris on 4th April, 1864 reached London afternoon of same day. Had a pleasant passage
over, having an agreeable companion, on voyage, in Mr. Spence of Liverpool. The sea was
smooth and arose quietly. I escaped my old enemy - le mal de mere - embarked at Dover for
London, after the usual examination of baggage.
The country is uninteresting, possessing but few objects of interest, and these I had already
noted on a previous journey.
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CHAPTER XIV: Rose returns to London
Arrived at 7 at the Pristine Station, London, where I found my maid waiting for me. A very
short time after found me at my room 157 New Bond Street. After supper, went to bed and
slept soundly. Found cards and invitations from various friends.
The weather was miserable.
Saw Lady Abinger {Helen Magruder}
for Scotland.
(14.1)
with who I dined the night before her departure
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CHAPTER XV: The Entrance of Giuseppe Garibaldi
Feb _
Went with Miss Jewsbury (15.1) to Mr. Raulinsons office on Parliament thus to see the
entrance of Garibaldi. Not that I had any respect for the old brigand, but I felt curious to see
an English crowd. It was a popular demonstration by the mobocracy for its idol. Hundreds of
police were discreetly distributed by authority in order to preserve order. Seemingly to direct,
but in reality staying
Page 68
to suppress any demonstration of an unruly character. The crowd was dense. Shakespeare’s
description of a coronation day, for men and women of every appearance were certainly
there, swaying backward and forwards like the waves of the ocean. Perfect order however
prevailed.
After waiting many hours the Duke of Sutherland’s carriage with Garibaldi(15.2) slowly came
in sight, preceded by banners of various associations. The progress of the carriage was very
slow. Everyone around hemmed in by the crowed and lifted from the ground by the immense
pressure.
Finally it reached a position just below the balcony in which I stood, when its further
progress was arrested for some ten minutes. At this point Garibaldi arose and stood in the
carriage with his hat in his hand bowing on either side. He is below the middle height with a
good face, not Italian, rather Scotch with lighter hair and whiskers considerably grizzled.
The expression of his face is benevolent but indicative of a low order of intellect.
Mr. & Mrs. Roebuck were with me and shared in my appreciation of the hero of the hour.
Garibaldi coming to England involved grave political considerations and dangers which
could only be averted by the government, by the most consummated tack {tact} and masterly
duplicity, in the spirit of Machiavelli himself. He was taken completely out of the hands of
mob to whom he properly belonged. So soon as he set foot in London
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The wealthiest of the nobles received him, showing him to the people behind the gilden cage
prepared for him. Noble dames showered their smiles upon him, this peasant of Caprera {or
Caprea}, banquets were given to him by officers of state, Palmerston, Russell & ovations at
the theatre. One noble Lady, Dutchess of (Blank space) had a glove which he kissed, glazed
and framed.
At the Crystal Palace he gave a reception to the class militia when the Dowager Dutchess of
Southampton officiated as high Priestess (she imitated Mrs. Beecher Stowe.)
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But on the part of the government this solemn farce was played with cunning and skill. The
object was to take this autocrat out of the hands of the mob—to elevate their hero above
them, and so soon as this was accomplished, to send him out of the country. The old story of
the squeezed orange.
This was done sans {without} ceremonies. It was gently insinuated to Garibaldi that change
of air was necessary for his health. Thus a tour through the different shires & towns of
England was not to be thought of, & flattered by the solicitude of the great, the simple
peasant gave his assent. When afterwards, his indiscrete partisans saw the game and wished
to play him, he was bound by his word of honor to depart.
The heir apparent, Prince of Wales waited upon this man with the red flannel shirt who
Page 70
was walking incog from Marlborough House. So said the journals. Being much against the
wishes of the queen, it is said. Be that as it may it was determined to get him safely out of
Great Britain. The yacht of the Duke of Southerland lay in readiness to take him hence. Great
pomp and state attended the departure. Finally he embarked and then the indignant class
mobille of England gave vent to its futile wrath at being out maneuvered by their masters and
rulers.
Truly is this a great government, and the governing class wise beyond measure, holding a
tight reign upon the populace whilst deluding them into the idea of being the freest people on
Earth.
Vive la class aristocrait D’Enleterre. {D’Angleterre} {Long live the aristocrat class of
England!}
Page 66 of 157
CHAPTER XVI: Sightseeing and Networking
April 23rd 1864
Spent an hour with Carlyle who is very kind to me. Strong sympathy with the South. My
words not lost in a barren soil. Dreaming ahead for next 15 days. Dinner out every day since
return from Paris. Very tired. Dined today with Lady Georgiana Fullerton, daughter of Duke
of (blank space) and cousin to Dutchess of Sutherland.
Met many people at dinner, Marchioness Lothian and daughter Lady Alice Kerr, Lady
Wharncliffe, Stanley of Alderly & it was very pleasant. My host took me to dinner which
was of course a great compliment to the Lord of Ceremony.
April 24th 1864
Dinner with Mrs. Hall the authoress. {Lady Llanover, Augusta Hall.}
April 25th 1864
With Mr. & Mrs. Rawlings, the Sanitary commissioner.
April 26th 1864
With Roebuck, very pleasant.
April 27th 1864
Went to Richmond, drove around the Park. It is very beautiful
Page 71
in a high state of cultivation.
Called by mistake at the cottage of Professor Owen, (16.1) which was bestowed upon him by
the Queen for life. He was a great friend of Prince Albert. He is the greatest ornithologist in
the world. Here is the notable house with “Seven Gables”. The Professor pointed it out to
me. He told me of some curious fossil antediluvian remains just discovered on the coast of
France, and which he has purchased in account of the British museum. And is now occupied
in preparing of delicate men & women evidently of the highest type. And of colossal animals
upon which they must have fed. Larger and unlike any yet discovered. Bodkins (16.2) and
hides made of bone &
Here is also a curious older bust of Shakespeare of which nothing is known (not in the fossil
region) but at the cottage. He gave me also some curious information as to the encroachment
of the sea at Norfolk.
April 29th 1864
Dinner at Silwood Park Sunninghill with Mrs. Hargreaves, a very nice person - beautiful
mansion - several persons. Drove after down to Windsor, went through the castle. Was very
much disappointed with the interior.
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This Windsor Park is the scene of Shakespeare’s Mid Summer Dream. I saw the “fairy
rings” very curious. Also the spot on which stood Hernes oak, which is gone. Saw however
an elm in which many of his gambols took place. The avenue of elms through which we
reached the castle, a mile long, is very beautiful.
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Her Majesty had gone to Balmoral(16.3), the scenery & gardens are very beautiful. The intent
of the Palace disappointed my expectations very much. Is far inferior to Versailles or the
Tuileries in France.
The Queen has had built for herself a new mausoleum saying she would not rest by the side
of George IV.
Returned to London, to a diner at 8 at Mrs. Hamins, the sister of Admiral Collinsons. For
thirteen days following, dinner and visiting, nothing to note.
May 2nd 1864
With Carlyle, made tea for him. He drank four cups. Talked delightedly, a la Carlyle. Deeply
sympathetic with the situation. It warms my heart to hear his enthusiastic praise of my gallant
countrymen.
3 stupid visits. April 4, 5, 6, the same heavy dinners.
April 7th 1864
Started upon a tour. Left London in the afternoon for Leamington, the most fashionable
watering place in England at this time. Reached the par train at 8.
April 8th 1864
Took an open carriage for Kenilworth castle. Past {passed} through the village without
stopping. Spent several hours in gazing upon the majestic ruins, conjuring up at each noted
spot the incidents of history, which such was rendered immortal in his romance. The day was
fair and the sky clear and higher.
From there proceeded to Guy’s Cliffs,(16.4) the spot where Guy, first Earl of Warwick was
supposed to have lived for many years in concealment doing stern penance
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for the crimes of his early life. He was said daily to receive alms from his gentry, who had
been romantically attracted to him. And believing that he died in the the Holy land, where he
had gone, as was the fashion of Knights of illegible - to battle for the Holy Sepulcher.
At last he fell ill and revealed himself to his courtiers {space} who also died of grief and
they were interred in the same sepulcher. A magnificent tomb and monument stands in the
Chapel of St. Mary’s to the memory of the illustrious past. In this church are some of the
finer monuments in England in what is called Lady Chapel. Far finer than any in
Westminster.
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Upon the sight of Guys Cliff stands a beautiful and picturesque building. The basement
formed of the celebrated rock. The Avon flows smoothly at it’s base. The avenue of Elms
leading to the principle entrance was particularly striking.
St. Mary’s Chapel is in the village of Harnish and was supposed to exist long before the
conquest. In 1694 the church was almost entirely destroyed by fire, - The choir, the vestry
room, Lady Chapel, the chapter house, the lobby & vestry room on the North side alone
escaping. The new church was begun by private and finished by Royal Diety under Queen
Ann in 1704. The architecture is open to severe criticism.
The Lady Chapel is an exquisite specimen of pure gothic. In this Chapel is the tomb of
Robert
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Dudley Earl of Leicester the favorite of Queen Elizabeth. It being Sunday we could not gain
admission to Warwick castle so went in to Stratford on the Avon, the birth place of
Shakespeare. Arrived late at night but made a survey of the place preliminary to our morning
examination. Went to the church, which is grand indeed. A magnificent avenue of limes(5)
fashioned with strange shapes forms a covered vista through which the first view of the grand
old cathedral is first seen with it’s antique gothic windows and arches.
We hunted up the sacristan(16.5) and induced him by a little moral {per}suasion to open the
church at the unusual hour of 6 ½ in the morning, promising to all be wait{ing} for him,
which in due time he did. A solemn awe crept through me as the massive old doors were
thrust open and I entered at the principal entrance. The hand of improvement and renovation
conspicuously strikes the eye. The form of the church is cruciform consistency, have
nave(16.6) side aisles, transepts and chapel.
It is by my ancestor support, who built in the time of the conquest(16.7). In the North aisle are
magnificent tombs of the Clopton(16.8) family. The chancel is the most beautiful and perfect
part of the building and was created in 1491. Supposed to have been created by a Dean
Gladstone of Stratford named Balsall(16.9). A curious monument is to his memory inside of
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communion rail.
A short distance from this monument and the hall is the grave of Shakespeare covered by a
plain flagstone with the following inscription:
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
to dig the dust enclosed heare.
Bleste be ye man yt spares thes stones,
and curst be he yt moves my bones.(16.10)
A bust of the poet stands in a niche above, and is said to be the only reliable representation of
the immortal bard. It is colored and by no means does justice. It speaks more of sensuality
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than of genius. His wife Ann Hathaway and favorite daughter lie by his side with other
members of his family. Also the great friend of the bard, Richard Watts
We returned to the hotel where breakfast was waiting. Ate hurriedly and jumped into a cab
and on to the house where he was born. We had some difficulty in rousing the old woman
who lived near (as no one is allowed to reside in the building for fear of fire, etc.) She took
pains to let us know that it was against all rules to open at that hour, but her scruples were
lessened by the same unanswerable arguments used with the Sacristan and she proceeded
good humorously to gain the needful information.
It is as now made quite a showplace of. Two other houses adjoining having been purchased
and fixed up after the same manner. The house is more like a cabin in Virginia or Maryland
with the flag {stone} floor.
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In the basement story heavy ugly beams supporting the upper structure. Wide fireplaces such
as are used now in our quarters. Large enough to roast an ox. Narrow stairs leading to the
upper story or loft, is nothing different from the houses of our poor classes a hundred years
ago. But what material - the lovely roof.
Sculptured monuments of marble or of bronze could not have added to the interest of the
spot, and holy and such, as I did not feel in the proud halls of Warwick has been by vain and
made me bow my head in the room where the great poet drew his first breath.
At last we turned to depart and I was, I am sure, the first Confederate who has inscribed the
name in the book or register.
Departed on the train at 8 ½ for Warwick. Arrived in good time. Drove in a cab to the castle,
entered the ponderous gate and past through the grand entrance to the Castle hewed by one of
it earliest possessors through the solid ground, who boasts of this, one of his most
praiseworthy achievements. Grand beyond all conception is the remainder of the feudal ages.
This castle is said to have been founded by Ethelfred {Ethelflaed} daughter of Alfred the
Great in 915. Before the conquest it was the residence of the Lady of the Earls of Mercier
(Lady of Mercia) .
It was then of insignificant dimensions. What is still
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the Dungeon or Keep. Only after the conquest Turchele the owner added greatly to its
fortification by way of King William and not shortly after removed to make way for Henry
Newburghs who was made the first Norman Earl of Warwick.
It figured in all the Civil wars of that period and in the wars of the Barons in the latter part of
the reign of Henry 3rd. It was surprised by the rebels and all but the towers leveled to the
ground. It was restored and greatly strengthened by Thomas de Beauchamp Earl of Warwick
in the reign of Edward 3rd.
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The celebrated approach to the castle to which I have already alluded was made somewhere
about the year 1619, by the 2nd Earl Brook of Warwick who enumerates this along side of
building of greenhouses - purchase of pictures. Also the famous Warwick son, which stands
in the greenhouse, pictures of great value. The noble lake, the magnificent trees all are the
work of this person who concludes his enumeration with: “I shall not enumerate a great many
other things done by me. Let Warwick speak for itself.”
On entering the gate the porter’s lodge is usually the first place inspected. Although we
reversed the order and entered it last. The things of interest here relate entirely to Guy Earl of
Warwick, the legendary hero. His sword, heart plate and helmet.
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The helmet weigh7 7lb, shield 32, breastplate 52lb. Here also are Guys flesh pot and
porridge pot. This likely is of bell mettle. And I was quite satisfied of its sound condition by
one stroke upon it with the flesh falk.
I wish I could imitate the tone and manner of the old woman who did the honor. A surging
monotone,
“This is the porridge pot of Guy Earl of Warwick.
Thrice have I seen it filled up.
One day when the present Earl came of age, with punch.
It takes 28 gals of brandy
32 of rum
100lb of white sugar
100 gallons of water and
lemons in proportion.”
Other relics were here, curious and wrought upon the same gigantic scale. In the castle were
many curious works of art and rare paintings a picture of Charles 1st by Van Dyke. Also in
the gilt drawing room a portrait of Mary Queen of Scotts and her silk garmets. I was not
particularly struck by them. Was not the Mary of my imagination.
We spent three hours here very delightfully. The we includes myself. Mr. Spence of
Liverpool and my maid Elizabeth, a most faithful creature, who has been my shadow.
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CHAPTER XVII: Back to London and to work
Went home at 11:20. Got on the train for London.
Bought at Bambury the newsstand Bambury Crier - The papers with the news
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from home which was all good.
A high dignitary of the Church of England got in here and fell into conversation. Mr. Spence
remarked, “This lady is a rebel.” At once many questions were asked, especially about our
President. Whom I described as he is. The great and good man whom God has given us for
this fearful emergency.
Many questions were discussed. The good Bishop expressing warm sympathy with us. At
his next stoppage he got out, shook me heartily by the hand and said, “I pray that God will
prosper your cause and give success to your countrymen.”
At this point another person, Bishop of Windsor, I think, got in. And precisely the same thing
happened, shaking me cordially by the hand & Mr. Spence said in all his experience of
traveling in England he had never seen anything like it and regarded {it} as another evidence
of the warm sympathy of the educated classes with us.
Soon we reached London. Mr. Spence went on his way to the city and I and Elizabeth
returned home. He called upon us in the evening, but I was too fatigued to see him - for
which I was sorry, as he left in the morning for Liverpool.
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May 13th
Lord Wharncliffe called to see me today. He is an ardent friend of our cause. Thoroughly
identifying himself with us. He said he hoped I would dine with them.
14
A very flattering invitation for dinner on 31st to most sympathetic with the South.
15th
Lord and Lady Wharncliffe called, asked me to lunch the next day to meet Countess of
Chesterfield who desired to meet me and other persons.
16
Lord W came for me. Had pleasant time. Lady W and myself drove afterwards to Kew
Gardens,(17.1) beautiful spot it is. Remained several hours. Lady W called her purser,
returned through Hyde Park, which was then crowded with the elite. Had a good view of the
Princess of Wales who struck me as very, very pretty - and perhaps the most unpretending
turn out in all that gay arena was that of the first subject of Great Britain.
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At night I went to a large party at a Mrs. Danbign__. {Not sure of this name.}
Met a man there who gravely asked me the question of which was the superior man,
President Lincoln or President Davis.
I said, “Sir, if you accept the scientific weight rather than the religious one, and believe Man
in the beginning was”
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“a baboon or orrangatang, and that successive ages of improvement has brought him to this
present high state of perfection, almost equaling the God head.”
“I will assume Mr. Lincoln is the beginning of the specimen. Mr. Davis the end.”
The esprit of my reply was cordially enlightening and my interrogator did not bother me
again.
Talked a great deal, always Southern politics. Persons eagerly crazed to know something
about the grand question. A Mr. Newman Hall(17.2) was introduced, who talked a great deal of
unintelligible nonsense upon the slavery question. Finally I said, “Your remarks are so
absurd that I could almost suppose that you could have derived your argument from the
romance of Mrs. Beecher Stowe”.
He gravely confessed the fact, after which I refused all conversation, saying that I considered
him a subject for compassionate toleration rather than argument, and a candidate for the
straight jacket. & he came again and again.
I told him I could point out a better field for his philanthropic labors here in London, amidst
the degraded beings who crowded the street, & he asked what about the massacre at Fort
Pillow.(17.3)
I denied that it was so. Not that I thought it at all wrong in a military or humane point of
view, as by
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all the laws of civilized war, an untenable post held out after being thrice summoned to
surrender, deserved to be made example of.
“But about the Negroes?” he said, “were they murdered?”
I said, “No, they doubtless shared the same fate as the Yankees. Unless run away negroes,
arose against their masters. In that case their lives were forfeit by the cause.”
“If I were a negroe,” he said, “I would have taken arms!”
“Then,” I answered, “I would have shot you with as little compassion as I would a dog.”
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I said upon his further effects to talk, “You must excuse me, but I do not consider the
opinions of a man who confesses Mrs. Stowe as his authority worthy of refutation.”
He said, “The sympathy of England is worth something.”
I replied, “The sympathy of the enlightened classes are all with us. Besides, we attach far less
importance to that now than you seem to think. When it is to your interest to recognize us,
you will. Our destiny is entirely in our own hands and the events of this war have removed
from us all anxiety upon the slavery question. The fate of the slave rests with his Southern
Masters, as the Masters with God.”
“But will you free him?”
“Never! Either extermination or eternal slavery is his lot according to the lights before me.”
Many crowded around and expressed perfect agreement with me. I was now very much
fatigued.
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May 16th 1864
Went to the National exhibit of pictures. Mr. Spence of Liverpool went with me. Saw some
very good pictures. Afterwards to Hyde Park.
May 17th 1864 Made visits.
May 18th 1864 At home saw several more people.
May 20th 1864 Anxious about news from home. News from the army.
May 21st 1864
Sick with anxiety, refused to see anyone. News by steamer, thank God that it is good. Lee
repelled the enemy. Lady Abinger came in to congratulate me. Many others - note from
Marchioness of Lothian asking me to allow the use of my name as Patroness to a concert.
Also to help her at her stand at the Bazaar on 2nd of June.
Saturday May 28th,1864
Lunched at Wharncliffe House. Many people, Countess of Chesterfield, Marchioness of
Ailesbury (17.4) & Eustis of our French Legation were there.
In the evening Lady W and I went out to drop some cards. Afterwards came back for Lord
W and Mrs. Spence to go with us to the Grand Volunteers Review at Hyde Park. It was well
worth seeing. All the nobility of England present. Prince of Wales reviewed. Return by 8 too tired to do anything but go to bed.
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CHAPTER XVIII: Rose meets the Greenhow Family
May 29th 1864
Lunched every Sunday at Dr. Greenhows in Upper Berkley Square. He is a relation of my
husband. His wife is daughter of Joseph Hume,(1) and a very nice person. The Roebucks’
were there. Mr. R and I had some interesting talk, upon the prosperity of certain steps. I
thought Lindsays(2) resolution should wait the next news.
If Grant
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is routed, I believe the time proper to press recognition. The queen is the chief obstacle. She
is also bitterly hostile to the cause. Lord Palmerston threatened to resign unless the
conference was held. She sent for Lord Derby and asked him if he would take charge of the
vacant Post. He said no.
Mr. Corcoran called today, Mr. Eustis, Mr. Joseph Whitworth (3) (Whitworths Gun). They
are dull and gloomy.
Tuesday, May 31st 1864
Dinner at Wharncliffe House, present a general company. Earl & Countess Hilton. He 60,
she 24. G____ & Mary, Earl & Countess Chesterfield & & & &.
At dinner Lord Wharncliffe said, “I am going to propose a sentiment which will be
acceptable to everyone here, I am sure. The success of the Confederate cause and Mrs.
Greenhow.”
All bowed low to me. I was quite embarrassed and touched and could only say, “Thank You
gentlemen all, for my country and for myself.”
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CHAPTER XIX: Rose gets involved in a cease fire
negotiation
After dinner Mr. Lindsay came to me and gave me a very interesting account of his interview
with Lord Palmerston. On the 4th he had fixed to bring on his resolution for the Recognition
of Confederate Government.
On Saturday he sayes Mr. Braid, the whipper(1) in for government came to know what he
intended to do & told him that Lord Palmerstons sympathies were entirely in favor of the
South. I sayed in that case he had best see Lord P. Which he did on Monday, when Lord P
expressed himself in similar terms and an earnest desire to put a stop to the war.
Thereupon
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It was agreed that instead of Lindsays making his motion for recognition he should modify it
by a resolution to this effect.
That England, France & other nations should mediate for the prospect of bringing about a
suppression of hostilities so that some means could be adapted to end this cruel and bloody
war. Lord Palmerston sayed this was perfectly acceptable to him, but he must consult his
colleagues.
Lord Russell violently opposed it. However he proposed to see Mr Lindsay and come to
town on Thursday for that purpose. Mr. Lindsay sayed he would call upon me a 3 o’clock to
give me the result. Heaven prosper his effort.
He told me also that Lord P had been anxious to see Mr. Mason. He, Mr. Lindsay having
suggested it. That Mr. Mason had declined it saying that his position was extremely delicate.
That had Lord P himself proposed it he would have felt bound to come. But as he had simply
accepted Mr. L’s suggestion he felt it incumbent upon him to decline. Mr. L sayd & he was
very sorry for this. I told him that I was also and having received from Mr. Spence this
statement I had already written to Mr. Mason to say that I thought he was wrong in his
refusal. That extraordinary circumstances warranted a departure from rules applicable to
ordinary times. That a feather might now turn the tide in our favor, and that any chance
should be sought with avidity for stopping
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This dreadful war, where our gallant countrymen were falling like ripe grain in a harvest.
That his own position and character were to well appreciated at home for any to think that he
would under any circumstances sacrifice the dignity or honor of our country. & Mr. L was
very glad of this.
All crowded around to express respect and sympathy. Titled dames and haughty nobles.
Lord Wharncliffe is a noble fellow. I cannot be calm when I talk of this war. Of the cruel
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outrages, of homes destroyed and even God’s sacred temples violated. I said, “I hope you
will all pardon me if I seem unwomanly in my denunciation of the vandals who have lay
waist to our land, violated our women and murdered our kindred.”
Lord W said, “Madam you have earned your right to paint these deeds in burning language as
you do, and it would not be human if you could speak calmly on this subject.
Shortly after I left. But I can never tell how dear this noble generous sympathy is to my heart.
Col F____ was then warm and generous in his advocacy of us – God bless them and God
bless the friends of my country.
Wednesday, June 1st 1864
Have seen my people, my little friend Capt. Porter and Mrs. Spence, who came to say
goodbye
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At night. I went to a stupid dinner at Westbourne Terrace.(2) Many people. Found note from
Marchioness of Lothian in answer to mine saying that I could not go with her at one o’clock
to the bazaar.
She regretted but sent me the ticket of admission, also the badge to be worn by the Lady
Patroness.
I go at 3 1/2 after I have seen Mr. Lindsay.
Thursday May 3rd 1864
Mr Lindsay called as appointed. He had just come from his interview with Lord Russell,
which is important. Mr. L opened with an able exposition of the resources and capacity of
the South to resist the invasion of the North. Painted the determination of our people to make
a desperate resistance and even to arm our women and our slaves if need be, which he
represented truly as being devote(d) to their masters and ready to fight for them. And he
sayed can anyone picture then the horrors which will follow.
Lord R admitted that it would be dreadful. Mr. Lindsay then said I ask your Lordship in
fairness and candor, do you believe that the South can be conquered or the Union restored?
Lord Russel said No. I so told Mr. Adams(3) who said that the policy of the North now was
to obtain possession of the Mississippi, to Capture Richmond, Charlestown, Mobile and other
large cities and that then the South would lay down their arms, would accept the terms
offered by the U S Gov.
Mr. Lindsay, even if they were to obtain possession of those cities it would provide
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as barren a conquest as that of N. Orleans. Which they hold by military despotism, but the
citizens in every case refusing to accept their laws. Vicksburg has not, he said, given them
possession of the Mississippi. And even if they achieved this mighty work, they would be
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obliged to hold it by a military despotism greater than was ever experienced by Austria or
Russia in the dark ages. The people would be unconquered and would still resist.
Lord Russell said that is the very argument which I used with Mr. Adams. Mr. Lindsay
looked upon these true admissions of Lord Russell’s as most unimportant. The first as
indicating his opinion and the second as demonstrating that very sharp language must be past
between him and Mr. Adams.
Mr. L now presented a draft of his resolution. Lord R saying that he would wait to see how it
would be received.
Mr .L said that would not do, that it was not desirable to have a division of the House against
the Govnt and that if his motion was presented and afterwards withdrawn it would go to the
House as an evidence that Parliament sympathized with the North in the further prosecution
of this war, which was not the case. And it would exact a moral influence in enabling them to
make their draft.
Lord R said he was sure they would reject all interference. Mr. L said that was by no means
so sure, as a large number
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of the better class at the North entertained Lord R opinion that the South could not be
conquered or the union restored and were tired of this useless waist (waste) of life. At all
events his Lordship would not be required to act at once. The discussion in Parliament could
occupy some time.
This would go out to America and the manner in which it would be received, they know have
before his Lordship would be called up. & Lord R said he would take the subject under
consideration and consult with his colleagues upon it.
Mr. L then submitted to him the resolution and agreed to allow Lord R to change or
substitute any word which would bring it in accordance with his ideas.
Copy of resolution.
Mr Lindsay, that this House, deeply regretting the great loss of life & sufferings of the
people of the United States and of the Confederate States of North America, by the
continuance of the war which has been so long raging between them, trusts that her
Majesty’s Govt. will avail itself of the earliest opportunity of mediating in conjunction with
other powers of Europe to bring about a cessation of hostilities.
Lord Palmerston requested another interview with Mr. Lindsay which took place at his own
house. Mr. L read to Lord P Mr. Mason’s letter, which was a very able one, giving his
reasons for not seeing Lord P.
On the terms of the invitation Lord P admitted the fire of Mr. Masons reasons and
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reasons and said that if Mr. M were in London he would be very glad to see him but that he
could not ask him to leave now from Paris to see him. Mr. L sayd shall I tell Mr. Mason that
you wish to see him? Lord P said yes. So Mr. Mason agreed to come.
I confess however that I am not hopeful since the Resolution is in Lord Russell’s hands.
Neither has Mr. Lindsay such weight or influence as I would like for the man who is to take
so prominent a post. He made an admission to me related to the Roebuck motion, saying that
every word uttered by R was true, but indiscreet. That the Emperor had talked to him upon
other subjects besides the “American” and that had he spoken it would have plunged Europe
into a war. So he remained silent and allowed the word of his colleagues to be called into
question. Roebuck gave me an account of this, and spoke of the unusual dissertation of
Lindsay in terms of wrath.
Friday Lady Chesterfield came to see me and asked me to luncheon at her house on Saturday.
Saturday went to Chesterfield house. Her son, Lord Stanhope, her son in law, Lord
Cammeron, Lord Desborough and Sir H Des Vaux were there.
We talked of course on the Southern subject. I mentioned what I had said that the Derby
ministry were not ready to come in and therefore it would be
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Imprudent to push a division on the subject of recognition. Lord C and the others said it was
not so. I can not venture to urge any line of policy until I had seen Mr. Mason and taken his
judgment. Returned home.
Went to Lady Lothium’s Bazar for a little while and came back to be in time to go with
Countess Chesterfield to the grand air at Hyde Park where all the fashionable world of
London aggregate. Was there for several hours. Saw the Dutchess Mo___ and other noble
dames.
Was introduced to De Lain, had a long talk. Thanked him for his advocacy of our cause and
urged our recognition. He spoke warmly, discussed that we were satisfied with him and said
that he thought the next news from Grant would be followed by recognition if he was
defeated.
Went back at 7 o’clock to the Bazaar spent some money and Marchioness of Lothian brought
me home.
Sunday evening went to Lady Chesterfields for a little while. Met some people then talked
much with the Earl.
Came home, found Lord Wharncliffe had been there to see me and finally left a note saying
that he would call on Monday morning. Got in a cab took a drive with my maid.
Monday Lord Wharncliffe came. Talked earnestly with him. Advocated for
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Page 92
action and immediate measures thru Mr Lindsay’s resolution. Talked a good deal. Finally
he said you get Mr. Mason to attend our next meeting and tell us what he wishes and thinks
best and we will try to carry it out. He left the same evening for Ascot. All the fashionable
nobles are at Ascot.
Had a note from Lady Chesterfield asking me to dinner on Tuesday 14th. Letters-visits from
indifferent people. Dear old Lady Franklin(4) was just here. She is always so kind and
sympathetic.
Wednesday-Lady Georgiana Fullerton came. She is very kind. Is going to the country. I
shall not see her again. I am going home in one of Mr. Collie’s Ships. He is a good and
active friend of our cause and takes a most sensible view of things.
Thursday saw Mr. Mason for a moment. Am to have a talk with him tomorrow. Rear
Admiral Kellett called. I am sure I can’t remember him. Mr DeVaux. I am sorry not to have
seen him as he is a devoted Confederate.
June 9th 1864
Letters from my child who will arrive from N York.
June 10th 1864
hunting apartments all day. Found one in Sackville Street. Gave up mine on Tuesday. My
landlady in a fury at my going. I am very sorry - always frightened at a tempest. An angry
woman is a frightful object.
Friday June 10th 1864
Went to Mass at 7. To the Dr. Rodgers the dentist at 11. Relieved not much worse. Dr R
very gentlemanly. Refused to make me
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Pay anything because he’s sympathetic to my country. The feelings of the English are with
us. Save those who would upturn their social organization.
Mr Devaux came just now full of a project which he had before he went to Paris and partly
the object of his visit the carrying out of the project. It is to obtain the influence of Rome to
stop the war-at least to arrest the enlistment of Catholics in Europe. He has seen Mr Persigny
who considers the thing worth trying and promises the French influence in furtherance of it.
He spoke with Persigny of me as the person to undertake the mission and commended my
talents as superior to Madame Roland for such a mission which be with Lee.
I only wish I could do something. Persigny promised to give me every aid and advise. Also
directions to Sartige to aid me. He wrote to Mrs. Spence to drive up for consultation. I
almost wrote by this evenings mail.
Of course I should try to see the Emperor. That master mind of Europe. I have already
enlisted high Catholic influence here in our behalf. God knows what good will come of it.
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Steamer not in yet.
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CHAPTER XX: The Tempest
Saturday June 11th 1864
Feel quite out of sorts this morning. Last night had a new chapter in my foreign life. Quarrel
between my land lady and her husband. Poor woman discovered him in flagrante delicto with
a pretty maid servant. He, drunk and attempting to make the worst appear the better cause.
She was furious and attempted violence.
Cries
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of murder-crashing of china & made a fearful air.
Aroused from half slumber, I thought the world has come to an end. Called my maid to
investigate the confusion. Cries still continuing. Ordered her to call the police as I could
think of nothing else. The Police came but was more discreet than valorous. Required a light
and auxiliary to calm him. After cries of disorder enough to upset the strongest nerves, the
man was marched off to the station house, but in a short time returned to the attack with
renewed violence. By this time 2nd floor lodgers came down. The man broke open the doors
and fell upon his son and would have killed him but for the police and others coming in. Still
he attempted to get in. A courageous lady above called from my windows that he should
never come to, and for a police to keep him in charge. With that he marched off, and quiet
was after a time restored to the house. But sleep had been frightened away for that night.
Got up at 7 to go to Mass. After took a walk in the Green Park(1) with my maid. After
breakfast Lady Abinger came in for a chat, for an hour. Anything else I will write when the
day is older.
Went at 3 o’clock to Wharncliffe House. Had a pleasant chat with Lord & Lady W. Came
home. Miss Jewsbury came in regretting that I did not go to Mrs. Stewart’s yesterday as Mrs.
Bi___
Page 95
was there to meet me. Kind good creature.
After she left came Lady Chesterfield {came} to tell me that the steamer was in and ask if I
had any news. I am to go there tomorrow if I can for a little while. But tomorrow may bring
my child as she comes in this steamer. My heart aches to see her. Each moment I am
looking for a telegraph, but I fancy the steamer is only yet telegraph at night.
Engaged to spend the evening with my neighbors upstairs. Then a short time Mr. Mason
came in. Had a great deal of talk. He agrees perfectly with me in considering the news
excellent. Grant change of base is significant of defeat. He had chosen often these approaches
to Richmond by the valley coming down by Gordonville and the central road by the
peninsulas or by Fredericksburg’s Acquia Creek.
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This latter he chose, it being also that taken by Hooker who was defeated at Chancelorsville,
after a loss variously estimated at from 60 to 70,000 men. He has abandoned this line and
fallen back upon the Peninsula, the scene of McClellan’s defeat.
With the White House on York River as his base of supplies Lee still on the North side of the
Chickahominy, to which of course he will cross and draw grays after him. Grant could, in the
beginning have attained his present position without the loss of a man. So much for this last
of the terrible heroes who have sunk to rise no more in the road to Richmond. There is
nevertheless a feaverish anxiety upon the subject. Confederate loss is heavy.
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all that is realized is that he is 12 miles from Richmond. Lee will draw him nearer before he
is allowed to fight. God grant that this is the last of the bloody fighting.
Telegraph from my precious child who has arrived at Liverpool to come tonight. Another
that she cannot come, too much fatigued. My heart aches to see her.
Went for a little while to see Lady Chesterfield. Found her quite disturbed at the news.
Reassured her, told her my view, also Mr. Masons.
I am nervously anxious for time to meet my child whom I have not seen for so long a time. I
fear that she is ill. Oh, how sad has been this terrible war in it effect upon families. Mine has
been tossed asunder.
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CHAPTER XXI: Florence arrives
Monday June 13th.1864
My child came at 2. Met her at the train. Moved to Sackville Street. When I brought her she
is ill. But this climate will I trust bring her up.
Tuesday June 14th 1864
Florence is very much fatigued, looks very pale and thin but still very lovely. Some people
came in. Mr. McFarland, Eustis and Mr. Spence. Also Lady Chesterfield with whom I am to
dine this evening, who came to beg that I would bring Florence in the evening. Very, very
kind. But she is too ill to go.
June 15th 1864
Went at 8 to dinner last night it was a delightful and distinguished party. Lord & Lady Bath,
Lord & Lady Wharncliffe, Sir H & Lady Devaux
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Hon. Col. Lesley, Lord Henry Lenox,(1) Col. Hauble {or Haube}, Henry Forester, Earl and
Countess of Tankersville,(2) Lady Dorothy Nevill, Earl & Countess Hilton. At dinner I
received the news just in, which we all considered very favorable.
Yankees repulsed with heavy loss everywhere. I urged upon our recognition. After dinner a
number of persons came in who were kindly presented as ardent Southerners. All the highest
class here advocated us.
A pleasing incident at dinner occurred. A note was brought to Lady Chesterfield who sat
with Lord Wharncliffe between us from Lord Claud Hamilton enclosing 6 L on his first
installment for the grieved fund for the South. He regretted that he could not come there as
he was anxious to see me. He had read my book and admired the courage and lofty
patrionism.
The ladies were all beautifully dressed. I spent a charming evening. Got home at 12 o’clock.
Went out this morning with my child to see Dr Bennett(3), who is to have charge of my
children. Several people called.
Wednesday-had a long talk with Mr. Spence of Liverpool, and he is most indefatigable. He
gave me the results of his confessing with Mr. Devaux about the mission to Rome and thinks
I had better go to France to see Persigny and not keep the Emperor.
Great good may come
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Of it - or nothing. For that reason we had thought it best not to consult Mr. Mason until I
have seen Persigny and judge for myself what aim can be got from France in prosecuting the
Page 84 of 157
object at Rome. Then I shall write to Mr. Mason and take his advise upon future movements.
A deputation is to be sent to Lord Palmerston urging recognition.
By the way, I urged recognition upon the persons present at Lady Chesterfields.
Col. Lesley, who is also a MP, recommended a regulatory system of bargaining and after he
had fairly launched me upon my subject laughingly said, “That is just what I intended to
warm you up to the subject. I trust now that something will be done.”
I spoke to Wharncliffe about getting Cardinal Wiseman (4) to move in the religious line by
way of a pastoral for peace. He said that would be of great good but any interference
politically would operate injuriously in this. I fully agreed with him. The Cardinal
entertained similar views for when I spoke to him some time since on the subject he said all
his sympathies were with us and he would do anything in his power, but that his position
required great care being the first Cardinal here since the reformation. That great jealousy
would be excited and grow many distrusts put upon any act of his that might be considered
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To step beyond his Episcopal limits. This was a judicious view, and exactly met my own
views. Should I go to Rome, I will talk further with His Eminency.
Monday without incident.
Lady Franklin and Mrs. Cracraft came. Good and kind they are always to me. Lady F is a
patroness of the horticulture fete to be opened by the Princess of Wales.
On Wednesday June 27th 1864 she asked me to go with her and take my child if she is well
enough and proposed to see to getting a stall for her to sit in.
Went out to drive, ordered a bonnet. Mr. Spence came. Talked on recognition and the means
to that end. Other visitors.
Saturday, the day wonderfully bright for London. Letters - one from Carlyle. Very kind and
sympathetic. Says he wishes to write some thing up on the American war. Letter entirely
Carlylism.
Just as we were going out to dinner Lord Wharncliffe came in to bring me the paper, with the
news, Grant repulsed with loss of 6000 men. Thank God for it. C'est la commencement du
fin. (it is the beginning of the end.) Capt. North and Capt. Grosvenor party also came in. All
stayed a long time.
Florence was impatient for her drive. illegible We drove to Mrs O’Sulivans. The weather
unusually fair.
Lord W is to be one of a delegation to Lord Palmerston to urge recognition.
June 20th 1864
Page 85 of 157
Still further news. Yankees again about to change their base. Their loss is very great in their
recent communication.
Page 86 of 157
Page 100
CHAPTER XXII: The Alabama & the Kearsarge
But alas, the good news is dashed with sorrow. Yesterday 19th the Alabama went out from
Cherbourg to attack the Kearsarge, the Yankee vessel and was sunk. The crew & officers all
taken off by an English vessel. Why Capt. Semmes engaged a vessel of larger size is yet to
be explained. Number of people in today are deploring the loss of the Alabama. Invitation to
lunch at Lady Chesterfields. Just as the Alabama was sinking I was at lunch at Lady
Franklins.
June 20th 1864
Saw Mr. Mason who has just come up from Southampton from visiting Capt. Semmes. He
also saw Capt. Lancaster the Capt. of the Deerhound who took up Capt. Semmes. Mr. M
sustains Capt. Semmes in his giving the challenge to the Kearsarge.
June 21st 1864 - Met at Chesterfield House, Earl of Milton (whom I had met before at Lord
Wharncliffe’s, at dinner) Viscountes Newport. Lord Wharncliffe and a young officer whose
name I do not remember. My daughter also went with me. Lady C expected Prince Edward
of Saxe Coburg, whom she said was anxious to see me. Also Lord Hartington.(1) These last
did not come as they were detained at the Levee. Florence wanted a boating jacket. Lord
Wharncliffe went with us
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To Pooles. The man who is the moulder of fashion and who is now making his voters pay
well for the honor of being served. In the evening went to a (space) at home (space) at Mrs.
Cavendish Benticks.
June 22nd 1864
Went out to drive - received visit in the evening - Capt North, Capt Fry, professor Bledsoe
and other Confederates came in.
June 22nd 1864
Went to see Cardinal Wiseman who gave me a book and his lecture before the architectural
art association with complimentary regards written. My object in visiting the Cardinal was to
urge him to issue a pastoral, which he promised to do. Also I told him I thought it would be
best to avoid all allusion to politics as it would excite a jealousy of Catholic influence and act
against us. To this he assented. Said all his sympathies were with us and told me of a
communication he had received from Cincinnati requesting his name in favor of the Vanity
Fair. Assuming that his sympathies were with them. The Cardinal supposed that this
delusion had been fostered by the Yankees to obtain an advantage.
June 23rd 1864
Went with Lady Franklin to the Bazaar at the South Kensington, opened by the Princess of
Wales. Was very nice to have
Page 87 of 157
Page 102
A good view.
Friday Saw Mr. Mason. Had a consultation with him upon matters pertaining to Confederate
interest.
Went out in the evening.
Saturday Saw Raulinson, the sanitary commissioner. Learned some interesting facts from
him as to the change in opinion in Sheffield Birmingham & Co. to which places he wishes
me to accompany him. Saw number of people.
Sunday went to Mass. Had people to lunch and afterwards went to the zoological garden.
Very stupid and was glad to get home. Lots of people there, le crème de la crème de societie.
More news from America. My own gallant people still hold them and the enemy loss
estimated at 10,000 men and our own was exactly 15,000 in killed, wounded and prisoners.
Letter from M Devaux will call in a day or two when this important question will be
discussed as to whether I shall go to Rome.
Monday June 27th 1864
Mr. Spence of Liverpool came in from M____ he has come up upon Confederate matters.
Went to lunch at Wharncliffe House. Lord & Lady W are going to the continent on
Wednesday. Met then the Earl of Stanhope(1) who is quite a literary character. The Earl and
Lady Grey. The Ladies Lascelles, &LL. Lord W told me that he had expected Lord
Malmesbury who is to be one of the minority but a political consultation prevented. Also a
message from Lady Chesterfield.
Page 103
To where I went after lunch. Found her with a swollen jaw from cutting a wisdom tooth.
Lady Newport came in whilst there. Came home found a note from Mrs. Cavendish-Bentick
asking me to lunch on Sunday.
June 28th 1864
Note from Cardinal Wiseman asking me to lunch tomorrow at ½ 1. Went out to make some
visits. Called upon Lady Chesterfield. Lady Derby was there, Marchioness of Ailesbury also
came in. Much talk upon politics. The conference closed on Saturday a dead failure as
anticipated. A meeting of the conservatives today, propose a vote of censure against Gov.
Lord Palmerston’s exposition not at all satisfactory.
Lord Derby gave rather a caustic analysis of the action of the ministers. Charging them with
having held out promises to Denmark and whereas against the German power from which
they recounted step by step when pressed. He also sayed that the cause pursued had lowered
the just influence of England in the annals of Europe and expressing to Her Majesty their
deep regret that the cause pressured by her ministers had failed to maintain their announced
policy of upholding the integrity and independence of Denmark. & c.
Page 88 of 157
The first question asked by Lady Chesterfield of Lady Ailesbury was: “Have you made any
money on the peace?”
Answer: “No. Stocks have only risen ½ per cent. The Rothchilds have made an immense
amount.”
I doubt it was her reply. I asked, “Will ministers go out?”
Answer, “No.”
Page 104
The radicals have promised to support the Gov. in their peace policy and there will be a
division of 25 or 30 in support.
Lady C: “I don’t believe they can have such a majority, not more than five or 6.”
In that case it will be a defeat. Then they will dissolve Parliament and go to the country.
They love office too well to go out.
Lady C: “They will be hard pressed.”
Lady A: “Yes but you will see, they will manage it.”
The discussion is put off for Monday. Lord Derby will man it in the house of Lords. Mr.
Disraeli in the commons. Lord Russell advocates peace and the policy pursued by Gov. as
necessary for the future well being of England and thus the state of Europe will not only
claim their attention but that of America.
In what ever way is terminated it would be now a dangerous belligerent power whether in the
establishment of the Southern Confederacy or the restoration of the Federal union which
would surprise him very much. There would still be an immense standing army which might
jeopardize the peace of Europe by the enforcement of the Monroe Doctrine &.
In the afternoon Mr. Spence of Liverpool came in who gave me an insight into political
movements in favor of the South. I transferred to him 12 L given me by Lady Chesterfield in
aid of Southern Soldiers.
Page 89 of 157
CHAPTER XXIII: Rose receives Communion
Wednesday
29 of June
This day I was confirmed by Cardinal Wiseman in the little Chapel attached to his homeMarchioness of Lothian who wrote for me as sponsor called for
Page 105
Me. The Cardinal, having invited us to luncheon at 1 ½. Marchioness of Londonderry was
invited to meet us. Anxious as we were, we went immediately up to the chapel where the
solemn ceremony was performed.
Afterwards were sent for by the Cardinal who waited outside the chapel to receive us. Went
to the drawing room where, of course, we gathered close as a cosy party. The Cardinal,
taking his seat in our midst said in that genuine manner of his, “Gather around. I have
something to tell you.”
Did you know that there was a gathering of the conservatives at Lord Malmesbury’s(1)
yesterday?”
I said, “Yes, with 240 members present.”
“Well, I was informed of it, for like Mother Cary’s(2) chickens, they gathered around me
when the storm is brewing.”
He then said that overtures had been made to him. That Disraeli’s sec. had come to him for
his support. And he had, that he asked for certain concessions, placing the Catholic poor
upon the same grounds besides privileges and protection to the Catholic schools &
seminaries. That this was how the present party had given and he certainly required nothing
less.
An amicable understanding was come to, in order to secure the Cardinals support. He said,
“You see, they recognize us as a power.” But I said, “Beware, less you arouse their jealousy,
for I have already heard this increase of Catholic alluded to with great uneasiness.”
Lord Wharncliffe,
Page 106
Having said, “We have no feeling against those who are born Catholic but against it’s
increase amongst our aristocracy.”
Page 90 of 157
The Cardinal fully understood this, therefore confined himself to subjects entirely episcopal.
In the event of Parliament being dissolved and a general election this influence is of course of
great importance. The Cardinal said he thought that the time had come for a judicious
influence to be extended not only for peace in America but in the Denmark and the rest of
Europe as the probabilities were of a general conflagration. He urged me to go to Rome as he
thought this a fortunate moment &
At 5 o’clock saw Mr. Devaux who had an appointment with me. The object to urge me to go
to France to see Persigny and afterwards to Rome.
To dinner at Lady Franklins, where I met Lady Beacher the celebrated tragedian. Miss
O’Neill. Her son is a fine young man, the present baronet. Mr. Mason also dined there. Left
at 11 ½ to go to Lady Chesterfield who had a little whig party. Lady Tankersville,
Marchioness of Ailesbury, Lord Milton, Earl Bath & & &. L played at giving points. Came
home about 2 very tired. Found everybody at Lady C’s disturbed at the learning of capture of
Petersburg - which I doubted.
All conversation and discussing the probability of change of ministry.
Page 107
Thursday, June 30th 1864
Went to Windsor to spend the day or rather to Sunnydale Berks, C V drove to Windsor. The
day delightful. The seat of my friends Mrs. Hargreaves, very beautiful. Went to Mrs.
Mangles who danced with George 4. Her garden is very beautiful, quite celebrated. Came
home at 10 very tired although a delightful day.
Friday, July 1st, 1864
Busy all day saw Mr. Mason in the morning. Had a letter from Capt. Semmes. Various
people political.
Saturday, July 2nd, 1864
Went per train to Richmonds to spend the day with Mrs Chadwick.
Met there with Selwyn, sister of the Bishop of New Zealand(3) who is a great philanthropist.
Her object now directed towards making Greenwich hospital a place of refuge for ladies who
are entitled to placement by government & C &. She had yesterday an interview with Bishop
of London on the subject.
Also Mr. & Mrs. Watson Taylor, the veritable owners of the Island of Monte Christo. Mrs.
Manderling, sister of Sir G Drummond Hay. They are all stupid and right glad when it was
time to come home. Got here O so tired. Went to bed.
Sunday July 3rd 1864
Arose at 8, went to Mass, had a pleasant visit from Mr. Collier in regard Confederate aides
and abettes. Went at 2 to lunch at Mr. Cavendish Bentick, met there a large party of Lords &
Ladies. Mr. Mason also there. Spent two hours very pleasantly.
Came home at 5 went to Lady Chesterfields for a time. Met there Lord & Lady
Page 91 of 157
Page 108
Jermyn, the Earl of Jermyn(4) is his proper title.
Confederates.
Son of Marquis of Bristol, Strong
Came home - had visit from Mr. Buchanan, who of course speculated upon the news.
Delane(5) of the Times has excited everybody’s curiosity by vaguely hinting that he has
something important which (will) make the Confederate loan go up.
The resolution of censure will be introduced tomorrow but the vote not until Friday. I fear
that the majority will be strong enough to allow the Gov. to go in and old Lord (space) told
me today that 8 or ten would be decided by them a good working majority.
July 5th 1864
Meeting of the conservative Party on Monday 3rd at Marquies of Salisbury(6) in the absence
of Lord Derby (laid up with the gout) Earl Malmesbury advised the mutiny, regretting the
illness of Lord Derby and explained at length the reasons why he wished the same
resolutions which had been adopted in the house of commons should be moved to the house
of Lords so as to have the action of the two house simultaneous. Great unanimity prevailed-in
the absence of Lord Derby Lord Malmesbury will move the resolution.
Disraeli moved his resolution yesterday, introducing it by a very able speech, in which he
reviewed the policy of the government very fairly but caustically. Exposed the shuffling
policy towards the French and the consequent
Page 109
Refusal of the French Emperor to take any steps in conjunction with Great Britain on the
Danish question.
June 6th 1864
Went with Countess of Chesterfield to the horticulture show at South Kensington. The roses
magnificent and fruits also, yet inferior to what I have seen in California, especially the
grapes. Also the cotton plants exhibited grown in greenhouse, giving but little idea of the
vigorous plant grown in its own proper soil.
The Princess & Prince of Wales came in passing very close to me.
Introduced to Lady Constance Grosvenor (7), daughter of Dutchess of Southerland. Very
handsome, fine noble presence, classic features. She was in the way which ladies are
supposed to be who are supposed to love their Lords all wish to be. Unfortunately it is an
accident which sometimes happens to those who are not so enviably placed.
Sir Chas. Wood, a member of the government was introduced to us. He congratulated me
upon Southern successes. Lord George Lennox and others also. This was the privileged hour
when only the subscribers were present. Met the Dutchess Dowager of Sutherland as we
were coming out.
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Lady Chesterfield stopped and talked to her for some time so I had a good view of the patron
of Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe. She is immensely stout and may have been hansdome but
dressed in gaudy apparel.
Came home. Went at 5 to a “garden party” at Lady Franklins, met there almost exclusively
the scientific and literary world . Florence went here with me. Sir Roderick Murchison(8),
Professor Owen, Bishop Colenso(9), Lord Wrottesley(10), the former President of the
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Royal Geo Society, Gen. Sabina, Cap. Speak(11) the discover of the source of the Nile, all the
officers of the exporing expedition & L artists, sculptors, painters. All were there and I talked
to all, for anyone of distinction was presented to me.
Also were present two of our gallant young officers of the Alabama whom I had great
pleasure in presenting to various distinguished people.
Mrs. Professor Owen said rather a good thing. I laughingly said in introducing young St.
Claire,(12) if it were possible we should make this young man a belted knight. When taken up
by the boat of Kearsarge, he threw himself into the water and swam to a French vessel rather
than be a prisoner. Mrs. O said he should certainly be (scratched out) knight of the cold bath.
I met many lady friends who were all very kind. At seven we left. Dropped Miss. Jewsbury at
her friends, Lady Lanover(13), and went to Mrs. O’Sulivans. Took her & Mrs. King here with
us to spend the evening.
June 7th 1864
Went down into the city with Florence. Went through St Paul’s Cathedral which is now being
gilded and finished. A grand old church it is and if its walls could speak, many a new leaf
would be added to the history of other days.
June 8th 1864
News from America, gold in N York at 250. Thank God it foreshadows the end. At every
point we are successful. Grant must retreat-Hunter repulsed with heavy loss and Sherman’s
position very critical.
Page 111
He is destined to play the part of Burgious and surrender. Johnnie has drawn him from his
land – God grant that those vandals may be destroyed, exterminated so that the vile race may
no longer cumber the earth. Impatiently I wait to see bitter chalice placed at their lips. The
assasin’s knife at their throats and the torch of the incendiary applied to their homes. Then
and not till then will I feel that their just measure has been meeted out.
Went out to make some visits. Had a congratulatory talk with Lady Chesterfield – also
talk(ed) politics. Went to see Cardinal Wiseman to show him Benticks attack upon the
Catholics. Saw Mr. Mason who was very busy. He does not think that we have anything to
gain by a change in ministry. Queens sake!
Page 93 of 157
The young officers of the Alabama called. Lt. Young(14) and Armstrong(15) and a Mr.
Brawley introduced by a card from Mr. Mason. At night Mr. Corcoran came in and chatted
very pleasantly. I am anxious for news from Parliament. I am afraid the Gov. will have a
majority.
Saturday, July 9th 1864
The great trial of parties is over. Government majority in the lower house – 18 against in the
Lords nine.
I went this afternoon to tea at Lady Bechers. {Lady Becker} Found
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Ante de luvian specimens there, and heard some theatrical antecdotes of John Kemble, Mrs
Leadus. Upon this whole it was not worth the 7 and six-pence which my cab cost me. Cold
and disagreeable.
Sunday, July 10th, 1864
Went to mass at seven, came home, had breakfast. Miss Jewsbury and others came in, several
people to lunch. At 4 o’clock Lady Chesterfield called for me, to go to the Zoological
Gardens. The weather delightful. Lord Stanhope and Mr. Leisley were our escorts – great
many people were there, Dutchess of Cambridge and Princess Mary were there. Not a pretty
face in all that crowd. The most interesting object was a very intelligent but malignant
monkey, which approached more nearly in intelligence to man than was at all comfortable. In
fact, I think the Yankee President would have had a goodly feeling of fellowship.
Monday 11th 1864
This has been a busy day. I went up to Mr. Mason’s. Met there Capt. Semmes(16), and after
some talk upon the Case of Lt. Wilson(17) of the Alabama who was taken prisoner by Capt.
Winslow of the Kearsarge.(18) I went up to Mr. Adams, the USS Minister to see if he would
parole him. Interview with Mr. Adams very satisfactory – was received by him with great
courtesy.
I opened the subject by saying that I deemed it of importance sufficient to command his
attention, briefly recapitulated the
Page 113
Conduct of Capt. Semmes, who in his three years cruze {cruise} had taken over two hundred
& fifty prisoners, 19 of whom were officers, all of whom had been pardoned for exchange,
and hoped Mr. Adams would follow this humane precedent. Mr. A said he would do
anything in his power, that there was no authority in him, but he would write to Capt.
Winslow stating his views, but that it would afterwards rest with him. I replied that Capt. W
had said that such a letter would enable him to grant the parole.
I took my leave thanking Mr. A for his courtesy and said I would send Lt. Wilson to him for
the letter.(19) From Mr. A’s, I drove to Mr. Mason’s where I still found Capt. Semmes, gave
an accounting of my negotiation which pleased both Mr. M and Capt. Semmes. Mr. M
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proposed I should write upon a card stating my success to Lt. Wilson with directives to him
to call upon Mr. Adams. Mr. MacFarland, the sec. of Mr. Mason took charge and went in
search of Lt. Wilson.
At 5 oclock Sunday Mr. M came to my apartment and told me Lt. Wilson had left London to
return to Dover to give himself up as a prisoner on board the Kearsarge - And advised me to
write him a letter stating this and directing him to show it to Capt. Winslow and obtain
permission to return to London to see Mr Adams.
Also I wrote to Mr. Adams this circumstance as an explanation
Page 114
Of the delay of Lt. Wilson in calling for the letter.
July 12th 1864
Lt Wilson called this morning to take my directives. I gave him a card of introduction to Mr
Adams charging him to say as little as possible. Particularly not to mention Daytons refusal
at Paris to grant the parole. At 2 o’clock he came to me with the letter and went at once to
Dover.
July 13th 1864
Lt Wilson has just been in. Poor fellow so happy and greatful for his release. Winslow & his
officers behaved very well.
Page 95 of 157
CHAPTER XXIV: Rose’s last days
July 13th 1864
Went with F, came to Oatlands Hotel near Weighbridge(1) {Weybridge} where she is to
remain for the summer. Settled her there. A beautiful spot, formerly the seat of the Duchess
of York. Grounds extensive. Some fifteen hundred acres. This has been of course curtailed
as fifty acres only comprised the Hotel grounds. A very respectable ruin in shape of a grotto
is here.
The Duchess must have been an excentric {eccentric} character. About a hundred tombs still
line the walk leading from the grotto and raised to her dogs whose names and virtues are duly
inscribed. About, I suppose, as reliable as such monuments to the dear departed usually are.
My friend Mrs. Walker from Bermuda arrived here ten days since. I was very glad to visit
the dear little woman and man.
July 14th, 1864
The last ten days have gone by much after the same fashion, visiting & dinner today with
Lady Georgiana Fullerton.
Page 115
Met several distinguished people amongst a Russian Countess. The subject always the same.
The American war and on this occasion the subject of our domestic institutions, which I
despised. The Earl of (space) asked if there was polygamy in the South. I replied, I supposed
there was as much practical polygamy in England as in any part of the world.
A laughing conversation ensued, but he retuned to his question this time stating it more
clearly. If the practice was lawful amongst our negroes? I told him that the marriage rights
were not recognized amongst any savage native or tribe, nor especially was it disregarded
amongst the negros whose brute instincts encouraged the most unrestrained animal
indulgence. That the proprietors had been long endeavoring to educate them to the
observance of the marriage rights but we found it difficult. Altho, not as a legal but religious
right is a means of elevating the character of the negro and fitting him for a higher degree of
moral elevation.
He then asked, are families allowed to be separated. I said that was a question that required
explanation. If a negro has six or more wives & children by each, they were to be regarded
in a certain sense as his family, but I conceive that the moral sense of so set of philanthropies
Page 116
Would be greatly outraged if it became necessary to deprive him of or lose some portion of
this Harem.
But if a negro be married by the written consent of his proprietors, I know of no case when
they are ever separated as public opinion would forbid it.
Page 96 of 157
But he asked is there no law to prevent it? Is there laws here to prevent the emigrant from
leaving his family?
Or a felon or convict for being separated?
It would be impossible to provide for every contingency. But this much I now say. In some
of the states there are already legal enactments on the subject and I have no doubt that
uniform laws will be past (passed) when we are all free from this pressure upon us at this
moment. For I consider it a reproach in a moral point.
The evening past in like conversation and at 12 I went home.
July 20th 1864
A note from Lady Georgiana reproaching me for not coming to the hand of Charity as I had
promised, saying her brother Lord Granville had been there in hope of seeing me. But
sending me an invitation from him to spend 21 with him to meet a few friends.
July 21st 1864
Spent the evening with Lord Granville. Mr. Gladstone was there. I had a great deal of talk
with him. Mr. Gladstone sayed he had always considered it was best for the interest of
England that the old government of the US should stand as it was with its strong sec
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tional antagonistic interests. Quarrelling amongst themselves. Keeps them from endangering
the peace of other countries. I told him the Mexican war should have disabused him of that
idea. That here was a war, begun in a spirit of insolent aggression, denounced by the most
prominent statesmen of at least one section. That John C. Calhoun had said the declaration
which preceeded hostilities was false. & yet, when it actually commenced, the whole country
united in a vigorous prosecution of it.
And that the rich territory of California was the result of this war. A foreign war, right or
wrong, would have put off the dissolution of the nation. The very ferocity with which this
war was carried on, shows that the people of both sections were essentially military and cared
but little for abstract questions of right.
A war with Great Britain would for a time have held us together and you should oppose with
all your strength, reconstruction of the union. Your sympathies have been with us of the
South but your gov. have aided the Yankees. Your neutrality is a farce. You say you know
nothing about us-that is true. You listen to the voice of our enemy and take his estimate of
our position and resources. Recognition would give us an opportunity to plead our own
cause.
Lord Granville and Mr Gladstone – “I don’t think it would aid you. It would arouse the
Yankees to greater resistance. Without other aid it would injure you.”
“Not so.”
It would gain moral
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Page 118
Strength to their peace party and their finances which are already in a dreadful condition
would become more so. Their currency would experience a far greater depression and the
war would end.
Besides, think again, if we had had an accredited recognized agent here, Mr. Seward
wouldn’t have dared to present that forged document to Lord Russell, upon which he
predicated his action in the rams, thereby defrauding the poor Pharaoh of Egypt.
A laugh here ensued and each sayed that it a strong case.
Mr. {William} Vernon Harcourt(2), the historian of the Times said, but your finances are even
in a worst condition. {He wrote letters to the London Times under the name Historicus.}
I said not so. There is no sort of correspondence in the financial condition of the two
countries. Gold is with us a foreign luxury, which the war has excluded. Our credit is based
upon our cotton, which is equal to your bullion in your Bank of England. Instead of buying
gold or exchange in Europe we ship cotton and for 20 pounds in gold we buy that which
yields us at Liverpool 250 or 300 pounds.
Much conversation followed and I had then an earnest, serious talk with Lord Grandville and
Mr. Gladstone upon the subject of recognition and shall see them each when I return from
France. Lord Granville told me that the Emperor had proposed joint intervention with
English to bring about a suppression of hostility
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And if peace did not follow then to recognize us at once. That the British Gov. thought that
unless all the European powers could be brought to unite, especially Russia, it would do no
good.
I told him that our people earnestly desire recognition, wishing to encounter all the chances
to this event and the opinion of a nation who had showed such wonderful capacity for
resistance and self government was entitled to grave consideration. He took me to my
carriage continuing the conversation. Asked if I expected to see the Emperor. I told him that
I would see Duke De Persigny immediately and should be determined by circumstances.
July 23rd 1864
Lady Caroline Neeld called upon me. She is sister to Lord Shaftesbury. She had written me a
very kind note, peculiar, inviting me to luncheon on Sunday. Unfortunately I could not divide
myself. She is a most amiable, agreeable person and warmly advocates the Confederate
cause. She asked me to dinner on Monday but I could not go as I shall be in Paris.
July 24th 1864
Went last night to Lady Palmerston’s brilliant party. Lady Chesterfield called to take me,
was introduced to Lord P-by Marchioness of Ailesbury, talked a good deal with him. He
asked me how I got over.
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I said, “Run the blockade.”
“Was it not dangerous?”
I replied, “Only so because your Gov.
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chooses to respect it.”
Some conversation then followed upon recognition. He said he did not think it would benefit
us as it would unite the North & the old argument used by all the Gov. party.
I told him that our opinion was different & Sir Chas had then came and congratulated me
upon the news which had just come in of victories.
I laughingly said, “I don’t want your congratulation. Why don’t your recognize us?”
He said, “Don’t I?”
“Oh, individually, but not nationally, and I don’t care to be over here upon illegible.
Sunday-luncheon at Mr. Collie’s who is a noble and concerned friend of our country. Was
asked to lunch also by Lady Chesterfield but went there afterwards. I start at 8 o’clock for
Paris.
Paris, Monday, July 26th, 1864
Reached Paris this morning at 8 ½ traveled all night. Very tired but have no time to rest.
Took a bath, got breakfast and went out to the Convent Du Sacré Coeur, for my little Rose,
who was delighted to see me. Saw my good friends Mrs. Leveque and Mrs. Davidoff. Was
very kind and each spoke in highest terms of my darling, of her tolerant position. I went on
my return from convent to see Mrs. Slidell who was very
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Admirable.
Rosie looked very pretty and Slidell as civil as his rude nature will admit of. Mrs. S said
many kind things of Rose. Said that all at the Sacré Coeur spoke in enthusiastic terms of her
character and talents. Mrs. S also asked very sweetly of Florence, which greatly warmed my
heart.
Went to see Mrs. Senans. I am so found of her and her charming daughter Ruby. Mr. S is a
fine specimen of Southern gentleman.
July 27th 1864
Went to see Mrs. Gwin & seems very amiable and kind. Mr. Devaux called to see me. Was
very sorry that Persigny was out of town and I cannot see him. Slidell called Corcoran also.
Weather not as disagreeable.
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Shopping all day. Went with Rose to get her watch, which made her very happy.
July 28th 1864
Shopping, glare blinding. My little darling very miserable that I am going away. She has
grown very much.
July 29th 1864
Sticky weather is not for enjoyment.
July 30th 1864
Took my child back to the convent and left her sobbing bitterly. It was a heavy trial to say
good-bye. God bless her. My heart is very sad. Left Paris at 7 ½ for England.
July 31st 1864
Arrived in London at my old quarters 34 Sackville Street at 8 o’clock, very tired. Had a good
passage across the
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channel.
Went on board at 2 o’clock & found every place in the cabin crowded with men & women.
One poor lady who had taken possession of a sofa was being forcibly made to vacate it by the
cerberes who had charge of the cabins. I left during the contest not particularly interested in
the result.
I got a bench on deck, where I seated my maid and lay with my head in her lap. During the
crossing, rain began to fall, but I heroically determined that it was only the spray and
remained, rather than risk seasickness by change of position. After we were across once more
on Albur___ soil, and now I am recounting the adventure here, snug and sleepy in London.
August 1st 1864
All London is on the wing. The season is over. Parliament proroged. Houses shut up. Streets
blocked with baggage. I went out in the evening to see Florence. Returned Sunday morning
as I have to lunch with Lady Chesterfield who leaves town also.
She invited me very kindly to visit her at Bratly which I have promised on my return.
Number of people calling. The Buchanans spent the evening. Mr. Mason, Culuver. I dined
with Mrs. Collie after being down in the city all day shopping.
Capt. Hewett was there also and is to take me in to the Confederacy. I like his looks and am
quite sure he will not loose his vessel if courage
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And Coolness will save it. He brought Mason & Slidell to England.
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August 3rd 1864
Just a note from Mr. Spence who is by, and wishes to come to me. I wish he would come as I
have not as much to lose and much yet to be gained.
August 7th 1864
Many day and not time for a leisure into - nor get off as soon as expected – destination also
changed- not going to Havana, on account of yellow fever, but again to that nasty little island
of Bermuda.
Taking leave of kind friends. My child is here with me and my heart is sorely tried when I
look upon her lovely face and pleading eyes. Until the last minute she had hoped that I would
not go, but alas, inexorable destiny seems to impel me on. My heart yearns to stay and also to
go. I thirst for news from home. The desperate struggle in which my people are engaged is
ever present, and I long to be near to share in the triumph or be burned under the ruins, for
life without honor, without nationality …
Have just seen Mr. Mason and had a very satisfactory talk with him. He regrets my going.
Says I have done much good. Believed that some action must ere long take place in our
favor, and that it is good to have me here to aid in stimulating the slim English mind. Who
although entirely favorable and sympathetic with us, with characteristic caution holds back
from the act of justice - recognition.
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Saw Lord P – had long talk with him and I think rather startled him by some of my idea{s} –
he said he did not think recognition would do us good – it would unite the Yankees and make
them more bitter & etc besides would involve G.B. in hostilities & their Canadian
possession being exposed.
I said, “Does it never occur to you that you probably bring upon yourself the very evil which
you deprecate?”
Mr. Gladstone sayed to me a few evenings since “I have always thought that the best thing
for the interest of England is that the U S Government should remain as it was – United with
it’s sectional divisions and discourse. It was a sure guarantee that they would not wage war
with another nation. “
I replied, “That idea is negatived by positive facts. When the war with Mexico began, a large
portion of the country opposed it as invasion. Mr. Calhoun the greatest of Southern
Statesmen said in his place in the Senate that the declaration of war was based upon a
falsehood, and yet when the honor of the country was once fairly involved all opposition was
at an end. And these very men were foremost in voting supplies. And the best men of the
South rallied to the support of the government, amongst then our President, Mr. Davis, who
won great distinction.”
“If you will allow me, I will repeat to you my further remarks to Mr. G, in this head; The
nations of Europe should risk a war to prevent the reconstruction of the American Union;
And further more they should wisely consider the error of their policy in regard to our
recognition.”
Page 101 of 157
Page 125
“Suppose, for instance, circumstances which are not as improbable, in view of the political
struggle which must soon commence as the North should influence the large and growing
minority, as the North, now in favor of peace, to enter into negotiation with us, proposing to
acknowledge our independence, in condition of a treaty, offensive & defensive.”
“Self preservation is said to be the first law of nature, and with the prospect of physical
exhaustion on both sides, is it not unreasonable to suppose that we would, however
unwittingly, entertain these terms? Be compelled to take the blood stained hand of our
adversaries? For however great our passion and prejudice might be, we are yet to learn that a
wise people ever sacrificed the national ideal to such feelings. So, you may yet see two
mighty nation of warriors, hating each other, reasserting the medieval doctrine, and
threatening the peace of the world.”
“I advise you to look to this My Lord, for it may come to pass.”
With that I took my leave.
August 8th 1864
I wrote a letter to Lord G – Sending him R GHS pamphlet and other information as to our
resources. Wrote to Delane of the Times asking him to illegible {visit?} the manifest of our
Congress - which he immediately did.
Note from Lady C, asking me to lunch. Met there lots of people, all Lords, and sympathetic.
Sunday,
Left London for Manchester en route for Glascow(3) from which port I am to embark for the
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South upon a blockade runner.
Mr. Collie, Mr. Mason McFarland & accompanied me. Arrived at Manchester at 11 o’clock..
Went to Queens Hotel where we had nice rooms. Went about the place, through Mr. Collie’s
large factories, did some shopping.
Lunched, and at two o’clock started for the North. Gradually the country improved, past
through the fertile county of Lancaster.
Stopped a little while at Kendall. Near this place is situated Brandlesome Hall.(4) Here the
seat of my husbands ancestors, who were considerable people here, one of them having been
sheriff of the County, and entertained King John. Also a Greenhalgh of B. was governor of
the Isle of Man, under Earl Derby and by this token had their estates confiscated by the
pretender Cromwell.
About nightfall we reached Carlysle, the border town between England and Scotland, and the
scene of many a desperate fight between highlanders and lowlanders. A few hours after, we
crossed the river Gretna, and came upon the famous Gretna Green.(5) The house of the black
Page 102 of 157
smith was pointed out, who still carries a profitable trade from splicing love sick maids and
adventurous nights (knights) who seek his rival offices. Wild mountainous scenery and
barren moores now presented themselves. The weather, which was intensely hot in England,
now became chilly, and after a while we felt to draw up our wrappers and forsooth the
highlands.
Mr. M
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Went to sleep in a corner. Mr. Collie also, and I was left to talk with Cousin Tina and Guito
Cal. Three hours after our time we reached Glascow, tired, hungry, the rain falling in
torrents. A good supper set us all to rights after which I went to sleep and slept soundly.
Arose in the morning, and went out to the sitting room, found the gentlemen already
assembled. Breakfasted, and then went to the window to look out, for it was raining in
torrents. Here I had the first view of the highland Casei, and a most uninviting object to
behold with their bare feet and legs and red arms and hair.
The rain ceased by 12.
Mr. Collie and myself went out to shop. Bought lots of things. Came home, lunched, then
went with Mr. Scott to drive so as to see the beauties of Glascow. The park is the pride of the
place. The city is picturesque but boasts no architectural beauty, being entirely a
manufacturing town, where the Cary Scotts drive a good trade.
On Wednesday 10th at noon we took the train for Greenoch where our vessel lay ready or
supposed to be ready for us. Arrived and hurried to the dock, found the vessel still wedged in.
After several irksome hours got underway, passengers embarked, baggage, etc.
I found in my room some beautiful flowers & grapes from Mrs. Scott. Mr. Collie having also
provided all sorts of delicate comforts for me. Mr. Mason, Collie accompanied me some ten
miles to the seat of Mrs. Scott's, romanti-
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Page 128
CHAPTER XXV: Goodby to Europe
Cally situated upon the banks of the Clide. (Clyde)(1)
Here the good bye was spoken to my kind friends, and I felt myself leaving behind warm
friends, and true and a sad, sick feeling crept over me of parting, perhaps forever, from many
very dear to me.
A few months before I had landed as a stranger; I will not say in a foreign land, for it was the
land of my ancestors and many traditions and memories twined around my heart when my
feet touched the shores of Merry England;
But I was literally a stranger in the land of my fathers and a feeling of cold isolation was
upon me.
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Epilog
Thus ended Rose’s European diary.
We know from other reports that Rose did not return to Bermuda as she stated in the diary.
Instead, the ship was sidetracked to Halifax. There two more Confederate passengers were
picked up, one being Lt. Wilson. The same Lt. Wilson who Rose was instrumental in freeing
from Union forces after the battle of the Alabama & Kearsarge.
These gentlemen were aboard the liferaft with Rose when it overturned.
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Key Players
Throughout the diary we have provided small biographies of persons Rose mentioned or
interacted with using footnotes at the bottom of the page. These short bios will aid the reader
in understanding who these figures were and how they fit into the political and social
structure of their world and time, and why Rose felt it was important to meet with them.
Some of the people Rose mentioned were extremely important to her mission and/or
important to her personally and deserve more of an explanation than a footnote can provide.
We will provide brief mentions of those folks here.
Beauregard, General J. P. T.
Pierre Gustave Toutant de Beauregard (May 28, 1818 - February 20, 1893), was best known
as a General for the Confederate States of America during the American Civil War, but was
also a writer, civil servant, and inventor. Beauregard, born in New Orleans, trained at the
United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating in 1838, and excelled both as an
artilleryman and military engineer. He served as a major under Winfield Scott during the
Mexican-American War.
He briefly entered into politics in his home town, and was narrowly defeated in the election
for Mayor of New Orleans in 1858. He then returned to teach at West Point, where he rose to
become the Superintendent of the Military Academy. He resigned this station when his home
state of Louisiana seceded from the Union.
His first assignment from the Confederate Government was command of the forces in
Charleston, South Carolina, where on April 12, 1861 he opened fire on the Union held Fort
Sumter, regarded as the start of the American Civil War. He led Confederate forces to victory
in the First battle of Manassas, (with Rose's timely message to aid him) and commanded with
mixed results until forced to withdraw at the Battle of Shiloh.
Beauregard successfully defended Charleston from repeated Union attacks until 1864 when
he was appointed commander of Confederate forces in the West, where he fought without
success to halt the advances of Union forces under U. S. Grant and William T. Sherman. He
surrendered to the Union in April 1865.
Beauregard was one of only 8 full generals in the Confederate Army. After the war he spoke
in favor of civil and voting rights for the recently freed slaves. His military writings include
The Principles and Maxims of the Art of War, Report on the Defense of Charleston, and A
Commentary on the Campaign and Battle of Manassas.
General Beauregard declined offers to take command of the armies of Romania in 1866 and
Egypt in 1869.
He became involved in promotion of railroads, both as a company director and a consulting
engineer. He invented a system of cable-powered street railway cars.
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He served in the government of the State of Louisiana, first as adjutant general, and then as
manager of the Louisiana State Lottery.
In 1860 he married Caroline Deslonde, sister of Marie Mathilde Deslonde, who was the wife
of James Slidell, the Confederate emissary to France. Caroline died August 1st, 1864. (Rose
speaks of Caroline’s death in the diary and how it threw her into a depressed state.) They had
no children. P.G.T. Beauregard died in New Orleans and was buried in Metairie Cemetery.
Boteler, Alexander A.
Alexander Robinson Boteler was born 16 May 1815 in Shepherdstown, Jefferson County,
Virginia (now the state of West Virginia). His mother died when he was just four and he was
sent to Baltimore, Maryland to be raised by his maternal grandmother, a daughter of Charles
Wilson Peale, the preeminent painter of his generation.
Boteler graduated from Princeton in 1835, completing a master's degree, and returned to live
on his father's estate, Fountain Rock, in Shepherdstown. He concentrated on writing and
experimental farming. In 1850 he agreed, reluctantly, to run as a Whig for state senate but
was defeated overwhelmingly by the Democratic candidate. He served as a Whig presidential
elector in 1852 and ran twice unsuccessfully for the US House of Representatives. He was
elected in 1858 as a member of the Opposition party to represent Virginia's 8th district in the
US House. With the House deadlocked in a three-way contest for House Speaker, Boteler,
very surprisingly for a freshman congressman, was nominated for the position as a
compromise candidate.
As the secession crisis worsened he called for the creation of a special committee comprised
of one representative from each state. The committee was to be tasked to work to avert
disunion. He supported the Crittenden Compromise but ultimately, like many other
Virginians, he let the actions of his state dictate his coarse. When Virginia seceded from the
Union, Boteler's service in the US Congress ended.
He was taken prisoner by Union troops at his home on 13 August 1861 but was released the
same day. He won election to the Virginia state legislature, but on 19 November 1861
accepted an appointment to the Confederate Provisional Congress instead. He was elected to
the First Confederate Congress in 1862 and served from February 1862 until February 1864.
Boteler was Rose’s “handler” during her time in Europe. Rose wrote him numerous letters,
some of which reside today at Duke University and are available online at (“Documenting
the American South.” University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.)
http://www.docsouth.unc.edu/greenhow/menu.html.
When the Confederate congress was not in session, Boteler, with the rank of colonel, served
in the army as an aide on the staff of Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Boteler often took
Jackson's appeals to Congress and when Jackson threatened to resign because of War
Department interference in his command, Boteler persuaded Jackson to withdrawl the
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resignation. Boteler was with Jackson at Fredericksburg. After Jackson died Boteler became
an aide on the staff of J.E.B. Stuart. He served with Stuart until 12 May 1864. After Boteler
failed in his bid to be elected to the Second Confederate Congress he served as an advisor to
Virginia governors William Smith and John Lector. In November 1864 Boteler was assigned
to the Military Court Department.
He was surrendered at Appomattox with the Army of Northern Virginia.
After the war Boteler returned to what was left of his farm. Fountain Head had been a
casualty of the war. A Union raiding party had put the house to the torch on 19 July 1864. A
popular story tells how his daughter Helen stood and sang "Dixie" while the Yankees torched
her home.
He split his time between agricultural pursuits and public affairs. He did not harbor the ill
feelings towards the controlling political party that many Southerners did. He was appointed
to the US Centennial Commission in 1776 by President Ulysses S. Grant and to the Tariff
Commission by President Chester A. Arthur. Boteler served as an assistant attorney in the
Department of Justice then as pardon clerk.
Later in life he took up painting and although not quite as preeminent as his greatgrandfather, he did complete oil paintings of the principle Confederate military heroes. He
also wrote historical articles including a detailed account of Jackson's Valley campaign.
He died in Shepherdstown on 8 May 1892.
Gwin, Senator William
William McKendry Gwin was born on October 9, 1805 near Gallatin, Tennessee. He
attended and graduated with a Medical degree from Transylvania University in Lexington,
Kentucky in 1828. Following school he served as President Jackson's private secretary in
Washington in 1831. After his stint in the White House, at Jackson's urging, he moved to
Clinton, Mississippi and established a medical practice. In 1833 Jackson appointed Gwin
United States marshal in Mississippi and charged him with building a pro-Jackson wing of
the Democratic Party in the state.
Gwin met his wife Mary through Sam Huston, another pro-Jackson family friend from
Tennessee.
In 1841 Gwin was elected to the House of Representatives from. While in Washington, the
Gwins lived on Washington Street nearby the Greenhows and they became close friends and
allies, both socially and politically. Gwin also became personal friends with John Calhoun.
They disagreed on the issue of Nullification, but Gwin was very impressed with Calhoun's
support of Manifest Destiny and the importance that he saw for California once it was taken
from Mexico.
States Rights was one of the more important issues of the day in Mississippi and Gwin was
on the wrong side of the argument. Jefferson Davis was selected to take his seat in the House
in 1843, but it did not cause a riff between the two men. Davis and Gwin remained personal
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friends. James K. Polk, a Jacksonian Democrat, was president and the Democratic Party
continued to think highly of Gwin. At the end of the Mexican War he was the Commissioner
of Public Works for the Port of New Orleans - a very lucrative position.
When Zachary Taylor, a Whig, replaced Polk in the White House Gwin consulted with his
political allies and decided to go to California to build up the Democratic Party in that state.
On June 4, 1849, he arrived in San Francisco on the steamship Panama. Events were moving
rapidly. Congress had failed to decide on how California was to be governed and the military
governor, General Bennet Riley, called for the election of representatives to a constitutional
convention to decide the issue. Gwin used the election campaign to recruit a coterie of
supporters that became the core of his wing of the Democratic Party in California. Most of
them were Southerners and they became know as the "Chivalry."
During the Constitutional Convention in October 1849 Gwin served as Chairman of the
Committee charged with drawing up the new constitution. Following the completion of the
convention and its acceptance of the newly drafted constitution, Gwin hit the hustings again
to ensure the passage of the constitution and to campaign for Chivalry members to be elected
to the new state legislature. In those days the legislature selected the men who would
represent the state in the United States Senate. Gwin wanted one of the two seats. He had his
work cut out for himself because the leading contenders in the senate race were the very
popular Fremont, an abolitionist, and King, a prominent Whig friend of President Taylor.
In the end Fremont and Gwin were selected. They drew straws to see who would take the
short term of two years and who the long term of six years. Gwin won the long term.
Fremont and Gwin travelled together to Washington in January 1850. During his first term he
worked on a number of important bills related to California and managed to get most of them
passed into law. His successes in Washington were popular in California and he managed to
get John Weller,one of his own supporters, selected to fill the Fremont Senate seat in 1852.
On his return to Washington he was chosen to be the Chairman of the Senate Committee on
Naval Affairs. He used his position to pass legislation providing for a naval shipyard at Mare
Island, coastal fortifications, and a series of lighthouses along the coast. During this period
Gwin appears to have been shifting his ambitions from the state level to the national level.
Following Lincoln's inauguration but before hostilities broke out between the states, Gwin
toured the South and then returned to California. In California the Chivalry spoke on the
South's behalf and suffered a backlash at the polls in the elections of 1861. Seeing that there
was little that he could do in California Gwin returned east to New York where his wife had
moved. He was arrested by federal agents on arrival in New York City, but President Lincoln
intervened on his behalf and he was released. He sent his wife and one of his daughters to
Europe and he returned to his plantation in Mississippi. The plantation was destroyed in the
war and Gwin, a daughter, and son fled to Paris. His son had been a Confederate soldier but
was mustered out just before their departure from Mississippi.
In 1864 the Civil War was going against the South and Gwin met with Emperor Napoleon III
in Paris. He knew that the French were interested in establishing Maximilian in Mexico and
offered his services in protecting Mexico's Northern border by settling Sonora with
Southerners who would not want to remain in a country dominated by the North. Napoleon
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was receptive but Maximilian was opposed to the plan. Maximilian feared that Gwin and his
Southerners would take Sonora for themselves. The plan was never implemented.
Following the final defeat of the South in 1865 Gwin returned to New Orleans, turned
himself in to General Phillip Sheridan and requested permission to rejoin his family who
were returning from Europe. Sheridan gave his permission but it was countermanded by
President Johnson. Gwin was imprisoned in Mississippi but eventually released by order of
President Johnson.
Both of Gwin's imprisonments appear to have been ordered by Seward who was concerned
that Gwin would expose his own attempt to compromise with the South prior to the outbreak
of hostilities.
Following his release, Gwin returned to San Francisco with his family, prospered through
investment in agriculture and mining, and lived a quiet life. He died in New York City on
September 3, 1885 and is buried in Oakland, California.
Granville, 2nd Lord
Granville Leveson-Gower, 2nd Earl Granville. The eldest son of Granville Leveson-Gower,
1st Earl Granville (1773—1846), by his marriage with Lady Harriet, daughter of the Duke of
Devonshire, was born in London.
Educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford, young Lord Leveson went to Paris for
a short time under his father, and in 1836 was returned to parliament as a Whig. For a short
time he was under-secretary for foreign affairs in Lord Melbourne's ministry.
In 1860 his wife died, and to this heavy loss was shortly added that of his great friends Lord
and Lady Canning and of his mother in 1862.
This is the man historians think was betrothed to Rose. His wife had died in 1860 and his
mother in 1862. This would lead one to assume he was probably looking for a new wife
during the time Rose was in Europe. Indeed about a year after Rose died he remarried.
Rose mentions him several times in the diary and appears to have enjoyed both his company
and the company of his sister Lady Georgiana Charlotte Fullerton. However, she gives no
indication in the diary that there is a romantic interest of any kind.
On first blush I found it hard to believe that Rose would be interested in a man with Lord
Granville’s political inclinations. During the American Civil War, Granville was a
noninterventionist along with the majority of Prime Minister Palmerston's cabinet. His
memorandum against intervention in September of 1862 drew Palmerston's attention and
proved to be a strong reason why he refused to intervene in the “American Question”, and
why Britain's relations with the North remained basically stable throughout the conflict.
This had to grate on Rose. Here was a widower, available and looking, at the top of his
political game, 2nd only to Lord Palmerston and he was dead set against recognition of Rose’s
beloved Confederacy.
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On the other hand, Lord Granville was known to be a very personable man. He was always
courteous, polite and soft spoken. He was Chancellor of The University of London, a post he
held for over thirty years and in which he championed a women’s education movement; a
cause Rose could surely rally behind after the war.
Rose considered him a peer and he moved in the same political and social circles. Their
marriage could be beneficial to both parties. Rose also became quite close to Lord
Granville’s sister during her time in Europe, which may have had an influence on any
decision she might have made concerning Lord Granville.
Perhaps she indeed found a kindred spirit in Lord Granville. Photographs of Rose while in
Europe show that she finally gave up the black “mourning gowns” she had worn for so many
years.
Or, perhaps Rose was merely eliciting his favor in an attempt to change his mind on the
question of Confederate recognition. She had coerced secrets and favors from men in high
positions in the past with her charm and influence. Perhaps this was just another ruse.
But we’ll never know the truth of the matter because Rose had one last mission to carry out
for her beloved Confederacy before she could think about her own needs and desires. She
had one last mission to complete before she could even think about settling into an idyllic life
with her young daughter and new fiancée and friends.
How unfortunate that this last mission would bring about such a high cost for our heroine; for
as we all know, on that fateful night in October, 1864 Rose lost her dispatches to Confederate
President Davis. She lost her bright future and ultimately her life. Amidst the crash of
cannons and the surge of a single wave off the shore of Fort Fisher Mrs. Rose O’Neale
Greenhow sacrificed all that she had to give for her beloved Southland.
Mason, James Murray
James Murray Mason was born on Nov. 3, 1798, at what is now Georgetown, D.C. He
graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1818 and he studied law at the College of
William and Mary. He established his law practice at Winchester, Virginia in 1820. During
the '20s Mason served in the Virginia Legislature. In 1837 he served one term in the U.S.
Congress as a Jacksonian Democrat. The Virginia Legislature selected him for the Senate in
1847.
In Washington, Mason associated with the most prominent Southern Rights Democrats,
especially John C. Calhoun. Mason drafted the famous Fugitive Slave Law of 1850 and when
Calhoun was ill, read his speech to the Senate on the proposed compromise measures.
When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in 1860, Mason argued for Southern
secession. For Mason, the "irrepressible conflict" was between two social and economic
civilizations, one agrarian and the other industrial.
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Confederate president Jefferson Davis appointed Mason diplomatic commissioner to England
in 1861. Mason had great personal charm, despite his critics' charge that he was untidy and
chewed tobacco and spat on the floor of Parliament. He possessed impressive qualifications:
a clear position on the issue of Southern rights, a conciliatory demeanor, high social
connections, and 10 years as chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The U.S. Navy's seizure of Mason and John Slidell, Confederate commissioner to France,
while they were aboard the British ship Trent caused a serious diplomatic crisis between the
United States and England. In January 1862 Mason and Slidell were released and resumed
their mission.
Mason was never received officially by the British government, and he obtained only three
interviews with British officials, all as a private citizen. However, he cultivated friendships
with powerful political and economic figures, acted as a central purchasing agent for the
Confederacy, and promoted the sale of Confederate bonds.
One of Rose's first assignments in Europe was to visit Mason and through a letter from
President Davis, advise him to vacate his seat as ambassador to England and to work more on
a social level and as a commissioner general, since European powers were refusing to
entertain the requests of Confederate Emmisaries. In this capacity he represented the
Confederacy until its downfall in April 1865;
He resided in Canada after the close of the war until 1868, when he returned to Virginia;
John Murray Mason died at “Clarens,” near the city of Alexandria, Virginia on April 28,
1871 and was interred in Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery, Alexandria, Va.
Palmerston, Lord
Henry John Temple, Viscount Palmerston, was born in Westminster on 20 October 1784. He
was the eldest child born to Henry and Mary Mee Temple. Palmerston was educated
privately by a series of tutors before attending Harrow between 1795 and 1800. Thereafter he
was admitted to Edinburgh University, then to St. John's College Cambridge where he was
awarded his MA in 1806. When Palmerston's father died in 1802 the young man was left
under the guardianship of the Earl of Malmesbury until he came of age;
On the 1st of June 1829 he made his first great speech on foreign affairs. Lord Palmerston
was not a great orator; his language was unstudied, and his delivery somewhat embarrassed;
but he generally found words to say the right thing at the right time, and to address the House
of Commons in the language best adapted to the capacity and the temper of his audience.
Between 1832 and 1852 Lord Palmerston served both Whig (Lord Melbourne, Lord John
Russell) and Tory (Sir Robert Peel) governments. Although Palmerston had the support of
most of Parliament, he was strongly disliked by Queen Victoria.
Palmerston believed the main objective of the government's foreign policy should be to
increase Britain's power in the world. This sometimes involved adopting policies that
embarrassed and weakened foreign governments. Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, on
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the other hand, believed that the British government should do what it could to help preserve
European royal families against revolutionary groups advocating republicanism. This was
very important to Victoria and Albert as they were closely related to several of the European
royal families that faced the danger of being overthrown.
Another reason for Queen Victoria’s dislike of Lord Palmerston was his reputation as a
"ladies' man": indeed, one of his nicknames was 'Lord Cupid'. It was well known that
Palmerston had been conducting affairs with Lady Jersey and Princess Dorothy de Lieven. In
1810 his affair with Lady Cowper began. It lasted until her husband died in 1839 and the pair
finally married. Lady Cowper was the sister of Lord Melbourne, who said that his sister was
a 'remarkable woman, a devoted mother, and excellent wife -- but not chaste'. Despite the
affair with Emily, Palmerston made proposals of marriage to Lady Georgiana Fane, the
younger sister of Lady Jersey: his suit was rejected on all three occasions.
In 1863, Mrs. O'Kane visited him at the House of Commons and then later claimed that she
and Palmerston had committed adultery. Her husband, a radical journalist, promptly cited
Palmerston as co-respondent in a divorce case and claimed £20,000 in damages. The case
was dismissed but increased Palmerston's popularity. After all, he was 78 years old.
On another occasion he had attempted to seduce one of Victoria's ladies in waiting.
Palmerston entered Lady Dacre's bedroom while staying as Victoria's guest at Windsor
Castle. Only Lord Melbourne's intervention saved Palmerston from being removed from
office. In the summer of 1850, Queen Victoria asked Lord John Russell to dismiss
Palmerston. Russell told the queen he was unable to do this because Palmerston was very
popular in the House of Commons. However, in December 1851, Palmerston congratulated
Louis Napoleon Bonaparte on his coup in France. This action upset Russell and other radical
members of the Whig party and this time he accepted Victoria's advice and sacked
Palmerston. Six weeks later Palmerston took revenge by helping to bring down Lord John
Russell's government.
In 1855 Lord Palmerston, aged seventy, became Prime Minister. Queen Victoria found it
difficult to work with him but their relationship gradually improved. She later wrote in her
journal: "We had, God knows! terrible trouble with him about Foreign Affairs. Still, as Prime
Minister he managed affairs at home well, and behaved to me well. But I never liked him."
Palmerston first period as Prime Minister lasted for three years. His second period started in
1859 when he was seventy-five years old. The main foreign events that he had to deal with
during this period included the American Civil War and Napoleon III's war with Austria.
Upon the outbreak of the American Civil War in 1861, Lord Palmerston acknowledged that it
was the duty of the British government to stand aloof from the fray; He felt strongly that the
United States was better off split in two and fighting amongst themselves. This was a popular
view in Parliament and was likely the reason for the refusal on the part of England and
France to recognize a blockade of the Southern ports, which was notoriously inadequate, yet
extremely prejudicial to the interests of Europe.
The cabinet was not entirely of this opinion, and, although the belligerent rights of the South
were promptly recognized, the neutrality of the Government was strictly observed. When,
however, the Southern envoys were taken by force from the "Trent", a British packet,
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Palmerston did not hesitate a moment to insist upon a full and complete reparation for so
gross an infraction of international law.
Although there was much in the official life of Lord Palmerston which inspired distrust, he
had a lofty conception of the strength and the duties of England, he was the irreconcilable
enemy of slavery, injustice and oppression, and he labored with inexhaustible energy for the
dignity and security of the Empire.
In private life his buoyancy and high breeding made even his political opponents forget their
differences; and even the warmest altercations on public affairs were merged in his large
hospitality and cordial social relations. In this respect he was aided with consummate ability
by the tact and grace of Lady Palmerston, the widow of the 5th Earl Cowper, whom he
married at the close of 1839 and who died in 1869. She devoted herself with enthusiasm to
all her husband's interests and pursuits, and she made his house the most attractive center of
society in London, if not in Europe.
They had no children, and his title became extinct, the property descending to Lady
Palmerston's second son by Earl Cowper, W. F. Cowper-Temple, afterwards Baron Mount
Temple, and then to her grandson Evelyn Ashley (1836-1907) son of her daughter, who
married the 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, who was Lord Palmerston's private secretary from 1858
to 1865.
Lord Palmerston died of a fever on 18 October 1865 after catching a chill while out in his
carriage. He wanted to be buried at Romsey Abbey but was given a state funeral at
Westminster Abbey. Palmerston was 81 years old.
It has been said that his last words were, “Die, my dear doctor? That is the last thing I shall
do!"
Slidell, John
John Slidell was born in New York City in 1793 and graduated from Columbia College (later
Columbia University), in 1810; He studied law and was admitted to the bar in New York
City where he started a practice and engaged in other business affairs as well.
The Northern-born Slidell rose to prominence as a Louisiana politician in the decades before
the Civil War. A lawyer who began his career as a businessman, he moved to New Orleans in
1819 after his mercantile interests failed during the War of 1812.
Slidell lost a bid for Congress in 1828 and was frustrated in his political ambitions until
1843, when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. As a states-rights Democrat
he supported James K. Polk for the presidency in 1844 and used questionable legal means to
assure him a Louisiana majority in the presidential election. Polk appointed Slidell
commissioner to Mexico, with instructions to settle the Texas-Mexico boundary dispute and
purchase New Mexico and California. The mission failed when the Mexican government
refused to accept his credentials. This is probably the time frame when John met the
Greenhows.
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Slidell was elected to the Senate in 1853 and cast his lot with pro-Southern congressmen to
repeal the Missouri Compromise, acquire Cuba, and admit Kansas under the Lecompton
constitution. In the 1860 campaign Slidell supported Democratic presidential candidate John
C. Breckinridge, but remained a pro-Union moderate until Abraham Lincoln's election
pushed the Southern states into seceding. Siding with the South, Slidell accepted a diplomatic
appointment to represent the Confederacy in France.
His arrival in Europe was delayed by the TRENT AFFAIR, when he and fellow diplomat
James Mason were removed from their British-registered ship (The Trent) by the commander
of a Federal vessel. Once there, he found the French sympathetic to the Confederate cause,
but met with little success in securing extensive military aid or the Franco-Confederate treaty
of alliance he sought.
Slidell remained in France lobbying throughout the war. Though he was never able to
accomplish a Franco-Confederate liaison, and though many of his Confederate colleagues
distrusted him, Slidell, through his political abilities and bolstered by his marriage to a
Louisiana Creole woman, arranged some Confederate financing through private French
interests.
Uncertain of his safety at home after the war, Slidell and his family stayed in Paris. He never
sought pardon from the Federal government for his Confederate service and died in Cowes,
Isle of Wight, England, July 9, 1871. He is interred in the private cemetery of the SaintRoman family at Villejuif, near Paris, France, in the Departement de la Seine.
Stowe, Harriet Beacher
Harriet Beacher Stowe was the author of Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a fictional work loosely based
upon the life and tales of an escaped Southern slave named Josiah Hanson. This book was
well known in it’s time and it’s been stated that it was a key motivating force in provoking
abolitionist tendencies in the North, through Ms. Stowe’s graphic tales of abuse and cruelty
to African American slaves by their Southern masters.
There are a couple of ironies associated with Rose & this book which readers may find of
interest.
First, Ms. Stowe mentions a slave who could twist and turn and gyrate on his hands and
perform tricks and stunts with his body, the likes of which local folk had never seen, except
perhaps in a circus act. This is an apt description of a Montgomery County, Maryland slave
named Jacob. The same slave Jacob who murdered John O’Neale, Rose’s father, in 1817,
when Rose was about 3 years old. Ms. Stowe probably got this tale from Josiah Benson. He
most likely knew Jacob, which brings us to the second irony.
Josiah Henson was a slave of Mr. Isaac Riley. His wife, Mrs. Riley was Rose’s first cousin,
Matilda Middleton. The Riley’s lived a few miles from where the O’Neale’s did. When Riley
was sued by his brother in law he became mean and abusive. He lost his land over the suit,
but in a last ditch effort to prevent the loss of all his holdings, he sent his slaves off to the
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deep South to his brother to prevent the financial burden of their loss. During this time Josiah
Hanson made his escape North, met Ms. Stowe and told her his tale of woe.
How ironic is it that Ms. Stowe got her abolitionist ammunition from a slave who belonged
to members of the O’Neale clan themselves? And that through Ms. Stowe, Jacob, who was
hung for murdering Rose’s father would become a symbol of Southern oppression.
NOTE: The Official Rebel Rose Website houses additional information on Josiah Henson
and his relationship to the O’Neale family and the complete trial records and testimony of the
Slave Jacob vs. The State of Maryland case.
Walker, Georgiana Gholson
Rose met Georgiana on her trip to Europe while stopping over on the Island of Bermuda.
Georgiana was the wife of Major Norman Walker, CSA, a Confederate agent stationed in
Bermuda. Georgiana and Rose hit it off and became close friends. They corresponded
frequently and Georgiana often mentioned Rose in her journal. They seemed to have quite a
bit in common. Both were compelled to help their husbands along in their careers, both kept
journals, entertained lavishly and had a huge circle of Confederate associates.
Georgiana relates her first impression of Rose on May 20th, 1863, saying, “Mrs. Greenhow
passed through on her way to Europe. She said her mission was diplomatic & then [sic] she
was going abroad to publish her Book. She is a handsome woman, intelligent & in some
respects well cultivated.”
On December 2nd, 1863 Georgiana tells her diary, “On Thursday the 17th the English mail
arrived, and to our great joy two other steamers are signalled. How our hearts rejoice at the
prospect of news from Dixie! It has been several weeks since we have heard, & since then,
painful rumors have reached us from the North. The mail from England brings no special
news. That clever French Emperor does not seem to have had his usual success in regard to
his ‘Congress of Sovereigns’. I rec’d a letter from Mrs. Greenhow. She has been wonderfully
well received in England & her book is pronounced a ‘success.’ I do not wonder at that, for
she is a very clever woman, & has the ability to show those Yankees up in their true
character. She says a smart thing in her letter. She writes, ‘I consider the cultivation of my
good looks, a duty which I owe to my country!’ She needs no cultivation of beauty, for
providence has blessed her with plenty of that. She is one of the most beautiful women I ever
saw. She knows this & like a sensible woman, does not pretend to think the contrary.".
On March 2nd, 1864 Georgiana relates the following, “The English mail arrived. I recd a
letter from Mrs Greenhow, & various ‘good things of this life’ from my friend Scott in
Halifax. Mrs G. is much delighted with her visit to Paris, & considers her mission to have
been a successful one. She had an audience of the Emperor, & was treated with marked
attention. She says she advocated our cause warmly & earnestly, & left not one point
uncovered; that the Emperor recd her as one directly from the President; & bade her tell the
President that his sympathy was all with him, & that he should do all in his power to aid him.
The Empress says, ‘His Majesty is not averse to interviews with beautiful escaped prisoners’.
I have since heard that Mrs. Greenhow had attended a Ball at the Tuilleries, & had supped
in the room & perhaps at the table with their Majesties. Capt Maury, (the Com’dors cousin)
told me this.”
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That same day she added the following in her diary, “Today I recd another letter from Mrs.
Greenhow, one which was overlooked by Capt Maury. She had dined with [Thomas] Carlyle,
& was greatly pleased with her interview. He asked her for descriptions of some [of]
America's distinguished men, & seemed greatly amused at her charcoal sketch of Abraham
the rail splitter. She then described our President, upon which Carlyle re-marked, ‘God
made the situation for the man’. I can not subscribe to this, though the speech may be very
Carylian. I believe the reverse. I cannot reconcile with my ideas of Infinite Justice that God
should allow such a convulsion of a whole Nation, the so many thousands of lives, & the
breaking of so many hearts; the desolation of so many homes;-this terrible carnage, &
horrific war, that one man might live & be great! But I can & do believe that God raised this
man to take us through these times, & I believe that under Providence we shall pass through
safely & come out a great Nation, purified through suffering!"
In July, 1864 the Walkers visited London and Georgiana noted in her journal that, “We had
telegraphed or written Mr. Soutter from Falmouth to get us rooms… We found that he had
obtained them, at 34 Sackville St., where we found handsome apartments, & remained one
week… The first familiar face we saw was that of Mrs. Greenhow, who happened to have
apartments in the same house. She has certainly had the entree to the very highest society.
The Lords & Ladies & Duchesses are her constant visitors, & her invitations to dinner
parties & balls are innumerable. She is to dine with Lady Palmerston soon, & has gone thro
the rounds of most of the others. We found Mrs. Greenhow a good guide to the places we
wanted to find in London.”
Her last diary entry pertaining to Rose came on November 4th, 1864, while the Walkers were
aboard the Europa, in the Halifax Harbour, when she wrote, “Mr. Hall, (H.W. Hall of the
Wilmington Daily Journal) Mr Alexandre (Gustave Alexander was a Confederate clerk in
Halifax) & Mr. Weir (Benjamin Weir was an unofficial Confederate emissary at Halifax)
came on board to meet us & the first news we had was the frightful tidings of Mrs.
Greenhow's death. My thought flew at once to the poor little orphan at the ‘Sacre Coeur’ in
Paris, now bereft of Father, Mother, Friends, truly on the cold charities of the world. Mrs.
Greenhow went in on the … ‘Conda,’ which left Halifax for Wilmington, about the first of
Oct. The vessel was chased & beached, & so terrified was Mrs. Greenhow at the idea of
again falling into the hands of the Yankees, that she disregarded the advice of the Capt &
insisted on taking to one of the little boats. She unwisely attempted to save some gold which
she had, by securing it about her person,-the boat capsized & she sank never to rise.”
After the war the Walkers remained in Europe for awhile and resided at Royal Leamington
Spa, a small Warwickshire town known as “a popular place with Rebels.” In February 1866
the Walkers left Leamington and moved to London and from there to Liverpool, where
Norman Walker started a cotton importing business with his father-in-law, Thomas Gholson.
The Walkers returned to America in 1878, living first in Richmond, Virginia, then at Staten
Island, New York. Georgiana Walker died there in 1904 and Norman Walker in 1913. How
long the other Confederates remained in Leamington is uncertain, but many left in 1868,
when a general amnesty removed any remaining obstacles for Confederates abroad wanting
to return home.
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Georgiana boasts in her journal how, on a sightseeing trip to London in December 1865, she
was mistaken for a Yankee by one of the English guests. When she pointed out his mistake,
he hastened to say that he had always sympathized with the South, causing her to observe
bitterly that this "sympathy" had only ever existed in the imagination of the people. Another
guest was puzzled as to her nationality. She had, she said, no country and therefore no
nationality: "I am a Virginian. . . ".
This sounds remarkably like something Rose would have said had she survived the war, and
aptly illustrates the bond the two Confederates shared.
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Key Historical Events
Over the span of time that Rose was in Europe many historical events took place. Rose
participated in and/or was touched by several of these historic events.
The Trent Affair
In October of 1861, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed John Slidell and James
M. Mason diplomatic agents, and granted them the power to enter into conventions for
treaties with England and France. They were commissioned to secure recognition of the
Confederate government as a nation, based upon "the vast extent of territory, its large and
intelligent population, its ample resources, its importance as a commercial nation, and withal
the justice of its separation from the United States."
Jeff Davis expected that these statesmen would be able to convince Europe of the ability of
the Confederate States to maintain a national existence, as belligerent rights had already been
accorded by former Confederate emmisaries.
Thus, Mason & Slidell departed for Havana, Cuba, on the blockade-runner Theodora, where
they arrived in safety and were presented to the captain-general of the island by the British
consul, not in "official capacity" but as gentlemen of distinction. Afterward they went as
passengers aboard a British merchant vessel, The Trent, carrying English mails, and sailed
for England.
In the meantime Captain Charles Wilkes, U.S. N., commanding the US sloop-of-war, San
Jacinto, who appears to have had more zeal than sense, was busy carrying out a plot to
capture the Confederate commissioners.
Cruising and on the alert for the Trent, Captain Wilkes sighted the approaching vessel and
gave the command to "beat to quarters, hoist the colors and load the guns." Then, without
warning he fired a shot across the bow of the Trent. This prompted the Captain of the Trent
to display the British colors, but not to arrest his forward speed. Another shell across her
course brought the Trent to, and Captain Wilkes then sent his executive officers with a guard
of marines and a full armed boat crew to board the British ship.
Lieutenant Fairfax, the executive officer, went aboard and informed Captain Moir of the
Trent as to the object of his visit, asked for the passenger list, saying that he would search the
vessel to find Mason and Slidell. While the English captain was protesting against this breach
of international law and refusing to show any papers, the two Confederate commissioners
with their associates, Eustis and McFarland, appeared and united with the British officer in
his protest.
Meanwhile the other Federal Officers in the armed cutter came aboard with a number of
marines and other armed men of the boat's crew and the second cutter also appearred
alongside the Trent. Captain Wilkes formed a line outside the main deck cabin into which the
Southern passengers had retired to pack their baggage.
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Ultimately, the commissioners Mason & Slidell were forcibly transferred from the English
vessel and placed in confinement aboard the US San Jacinto.
The Trent was then permitted to pursue her voyage, while the San Jacinto steamed away with
her Confederate prisoners to Fortress Monroe.
Upon her arrival Captain Wilkes was hailed with the hearty laudations of Congress and the
compliments of some portions of the press. He was for a brief moment was the pride of the
nation. But in a few days he heard himself condemned for his officiousness in terms which
showed very clearly that he had involved his government in a very disagreeable and
dangerous controversy with Great Britain for the boarding of the Trent was an outrage of
national amity which could not escape the indignation of all maritime nations.
Upon learning of this President Lincoln said to the attorney general: "I am not getting much
sleep out of that exploit of Wilkes, and I suppose we must look up the law of the case. I am
not much of a prize lawyer, but it seems to me pretty clear that if Wilkes saw fit to make that
capture on the high seas, he had no right to turn his quarterdeck into a prize court."
The President realized that Wilkes could not let the Trent go free, while he bore away from
her the American passengers as "contraband, or as conspirators, thus choosing to determine
himself a question which only an admiralty court duly constituted could adjudicate.The
President also soon realized that the rash act was very inopportune as well as illegal.
Mr. Seward hurried to communicate with Mr. Adams, the United States minister at London,
the suggestion that "in the capture of Messrs. Mason and Slidell on board a British vessel,
Captain Wilkes having acted without any instructions from the government, the subject is
therefore free from the embarrassment which might have resulted if the act had been
especially directed by us."
"I trust," he wrote, "that the British government will consider the subject in a friendly temper
and it may expect the best disposition on the part of this government."
Soon the British government communicated its indignation to its minister at Washington. But
Earl Russell reported that intelligence of a very grave nature had reached her Majesty's
government concerning" an act of violence which was an affront to the British flag and a
violation of national law."
The Earl further expressed the trust that the United States will of its own accord offer to the
British government such redress as alone could satisfy the British nation, namely, the
"liberation of the four gentlemen and their delivery to your Lordship in order that they may
again be placed under British protection, and a suitable apology for the aggression which has
been committed. Should these terms not be offered by Mr. Seward, you will propose them to
him."
With very slight protest Mr. Seward in answer to Lord Russell's letter admitted the facts to be
as stated, and based the defense of his government mainly on the fact that Wilkes acted
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"without any direction or instruction or even foreknowledge on the part of the United States
government."
Upon all grounds the best course to be pursued was the one suggested kindly and firmly by
the English government, but Mr. Seward proceeded to write, after nearly a month's delay,
that "what has happened has been simply inadvertence," and that for "this error the British
government has the right to expect the same reparation that we as an independent state
should expect from Great Britain or from any other friendly nation on a similar case."
After this explanation and apology the Secretary concluded his remarkable document by
writing that "the four persons in question are now held in military custody at Fort Warren in
the State of Massachusetts. They will be cheerfully liberated. Your Lordship will please
indicate a time and place for receiving them."
Mr. Seward must have felt the sting which was put in the acceptance of his apology by the
English government. That final rejoinder which went through the hands of Lord Lyons to the
table of the secretary of state very coolly declared the apology to be full and the British
demand complied with. Such pungent sentences as the following appeared in the final British
communication: "No condition of any kind is coupled with the liberation of the prisoners" -"The secretary of state expressly forbears to justify the particular act of which her Majesty's
government complained"--and Lord Russell threateningly says that if the United States had
sanctioned the action of Wilkes, it "would have become responsible for the original violence
and insults of the act"--" It will be desirable that the commanders of the United States
cruisers be instructed not to repeat acts for which the British government will have to ask for
redress and which the United States government cannot undertake to justify."
The illustrious prisoners were placed under the British protection with as little parade as
possible and Captain Wilkes was left to enjoy as best he could the compliments hastily voted
by Congress. The Confederate hope that European nations would unite with England in some
policy severer than the demand for apology and restitution which Mr. Seward could so easily
make was dissipated. The threatening affair produced a ripple, became a mere precedent in
national intercourse, and passed away. Lord Russell and Mr. Seward were alike gratified by
the termination of the trouble. These upper and nether millstones then went on grinding the
Confederacy which lay between.
Source: The Confederate Military History, Volume 1, Chapter XV
The Battle of The Kearsarge & Alabama
In his official report dated from Southampton on June 21, 1864, Captain Semmes relates the
battle as follows:
"The 19th of June, I left the harbor of Cherbourg between 9 and 10 A. M. to join battle with
the enemy steamer Kearsarge which was located at a distance of about nine miles from the
breakwater. It took us three quarters of an hour to reach the Kearsarge.
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When we arrived at one mile from her I opened fire against her. She replied a few minutes
later and thereupon the battle was engaged with great vigor. Both vessels described circles,
while keeping between them a distance of a quarter to one-half mile.
Soon the fire became deadly. The shell and bombs were pouring on us. Several of our men
well wounded in the different parts of the vessel. After one hour and ten minutes I was
informed that our vessel was about to sink. The bombs of the enemy had opened between the
decks large openings through which the water was pouring rapidly.
"I had hoped that we might be able to reach the French coast and had ordered the steam and
all sails to be crowded on, but the water was continuing to gain upon us with such rapidity
that our fires had died out and we were sinking. I lowered the flag, wishing to escape further
fire from the enemy, and I sent out a boat to notify them of the conditions in which we were.
Although only 600 yards distance from us, the enemy continued to fire five rounds at us even
after I had lowered the flag, and several of my men were dangerously wounded by these
shots. Attention had to be given both to the wounded members of the crew, and to the
shipboys who did not know how to swim and who were embarked in life boats.
On my order all the men who were able to struggle against the sea threw themselves into the
water and did their best to save themselves by swimming. The enemy did not send us any life
boats until after the vessel had sunk.
Happily the British steam yacht 'Deerhound,' belonging to a gentleman of Lancashire, Mr.
John Lancaster, who was present on board, proceeded into the midst of the members of my
crew who were drowning, and rescued a great number of officers and men. I myself had the
good fortune to save myself under shelter of a neutral flag together with 40 others.The
Kearsarge then at length sent out one of two life boats.
"The French pilots who were in the neighborhood fortunately succeeded in rescuing several
members of the crew.
"It is reported that the enemy vessel was armor-plated which protected her in part from our
shells and bombs; nevertheless she suffered greatly from our fires.
"I must say that on my vessel every officer and man did his duty, bravely and worthily, and I
may add 'All is lost save honor.'
"Among the brave men who did their duty, Mr. Shell, my sublieutenant, deserves special
mention. He displayed great foresight before the battle and remarkable coolness during the
conflict. We did not know until after the battle that we had as our opponent an armor-plated
vessel. "
Our total lost in killed and wounded was 30, namely, nine killed and 21 wounded. (Signed) R.
Semmes, Captain
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Bibliography
CONFEDERATE SPY: Rose O’Neale Greenhow, by Nash R. Burger. New York: Franklin
Watts, 1967.
EUSTIS, GEORGE, JR. by Gentry, Judith Fenner, American National Biography. Vol. 7.
Eds. John A. Garraty and Mark C. Carnes. New York: Oxford, 1999.
FIFTY YEARS OF OBSERVATION OF MEN AND EVENTS, Civil and Military by
Erasmus D. Keyes. New York: Scribner’s, 1884.
GENTEEL REBEL: The Life of Mary Greenhow Lee, by Sheila R. Phipps. Baton Rouge:
Louisiana State University Press, 2004.
GUNS FOR COTTON: England Arms the Confederacy, by Thomas Boaz, Shippensburg,
Pa.: Burd Street Press, 1996.
HENSON, JOSIAH: The Life of Josiah Henson, Formerly a Slave, Now an Inhabitant of
Canada, as Narrated by Himself. Boston: Arthur D. Phelps, 1849.
MY IMPRISONMENT AND THE FIRST YEAR OF ABOLITION RULE AT
WASHINGTON, by Rose Greenhow London: Richard Bentley, 1863.
REBEL ROSE: The Life of Rose O’Neal Greenhow, by Ishbell Ross, Simons Island, Ga.:
Mockingbird Books, 1953.
REVEILLE IN WASHINGTON, by Margaret Leech. New York: Harper & Brothers, 1941.
ROSE GREENHOW, Confederate Secret Agent, by Dorothy Fremont Grant
ROSE GREENHOW, Spy for the Confederacy, by Doris Faber
ROSE O’NEALE GREENHOW and the Blockade Runners by George Johnson, Jr;
SPY FOR THE CONFEDERACY, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, by Jeannette Covert Nolan
THE LIFE OF GRANVILLE, GEORGE LEVESON GOWER, Second Earl Granville K.G.
1815-1891: With Portraits. In two Volumes - Vol. I and II. By Fitzmaurice Edmond London: Longmans Green and Co;1905
THE PRIVATE JOURNAL OF GEORGIANA GHOLSON WALKER, 1862-1865 - with
selections from the post war years, 1865-1876, by Gerald S. Walker, Edited by Dwight
Franklin Henderson, Confederate Publishing Company, Tuscaloosa, Alabama, 1963
THE SECRET WAR FOR THE UNION: The Untold Story of Military Intelligence in the
Civil War, by Edwin C. Fishel. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1996.
Page 123 of 157
THE SPY OF THE REBELLION, by Allen Pinkerton. Lincoln University of Nebraska Press,
1989.
WILD ROSE: Civil War Spy by Ann Blackman. Random House, 2005
Page 124 of 157
On – Line Resources
Alternative Civil War History – http://www.freepages.history.rootsweb.com
Blockade Runners – http://www.wideopenwest.com - http://www.digital.lib.ecu.edu
Bull Run, The First Battle of - www.civilwarhome.com/bullruncampaign.htm
Confederate States - http://www.civilwarhome.com
Confederate States Navy – http://www.csnavy.org - http://www.cdl.library.cornell.edu
Emancipation – http://www.sonofthesouth.net
Europe & Civil War – http://www.chnm.gmu.edu
Eustis, George, Jr. Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Life & times of – http://www.reformation.org
Granville, 2nd Lord, Greveson Gower – http://www.bookgallery.co.il
Greenhow, Rose O’Neale – Ann Blackman’s Wild Rose Book Site – Contains information
about Ms. Blackman’s Book(s) - http://www.wildrosebook.com
Greenhow, Rose O’Neale - Letters & other information concerning Rose can be found at
“Documenting the American South.” A website of the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill - http://www.docsouth.unc.edu/greenhow/menu.html
Greenhow, Rose O’Neale – The Official “Rebel Rose” O’Neale Website – Contains a wealth
of information. Hosted by The O’Neal Genealogy Association and authored by
cousins of Rose O’Neale - http://www.onealwebsite.com/RebelRose/
Kenliworth Castle – http://www.english-heritage.org.uk
Letters of the Civil War - http://www.letterscivilwar.com.
Macaulay, Thomas Babington
http://www.blupete.com/Literature/Biographies/Literary/BiosEssayists.htm#Macaula
y
Mitchel, John -Irish revolutionary - http://www.thewildgeese.com/pages/mitchel.html
Palmerston, Lord – http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk
Phillips, Eugenia Levy, the Journal of, 1861-1862. The original journal is among the Phillips
papers at the Library of Congress. An excerpt was published in Memoirs of American
Jews, 1776-1865, vol. 3, p.161 Jewish Publication Society, 1955 –
http://www.jewish-history.com
Semmes, Raphael – http://www.archives.state.al.us
Spencer, Cornelia Phillips, 1825-1908. The Last Ninety Days of the War in NorthCarolina: Electronic Edition. First edition, 2005 ca. 475K University Library, UNCChapel Hill University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 2005.
http://www.docsouth.unc.edu/spencer/menu.html
Stansbury, Smith, Major: Mentioned several times in the Civil War Diary of General Josiah
Gorgas. An electronic version of his diary can be found at:
http://www.civilwarartillery.com/books/jgorgas1.pdf
The Trent Affair – http://www.civilwarhome.com
United States Naval War Records Office. Official Records of the Union and Confederate
Navies in the War of the Rebellion. 30 volumes. Washington, D.C.: Government
Printing Office, 1894–1922.
http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/browse.monographs/ofre
United States War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official
Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Published Under the Direction of the
Page 125 of 157
Secretary of War. 70 volumes. Washington, D.C.: Government Printing Office, 1880–
1901. http://cdl.library.cornell.edu/moa/browse.monographs/waro.html
Wrottesley, Lord John: Obituary
http://adsabs.harvard.edu//full/seri/MNRAS/0028//0000064.000.html
Page 126 of 157
Thanks to:
•
Ann Blackman, for publishing Wild Rose and bringing the existence of Rose’s
European Diary to light, for proofreading our rough transcription, and for aid in
finding a publisher.
•
Laura Stallard, President, North Carolina Order of the Confederate Rose, Anne
Gelwicks, Past President of the SCOCR and Past State Representative of the SCOCR,
Yvonne, who helped us with the history of the Address book.
•
Madeleine Sandford, who translated the numerous French passages in the diary.
•
The staff at the University Of North Carolina State Archives Research Room who
were especially helpful in acquiring copies of the diary in spite of gremlins in the
copier machine.
•
Bob (lost his last name) Fort Fisher Museum
•
Timothy Bottoms, Cape Fear Museum
Page 127 of 157
Illustrations
1.
Page 55. 3rd Lieutenant Joseph D. “Fighting Joe” Wilson and Rose O’Neale
Greenhow.
2.
Page 56. “Little” Rose O’Neale Greenhow. The upper photo was taken during their
stay in Europe, presumably in France at the E. Ladrey Photography Studios. The
lower photo is the only known photo of an elderly Little Rose ever found.
3.
Page 57. Bust of Rose O’Neale Greenhow.
4.
Page 58. Rose’s grand daughter, Mary Lee Duvall
5.
Page 59. Rose’s son in law, Seymour Treadwell Moore
6.
Page 60. Squails
7.
Page 61. An old fashioned rendering of Mother Carey’s Chickens.
Page 128 of 157
Footnotes
THE ADVENTURE BEGINS - RUNNING THE BLOCKADE
1.1
Captain Stephan G. Porter was a furloughed Naval Officer assigned to the Confederate Ordinance
Bereau.
1.2
More than three hundred steamers made over 1,300 attempts to run the blockade during the Civil War.
Many of these were normal merchant vessels, but an ever-increasing number were purpose-built, with
low silhouettes, light draft, and high speed. Blockade Runners were designed for hauling freight, not
passengers.
Phantom: length 190', beam 22', draft 8' 6", crew 33, speed 18 knots. Phantom is said to have been one
of the original line of Confederate Government steamers operated between Wilmington NC and
Bermuda by the CSA Ordnance Bureau. She was a "very handsome," steel-plated, screw steamer of
170 horsepower, constructed at Liverpool late in 1862 as "Hull No. 167" by a "G. Hillman"; drawings
of her lines, captioned in German, do not specify the builder's yard. She seems to have left Liverpool
early in April 1863. Chased ashore by USS Connecticut, she was lost on her third run into the Cape
Fear, 23 September 1863, near Rich or New Topsail Inlet above Fort Fisher and fired by her crew, who
made good their escape in the lifeboats. Boats from Connecticut could not get near her to put out the
fires or get her off. One landsman in a boat making the attempt was killed by Confederate
sharpshooters.
Source: From the Famous Blockade Runner Website.
1.3
J. M. Seixas was a Special War Department Agent in Wilmington, N.C. (Coincidentally, he was also a
pall bearer at Rose’s funeral)
1.4
George Trenholm of Fraser, Trenholm & Company, which was the largest blockade running firm in
the Confederacy.
1.5
Elizabeth/Atlantic: A wooden steamer seized for "public service" by order of Brig. Gen.. Mansfield
Lovell at New Orleans, 14 January 1862. Atlantic, under Captain Smith, turned up in Havana, 19 April,
and again in May and September, with over 1,000 bales of cotton. The U.S. Consul in Havana
mentions her again in June 1863 as leaving for Nassau. It is not altogether clear when her name was
changed to Elizabeth, Capt. Thomas J. Lockwood, under British registry but owned by the
Confederacy's secret office abroad, Fraser, Trenholm & Co., Liverpool. Her operations changed to
Wilmington NC. Running in there 24 September 1863 she grounded and was burned to escape capture
at Lockwood's Folly, 12 miles from Fort Caswell.
1.6
Hebe. The remains of this iron hulled blockade runner, built. and sunk in 1863, are buried in 22 feet of
water in the Atlantic Ocean near Carolina Beach. Owned by the State of North Carolina. Listed in the
National Register as part of an archeological district, this wreck is nationally significant.
1.7
Yawed: Nautical: To swerve off course momentarily or temporarily: To move unsteadily; weave. EX:
The ship yawed to acknowledge the crowd on shore.
1.8
It was standard practice, when a Yankee blockader spotted a “runner” to fire an incandescent flare
toward her. This not only illuminated the ship, but also served to alert other blockaders in the vicinity
as to her whereabouts and direction of travel. When a runner was captured it was common practice for
the blockader to receive half the value of the bounty seized. So, in many cases blockaders would fire
flares in the wrong direction to mislead other blockaders, thereby increasing their chances of obtaining
the prize. In addition, once the runners realized the use of the flares, they would fire their own flares, in
opposing directions, confusing matters all the more, and basically rendering the firing of flares useless
to the Union gunboats.
THE VOYAGE
Page 129 of 157
2.1
When the Civil War began, it wasn’t long before Bermuda became the second-largest shipment base
for large British, but not British-approved ships (because Britain was officially neutral) crossing the
Atlantic and smaller but faster, also mostly British-built. but Confederate-owned fleet of blockade
runners. In defiance of British neutrality laws, large ships from the United Kingdom unloaded in St.
George's. Huge cargoes of arms and ammunition, cannon, gunpowder, lead and other tools or weapons,
plus huge amounts of smokeless anthracite coal from Wales, were placed in town warehouses, where
they were stored until loaded aboard fast steamers bound for Confederate ports. Confederate
purchasing agents and British speculators - English, Scots, Welsh and Irish - rented every available
wharf, storehouse and warehouse, often at exorbitant rates, while Bermudians made fortunes from
renting or leasing their wharves and/or warehouses.
ROSE ARRIVES IN BERMUDA
3.1
I suspect Rose probably made a mistake on the name of the boardinghouse. In James A. Burton’s
diary, he talks about running the blockade from Georgia to Bermuda. On the day of his arrival he notes
that he has booked a room at Mrs. Haywoods Boardinghouse. Six months later he mentions the
boardinghouse again, but this time he refers to it as Mrs. Haywards. A google search of Haywood +
Bermuda got no hits, while Hayward and Bermuda got many. The Hayward family was prominent in
Bermuda since it’s founding and is still prominent there today.
THE TOWN OF ST. GEORGE
4.1
The Old State House, located in the historic town of St George is Bermuda’s oldest building.
Constructed in 1620 by Governor Nathaniel Butler, with Italianate features, its limestone blocks are
held together by a mortar of turtle oil and lime, giving it a “whitewash” appearance that Rose
mentions. Until 1815, when Bermuda’s capital moved from St George to Hamilton, it was used as the
seat of the colonial parliament. During that time it was known as the Sessions House.
4.2
Mrs. Ord was the wife of Colonel H. St. George Ord who was the Governor of Bermuda
4.3
Mrs. Georgiana Gholson Walker was the wife of Major Norman S. Walker, a Confederate Agent
assigned to Bermuda.
4.4
CSS Sumter (1861-1862) a 437-ton bark-rigged screw steam cruiser, was built at Philadelphia as the
merchant steamship Habana. Purchased by the Confederate Government at New Orleans in April 1861,
she was converted to a cruiser and placed under the command of Raphael Semmes. Renamed Sumter,
she was commissioned in early June 1861 and broke through the Federal blockade of the Mississippi
river mouths late in the month.
Early in July, the pioneering Confederate Navy commerce raider captured eight U.S. flag merchant
ships in waters near Cuba, then moved to the South American coast where she took another pair. Two
more merchantman fell to Sumter in September and October 1861. While coaling at Martinique in
mid-November, she was blockaded by the Federal sloop of war Iroquois, but was able to escape to sea
and resume her activities. Sumter captured another six ships from late November into January 1862,
while cruising from the western hemisphere to European waters.
Sumter then took refuge at Gibraltar. Unable to obtain needed repairs, she was laid up in April and
remained inactive, watched through the year by a succession of U.S. Navy warships, among them the
sloop of war Kearsarge and gunboat Chippewa. (Semmes and many of her officers were then
reemployed in the new cruiser Alabama.) CSS Sumter was sold to private owners in December 1862.
Renamed Gibraltar, she worked as a blockade runner in 1863. The ship was reportedly lost in an
English Channel storm in about 1867. Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-us-cs/csash/csash-sz/sumter.htm
Page 130 of 157
A CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR OF BERMUDA
5.1
It appears that Rose left the large empty spaces on this page so she could fill in the blanks with
accurate information at a later date.
5.2
On one occasion the Eugénie grounded outside of Fort Fisher while trying to run through the fleet in
daylight. The ship was loaded with gunpowder, the Federal fleet was firing upon her, the risk of
immediate death and destruction to crew and ship was overwhelming. Captain Fry was ordered by
Colonel Lamb to abandon the vessel and save his crew from death by explosion. He accordingly told
all who wished to go to do so, but as for himself, he would stand by the ship and try to save the
powder, which was greatly needed by the Confederate Government. Several boatloads of his men
retreated to the fort; a few remained with Fry, the enemy's shells flying thick and fast around them. In
the face of this great danger, Fry lightened his ship, and upon the swelling tide brought vessel and
cargo safely in.
5.3
The name of the Cornubia was subsequently changed to Lady Davis, in honor of the wife of President
Davis at Richmond, and Captain Gale, an officer of the old Navy who had gone over to the
Confederacy, was placed in command. “About the 20th of December, 1863
5.4
The “Phantom.” This was a new Confederate steamer built abroad on the most approved lines for the
Confederate Government. She was a handsome iron propeller of about 500 tons, camouflaged, as were
all blockade runners, to decrease her visibility. The usual method was to paint the hull and smoke
funnels a grayish green to correspond with the sea and sky and the coast-line sand dunes, which often
made them invisible even at close range. There were two Federal cruisers most dreaded by the
blockade runners because of their great speed: the Connecticut and the Fort Jackson. The former made
many prizes. At daylight, the morning of September 23, 1863, when about fifty miles east by North of
New Inlet, the Phantom was discovered by the Connecticut standing to the eastward. The Phantom
was bound from Bermuda for Wilmington with a very valuable cargo of Confederate arms, medicine,
and General stores. She had evidently made a very bad landfall too far to the Northward and eastward
at daylight and was running away from the land until darkness would help her into Cape Fear River,
when she would face the fleet again. But the Connecticut gave chase at her top speed and after four
hours’ vain effort to escape, the Phantom suddenly hauled in and ran ashore near Rich Inlet, where she
still lies. The crew escaped in their own boats, after setting the Phantom on fire. The Federals
attempted to put out the fire and salve the Phantom, but failed to do so.
Source: Derelicts; an account of ships lost at sea in General commercial traffic and a brief history of
blockade runners stranded Author:Sprunt, James, 1846-1924
5.5
Harriet Pinckney (more often spelled Pinkney in official naval records) was a fast, new, British brig
of iron with coppered bottom and a 90-horsepower auxiliary steam engine; she was completed in
Richardsons yard at Middlesborough in Yorkshire, 23 July 1862, registered at London next day and
was alleged to have done 18 knots on her builders' trials. Because of her speed and other
characteristics she was immediately bought up by Confederate agents working through Fraser,
Trenholm & Co., Liverpool, and Comdr. James D. Bulloch, CSN, as secretly as possible. Her
"owner," therefore, was a "Mr. Thomas Sterling Begbie of 4 Mansion House Place, London," to whom
Lloyd's Register adds a "Mr. R. Hamilton" [cf. Agrippina]. But "Begbie" was a red light to Consul F.
H. Morse, who lost no time in relaying the new Confederate steamer's particulars to Washington : he
described her as having "one deck, two masts, brig rig, elliptic stern, clench build, no gallery, no head;
iron frame." He also seemed to be aware that she promptly loaded 24,000 rifles, 18 cannon and a
cargo of other vital munitions in the Thames, transhipped from the Sylph, just in from Hamburg,
and was off about 9 August for Bermuda.
On 8th and 9th August 1862, assiduous Consul Morse sent Secretary of State Seward sketches and
descriptions of a new mine which he thought "H.P.," as she was frequently called, would certainly be
carrying: these "infernal machines or torpedoes" were "an invention for destroying ships in harbor"
and he warned that "if the explosion takes place at the right distance, the consequences will be most
horrible." The horrendous contraptions employed an unknown "poisonous fluid and explosive balls filled
with poisonous matter." While it is doubtful that this intelligence was released in Bermuda, "H.P."
caused a considerable stir there on 5 October when the whole populace turned out to watch her and
Page 131 of 157
fellow blockade-runner Minho try to escape, only to be chased back into port by USS Sonoma, there for
that purpose.
Harriet Pinckney was diverted from her transport functions through the blockade when a tender
was chosen for CSS Rappahannock (q.v.) but when the raider was held indefinitely in port at Brest,
"H.P." was no longer seen in the area and presumably disappeared back into the demimonde of the
blockade runner to deliver essential cargoes to the Confederacy.
5.6
Governor Colonel Harry St. George Ord.
5.7
H.F. Plow’s first appointment under colonial government came in 1857 when he was appointed 1st
Clerk to the Legislative Council of the Straits Settlements. He later served as Secretary to Governor
Ord from 1867 to 1873.
5.8
Inst, short for instant. Instant meant this month. Instead of writing “to my letter of the 19th of this
month” Rose wrote “to my letter of the 19th instant.”
5.9
As Gibraltar (Sumter), she ran at least once into Wilmington, N. C., under Captain E. C. Reid, a
Southerner. He sailed from Liverpool 3 July 1863 with a pair of 22-ton Blakely guns and other
particularly valuable munitions, returning with a full load of cotton. The beginning of this voyage is
recorded only because the U.S. Consul at the British port passionately protested GIBRALTAR's being
allowed to sail-ostensibly for Nassau-days before formal customs clearance: "She is one of the
privileged class and not held down like other vessels to strict rules and made to conform to
regulations." The arrival at Wilmington is also accidental matter of record today because of the troop
transport SUMTER tragedy at Charleston the same summer-which, until November, Admiral
Dahlgren's intelligence understandably confused with the former cruiser SUMTER, now
GIBRALTAR.
LYNX was a long, very fast paddle-steamer with two stacks and two masts, all painted white.
Managed by John Fraser & Co., Charleston, she carried Confederate Government cargo and is believed
to have been a public vessel for all practical purposes. She met her end bound for Bermuda, running
out of Wilmington, N.C., under Captain Reid, 25 September 1864, with 600 bales of cotton, passengers
and special cargo, including $50,000 in Government gold. She was hit eight times, six below the
waterline, by the 100-pounder and 30-pounder rifles of much slower USS HOWQUAH, assisted by
NIPHON and GOVERNOR BUCKINGHAM; sinking, with one of her wheels damaged, LNYX had to
be beached about six miles below Fort Fisher. The Confederates all escaped, along with the gold,
although Federal sharpshooters got near enough to wound one crew member. The ship's remains were
set afire.
5.10
Disarmed and sold at auction 19 December 1862 to the Fraser-Trenholm interests, SUMTER quietly
continued her service to the Confederacy under British colors as the blockade runner GIBRALTAR of
Liverpool.
Though her career as a fighting ship had lasted scarcely six months, SUMTER had taken 18 prizes, of
which she burned 8, released or bonded 9; only one was recaptured. The diversion of Federal blockade
ships to hunt her down had been in itself no insignificant service to the Confederate cause.
5.11
John VIRTUE, promoted Roman Catholic Chaplain to the Forces 1st Class on 2nd February 1875,
served in Malta from 1877 to 1882.
5.12
Major Smith Stansbury ran the Confederate Ordnance Office in St. Georges's, on the Island of
Bermuda. Major Stansbury, of Louisiana, was fourth in the class of 1841 at West Point. He was
assigned to the ordnance corps, but resigned in 1844 to serve as a clerk in a Baltimore banking house
from 1848 to 1861.The Stanbury’s are mentioned several times in the Civil War Diary of General
Josiah Gorgas, who attended West Point with Stansbury and finished sixth in the class. An electronic
version of his diary can be found at: http://www.civilwarartillery.com/books/jgorgas1.pdf
5.13
Astrology, SATURN-The planet that symbolises time. Restriction, wisdom, fear, worry, inhibitions,
apprehension, caution, depression, doom, economics, fate, frustration, malice, misfortune, neglect,
pessimism, selfishness. Saturn takes approximately 29 years to cycle the 12 signs of the zodiac.
Page 132 of 157
5.14
Squails, the Oxford English dictionary has the following reference to "squail": A table-game in which
counters or disks are propelled towards some mark by snapping. App. introduced in 1857 by Mr. John
Jaques, London. Squails later appeared in the USA published by Milton Bradley Games in 1867
accompanied by a set of highly dubious marketing assertions about it's long history. The old English
game of Squails was played on a round table and the objective was to hit discs with the heel of the
hand from the edge of the table at a small lead target in the centre called a "jack". If the jack was
moved more than six inches it was replaced. Once all sixteen Squails had been played, they were
scored 16 for the squail nearest to the target down to 1 for the squail furthest away. Often, a squail
would be directed with the aim of knocking an opponents squail away, as much as to end up near the
target, in the same manner as for bowls.
5.15
John Mitchel was an, Irish revolutionary, Young Irelander, and publisher of The United Irishman. He
was born on Nov. 3, 1815. He emigrated to America and during the Civil War, Mitchel supported the
Confederacy. Three of his sons served in the Confederate army and two gave their lives in for that
cause.
5.16
Irish convicts were kept in chains on prison ships known as 'hulks'. These were anchored in the Spike
Harbour for months and sometimes years waiting until they had a full cargo before undertaking the
torturous journey. During these protracted periods the convicts were kept in chains at all times. John
Mitchel, a famous Irish patriot, writer and poet was held on Spike Island in 1848 before being
transported to Australia.
5.17
The French partner in the European Trading Company was Emile Erlanger and Company of Paris.
Emile Erlanger was part of a successful German banking family, and set out to establish a branch of
the family business in France. Erlanger's company initially issued bonds supporting railroad and
government projects, and in this way he became friendly with the French emperor, Louis Napoleon.
Erlanger and Co. is best known for issuing the so-called "Erlanger Loan," which generated millions of
dollars for the Confederacy in Europe and allowed the South to acquire and build ships, purchase
military equipment and supplies to aid in the war effort.
5.18
Traps n. pl. Small or portable articles for dress, furniture, or use; goods; luggage; things. [Colloq.]
Traps. Luggage, as “Leave your traps at the station,” etc.
ROSE LEAVES BERMUDA ON THE HARRIET PINCKNEY
6.1
Reverend Dr. Jackson
6.2
Dr. Charles Gerard
6.3
Charles Edmonston Thorburn (1831-1909) an 1853 graduate of the US Naval Academy joined the
Virginia Navy as a Lt in 1861 but then transferred to the army as Major of the 50th Va Inf in JUL
1861. He had a number of reassignments before being appointed Colonel of the 14th Va Cav 9/2/1862,
but his appointment was apparently revoked and he resigned the service 11/11/1863. He spent some
time in Europe as a CSA representative but returned to be with Lee at Petersburg and was with
Jefferson Davis for a time during the President’s retreat from Richmond at the end of the war. He is
buried in Norfolk, Va.
6.4
Sir John Killigrew created the town or Falmouth in 1613 and in about 1540 Henry VIII built Pendennis
Castle to defend Carrick Roads. During the civil war Pendennis Castle was the second to last fort to
surrender.
6.5
The native breeds of sheep are the Exmoor, the Dartmoor, and the Old Devonshire dim-faced nott
sheep; the two former are the most prevalent, but the latter has been much improved by a cross with
the New Leicester: the Dorsetshire breed prevails in that part of Devonshire which borders upon that
county.
ROSE ARRIVES IN LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND
Page 133 of 157
1
Fraser, Trenholm and Company was a Liverpool bank that was connected to the Confederate States
throughout the war.
2
Lloyd's was a weekly London Newspaper.
ROSE ARRIVES IN LONDON
1
James Spence was a Liverpool merchant who wrote a series of commissioned pro-Confederacy letters
to The Times; described there as "the Confederacy financial adviser in England" (History of The
Times, II, 380 and n and 384).
In 1861 he wrote The American Union, its Effects on National Character and Policy, with an Inquiry
into Secession as a Constitutional Right, and the Causes of the Disruption. American Union was
followed by a pamphlet, On the Recognition of the Southern Confederacy, 1862 (3 edns).
2
Hastings, Warren, 1732-1818, first governor-general of British India. Employed (1750) as a clerk by
the East India Company, he soon became manager of a trading post in Bengal. When Calcutta was
captured (1756) by Siraj-ud-Daula, Hastings was taken prisoner but soon released. After the British
recapture (1757) of the city, he was made British resident at Murshidabad. Good service there brought
appointment to the Calcutta council (1761), but he returned to England (1764) disgusted with
administrative corruption in Bengal. Hastings went back (1769) to India as a member of the Madras
council and became (1772) governor of Bengal, immediately embarking on a course of judicial and
financial reform, law codification, and the suppression of banditry, measures that laid the foundation of
direct British rule in India. In 1774, he was appointed governor-general of India. This position was
created by Lord North's Regulating Act (1773), which also set up a four-member governing council. In
the succeeding years Hastings was greatly hampered by opposition in the council, especially from Sir
Philip Francis . Another problem he encountered in his new position was the ill-defined relationship
with and resulting lack of control over the subordinate provincial governors. The interference of the
Bombay government in Maratha affairs led to a war with the Marathas, while the blunders of the
Madras government provoked conflict with Haidar Ali of Mysore. In both cases Hastings, conscious of
the danger of French intervention, dispatched armies from Bengal that saved the British position.
Nonetheless he was criticized for interference with the provincial governments.
Hastings resigned (1784) and returned to England, where he was charged with high crimes and
misdemeanors by Edmund Burke and Sir Philip Francis, whom he had wounded in a duel in India. The
chief charges against him concerned his extortion of money from the rajah of Benares and the begum
of Oudh, his hiring out of British troops to the nawab of Oudh to subdue the Rohillas (a warlike
Afghan tribe), and his alleged responsibility for the judicial murder of an Indian merchant,
Nandkumar. He was impeached in 1787; but the trial, begun in 1788, ended with acquittal in 1795,
despite the bitter prosecution of Burke, Francis, Richard B. Sheridan, and Charles James Fox.
Hastings's fortune was spent in the defense, but the East India Company contributed to his later
support. He became popular and was made a privy councilor (1814).
3
Macaulay, Thomas Babington (1800-1859): Admitted to the bar in 1826, Macaulay turned to literature.
Known as a Whig writer. Thackeray referred to him as a master with a "prodigious memory and vast
learning ... He reads twenty books to write a sentence; he travels a hundred miles to make a line of
description." (For more on Macaulay, see Thackeray's essay, "Nil Nisi Bonum." And for samples of
Macaulay's writing, see, the online essays: "The Task of the Modern Historian," "Machiavelli, "The
Puritans," "Impeachment Of Warren Hastings" and "Dr. Johnson And His Times.")
4
John Russell, 1st Earl Russell (August 18, 1792 – May 28, 1878), known as Lord John Russell before
1861, was a British Whig and Liberal statesman who served twice as Prime Minister of the United
Kingdom in the mid-19th century. The Russell family had been one of the principal Whig dynasties in
England since the 17th century. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lord_John_Russell
5
Vaunted: to boast; brag.
ROSE ARRIVES IN FRANCE
Page 134 of 157
1
A cabriolet was a light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage with a folding 'calash' top, seating two
persons behind the driver's box. Developed in France in the early 19th century, the vehicle quickly
replaced the heavier hackney carriage as the vehicle for hire of choice in Paris and London.
2
Grotto; an artificial recess or structure made to resemble a natural cave.
3
CORCORAN, William Wilson, banker, born in Georgetown, District of Columbia, 27 December,
1798; died in Washington, District of Columbia, 24 February, 1888. He was a neighbor of Rose’s in
D.C.
4
The Convent du Sacré Coeur (The Convent of the Sacred Heart) is no longer in existence, but the
building now houses the Rodin Museum. The records from that establishment are now located at the
Archives of the Province of France of the Society of the Sacred Heart in Poitiers. All religious were
expelled from France in the early 1900's and records of most schools were lost at the time, however,
Sister Maryvonne Duclaux, Archivist, was able to tell us the following: Rose Greenhow entered the
Sacred Heart School at rue de Varenne in 1864… Her parents were Mr Robert Greenhow and Ms.
Rose O'Neal. She was born on April 2, 1853, made her first communion on May 25 1865 and received
Confirmation on May 26 1865. She left the Sacred Heart in 1866. No address in Paris is mentioned.
We don't know what happened between 1866 and 1870, but probably the war between France and
Prussia in 1870 was a good reason to leave France. As she did not become a religious (I checked our
lists) and as we had no ladies staying with us, I cannot tell anything else. However she made her first
communion on Ascension day, the day our foundress Saint Madeleine Sophie, 85 years old died (at 11
pm). She had always had very special, charming and loving relationships with the children of the
Primary School, and especially the ones preparing for First Communion, with a common desire to
encounter their God. Until 3 days before she died, she was still desiring to see them. On the 26th, they
visited her on her deathbed, and no doubt this was a fond memory for Rose. Maryvonne Duclaux, rscj.
5
Hôtel Biron stands below the dome of the Invalides at 77 rue de Varenne http://www.museerodin.fr/Biron-e.htm
6
Mrs Adéle Davidoff was the headmaster of the primary school at the Convent du Sacré Couer. Adèle,
Madame Davidoff, was then in the convent, having been sent to Rome on an especial mission to the
Pope on matters connected with the French convents of the Sacré Cœur. Madame Davidoff ("Madame"
only "in religion," as "a spouse of Christ") was daughter of the Maréchale Sebastiani, the stepmother of
the murdered Duchesse de Praslin (see http://historion.net/e.latimer-france-nineteenth-century/page51.html for the story) , and was grand-daughter of the Duchesse de Grammont, who founded the Sacré
Cœur. (http://augustus-hare.tripod.com/08ForeignLife.html) the Duchesse de Grammont. She died in
exile at Holyrood in 1803 and was buried in the royal vault in the south-east corner of Holyrood
Chapel. Aglae Anonovna Davydov, née duchesse de Grammont. French beauty married to a Russian
general.
7
Built
1860-1862
as
"Théâtre
Impérial
du
Châtelet"
by
Gabriel
Davioud.http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16943/16943-h/16943-h.htm#CHAPTER_VI many of the
places Rose visited are described here.
8
One of the most spectacular parks in Europe is the Bois de Boulogne, often called the "main lung" of
Paris. Horse-drawn carriages traverse it, or you can drive through it.. West of Paris, the park was once
a forest kept for royal hunts, which were in vogue in the late 19th century: Along avenue Foch,
carriages with elegantly attired and coiffured Parisian damsels would rumble along with their foppish
escorts. Nowadays, you’re more likely to encounter picnickers. When Napoleon III gave the grounds
to the city in 1852, they were developed by Baron Haussmann.
9
Adela Juana Maria Patti was born to a Sicilian father and Italian mother on February 19th 1843 in the
Spanish city of Madrid. She was the fourth of six children and the family was relatively poor. Her
parents were both involved in opera and they moved to New York in 1847, where there were better
employment opportunities for a show business family.In 1861, at the age of eighteen, Adelina was
invited to Covent Garden in London to take the soprano role of Amina in Bellini's La Sonnambula. She
bought a house in Clapham, South of London and went on to perform the same part in Paris and
Vienna in subsequent years. http://www.opera-singer.co.uk/
Page 135 of 157
10
"La Sonnambula" (The Sleepwalker) was first produced at the Teatro Careano, Milan, in March 1831.
An Opera by Vincenzo Bellini The part of Amina, it may be added, was selected by Patti and Albani
for their first appearance before an English public. http://www.music-with-ease.com/bellini-lasonnambula.html
ROSE VISITS NAPOLEON
1
George Eustis, Jr., (brother of James Biddle Eustis), a Representative from Louisiana, was born in New
Orleans, La., September 28, 1828; George graduated from Jefferson College, Convent, Louisiana, and
from the law department of Harvard University, after which he was admitted to the bar and
commenced practice in New Orleans. He was elected as the American Party candidate to the Thirtyfourth and Thirty-fifth Congresses (March 4, 1855-March 3, 1859);
When Louisiana seceded from the Union George became secretary to the Confederate emissary, John
Slidell and was taken prisoner with him from the British mail steamer Trent in 1861.
As an expatriate, George remained in Paris after the close of the war with his wife, Louise Morris
Corcoran (her father founded the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C.), and their children, living in
elegance. One account states, "The hotel of Mr. Eustis at Paris, like his villa ('Villa Louisiana') at
Cannes, was the chosen rendezvous of the best French and foreign society." He died in Cannes, France,
March 15, 1872 and is interred in Oak Hill Cemetery, in Washington, D.C.
2
Thiers, Louis Adolph, supported Louis Napoleon Bonaparte (later Emperor Napoleon III) for president
of the French republic, but his opposition to Bonaparte's coup in Dec., 1851, led to his arrest and exile.
He was allowed to return not long afterward, but for ten years he remained out of government affairs.
In 1863 he was elected to the legislature, where he opposed the emperor and helped to bring about
reforms.
3
Maximilian I, Emperor of Mexico, (July 6, 1832 – June 19, 1867) was a member of Austria's Imperial
Habsburg family. With the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican conservatives,
he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864. Many Mexicans and foreign governments
refused to recognize his government and Maximilian was executed after his capture by Mexican
republicans.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maximilian_I_of_Mexico
4
Charles Auguste Louis Joseph, duc de Morny (October 21, 1811 - March 10, 1865), French statesman,
was the natural son of Hortense de Beauharnais (wife of Louis Bonaparte, and queen of Holland) and
Charles Joseph, comte de Flahaut, and therefore half brother of Napoleon III.
http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=tvm7uu2ew2ss?method=4&dsid=2039&dekey=Mor
ny-Ch&gwp=8&curtab=2039_1&sbid=lc04a&linktext=Morny
also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duc_de_Morny
5
James Dunwoody Bulloch, the primary naval agent of the Confederacy in Europe, oversaw the
building of several ships designed to ruin Northern shipping during the Union blockade of the South
during the Civil War. His half-sister Martha ("Mittie") married Theodore Roosevelt Sr. and became the
mother of the future president.
Bulloch sailed for fourteen years in the navy, serving aboard the United States, Decatur, and
Delaware. In 1851 he became the civilian captain of a mail steamer, the USS Georgia, and in 1860
joined a private New York shipping company that carried freight and passengers between New York
and New Orleans, Louisiana. In his memoir he states he was little connected to the South at this time.
When Fort Sumter in Charleston harbor was fired upon in 1861, however, he volunteered to assist the
Confederacy, and two months later he and his family were living in Liverpool, England, which was to
be his center of operations and his eventual permanent home.
Bulloch's charge was to buy and outfit vessels designed to disrupt Northern shipping and enable the
South to equip its troops. He contracted right away for the CSS Florida and the CSS Alabama. The
Alabama began cruising against Northern trade in August 1862 and was so powerful an enemy that she
almost drove American shipping off the lanes until July 1864, when she was sunk off Cherbourg by the
USS Kearsarge.
Page 136 of 157
In 1883 Bulloch published his memoirs, entitled The Secret Service of the Confederate States in
Europe; or, How the Confederate Cruisers Were Equipped. He died in Liverpool in 1901.
ROSE RETURNS TO LONDON
1
Miss called upon me. (Believe she was still talking about Miss Jewsbury as she writes that she received
a note from her inviting her to Carlyle’s. Jewsbury was a close friend of Mrs, Carlyle)
2
Thomas Carlyle (December 4, 1795 - February 5, 1881) was a Scottish essayist, satirist, and historian,
whose work was hugely influential during the Victorian era.
3
Lady Georgiana Charlotte Fullerton: Novelist; born 23 September, 1812, in Staffordshire, died 19
January, 1885, at Bournemouth. She was the youngest daughter of Lord Granville Leveson Gower
(afterwards first Earl Granville) and Lady Harriet Elizabeth Cavendish, second daughter of the fifth
Duke of Devonshire. She was chiefly brought up in Paris, her father having been appointed English
ambassador there when she was twelve years old. Her mother, a member of the Anglican Church, was
a woman of deep religious feeling and Lady Georgiana was trained to devotion. In 1833 she married in
Paris an attaché of the embassy Alexander George Fullerton, who was of good Irish birth and had
previously been in the Guards. In 1841, when Lord Granville retired from the embassy, Lady
Georgiana and her husband traveled for some time in France, Germany, and Italy. Two years later, Mr.
Fullerton was received into the Church, after long and thoughtful study of the religious questions
involved in this step. In 1844 his wife published her first book "Ellen Middleton", a tragic novel, of
some power and showing markedly "High Anglican" religious views, so that Lord Brougham
pronounced it "rank Popery". It was well received, and was criticized by Mr. Gladstone in "The
English Review". Two years after, in 1846, the author placed herself under the instruction of Father
Brownhill, S. J., and was received by him into the Church on Passion Sunday. In 1847 she published
her second book, "Grantley Manor", which is largely a study of character, and is usually considered an
advance, from a literary point of view, upon the first. There was then a pause in her published work,
which was continued, in 1852, with the story of "Lady Bird". In 1855 her only son died, a loss she
never quite recovered from, and henceforth she devoted herself to works of charity. In 1856 she joined
the Third Order of St. Francis. She and her husband eventually settled in London and her literary work
became a large part of her life. She not only wrote novels, but a good deal of biography, some poetry,
and made translations from French and Italian. All her books have distinction and charm. Some of her
chief works are: "Ellen Middleton" (London, 1884), "Grantley Manor" (London, 1854); "Lady Bird"
(London, 1865); "La Comtesse de Bonneval", written in French (Paris, 1857); the same translated into
English (London, 1858), "Laurentia", a tale of Japan (London, 1904); "Constance Sherwood"
(Edinburgh and London, 1908), "Seven Stories" (London, 1896). Some of these can be found on the
www in e-book form.
4
Roebuck, John Arthur (December 28, 1802–November 30, 1879), British politician, was born at
Madras, in India.
5
Baron Gros, leader of an Embassy in 1860.
6
A sinecure (from Latin sine, without, and cura, care) means an office which requires or involves little
or no responsibility, labour, or active service. Examples are the Lord Privy Seal and the Chancellor of
the Duchy of Lancaster in the British cabinet and the Postmaster General in the United States.
Sinecures have historically provided a potent tool for governments or monarchs to distribute patronage,
while recipients are able to store up titles and easy salaries. A sinecure should not be confused with a
figurehead, as the latter office actually requires active participation in government, albeit with a lack of
power. A sinecure, by contrast, has no real day-to-day responsibilities, but may have de jure power.
7
Richard Cobden (June 3, 1804 – April 2, 1865) was an a British manufacturer and Radical and Liberal
statesman, associated with John Bright in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League.
8
John Bright (November 16, 1811 - March 27, 1889), was a British Radical and Liberal statesman,
associated with Richard Cobden in the formation of the Anti-Corn Law League.
Page 137 of 157
ROSE DEBATES WITH LORD DERBY
1
Nathaniel P. Banks American politician and soldier. House Speaker, Governor of Massachusetts,
Union Army (Maj. General of Volunteers, 1861-65)
2
The "Middle Passage" was the journey of slave trading ships from the west coast of Africa, where the
slaves were obtained, across the Atlantic, where they were sold or, in some cases, traded for goods
such as molasses, which was used in the making of rum. However, this voyage has come to be
remembered for much more than simply the transport and sale of slaves. The Middle Passage was the
longest, hardest, most dangerous, and also most horrific part of the journey of the slave ships. With
extremely tightly packed loads of human cargo that stank and carried both infectious disease and death,
the ships would travel east to west across the Atlantic on a miserable voyage lasting at least five
weeks, and sometimes as long as three months. Although incredibly profitable for both its participants
and their investing backers, the terrible Middle Passage has come to represent the ultimate in human
misery and suffering. The abominable and inhuman conditions which the Africans were faced with on
their voyage clearly display the great evil of the slave trade.
3
Charles Thomas Longley (1794-1868) was an English churchman, Archbishop of Canterbury from
1862 until his death.
4
Alexander James Beresford Hope. The outbreak of the war in America coincided with one of the two
periods in Beresford Hope's life when he was not in Parliament, since he failed to win a seat in the
1859 election and was not re-elected until July, 1865. This was unfortunate for the Confederacy, since
he was thus deprived of a natural platform for his views, which were decidedly pro-Confederate from
the start. Lacking his usual forum, then, Beresford Hope resorted to giving public lectures on the war,
delivering three lengthy talks on the subject in Kent in November, 1861, January, 1862 and January,
1863, and afterwards publishing these as pamphlets in order that they might reach the widest audience
possible.
ROSE RETURNS TO PARIS
1
Mrs. Slidell’s maiden name was Marie Mathilde Deslonde. Her sister Caroline Deslonde married P.T.
Beauregard in 1860. She died August 1st, 1864, with no children and is buried in Brighton.
2
James H. North, CSN - born and appointed from South Carolina; previous service in the United States
Navy, from May 29, 1829; entered the Confederate States Navy March 26, 1861, as lieutenant;
appointed commander for the war, May 6, 1862; served as overseas agent in London, England. [ORN
1, 1, 660; Register1863.] http://home.ozconnect.net/tfoen/csnindex3.htm
3
Fraiser Trenholm & Co.was the largest blockade running firm in the Confederacy. Fraser Trenholm
were agents with offices in Charleston and Liverpool, and were responsible for commissioning the
building of ships for the Confederacy during the war.
ROSE RETURNS TO LONDON
1
Helen Magruder was the daughter of Commodore George Allen Magruder. She married Lt.-Gen.
William Frederick Scarlett, 3rd Baron Abinger, son of Robert Campbell Scarlett, 2nd Baron Abinger
and Sarah Smith, on 23 December 1863 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. She died on 13 February 1915.
Helen Magruder was also known as Eileen. Through her marriage, Helen Magruder gained the title of
Baroness Abinger on 23 December 1863. Her married name became Scarlett.
Page 138 of 157
THE ENTRANCE OF GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI
1
Jewsbury, Geraldine (1812-1880) Journalist, Novelist, Critic, Woman of Letters. Active 1832-1880 in
England, Britain, Europe
2
Garibaldi, Giuseppe (1807-1882) The foremost military figure and popular hero of the age of Italian
unification, he is deemed one of the makers of Modern Italy. Cavour is considered the "brain of
unification," Mazzini the "soul," and Garibaldi the "sword." For his battles on behalf of freedom in
Latin America, Italy, and later France, he has been dubbed the "Hero of Two Worlds."
Born in Nice, when the city was controlled by France, to Domenico Garibaldi and Rosa Raimondi, his
family was involved in the coastal trade. A sailor in the Mediterranean Sea, he was certified a
merchant captain in 1832. During a journey to Taganrog in the Black Sea, he was initiated into the
Italian national movement.
In February 1834 he participated in an abortive Mazzinian insurrection in Piedmont, was sentenced to
death in absentia by a Genoese court, and fled to Marseilles. The exile sailed first to Tunisia eventually
finding his way to Brazil, where he encountered Anna Maria Ribeiro da Silva, "Anita," a woman of
Portuguese and Indian descent, who became his lover, companion in arms, and wife.
Calling on the Italians of Montevideo, Garibaldi formed the Italian Legion in 1843, whose black flag
represented Italy in mourning while the volcano at its center symbolized the dormant power in their
homeland. It was in Uruguay that the legion first sported the red shirts, obtained from a factory in
Montevideo which had intended to export them to the slaughter houses of Argentina. It was to become
the symbol of Garibaldi and his followers. The formation of his force of volunteers, his mastery of the
techniques of guerilla warfare, his opposition to Brazilian and Argentinean imperialism, and his
victories in the battles of Cerro and Sant'Antonio in 1846 not only assured the freedom of Uruguay but
made him and his followers heroes in Italy and Europe.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Garibaldi
SIGHTSEEING AND NETWORKING
1
Bodkins: A small, sharply pointed instrument for making holes in fabric or leather. A dagger or
stiletto.
2
Richard Owen was the son of a West India merchant. He studied briefly at Edinburgh (1824), then at a
private London anatomy school. Through hard work and serious networking, Owen pushed his way to
the heights of Victorian science. In 1827 he was appointed Assistant Curator of the Royal College of
Surgeons' Hunterian Collections and then Hunterian professor (1836), and conservator (1842). He was
elected to a fellowship of the Royal Society in 1834 for his work on monotremes and marsupials.
Following his mentor Joseph Henry Green, Owen promoted an idealist biology based on German
Naturphilosophie. By the mid-1840s Owen was the leader of British comparative anatomy and an
important exponent of a natural theology or attribution of design in nature. In 1842, he named the
taxon Dinosauria. The support Owen lent to orthodox men of science and supporters of the status quo
and sometimes a fawning elitism made him a favourite of elite conservative patrons. The royal family
presented him with a cottage in Richmond Park and Robert Peel put him on the Civil List. Owen later
became Fullerian professor at the Royal Institution in 1858, and president of the British Association for
the Advancement of Science (1858). AS head of the natural history departments of the British
Museum, Owen oversaw the transfer of these collections to the new South Kensington Natural History
Museum in 1881. He was knighted in 1884. In his notorious review of the Origin of Species in 1860,
Owen tried to undercut Darwin's priority by attributing evolution to a mysterious "continuous
operation of the ordained becoming of living things". As Owen had long been an apparent opponent of
evolution, this about-face infuriated Darwin's supporters, especially Huxley, who saw Owen trying to
steal Darwin's credit. Huxley had long competed for authority and status and their rivalry is one of the
most notorious in Victorian science.
Page 139 of 157
3
Balmoral Castle on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland is the private residence of The
Queen. Beloved by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Balmoral Castle has remained a favourite
residence for The Queen and her family during the summer holiday period in August and September.
4
Guy's Cliffe House is now a sad ruin situated in a beautiful spot on the banks of the River Avon just
outside Warwick. The house is possessed of an unearthly atmosphere, being partly built in and rising
from the rock of the sandstone cliff, the indistinct edges between house, rock and foliage seem to blur
into one.
Guy's Cliffe has a long and colourful history. Inhabited since Saxon times, the most famous legend of
the site is that of Guy of Warwick. This Saxon noble, the legendary founder of Warwick Castle in the
10th Century, and killer of the Dun Cow, returned from his travels and adventures and, shunning the
"deceitful pleasures of this world", retired to live out the rest of his days in a cave by the river, which
still survives by the Chapel. His wife, the lady Felice of Warwick, remained ignorant of his
unannounced presence so close. Just before Guy died, he revealed his true identity to the poor lady
who, overcome by grief, threw herself from the cliff where her husband had lived for so many years. It
is said that her ghost, distraught with grief, still haunts the site.
Balmoral Castle on the Balmoral Estate in Aberdeenshire, Scotland is the private residence of The
Queen. Beloved by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Balmoral Castle has remained a favourite
residence for The Queen and her family during the summer holiday period in August and September.
5
The Church is approached along an avenue of lime trees, said to represent the twelve tribes of Israel
and the twelve Apostles.
6
Sacristan, an officer who is charged with the care of the sacristy, the church, and their contents. His
duty was to care for the sacred vessels, vestments, lights, etc. Nowadays the sacristan is elected or
appointed.
7
Sir Hugh Clopton , died 15 September 1496, a bachelor, made his fortune as a London mercer and
gave generously of his property in Stratford, and in London (where he was Lord Mayor in 1492),
Aylesbury and elsewhere. In particular: He replaced the rickety and hazardous wooden bridge across
the River Avon with the stone "Great Bridge" comprising "14 great archis of stone and long cawsey"
which still bears his name. He enlarged and restored Holy Trinity Church and the Guild Chapel. Paved
local roads (so very necessary to sustain the trading heart of the town) Initiated welfare schemes for
local apprentices and girls. Hugh Clopton also built New Place at Stratford-upon-Avon – which was
bought by William Shakespeare as a retirement home. Stratfordian Hugh Clopton became Lord Mayor
of London and was a great benefactor to the town. He completely rebuilt the Chapel of the Guild of the
Holy Cross and provided the stone bridge over the Avon which carries his name, and the traffic, to this
day. He had a magnificent altar-tomb built in the then Lady Chapel but was, in fact, buried in London.
8
9
The Chancel. In 1331 John, Bishop of Winchester, founded a chantry for five priests in the Thomas
Becket Chapel in the south aisle. A 'good stone house' was built close by the Church to accommodate
this College of Priests. In 1451 Henry V confirmed the privileges of the College and the Church
became styled Collegiate. Within the forty years 1480-1520 the college was responsible for the
complete rebuilding of a much larger chancel (including a new west window), nave (including the
clerestory) tower and North porch. The wonderful set of 26 carved misericord seats in the chancel date
from this time.
The chancel was built in the latter part of the fifteenth century by Dr. Thomas Balsall, dean of Stratford
10
William Ewart Gladstone (29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British Liberal Party statesman
and Prime Minister (1868–1874, 1880–1885, 1886 and 1892–1894). He was a notable political
reformer, known for his populist speeches, and was for many years the main political rival of Benjamin
Disraeli. Lord Palmerston formed a new mixed government with Radicals added in 1859 and
Gladstone joined again as Chancellor of the Exchequer, left the Conservatives and joined the newly
formed Liberal Party. As Chancellor, he made a controversial speech which seemed to support the
independence of the Confederate States of America in the American Civil War. Great Britain was
officially neutral at the time, and Gladstone later regretted giving the speech.
Page 140 of 157
11
Good friend for Jesus sake forbeare,
To dig the dust enclosed here.
Blessed be the man that spares these stones,
And cursed be he that moves my bones.
BACK TO LONDON AND TO WORK
1
Kew Gardens: Three hundred acres of botanical delights grace Kew Gardens, which lies on the south
bank of the Thames River between Richmond and Kew in the suburbs of south-west London
2
Rev. Newman Hall [b. 1816] Minister of Christ Church
3
The Battle of Fort Pillow: http://www.civilwarhome.com/ftpillow.htm In April 1864, the Union
garrison at Fort Pillow, a Confederate-built earthen fortification and a Union-built inner redoubt,
overlooking the Mississippi River about forty river miles above Memphis, comprised 295 white
Tennessee troops and 262 U.S. Colored Troops, all under the command of Maj. Lionel F. Booth.
Confederate Maj. Gen. Nathan Bedford Forrest attacked the fort on April 12 with a cavalry division of
approximately 2,500 men. Forrest seized the older outworks, with high knolls commanding the Union
position, to surround Booth's force. Rugged terrain prevented the gunboat New Era from providing
effective fire support for the Federals. The garrison was unable to depress its artillery enough to cover
the approaches to the fort. To make matters worse, Rebel sharpshooters, on the surrounding knolls,
began wounding and killing the Federals, including Booth, who was killed. Maj. William F. Bradford
then took over command of the garrison. The Confederates launched a determined attack at 11:00 am,
occupying more strategic locations around the fort, and Forrest demanded unconditional surrender.
Bradford asked for an hour for consultation and Forrest granted twenty minutes. Bradford refused
surrender and the Confederates renewed the attack, soon overran the fort, and drove the Federals down
the river's bluff into a deadly crossfire. Casualties were high and only sixty-two of the U.S. Colored
Troops survived the fight. Many accused the Confederates of perpetrating a massacre of the black
troops, and that controversy continues today. The Confederates evacuated Fort Pillow that evening so
they gained little from the attack except to temporarily disrupt Union operations. The Fort Pillow
Massacre became a Union rallying cry and cemented resolve to see the war through to its conclusion.
4
Maria Elizabeth (Tollemache), Marchioness of Ailesbury (1809-1895), Artist; 2nd wife of Charles
Bruce, 1st Marquess of Ailesbury Through her marriage, Maria Elizabeth Tollemache gained the title
of Marchioness of Ailesbury on 20 August 1833. From 20 August 1833, her married name became
Brudenell-Bruce
ROSE MEETS THE GREENHOW FAMILY
1
Dr. Greenhow married, in 1842, the widow of Mr. W. Barnard, by whom he had one son, the Rev. E.
Greenhow, vicar of Earsdon. She died in 1857, and in 1862 he married the second daughter of Mr.
Joseph Hume, M.P., by whom he had two daughters
2
William S. Lindsay a prominent British shipbuilder and member of Parliament
3
Sir Joseph Whitworth, Baronet (December 21, 1803 - January 22, 1887) was an English engineer and
entrepreneur. Whitworth was commissioned by the War Department of the British government to
design a replacement for the Pattern 1853 calibre .577-inch Enfield rifle, whose shortcomings had been
revealed during the recent Crimean War. The Whitworth rifle had a smaller bore of 0.45 inch (11 mm)
which was hexagonal, a longer bullet and tighter rifling than the Enfield, and its performance during
tests in 1859 was superior to the Enfield's in every way. The test was reported in The Times on April
23 as a great success. However, the new bore design was found to be prone to fouling, so it was
rejected by the British government, only to be adopted by the French Army. Some of the rifles found
Page 141 of 157
their way to the Confederate states in the American Civil War, where they were called "Whitworth
Sharpshooters”. Whitworth cannon were used at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Vicksburg, Mississippi,
Fredericksburg, Virginia, Fort Fisher, North Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, as well as other
American Civil War battlefields
ROSE GETS INVOLVED IN A CEASE FIRE NEGOTIATION
1
In politics, a whip is a member of a political party in a legislature whose task is to ensure that members
of the party attend and vote as the party leadership desires. The term originated in the Parliament of the
United Kingdom and derives from the "whipper-in" at a fox hunt. Whip is also used to mean the voting
instructions issued to members by the Whip.
2
Westbourne Terrace, once described as the finest street in London, takes its name from the river
Westbourne. The river rose in West Hampstead and was fed by five streams which joined near
Kilburn, crossed Maida Vale and then to Paddington before flowing into Hyde Park where it was
joined by the Tyburn Brook.
3
Mr. Charles Francis Adams was the Union Ambassador to England from 1861-1868. He was a
candidate for US Vice President in 1848 for the Free Soil Party.
4
Lady Jane Franklin was one of the colony's most culturally erudite and forceful women. She was also
an adventurous traveller and participated in expeditions which explored Tasmania, including one
which crossed the island from Hobart to Macquarie Harbour in 1841-42. Lady Franklin established a
private botanic gardens, 'Ancanthe', at Lenah Valley, near Hobart. The garden placed special emphasis
on Tasmanian native plants and included a museum of natural history modelled on a Greek temple.
Lady Franklin actively promoted scientific endeavours and strongly influenced her husband to
establish the Tasmanian Natural History Society. She was also involved in many activities to build and
promote the Van Diemen's Land colony, including the establishment of an agricultural settlement on
the Huon River in 1839.
THE TEMPEST
1
Green Park once formed part of Henry VIII's hunting grounds. In the 17th century Charles II had it
converted (like St James's Park) into a Royal Park. The park was the site of a number of early balloon
ascents and firework extravaganzas. Handel's 'Music for the Royal Fireworks' (celebrating the Peace
of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748) was written for the most famous of these pyrotechnical displays. Although
many of the parks in London are officially owned by the sovereign, it is the four central London parks
(one of which is Green Park) that are usually referred to as ‘Royal’.
FLORENCE ARRIVES
1
Lord Henry Gordon-Lennox (2 November 1821–29 August 1886) was an English Conservative
politician and close friend of Benjamin Disraeli. Lennox was the third son of Charles GordonLennox, 5th Duke of Richmond. He entered the House of Commons in 1846 as a Member of
Parliament for Chichester, in Sussex. He represented this constituency until his retirement from politics
in 1885. Lennox held office in every Conservative government between 1852 and 1880. He was a
Junior Lord of the Treasury in the first two short-lived governments of the Earl of Derby before
becoming First Secretary of the Admiralty in Derby's last government (1866–1868). He served as First
Commissioner of Works in Disraeli's second government from 1874 until 1876.
Page 142 of 157
2
Corisande Armandine, Countess of Tankerville (1783-1865), Wife of Charles Augustus Bennet, 5th
Earl of Tankerville; daughter of Duc de Gramont.
3
Sir James Risdon Bennett, M.D., president of the Royal College of Physicians, 1809-1891
4
Nicholas Patrick Stephen, Cardinal Wiseman (August 2, 1802 - February 15, 1865) was an English
Cardinal and the first Archbishop of Westminster (his name first mentioned pg 67)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardinal_Wiseman
THE ALABAMA & THE KEARSARGE
1
Civil War Harper’s Weekly, January 9, 1864: …a young English gentleman, known as Lord
Hartington, was in this country last winter, and signalized his visit by insulting all faithful American
citizens by wearing a rebel badge in the drawing-rooms of Mr. August Belmont, for which he was not
reproved by his host, but was called to account by a young Union officer. The fact is not a private one,
for it was the subject of universal public comment at the time.
2
Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope (January 30, 1805 - December 24, 1875) English historian,
better known as Lord Mahon, son of the 4th earl and his wife, the daughter of the 1st Baron
Carrington. entered parliament in 1830. He was under secretary for foreign affairs for the early months
of 1835, and secretary to the India Board in 1845, but though he remained in the House of Commons
till 1852, he made no special mark in politics. He was chiefly interested in literature and antiquities,
and in 1842 took a prominent part in passing the Literary Copyright Act of 1842. He was a trustee of
the British Museum, and in 1856 he proposed the foundation of a National Portrait Gallery; its
subsequent creation was due to his executors. It was mainly due to him that in 1869 the Historical
Manuscripts Commission was started
ROSE RECEIVES COMMUNION
1
James Howard Harris, 3rd Earl of Malmesbury (25 March 1807 – 17 May 1889), was an British
statesman of the Victorian era. His political career, though unimpressive, attracted a good deal of
contemporary attention, partly owing to his being Foreign Secretary in 1852 and again in 1858—1859
(he was also Lord Privy Seal in 1866—1868 and in 1874—1876), and partly from his influential
position as an active Tory of the old school in the House of Lords at a time when Lord Derby and
Benjamin Disraeli were, in their different ways, moulding the Conservatism of the period.
2
Mother Cary’s Chickens (Wilson’s Petrel) Oceanites oceanus
Wilson’s Petrel (Oceanites oceanus) is a small pelagic bird now classified as a member of the family
Hydrobatidae (pelagic birds are birds that live in open oceans and normally only come ashore to
breed). One of the most common pelagic birds, Wilson’s petrel is found in seas around the world.
Adult birds are usually about the size of a smaller pigeon and have tube-like bills, sooty brown
plumage with a white stripe across the tail. They also have clawed, webbed feet that are equally well
adapted to digging burrows on offshore islands and taking flight in rough seas.
The bird breeds between late March and August in the Northern latitudes of North America and
Europe. Feeding on a variety of small sea organisms and coastal insects, it produces oil rich in protein
and fats that it feeds to a single chick. The chick is hatched from an egg, the large size of which in
relation to that of the adult bird is rivalled only by the Kiwi.
In the eighteenth century, mariners called the petrel “Mother Carey’s Chicken,” or “Cary’s chick” and
believed its appearance to be an omen of bad weather. The origins of the name are unclear, but it has
been suggested that In seamen’s lore Mother Cary was the name given to a water spirit, whose
“chickens” were the souls of drowned sailors.
Page 143 of 157
3
Marquess of Bristol is a title in the peerage of the United Kingdom held by a member of the Hervey
family since 1714. Prior to that year, they held the title of Earl of Bristol. (The title of Earl of Bristol
was previously held by the Digbys.) The Marquess's subsidiary titles are: Earl of Bristol (created
1714), Earl Jermyn, of Horningsheath in the County of Suffolk (1826), and Baron Hervey, of Ickworth
in the County of Suffolk (1703). The Barony is in the Peerage of England, the Earldom of Bristol in
the Peerage of Great Britain and the Earldom of Jermyn in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. The
title Earl Jermyn is the courtesy title of the Marquess' eldest son and heir.
4
The Rt. Revd. George Augustus Selwyn(5 April 1809 - 11 April 1878) was the first Bishop of New
Zealand.
5
John
Thadeus
Delane
http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jdelane.htmhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Thadeus_Delane
6
The Marquis of Salisbury said: "The people of the South are the natural allies of England. The North
keeps an opposition shop in the same department of trade as ourselves."
http://www.infidels.org/library/historical/robert_ingersoll/on_abraham_lincoln.html )
7
Lady Beatrice Constance Grosvenor was the daughter of Hugh Lupus Grosvenor, 1st Duke of
Westminster and Lady Constance Gertrude Leveson-Gower. She married, firstly, Charles Compton
William Cavendish, 3rd Baron Chesham, son of William George Cavendish, 2nd Baron Chesham and
Henrietta Frances Lascelles, on 13 November 1877. She married, secondly, Major John Alexander
Moncreiffe, son of Sir Thomas Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 7th Bt. and Lady Louisa Hay-Drummond, on 4
October 1910. She died on 12 January 1911.
8
http://23.1911encyclopedia.org/M/MU/MURCHISON_SIR_RODERICK_IMPEY.htm
9
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_William_Colenso
10
John, 2nd Baron Wrottesley was born August 5th, 1798, the eldest son of Sir John Wrottesley, Bart; of
Wrottesley, near Wolverhampton, in Staffordshire. John graduated first in his class in mathematics at
Oxford in 1817. He succeeded his father in the Barony in 1841. Taking a delight in practical
astronomy, he became an original member of the Royal Astronomical Society. In 1829 he built an
astronomical observatory at Blackheath and began cataloging stars in 1831. Using a timepiece and
transit of 62 inches focal length and 3 ¾ inches diameter he cataloged over 12,000 stars for the
Society.
In 1841 Lord John was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. The following year he built a new
observatory near his home containing the original trasnsit and a much larger equatorial telescope to
continue his work. In 1847 he was elected President of The Royal Society.
Lord John married Sophia Elizabeth Gifford of Staffordshire in 1821 and they raised a large family
together. Two of his sons were killed in their countries military service. Lord Wrottesley died at sixty
nine years of age at his ancestral residence.
Wrottelsey Crater, named after Lord John, is a lunar impact crater that is attached to the westNorthwestern rim of the larger Petavius crater, and lies along the southeast edge of Mare Fecunditatis.
It lies in the southeast part of the Moon and appears somewhat foreshortened when viewed from the
Earth. It is a smooth flat featureless crater with an interesting central spire.
His obituary can be found in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society, volume 28, page
64.
11
John Hanning Speke (1827-64): Richard Burton's exploring companion, John Speke was the first
European to reach Lake Victoria, which he correctly identified as a source of the Nile.
12
First Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair, IV (or Jr.), Confederate States Navy, (1837-1925)
(Rose meant Sinclair instead of St Claire) http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-s/asincl4.htm
Page 144 of 157
13
Lady Llanover (March 21, 1802 - January 17, 1896), formerly Augusta Hall, was a Welsh heiress, best
known as a patron of the arts. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Llanover (wonder if this is who she
meant)
14
A planted Union agent, paymaster Clarence Yonge, who Rose reported as Lt. Young, returned to
England, and added his knowledge to the legal case against the clandestine Confederate operations. In
an affidavit, Yonge noted that the British shipyard had equipped supposedly commercial ships with
sockets in their decks and other fixtures for guns, along with powder tins.
15
First Lieutenant Richard F. Armstrong, Confederate States Navy, (18??-1904)
http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-a/r-armstr.htm
Report of Lieutenant Armstrong, C. S. Navy, late C. S. S. Alabama, of his rescue from drowning after
the engagement off Cherbourg. Flag-Officer SAML. BARRON, C. S. Navy, Paris.
SIR: I have the honor to report for your information the circumstances attending my rescue from
drowning by a French pilot boat after the Alabama went down. I was wounded in the side by a part of a
shell early in the action, and suffered so much pain in the water that had it not been for the exertions of
the Alabama's crew I would certainly have gone down. One of the Kearsarge's boats was very near me,
but laid on its oars and made no exertion whatever that I could see to save me, the officer apparently
looking for some particular person. I made great exertions to reach the French boat, and was finally
pulled into her so benumbed by cold and suffering so much from my bruised side that I could not
stand, and for two hours was as helpless as a child. I had on, while near the Kearsarge's boat, my
uniform cap, which the Federal officer could certainly have seen.
The officers who were saved with me were Second Assistant Engineer William P. Brooks and Acting
Sailmaker Henry Alcott. What time they got on board of the boat I can not say. I found when my
faculties returned the following men on board with me:
Charles Godwin, captain after guard; James Welsh, captain top; George Edgerton, ordinary seaman;
Thomas Murphy, fireman; William Robinson, seaman, and Morris Britt, boy.
As I got on board of the pilot boat I saw Michael Mars (seaman) plunge from the Kearsarge's boat and
swim to the boat which I was in. The Federal officer said nothing, attempted nothing, appearing
perfectly stupefied by the bold action of this brave man.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
R. F. ARMSTRONG, Second Lieutenant, C. S. Navy.
U. S. S. KEARSARGE, Off Dover, July 15, 1864.
16
Captain Semmes, commander of the famous raider CSS Alabama, embarked from England in steamer
Tasmanian for Havana, from where he hoped to return to the Confederacy and report to President
Davis for further assignment. The gallant Capt.ain later recalled: "I considered my career upon the high
seas closed by the loss of my ship, and had so informed Commodore Barton, who was our Chief of
Bureau in Paris." While his most celebrated deeds were behind him, Semmes was to play an able part
in the final naval efforts of the Confederacy.
17
3rd Lieutenant Joseph D. “Fighting Joe Wilson
18
The first KEARSARGE was launched on 11 September 1861 by the Portsmouth Navy Yard,
Portsmouth, NH; sponsored by Mrs. Henry McFarland, wife of the editor of the Concord Statesmen,
and commissioned 24 January 1862 with Captain Charles W. Pickering in command. The Sloop of
War KEARSARGE departed Portsmouth 5 February 1862 for the coast of Spain to join in the blockade
of Confederate raiders. Captain John A. Winslow, took command of the KEARSARGE on April 8,
1863, while she remained in European waters searching for raiders. Arriving in Cherbourg, France on
14 June 1864, she found the Confederate Ship ALABAMA in port. On June 19, ALABAMA stood out
of Cherbourg Harbor for her last action. Careful of French neutrality, KEARSARGE'S new
commanding officer, Captain Winslow, took the sloop of war well clear of territorial waters, then
turned to meet the Confederate cruiser. ALABAMA fired first but the battle quickly turned against her
and within an hour the ALABAMA had been reduced to a sinking wreck and her Captain Raphael
Semmes struck his colors and surrendered. KEARSARGE rescued the majority of the ALABAMA's
survivors; but Captain Semmes and 41 others were picked up by a British yacht. Captain Winslow was
promoted to Commodore and the New York Chamber of Commerce honored him, the KEARSARGE,
and her crew, mainly men from New Hampshire, for their victory.
Page 145 of 157
19
Hon. GIDEON WELLES, Secretary of the Navy, Washington, D. C.
SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith copies of two communications. On receipt of the letter of
Mr. Adams, and deeming the circumstances warranted it, I paroled Mr. Wilson, handing to him the
note, a copy of which is forwarded.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant, JNO. A. WINSLOW, Captain. LONDON, July 13,
1864.
[Captain JNO. A. WINSLOW, Commanding U. S. S. Kearsarge, Cherbourg, France.]
MY DEAR SIR: Mr. Wilson, one of the persons taken at the time of the action with the Alabama, and
now a prisoner on parole in your ship, has called to see me to ask a word from me to you in favor of
giving him his liberty on parole. I decline to assume any authority with you in regard to the disposition
you think proper to make of your prisoners. At the same time, I have reason to suppose that this young
gentleman has acted honorably in this business by recognizing his obligations, and therefore I should
regret that he should experience no more liberal treatment in return than one who disregarded them
would deserve.
Under these circumstances, if in your judgment this case, for any reason of the health of the person or
any other good cause, is one in which you call make an exception, having a reliance on the honor of
the individual, that he will take no improper advantage of it, I will very cheerfully concur in your
opinion and approve your act. I am, very truly, yours, C. F. ADAMS. [Envoy Extraordinary and
Minister Plenipotentiary.]
Lieutenant J. D. WILSON, C. S. Navy.]
The conduct of Joseph D. Wilson, late lieutenant on board the Alabama, has been so honorable, first, in
presenting himself on board the Kearsarge and surrendering himself when it was in his power to have
gone on board the Deerhound and gained his liberty in the dishonorable manner which others had
taken, and again, in his repudiation of the means pursued by those who obtained their liberty in this
way, and his deportment while a prisoner having been of the same honorable standard, at the instance
of Mr. Adams, minister of the United States at the court of St. James, I have paroled the said Wilson;
and feeling a full confidence and trust in his word and honor, I recommend that all privileges which
can be given a prisoner of war should be extended to him, believing fully he will never violate any
obligation which he pledges himself to fulfill. JNO. A. WINSLOW, Captain
ROSE’S LAST DAYS
1
http://www.southernlife.org.uk/Surrey/weybridge_oatlands.htm
http://www.oldandsold.com/articles30/english-ways-5.shtml
2
Sir William George Granville Venables Vernon Harcourt (October 14, 1827 - October 1, 1904) was a
British Liberal statesman.
He was the second son of the Rev. Canon William Vernon Harcourt, of Nuneham Park, Oxford,
himself the fourth son and eventually heir of Edward Harcourt, Archbishop of York. William George
was therefore born a Vernon, and by his connection with the old families of Vernon and Harcourt was
related to many of the great English houses, a fact of which he was proud. In later life his descent from
the Plantagenets was joked about by his political opponents. He was educated at Trinity College,
Cambridge, graduating with first-class honours in the classical tripos in 1851. He was called to the bar
in 1854, became a QC in 1866, and was appointed Whewell professor of international law at the
University of Cambridge in 1869. He quickly made his mark in London society as a speaker; he
contributed largely to the Saturday Review, and wrote some famous letters (1862) to The Times over
the signature of "Historicus," in opposition to the recognition of the Southern States as aggressors in
the American Civil War.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Vernon_Harcourt_(politician)
3
Known as the commercial capital of Scotland, the City of Glasgow is a bustling, cosmopolitan
European city. The name comes from the older Gaelic glas cu, meaning green hollow. Daniel Defoe
claimed that Glasgow was "the cleanest and beautifullest, and best built City in Britain, London
excepted". At that time, the city was built with attractive, compact wooden buildings, none of which
remain today.
Page 146 of 157
4
The following extract relating to John Greenhalgh, the 11th of Brandlesome, is from "Remains,
Historical and Literary, Connected with the Palatine Counties of Lancaster and Chester", published by
the Chetham Society
"John Greenhalgh was a gentleman, well born, being the son of Thomas Greenhalgh Esq of
Brandlesome Hall in the parish of Bury, and his wife Mary, daughter of Robert Holte Esq of Ashworth
Hall. He lost his father in the year 1599, when he was two years of age, and his mother afterwards
marrying Sir Richard Assheton, of Middleton, Knt, he seems to have been brought up in that family.
His education was carefully attended to, and he appears to have had the advantage of foreign travel. In
1616 he succeeded to the Brandlesome property, which Lord Derby called "a good estate", on the
death of his grandfather, John Greenhalgh Esq, and he "governed his affairs well". He was a DeputyLieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the County, and served his country in a military capacity,
probably before the civil war
Elsewhere we may read that "When James, the seventh Earl of Derby, left the Isle of Man to aid King
Charles II, he took with him from the island a force of 300 royalists, including his favourite Governor,
Captain Greenhalgh, who was accounted a bold and daring soldier in the field, and was present with
the Earl at the battles of Wigan Lane and Worcester.
5
Gretna Green is a small town in the south of Scotland, on the border with England. It is on the west
coast, in Dumfries and Galloway, and near the mouth of the River Esk. It is the site of Gretna Green
railway station. Its main claim to fame is the Old Blacksmith's Shop where many runaway marriages
were performed. These began in 1753 when an Act of Parliament, Lord Hardwicke's Marriage Act,
was passed in England, which stated that if both parties to a marriage were not at least 21 years old,
then consent to the marriage had to be given by the parents. This Act did not apply in Scotland where it
was possible for boys to get married at 14 and girls at 12 years old with or without parental consent.
Since 1929 both parties have had to be at least 16 years old but there is still no consent needed. In
England and Wales the ages are now 16 with consent and 18 without. This led to many elopers fleeing
England and making for the first Scottish village they came to — Gretna Green. Th blacksmith’s shop,
built. around 1712, became the focal point for the marriage trade. It was opened to the public as a
visitor attraction as early as 1887.
GOODBY TO EUROPE
1
“The natural deepwater channel in the River Clyde comes close to its south shore at Greenock, and this
helped the town evolve into the Major port on Scotland’s west coast.”
Page 147 of 157
Other Letter while Rose was in Europe
Rose sends a letter home
Letter to Alexander Boteler, August 13, 1863
St George Bermuda
August 13th [1863]
My Good friend
I have as you will see arrived here in despite of Yankee crusiers who gave us a close chase
all the way. I was seasick of course but I am now entirely recoverd and enjoying the dolce
faneanti of this seducing climate with its beautiful tropical trees and fruits.
I shall leave here the middle of the coming week en route for Southampton. And when I
reach this point I will tell you your impressions of matters and things. I have met with kind
friends Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Walker with whom I spend all my time are very charming and
cultured people. He is certainly a most indefatigable and valuable officer to the Confederacy
and by his prudence and high trust conduct him the consideration of all here, and is there by
enabled to render service to the country of a magnitude that would be startling if it were
prudent to speak yet.
My good friend I thank you for your salutation and kind wishes towards me. I trust that I
shall always be as fortunate as to retain the officers whose appreciation elevates me and my
own esteem.
With my best wishes and friendship,
Rose ON Greenhow
To Col A A Boteler
Rose sends a letter to Alexander Boteler
12 Conduit Street
Regent Street
London
December 10 [1863]
To Hon. A. A. Boteler
My good friend, I suppose from your unbroken silence that you cannot have received any of
my letters. I wrote to you from Bermuda and also from London on my arrival here. How
anxiously I look for letters from home it would be impossible for me to tell you. All the
accounts come through the Yankee press--Just now we have the news of Bragg's disastrous
defeat and falling back from Lookout Mountain - with loss of 60 pieces of artillery small
Page 148 of 157
arms &c. and 8000 prisoners - I give a wide margin to this for the usual exageration. But the
effect is most depressing. This news has brought down the Confederate loan from 60 to 31.
My friend you know not the importance of sending correct information, which can be used so
as to counteract the Yankee accounts. I believe that all classes here except the Abolitionists
sympathize with us and are only held back from recognizing us for fear of war with the
United States. The invasion of Canady is the great bugbear. Remove this and all will flow
smoothly. I am myself sanguine of the events of the next few months. The Mexican question
is so intimately connected with our own that the one is a sequence of the other.
I attach no importance to Lord John's hostility, he has not been as I learn more civil to the
Yankee emisaries than our own. I would write you many interesting particulars but the
publication of the late intercepted letters is a good warning to me to be careful. If you will get
from Mr. Benjamin a cipher and use my name as the key, I can then tell you many things-your letters to me will not need the same chance as the mails going out seem to escape.
Direct to Maj Walker at Bermuday and he will forward them to here.
You don't know how my heart grows sick when the mail comes without letters for me, and it
is important that I should have news as I have the means of placing it in proper quarters.
Tomorrow morning I leave at an early hour for Paris, where I expect to have a nice time. I
have been occupied for the last two days so incessantly that I have not had time to think.
Your predictions have been more than fulfilled--for no stranger has ever been received more
kindly than have I, and from this time forward I'm bound to dispute the charge against the
English of coldness or inhospitability.
I wish I could write fully and freely but the fear of seeing myself in the NY Herald restrains
my desire to tell you many things. I trust that I should be at home before the winter is over.
Meanwhile, I trust that my friends will not forget me or believe that even amidst the
enjoyments of my present existance that I can for a moment be oblivious of the friends I have
left behind, or of the noble devoted heroes who are engaged in the death struggle for
freedom.
No, my friend, it is the first and last thing thought and mingles with every impulse of my
soul. God grant that the events now culminating here may be as I hope for our advantage.
A crisis here I believe impending. The rates of interest 8 and 9 percent is ominous and my
belief is that the pressure here will expediate the financial crisis among the Yankees.
The rumor here today is rife that Bunning has been captured and that Lee has defeated Mead.
I hope for some favourable results.
Pray write to me and tell me anything about anybody. Especially if you can about my poor
wounded soldier as you doubtless know that I must feel great anxiety to know. Tell Col.
[illegible] that I must write a long letter to him. Also give Col. [illegible] my best regards.
Tell him that my friend has written him that he never received the letter intended to him.
I repeat -- I wish that I could write you freely - but patience and forbearence is yet to be
exercised, for alas we cannot realize the acts resorted to by our enemies to make apparent
that our cause is hopeless nor can you know the profound ignorance which exists relative to
Page 149 of 157
our resources-yet I have strong hope the educated and thinking classes are all with us and the
living by hard suffering will be thought.
Do not forget me and believe me with most sincere regards your friend
R O'N G --
Rose receives a letter from home
On February 7th 1864 Rose received the following letter from William B(?)
Dear Mrs. Greenhow
I am exceedingly obliged by your note, and for the Consideration and kindness shewn to
Captn. Koren. I am sure that your introductions, if Captn. Hertzberg and himself ever reach
your country, will be most serviceable to him. I have arranged that they will be able to
procure a passage from Nassau. Blockade running from Bermuda is for the time being, I
hear, partly stopped. Nassau is now the favorite starting point.
I think things are looking better for "our" side. I look forward with great hope to the Spring
Campaign in Tennessee.
I hope that the Conservatives may soon kick that wretched little scrub Lord Russell, out of
power, and then we shall hold firm language to the detested Yankees-- and go in for Southern
recognition.
By the way, I have got you the Foreign Minister's autograph.
If you are writing to Richmond, try and convey a message to General Stuart, from me, viz.
that they are going to use his mode of slinging the sabre in a newly equipped, mounted Corps
here. I was sitting next [to] one of the heads of the War Department at dinner, and speaking
of Stuart's cavalry, I mentioned this "sabre attachment"--which he invented, and which so
struck the fancy of [illegible] General that I was written to, and asked to come to the War
office, and explain it-I should like General Stuart to know this.
I hope you have had much much enjoyment in Paris.
My mother has been very ill and confined to her bed.
I hope you take the side of the Danes--Alas! Poor Denmark! I wish I could turn myself into
10,000 men and go and help hold the Dannewerke against those rascally Germans. The
French Emperor, the cleverest [preceeding word crossed out] most clever head in Europe, has
the cards completely in his hands. England whose people, are brave and daring, is made to
play a mean part. I blush for my country! I hope you read Lord Derby's speech.
The O'Kane versus Lord P. Case is finished. The plaintiff withdrew the suit and he has been
sent to Australia!
The "Bulbeley" scandal will soon be in the Papers. You must look out for that. I hear that it
will be très agaçant!
Page 150 of 157
Give my love to Miss Rose, Accept kind regards yourself, and believe me Dear Mrs.
Greenhow.
Very sincerely yours, Wm B 8th Feb- I open my letter to tell you this--you will be glad to hear that the decision of the
court has this morning been given in favor of the Alexandra. That is that the Governments are
condemned for seizing her!
[written vertically on the left side of the page]--Show this to General Stuart
--RG
Rose sends another letter to Alexander Boteler
On February 17th, 1864, while ill and confined to her apartment on Bond Street, Rose penned
the following letter to Alexander Boteler:
157 New Bond Street
London Feb 17th [1864]
The old adage of "out of sight out of mind" seems fully carried out by my friends at home,
for during my long absence few whom I expected to write to me have written a line, and I
hold you up as a most flagrant instance of the direlictions of a friend on record. I am sure
unless your conscience had been blunted by similar instances of "I have left undone those
things" &c you must feel very forcibly this my protest against sin of omission.
I have had a very pleasant time , and accompained my wishes in some instances beyond my
hopes - I have just returned from Paris where I spent two months very pleasantly - I had the
honor of an audience with the Emperor - obtained without aid from any one as indeed where
no one representing us who could obtain so much upon his own account. I was treated with
great distinction great kindness, and my audience in Court Circles was pronounced "une
grande sucess - and altho the Emperor was lavish of expressions of admiration of our
President and cause there was nothing upon which to hang the least hope of aid unless
England acted simultaneously
The French people are brutal ignorant and depraved to a degree beyond description and have
no appreciation of our struggle. They believe it is to free the slaves and all their sympathies
are really on the Yankee side. The Emperor sympathises with us but altho ruling with
despotic power he is obliged to be watchful and wary as any false step would be his ruin and
he dare not take a step unless England joins him - For he is not blind to the fact that without
such co-operation privateers from British Ports under Yankee flag(s) would swarm in the
Northern seas. For altho apparently an uninterested looker on no one has such interest as the
Emperor of the French in the Sleiswig Holstein question.
My belief is that from England alone are we to expect material aid. The better classes here
are universally in our favor and the debates now going on in both houses of Parliment show
the strong opposition to the Gov - and but for the Danish question I believe there would be a
change of ministry at once - but no new ministry wish to assume the responsibilities of this
upon the question - So it is still a question of hope deferred with us.
Page 151 of 157
On Monday evening I spent at Mr. Carlyle - he is a warm and earnest advocate of our cause
and were he this he would do anything for us - I suggested that he write something - which
he said he would take into consideration
Tuesday Morning I went to see Cardinal Weisman and was deeply gratified by his earnest
sympathy - I also suggested that he could do us good by some public manifestation of his
views. In the afternoon of the same day I dined with Mr & Mrs Roebuck and had a very
interesting conversation with him. I am to dine there on thurs and go with him afterwards to
the House of Parlament.
My mind since here has been continually on the stretch. how much I long to be again
amongst my own people I cannot tell you - I have had every thing to gratify me as no
stranger has ever been better recieved - unacknowledged unrepresented as we are. Still I long
for my own home and the sight of our toil worn soldiers will be a more welcome sight that all
the splendor I have witnessed.
By the by I had almost forgotten to tell you that I went to the grand state ball at the Tuileries,
and was the only stranger mentioned in the description of the ball. Do not you or my other
friends forget me I believe that I am useful here but I long to be at home.
With my most sincere and friendly regards,
Rose O'N Greenhow
To Col A A Boteler
Richmond, Va
P S - I am glad to see that our Congress has passed all proper laws for giving efficiency to the
Government - In the eyes of of every one of whom I have seen the President is regarded as
the most extrodinary man of the age. Carlyle asked me to describe him - His remark was
"God has made the situation for the man."
It has been a very wise thing to continue Mr Mason - as Commissioner Genrl at the same
time that we relieved him from his false position as Commissioner here - His services here
are indispensable not only to hold in check the hostile movements of the Yankee emisaries,
but as a person who has the confidence and respect of all who sustains properly our national
character.
I perhaps have had better opportunity than any one else here and in France of knowing what
is said, for I have mingled more freely in society and not being an agent of the Gov have
heard opinions more freely. Pray write and tell me what is going on. I have sent you a copy
of the book also one to Col French asking him to take out a copy right for me - Good night
and good bye
RG-
Page 152 of 157
INDEX
A
Adams
Charles Francis, 12, 13, 55, 77, 78, 94, 95, 120, 142, 146
Henry, 12, 14
John Quincy, 12
Ailesbury
Lady, 89
Marchioness of, 74, 88, 91, 98, 141
Alabama, 94, 145
Alfred the Great, 70
American, 33, 35, 48, 101, 130
Armstrong
First Lieutenant Richard F., 94, 145
B
Balmoral
Castle, 68, 140
Banks
Nathaniel P., 138
Beauregard
General, 8, 27, 61, 106, 107, 138
Becker
Lady, 94
Bennett
Sir James Richard, M.D., 84, 143
Bermuda, 16, 24, 25, 31, 101, 129, 130, 131
Bishop, 36
Blackman
Ann, 4, 5, 26
blockade runner, 18, 102, 129, 132
blockade runners, 4, 130, 131
blockader, 129
Bois de Boulogne, 38, 135
Boteler
Colonel Alexander A., 13, 107, 108, 148, 151, 152
Brawley, 94
Bright
John, 50, 137
British, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 30, 50, 67, 129, 131, 132
British Cotton Supply Company, 10
Bull Run
Battle of, 8, 125
Bulloch
Captain James D., 47, 61, 62, 131, 136, 137
C
Calhoun
John C., 97, 101, 108, 111
Cambridge
Duke of, 53, 112, 146
Dutchess of, 94
Canada, 12, 112, 123, 138
Canterbury
Bishop of, 36, 53, 138
Carlyle
Mrs., 49, 137
Thomas, 48, 49, 67, 68, 85, 117, 137, 152
Carlysle
Town of, 102
Chapel of St Marys, 68
Charles 1st, 71
Charleston, 16, 27, 29, 106, 132, 136, 138, 142
Chesterfield
Countess of, 72, 74, 79, 92
Earl & Countess of, 75
House, 79, 87
Lady, 79, 80, 82, 83, 84, 85, 87, 88, 89, 91, 93, 94, 98, 99, 100
Christian, 21
Civil War, 4, 8, 10, 106, 109, 110, 113, 114, 123, 124, 125, 129, 130,
132, 133, 136, 140, 142, 146
Clopton
Sir Hugh, 69, 140
Clotilde, 45, 46
Cobden
Richard, 137
Collie, 80, 100, 102, 103
Concord, 94
Condor, 9
Confederacy, 21, 23, 35
Confederate, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 23, 24, 38, 41, 52, 55, 62, 70,
75, 76, 78, 80, 83, 88, 91, 92, 98, 106, 107, 108, 109, 111, 112,
115, 116, 119, 121, 123, 125, 127, 129, 130, 131, 132, 133, 134,
136, 137, 138, 140, 141, 142, 144, 145, 149
Confederate Army, 8, 106
Confederate States, 52
Confederates, 22, 39, 41, 42, 61, 62
Congress, 8, 35, 36, 102, 107, 109, 111, 114, 116, 120, 121, 125, 152
Convent du Sacré Coeur, 41, 135
Corcoran
William Wilson, 135
cotton, 10, 11, 18, 23, 24, 25, 26, 92, 98, 117, 129, 132
Cousin Tina, 103
Crowe
Beverley E., 5
D
Davidoff
Mrs. Adele, 41, 99, 135
Davis, 24, 42, 44, 49, 101, 131, 145
Jefferson, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 73, 133
Delane
John Thadeus, of the London Times, 92, 102, 144
Derby
Earl, 102, 142, 147
Lord, 51, 75, 88, 89, 92, 143, 147, 150
Diary
of Burton, James A., 130
of Gorgas, General Josiah, 125, 132
of Walker, Georgiana Gholson, 116, 117
ROG European, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15, 26, 60, 105, 106, 107,
110, 127
Dover, 36, 47, 48, 63
Duke de Morny, 46
Page 153 of 157
Duke University, 5, 107
E
Ellen Middleton
by Lady Georgiana Fullerton, 137
Emperor, 35, 40, 41, 42, 45, 46, 49
Empress, 41, 45, 46
England, 15, 24, 26, 29, 32, 33, 36, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 53, 61, 62,
65, 66, 68, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 145, 147
English, 21, 22, 28, 34, 38, 43, 52, 61, 62, 65, 101, 130
Erlanger
Emile, 30, 133
Ethelflaed, 70
Europe, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 35, 36, 42, 44, 51, 55, 78, 79, 80,
88, 89, 91, 98, 101, 104, 107, 109, 110, 111, 112, 113, 114, 115,
116, 117, 119, 125, 128, 133, 135, 136, 137, 139, 143, 150
Europeans, 10, 11, 36
Eustis
George, Jr., 41, 43, 62, 74, 75, 84, 119, 125, 136
Mrs., 62
F
Fane
Lady Georgiana, 113
Fort Pillow
Battle of, 73, 141
France, 4, 11, 12, 13, 36, 38, 40, 44, 67, 68, 76, 84, 91, 98, 107, 112,
113, 115, 119, 128, 133, 135, 136, 137, 139, 145, 146, 152
Franklin
Lady, 80, 85, 87, 93, 123, 142
Fullerton
Alexander George, 137
Lady Georgiana Charlotte, 48, 53, 67, 80, 96, 97, 110, 137
G
George IV, 68
Gerard
Dr. Charles, 31, 133
Gibraltar, 27, 130, 132
Gibson City, Illinois, 5
Giuseppe Garibaldi, 65, 66, 125, 139
Gladstone
Dean, 69
William Ewert, 97, 98, 101, 137, 140
Glasco, 103
God, 16, 18, 22, 30, 44, 49, 62, 93
government
gov, 21, 25, 26, 45, 50, 51, 52, 65, 66, 101
Government, 23, 25, 27, 94, 101, 129, 131
Grand Hotel, 61, 62
Great Britain, 4, 11, 24, 66, 72, 92, 97, 120, 121, 140, 144
Green Park, 82, 142
Greenhow, 4, 8, 15, 25, 33, 34, 35, 42, 61, 75, 111, 116, 117, 123,
125, 128, 135, 141, 148, 150, 151, 152
Robert, 8, 135
Gretna, 102, 147
Gretna Green, 102, 147
Gros
Baron, 49, 137
Grosvenor
Lady Beatrice Constance, 92, 144
Guy
Earl of Warwick, 71
Guys Cliff, 69
Guy's Cliffe House, 140
Gwin, 62
H
Hall
Augusta, 67, 145
Hamilton
Bermuda, 21, 23, 27, 130
Lord Claud, 84
Mr. R., 131
Harris
James Howard, 143
Hartington
Lord, 87, 143
Haskell Monroe, 4
Hastings
Warren, 35, 134
Hathaway
Ann, 70
Haussmann
Baron, 135
Havana, 101, 119, 129, 145
Hayward
Mrs., 130
Haywood
Mrs., 20, 130
Hebe, 16, 17, 129
Henry 3rd, 70
Hope
Beresford, 53, 138
Hôtel Biron, 135
House of Lords, 53
Hyde Park, 72, 74, 79
I
illegible, 21, 36, 40, 41, 43, 48, 49, 61, 62, 65, 66, 68, 69, 71, 76, 77,
79, 82, 84, 85, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 96, 99, 100, 102
India, 10, 134, 137, 139, 143
Island, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 28, 29
J
Jewsbury
Miss Geraldine, 48, 49, 65, 82, 93, 94, 137, 139
Jones
Dr. H. G., 4, 5, 26
Mrs., 48
Jordan
Colonel Thomas, 8
K
Kearsarge, 13, 55, 87, 93, 94, 95, 105, 121, 122, 130, 136, 145, 146
Kendall, 102
Kenilworth, 68
Kew Gardens, 72, 141
Page 154 of 157
Mr. Earl, 79
My Imprisonment
Author, Rose O'Neale Greenhow, 9
Killigrew
Sir John, 133
L
La Sonnambula, 135, 136
Lady Chapel, 68, 69
Lady F, 53
Lady Llanover, 145
Lane
Mrs. Stuart, 53, 147
Lee, 44
Lennox
Lord Henry Gordon, 142
Lord Henry Gordon-Lennox, 92
Lincoln
President Abraham, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 48, 73, 109, 111, 115, 120
Lindsay
William S., 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 141
Little Prince, 41
Little Rose, 4, 56
Liverpool, 24, 25, 31, 33, 34, 35, 63, 71, 129, 131, 132
Llanover
Lady, 67, 145
Lockwood
Captain Thomas J., 129
London, 31, 34, 36, 38, 48, 63, 72, 73, 79, 85, 90, 91, 95, 100, 102,
131
Longley
Charles Thomas, 138
Louisiana, 106, 107, 114, 115, 123, 132, 136
Louvre, 38, 40
Lovell
Brigadier General Mansfield, 129
N
Napoleon, 36, 40, 45, 135
III, 136
Louis, 11, 28, 36, 39, 43, 109, 113, 133, 136
Neeld
Lady Caroline, 98
negro, 21, 22, 23, 48
negros, 21, 22, 23
New Orleans, 106, 107, 109, 110, 114, 129, 130, 136
North, 5, 49, 51, 129
Captain, 62, 85, 87
Captain James H., 138
Captain James H., 62
Lord, 134
North Carolina, 4, 5, 15, 129, 142
North Carolina State Archives, 5, 127
Notre Dame, 40
O
O’Neale
John, 8, 115
Old Capitol Boardinghouse, 8
Old Capitol Prison, 8
O'Neale
Ellen, 8
Ord, 21, 27, 130
P
M
Macaulay
Thomas Babington, 125, 134
Machiavelli, 65
Magruder
Commodore George Allen, 138
Helen, 64, 138
Majesty, 42, 43, 68
MALBOROUGH House, 66
Manchester, 102
Marie Antoinette, 39
Marquess of Bristol, 144
Marquis of Salisbury, 144
Mary Queen of Scotts, 71
Maryland, 70
Baltimore, 107, 132
Barnesville, 8
Mason
James Murray, 11, 12, 13, 14, 31, 39, 41, 43, 45, 76, 78, 79, 80,
82, 84, 85, 87, 88, 91, 93, 94, 95, 100, 101, 102, 103, 111, 112,
115, 119, 120, 152
Maximilian I, 136
McFarland, 102
Mexico, 36, 44, 45, 101
Mitchel
John, 29, 41, 125, 133
Montgomery County, Maryland, 8, 115
Mother Cary’s Chickens, 143
Paris, 35, 36, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 46, 48, 61, 62, 63, 67, 135, 138, 145
Parliament, 65, 89, 94, 147
Patti
Adela Juana Maria, 42, 135, 136
Peale
Charles Wilson, 107
Phantom, 16, 24, 129, 131
Pickthorne
Mr. & Mrs., 28
Pinkerton
Allen, 8, 124
Porter
Captain Stephan G., 16, 18, 19, 20, 77, 129
President, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 49, 94, 101, 131, 145
Princess Mathilde, 41, 46
Professor Owen, 67
Q
Queen Ann, 69
Queen Elizabeth, 69
Queens Hotel, 34, 102
R
Raulinson, 65, 88
Page 155 of 157
Rawlings
Mr. & Mrs., 67
Rawlinson
Mr. & Mrs., 52
regiment, 21
religious, 22
Republican, 10
Rev. Newman Hall, 141
Reverend Dr. Jackson, 133
Richard Owen, 139
Richmond, 9, 29, 52, 67, 77, 82, 83, 117, 131, 133, 139, 141, 142,
150, 152
Rodin Museum, 135
Roebuck
John Arthur, 49, 79, 137
Mr. & Mrs., 65, 67, 75, 152
Mrs., 49
Rosatta Maria O’Neale, 8
Rose, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, 26, 31, 33, 35, 38, 42,
43, 48, 51, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 64, 75, 76, 90, 96, 105, 106,
107, 110, 111, 112, 115, 116, 117, 118, 119, 123, 125, 127, 128,
129, 130, 131, 132, 135, 144, 145, 148, 150, 151, 152
Little, 7, 16, 18, 31, 33, 34, 35, 38, 41, 61, 62, 99, 100
Ross
Ishbel, 4
Russell
Lord John, 12, 36, 51, 52, 65, 76, 77, 78, 79, 89, 98, 112, 113,
120, 121, 134, 150
S
San Francisco, 8, 109, 110
San Jacinto, 11, 12, 119, 120
Sandford
Mrs. Medeleine, 7
Scotland, 64, 102, 147
Scott, 103
Secret Service, 8, 137
Seixas
Mr., 16
Mr. J. M., 129
Semmes
Captain Raphael, 87, 91, 94, 121, 122, 125, 130, 145
Senate, 8, 101, 109, 111, 112, 115
Seven Gables, 67
Seward
William, 11, 12, 98, 110, 120, 121, 131
Shakespeare, 67, 68, 69
Sinclair
Captain, 62
First Lieutenant Art hur, 144
Slidell
John, 11, 12, 13, 39, 41, 43, 45, 61, 62, 99, 100, 107, 112, 114,
115, 119, 120, 136, 138
Smith
Captain, 129
soldiers, 21, 40
South, 21, 43, 44, 48, 50, 51, 62, 102
South America, 10
Southerners, 9, 14, 84, 108, 109
Speke
John Hanning, 144
Spence, 63
James, 35, 63, 71, 72, 74, 76, 84, 85, 88, 89, 101, 134
Mrs., 74, 77, 80
Spencer
Cornelia Phillips, 4
Squails, 60, 133
St Marys Chapel, 69
St. George, 21, 24, 25, 130, 132
St. James Palace, 53
St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 8
Stanhope
Earl of, 88, 143
Lady Hester, 54
Lord, 79, 94
Philip Henry, 143
Stansbury
Major Smith, 28, 125, 132
Mrs. Major Smith, 28, 30
steamer, 129, 131, 145
Stephen
Nichol, 143
Stowe
Mrs. Harriet Beecher, 21, 62, 65, 73, 74, 93
Stratford, 69
Sumter
CSS, 106, 130, 132, 136
Swain
Judge, 4
T
The Duke of Argyle, 11
The Elizabeth, 16
Thiers
Louis Adolph, 44, 136
Thomas de Beauchamp, 70
Thorburn
Charles Edmonston, 133
Trenholm
George, 62, 129, 131, 132, 134, 138
Mr., 16
Trent, 11, 12, 112, 113, 115, 119, 120, 125, 136
Trent Affair, 12
U
Union, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 55, 77, 101, 105, 106, 107, 108, 115, 125,
129, 134, 136, 138, 141, 142, 145
United States, 30, 48, 51
University of North Carolina, 4, 107, 125
V
Vandyke, 71
Versailles, 68
Virginia, 70
W
Wales
Prince & Princess of, 53
Walker, 20, 21, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 130
Warwick, 69, 70, 71
Guy, Earl of, 71
Page 156 of 157
Guy, First Earl of, 68
Newburghs, Henry, First Norman Earl of, 70
Second Earl Brook of, 71
Washington, DC, 8, 12
Watts
Richard, 70, 123
West Point, 106, 132
Westbourne Terrace, 77, 142
Westminster, 35, 68
whip, 142
Whitworth
Cannons, 142
Sharpshooters, 142
Sir Joseph, Baronet, 75, 141
Wilkes
Captain, 12, 119, 120, 121
Wilmington, 4, 15, 16, 23, 117, 129, 131, 132
Wilson
3rd Lieutenant Joseph D. “Fighting Joe”, 55, 94, 95, 105, 128,
145, 146
Family History Website, 55
William, 135
WILSON
3rd Lieutenant Joseph D. “Fighting Joe”, 146
Wilson’s Petrel, 60, 143
Wiseman
Cardinal Nicholas, 49, 85, 87, 88, 90, 93, 143
Wolf,
Sir Henry, 54
Wrottesley
John, 2nd Baron, 144
Y
Yankee, 18, 24, 26, 27, 31, 34, 45, 62, 94, 129
Yankees, 6, 17, 23, 44, 51, 101
Yonge
Clarence, 145
Lieutenant Clarence, 62, 94, 145
Z
Zoological Gardens, 94
Page 157 of 157