‘hope of America’ at Antietam
President Lincoln stopped in Frederick, Maryland on his way back to the nation’s capital after vising General McClellan and the Army of the Potomac at Antietam. Our correspondent saw the brief storm that hit Frederick during the president’s visit as sort of an omen – “our dark day of sorrow” will pass. President Lincoln is also taking the long view – this stormy war will be worth it for the next thousand generations.
From The New-York Times October 5, 1862:
AN OVATION TO THE PRESIDENT.; Enthusiastic Reception in Frederick on His Return to Washington. Two Brief Speeches Made by Him.
WASHINGTON, Saturday, Oct. 4.
We have received the following dispatch from our special correspondent, dated FREDERICK, Md., Saturday, Oct. 4.
The President’s visit to Frederick was one of the most joyous and enthusiastic ever witnessed in this city, and must have presented a startling contrast to those who, but a few days ago, saw the Union flag trailed in the dust at the feet of rebels’ horses.
Lincoln and McClellan inspected South Mountain
The town was in great excitement a great part of yesterday, and to-day also, momentarily expecting the President’s arrival. He was accompanied today by Gen. MCCLELLAN and Staff to the South Mountain, where, after a minute survey of the battle-field, the parties separated, the President proceeding, with his escort, to this place.
He arrived in Frederick this evening at 4 2/4, accompanied by Maj.-Gen. McClernand, Col. L.S. Marther, Chief of Artillery, of McClellan’s Staff; Capt. W. Rives, Aid to McClellan; Capt. Derrickson, of the One Hundred and Fiftieth Pennsylvania; John W. Garrett, President of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; Marshal Lamon, of the District of Colombia; Hon. O.M. Hatch; Secretary of State, or Illinois; J.P. Kennedy, Superintendent of the Census, and a body of cavalry. The party entered Frederick by Patrick-street, passed through Court and Church streets, and then stopped at Mrs. RAMSEY’s house, to see Gen. HARTSUFF, who was wounded at Antietam. Here the President, being called on, made the following speech:
recuperating at Mrs. Ramsey’s
“In my present position it is hardly proper for me to make speeches. Every word is so closely noted that it will not do to make trivial ones, and I cannot be expected to be prepared to make a matured one just now. If I were as I have been most of my life, I might, perhaps, talk amusing to you for half an hour, and it wouldn’t hurt anybody; but as it is, I can only return my sincere thanks for the compliment paid our cause and our common country.”
From this place they proceeded along First-street: then down Market-street to the railway station, where hundreds were congregated, cheering vociferously, and the windows everywhere crowded with a most excited and enthusiastic crowd — the ladies especially exhibiting every symptom of delight.
Just at this period the sky became overcast with clouds of inky blackness, and a tornado came up, sending the dust in blinding gusts, and accompanied by a short but heavy rain. By the time the President reached the Station it had already blown over — ominous of the brightness that is to succeed our dark day of sorrow.
At the Station, being loudly called for, he made the following remarks:
bequeathed ‘glorious institutions’ for the next thousand generations
FELLOW-CITIZENS: I see myself surrounded by soldiers, and a little further off I note the citizens of this good city of Frederick, anxious to hear something from me. I can only say, as I did five minutes ago, it is not proper for me to make speeches in my present position. I return thanks to our soldiers for the good service they have rendered, for the energies they have shown, the hardships they have endured, and the blood they have so nobly shed for this dear Union of ours; and I also return thanks not only to the soldiers, but to the good citizens of Maryland, and to all the good men and women in this land, for their devotion to our glorious cause. I say this without any malice in my heart, to those who may have done otherwise. May our children and our children’s children to a thousand generations continue to enjoy the benefits conferred upon us by a united country, and have cause yet to rejoice under those glorious institutions bequeathed us by WASHINGTON and his compeers. Now my friends, soldiers and citizens, I can only say once more, farewell.
At the conclusion of this speech, which was delivered standing at the end of the car, the President, entered amid the acclamations of the crowd, and the train moved off. Once again he appeared, waving his hat, and continued doing so until the train was lost in the distance.
“Three cheers for the hope of America,” was called out by one stentorian voice in front of Mrs. RAMSEY’s house, and the reception which our President received here shows that that is the estimate put upon him by the good people of Frederick, and indeed the whole of Maryland.
famous Frederick Unionist
mythic incident symbolizing Northern patriotic sentiment in Frederick
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Barbara Fritchie died in December 1862 at the age of 96.
George Lucas Hartsuff was born in Tyre, New York in Seneca County in 1830. His family moved to Michigan in 1842. Hartstuff graduated from West Point in 1842. The 48th Pennsylvania Infantry discusses Hartstuff at Antietam. The wound to his left hip took eight months to heal. He was unable to walk until February, 1863.
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‘and now he wants me to show him South Mountain’
