https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/2629860.0017.105/--secret-treason-of-abraham-lincolns-brother-in-law?rgn=main;view=fulltext
The Secret Treason of Abraham Lincoln's Brother-in-Law
MARK E. NEELY, JR.
Montgomery Ala April 18th 1862
Hon. J. P. Benjamin[7]
Secy of War
Dear Sir
Please allow me to draw your attention to my case which I suppose is not entirely unknown to you. I will be as brief as circumstances will allow. I came into the Confederacy from Cincinnati about the 12th of Feby last for purposes which when explained I think can be made entirely satisfactory. When the southern troops retired from Bowling Green I traveled with the army to Huntsville where I joined Col B. Hardin Helm of first Ky Cav (he being a Brother in Law) and remained in his quarters for 8 or 10 days. When we arrived at Courtland the inclemency of the weather had been such as to seriously impair my health, I took rail and went to Memphis to [illeg.]. In about one week I felt able to rejoin Col Helm who I supposed by that time would be at Corinth. On my arrival there I reported myself to Genl Johnston [8] & produced evidence to him satisfactory that Page [End Page 41] I was true to the interests of the Confederacy. I remained in Corinth twenty days, during which time the Battle of Shiloh [9] was fought, I was on the field during the whole time assisting Drs Fenner & Compton at the La hospital. I lost a brother in Law (Sam B. Todd of N.O.) in the Crescent Regiment. I continued to assist in the La hospital till the 12th inst on the morning of which day I applied to Genl Beauregard [10] to carry out the promise of Genl Johnston to give me a pass to go north after the Battle the Battle was over. I received a note from him in reply—saying, the power to grant such papers rested with you & suggested that I should retire from the Army. Whilst I was preparing to comply I was sent for by Col Smith commandant of the post & informed that he was ordered by Genl Bragg[11] to furnish me with transportation to this place. I was placed on the cars by Col Smith without papers of any kind; on my own reconoiscence [sic] to report to maj Calhoun at Montgomery. On my arrival at Mobile I voluntarily reported myself to Genl Jones[12] who placed me under guard & sent me here to the Provost Marshal who in turn handed me over to the jailer where I remain incarcerated with felons & murderers & on rations purchaseable at forty cents per day! There is evidently some great mistake in this matter, at least if this has been done under the impression that en enemy of the south has been arrested. Messrs Pugh [13], Vallandigham[14] & many others of my state can testify to the persecutions I have borne at the north for my sympathies with the South in her present struggle. But I will not speculate as to the cause of my arrest. It may have seemed sufficient to those who ordered it. to me it is not entirely clear. Judge Alex Walker, T. O., Sully & Maj W H McCardle who met me at Corinth will probably endorse my statements. I presume you can hardly call me to mind altho twenty five years ago you prosecuted some claims for me in N. Orleans. I have had the pleasure of meeting you but once or twice since that time, but your public career has been Page [End Page 42] watched by me with a great deal of interest since your announcement in Congress that you would hereafter be found acting with the Democratic Party.[15] My admiration for your great speech on the right of secession caused me to write to you for a few copies which you may recollect having promptly complied with my request.[16]
I now appeal to you to have all papers & evidence to sustain any charges against me if there are any sent to Richmond and myself ordered there for defence. I have letters to the Hon R M T Hunter,[17] Knox Walker, Rev E W Shore, & others from Dr. A S. Dandridge of Cincinnati, who has known me for many years & up to the hour I left home. But it is useless to make out a case now. I appeal to you for a speedy hearing & release from this style of confinement Let me beg of you to reply by Telegraph & not be subjected to the delay & uncertainty of mails.
I fear the length of this communication will be objectionable & will therefore close by repeating the request that you will order me to Richmond for examination.
With high regard I remain
Respectfully yours
Charles H. Kellogg Page [End Page 43]
The Secret Treason of Abraham Lincoln's Brother-in-Law
MARK E. NEELY, JR.
Montgomery Ala April 18th 1862
Hon. J. P. Benjamin[7]
Secy of War
Dear Sir
Please allow me to draw your attention to my case which I suppose is not entirely unknown to you. I will be as brief as circumstances will allow. I came into the Confederacy from Cincinnati about the 12th of Feby last for purposes which when explained I think can be made entirely satisfactory. When the southern troops retired from Bowling Green I traveled with the army to Huntsville where I joined Col B. Hardin Helm of first Ky Cav (he being a Brother in Law) and remained in his quarters for 8 or 10 days. When we arrived at Courtland the inclemency of the weather had been such as to seriously impair my health, I took rail and went to Memphis to [illeg.]. In about one week I felt able to rejoin Col Helm who I supposed by that time would be at Corinth. On my arrival there I reported myself to Genl Johnston [8] & produced evidence to him satisfactory that Page [End Page 41] I was true to the interests of the Confederacy. I remained in Corinth twenty days, during which time the Battle of Shiloh [9] was fought, I was on the field during the whole time assisting Drs Fenner & Compton at the La hospital. I lost a brother in Law (Sam B. Todd of N.O.) in the Crescent Regiment. I continued to assist in the La hospital till the 12th inst on the morning of which day I applied to Genl Beauregard [10] to carry out the promise of Genl Johnston to give me a pass to go north after the Battle the Battle was over. I received a note from him in reply—saying, the power to grant such papers rested with you & suggested that I should retire from the Army. Whilst I was preparing to comply I was sent for by Col Smith commandant of the post & informed that he was ordered by Genl Bragg[11] to furnish me with transportation to this place. I was placed on the cars by Col Smith without papers of any kind; on my own reconoiscence [sic] to report to maj Calhoun at Montgomery. On my arrival at Mobile I voluntarily reported myself to Genl Jones[12] who placed me under guard & sent me here to the Provost Marshal who in turn handed me over to the jailer where I remain incarcerated with felons & murderers & on rations purchaseable at forty cents per day! There is evidently some great mistake in this matter, at least if this has been done under the impression that en enemy of the south has been arrested. Messrs Pugh [13], Vallandigham[14] & many others of my state can testify to the persecutions I have borne at the north for my sympathies with the South in her present struggle. But I will not speculate as to the cause of my arrest. It may have seemed sufficient to those who ordered it. to me it is not entirely clear. Judge Alex Walker, T. O., Sully & Maj W H McCardle who met me at Corinth will probably endorse my statements. I presume you can hardly call me to mind altho twenty five years ago you prosecuted some claims for me in N. Orleans. I have had the pleasure of meeting you but once or twice since that time, but your public career has been Page [End Page 42] watched by me with a great deal of interest since your announcement in Congress that you would hereafter be found acting with the Democratic Party.[15] My admiration for your great speech on the right of secession caused me to write to you for a few copies which you may recollect having promptly complied with my request.[16]
I now appeal to you to have all papers & evidence to sustain any charges against me if there are any sent to Richmond and myself ordered there for defence. I have letters to the Hon R M T Hunter,[17] Knox Walker, Rev E W Shore, & others from Dr. A S. Dandridge of Cincinnati, who has known me for many years & up to the hour I left home. But it is useless to make out a case now. I appeal to you for a speedy hearing & release from this style of confinement Let me beg of you to reply by Telegraph & not be subjected to the delay & uncertainty of mails.
I fear the length of this communication will be objectionable & will therefore close by repeating the request that you will order me to Richmond for examination.
With high regard I remain
Respectfully yours
Charles H. Kellogg Page [End Page 43]
https://quod.lib.umich.edu/j/jala/2629860.0017.105/--secret-treason-of-abraham-lincolns-brother-in-law?rgn=main;view=fulltext
The Secret Treason of Abraham Lincoln's Brother-in-Law
MARK E. NEELY, JR.
Montgomery Ala April 18th 1862
Hon. J. P. Benjamin[7]
Secy of War
Dear Sir
Please allow me to draw your attention to my case which I suppose is not entirely unknown to you. I will be as brief as circumstances will allow. I came into the Confederacy from Cincinnati about the 12th of Feby last for purposes which when explained I think can be made entirely satisfactory. When the southern troops retired from Bowling Green I traveled with the army to Huntsville where I joined Col B. Hardin Helm of first Ky Cav (he being a Brother in Law) and remained in his quarters for 8 or 10 days. When we arrived at Courtland the inclemency of the weather had been such as to seriously impair my health, I took rail and went to Memphis to [illeg.]. In about one week I felt able to rejoin Col Helm who I supposed by that time would be at Corinth. On my arrival there I reported myself to Genl Johnston [8] & produced evidence to him satisfactory that Page [End Page 41] I was true to the interests of the Confederacy. I remained in Corinth twenty days, during which time the Battle of Shiloh [9] was fought, I was on the field during the whole time assisting Drs Fenner & Compton at the La hospital. I lost a brother in Law (Sam B. Todd of N.O.) in the Crescent Regiment. I continued to assist in the La hospital till the 12th inst on the morning of which day I applied to Genl Beauregard [10] to carry out the promise of Genl Johnston to give me a pass to go north after the Battle the Battle was over. I received a note from him in reply—saying, the power to grant such papers rested with you & suggested that I should retire from the Army. Whilst I was preparing to comply I was sent for by Col Smith commandant of the post & informed that he was ordered by Genl Bragg[11] to furnish me with transportation to this place. I was placed on the cars by Col Smith without papers of any kind; on my own reconoiscence [sic] to report to maj Calhoun at Montgomery. On my arrival at Mobile I voluntarily reported myself to Genl Jones[12] who placed me under guard & sent me here to the Provost Marshal who in turn handed me over to the jailer where I remain incarcerated with felons & murderers & on rations purchaseable at forty cents per day! There is evidently some great mistake in this matter, at least if this has been done under the impression that en enemy of the south has been arrested. Messrs Pugh [13], Vallandigham[14] & many others of my state can testify to the persecutions I have borne at the north for my sympathies with the South in her present struggle. But I will not speculate as to the cause of my arrest. It may have seemed sufficient to those who ordered it. to me it is not entirely clear. Judge Alex Walker, T. O., Sully & Maj W H McCardle who met me at Corinth will probably endorse my statements. I presume you can hardly call me to mind altho twenty five years ago you prosecuted some claims for me in N. Orleans. I have had the pleasure of meeting you but once or twice since that time, but your public career has been Page [End Page 42] watched by me with a great deal of interest since your announcement in Congress that you would hereafter be found acting with the Democratic Party.[15] My admiration for your great speech on the right of secession caused me to write to you for a few copies which you may recollect having promptly complied with my request.[16]
I now appeal to you to have all papers & evidence to sustain any charges against me if there are any sent to Richmond and myself ordered there for defence. I have letters to the Hon R M T Hunter,[17] Knox Walker, Rev E W Shore, & others from Dr. A S. Dandridge of Cincinnati, who has known me for many years & up to the hour I left home. But it is useless to make out a case now. I appeal to you for a speedy hearing & release from this style of confinement Let me beg of you to reply by Telegraph & not be subjected to the delay & uncertainty of mails.
I fear the length of this communication will be objectionable & will therefore close by repeating the request that you will order me to Richmond for examination.
With high regard I remain
Respectfully yours
Charles H. Kellogg Page [End Page 43]
The Secret Treason of Abraham Lincoln's Brother-in-Law
MARK E. NEELY, JR.
Montgomery Ala April 18th 1862
Hon. J. P. Benjamin[7]
Secy of War
Dear Sir
Please allow me to draw your attention to my case which I suppose is not entirely unknown to you. I will be as brief as circumstances will allow. I came into the Confederacy from Cincinnati about the 12th of Feby last for purposes which when explained I think can be made entirely satisfactory. When the southern troops retired from Bowling Green I traveled with the army to Huntsville where I joined Col B. Hardin Helm of first Ky Cav (he being a Brother in Law) and remained in his quarters for 8 or 10 days. When we arrived at Courtland the inclemency of the weather had been such as to seriously impair my health, I took rail and went to Memphis to [illeg.]. In about one week I felt able to rejoin Col Helm who I supposed by that time would be at Corinth. On my arrival there I reported myself to Genl Johnston [8] & produced evidence to him satisfactory that Page [End Page 41] I was true to the interests of the Confederacy. I remained in Corinth twenty days, during which time the Battle of Shiloh [9] was fought, I was on the field during the whole time assisting Drs Fenner & Compton at the La hospital. I lost a brother in Law (Sam B. Todd of N.O.) in the Crescent Regiment. I continued to assist in the La hospital till the 12th inst on the morning of which day I applied to Genl Beauregard [10] to carry out the promise of Genl Johnston to give me a pass to go north after the Battle the Battle was over. I received a note from him in reply—saying, the power to grant such papers rested with you & suggested that I should retire from the Army. Whilst I was preparing to comply I was sent for by Col Smith commandant of the post & informed that he was ordered by Genl Bragg[11] to furnish me with transportation to this place. I was placed on the cars by Col Smith without papers of any kind; on my own reconoiscence [sic] to report to maj Calhoun at Montgomery. On my arrival at Mobile I voluntarily reported myself to Genl Jones[12] who placed me under guard & sent me here to the Provost Marshal who in turn handed me over to the jailer where I remain incarcerated with felons & murderers & on rations purchaseable at forty cents per day! There is evidently some great mistake in this matter, at least if this has been done under the impression that en enemy of the south has been arrested. Messrs Pugh [13], Vallandigham[14] & many others of my state can testify to the persecutions I have borne at the north for my sympathies with the South in her present struggle. But I will not speculate as to the cause of my arrest. It may have seemed sufficient to those who ordered it. to me it is not entirely clear. Judge Alex Walker, T. O., Sully & Maj W H McCardle who met me at Corinth will probably endorse my statements. I presume you can hardly call me to mind altho twenty five years ago you prosecuted some claims for me in N. Orleans. I have had the pleasure of meeting you but once or twice since that time, but your public career has been Page [End Page 42] watched by me with a great deal of interest since your announcement in Congress that you would hereafter be found acting with the Democratic Party.[15] My admiration for your great speech on the right of secession caused me to write to you for a few copies which you may recollect having promptly complied with my request.[16]
I now appeal to you to have all papers & evidence to sustain any charges against me if there are any sent to Richmond and myself ordered there for defence. I have letters to the Hon R M T Hunter,[17] Knox Walker, Rev E W Shore, & others from Dr. A S. Dandridge of Cincinnati, who has known me for many years & up to the hour I left home. But it is useless to make out a case now. I appeal to you for a speedy hearing & release from this style of confinement Let me beg of you to reply by Telegraph & not be subjected to the delay & uncertainty of mails.
I fear the length of this communication will be objectionable & will therefore close by repeating the request that you will order me to Richmond for examination.
With high regard I remain
Respectfully yours
Charles H. Kellogg Page [End Page 43]
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