Very Large Group of Prisoner-of-War Letters between Dr. J.H. Thomas and his Wife

September 17, 2011 Maryland Auction

Lot #: 298

Price Realized: $10,350.00 (Price includes 15% buyer's premium).

Important Large Group of Civil War POW Letters between Dr. John Hanson Thomas and his Wife, Annie C. Thomas, featuring over 150 letters, including over 65 written by John Hanson Thomas, many including original addressed envelopes. Arrested on September 12, 1861, for having secessionist views, Thomas was imprisoned in Forts McHenry, Monroe, LaFayette, and Warren, before ultimately accepting terms of parole in February, 1862. This important intact archive offers newfound insight into the near secession of Maryland at the outset of the Civil War, the experience of high-ranking Confederate-sympathetic political prisoners of war, and the strong Federal presence in Baltimore in 1861. Thomas often candidly expresses his frustrations with the unconstitutionality of his arrest and the Civil War in general and gives his opinions on major events of the day, including the Trent Affair, General Felix Zollicoffer's death, debates in Congress, prisoner exchanges, and abolition. A member of the Maryland legislature, Thomas was among a faction that advocated secession from the Union once Virginia seceded. Fearing Maryland would join the Confederacy and leave the nation's capital surrounded by enemy territory, Major General John A. Dix ordered the arrest of Maryland officials who agreed with any plot to seceed from the Union. Thomas was among the first men arrested on September 12, 1861, imprisoned in Fort McHenry with other high-ranking officials, including Baltimore Mayor George Brown. The following are small excerpts of this lengthy archive of letters written by Thomas from four federal forts:

Fort McHenry-Sept 13 1861- We were informed by Col. Morris that we shall not be here long & he has given us permission to write for clothing &c. I have written in pencil (on my knee) on the other side such articles as I could think of. Send me fifty dollars in gold - lock the trunk & put my name on the key - this letter will be supervised here. Send your note unsealed. We had no beds last night - but are permitted them tomorrow. Quite a good breakfast. If you have a small English dictionary put it in the trunk - Send me half a dozen towels - or perhaps more if you can get them in. Col. Morris has been very civil - send two or three packs of cards -1 Doz. of my new shirts- my three new marino shirts with 4 buttons on the breast - those with 3 are too light. Linen draws- I may require cotton but suppose I can buy them- I am afraid my old cotton ones are worn out. I should like if you have time to get them, three winter under shirts (no 38)- a dozen new pair of socks, 10 1/2 is my number- put in two or three neckties - handkerchiefs- my dark sack coat- the Richmond domestic coat, vest & pants - black frock coat, vest & thick black pants. Also [?] & a light vest - my thick lace up boots & the new pair just sent home- my thick blue over coat, & dressing case & gowns - polished leather shoes- soap- you will find tobacco in my little closet- send it all & the few cigars in the cigar case - gold spectacles - Bible & prayer book - Eliza is accustomed to pack for me - she may suggest something I have left out) night shirts. My trunk will be thoroughly examined when it arrives - so put in nothing objectionable. Wishing & urging you fortitude and hope.

Fortress Monroe - September 15 1861- 7 o'clock- We arrived at the wharf yesterday about 7 1/2 o'clock - where we remained some hours & then anchored a mile or two from the wharf, where we remained until about 5 o'clock & were then brought into the fort & placed in our quarters, which consist of four rooms - about 18 by 16 ft. each - communicating with each other - casemates as they are called. I believe they are of the same character as those occupied by some of the officers & men of the U.S. troops. To these quarters we are confined. We are not allowed to walk in front of our rooms which would be a great relief to us- & it strikes me of no possible danger to the good order of the fort- but of course the General in command has a right to exercise his own discretion on this subject. We use one of our rooms for a mess room- the other three having five iron bedsteads each - rendering us with bunks inconveniently crowded. The iron bedsteads are covered with thin mattresses. I slept only a few hours - rising this morning about 7 o'clock tired & sore- Meals are brought in by colored servants - placed on the table & we then help ourselves. The P. Marshal Capt. Davis has been polite & civil & desires to render us as comfortable as his orders will permit. Our trunks arrived by the morning boat & are now just being examined. God knows how long we shall remain here. We are all well. Our company is an excellent one & I suppose we can get along as well as any other men could who are deprived of their liberty.

Fort La Fayette - October 7 1861- I thought I had in a former letter, given you a pretty good description- as accurate as the Rules would permit - but I will nevertheless try to give you such as you desire. I never saw an orphan asylum, but can imagine it a pretty good resemblance except that there are no guns. Our room is about 20 ft. long by 20 ft. broad containing 5 thirty two pounders - brick floor in cement - ceiling of wood sustained by heavy beams for the battery above & about 12 ft. high - with five huge double doors opening on the fort yard - & has about 37 beds of iron as closely packed as it is possible - leaving a narrow passage way from end to end. Frank Howard is on my right next to the outer wall - Dennison, Harrison & Langston on my left. My head about 8 inches & my feet about 2 1/2 feet from a cannon. Our beds are so near together, that in gathering up our bed clothes through the night - no light being attained after 9 o'clock pm, we sometimes draw over us the blanket of our neighbor. We lead a treadmill life - walk after breakfast, read the newspapers - write - read our letters, read anything else, if we can - sleep - dine- walk & smoke & talk & are locked up at 6 o'clock - go to bed at 9. Strange to say, we get over these days better then you can suppose & except for the newspapers would forget the days of the week & month. I can hardly believe that I have been a "prisoner of state" "political prisoner" or "a citizen prisoner" for nearly a month. The first term was in fact used by the government - the 2nd by Col Morris & the 3rd by our rules here. Our number of prisoners is increasing rapidly here - where they will put them I can't imagine.

Fort La Fayette - October 11 1861 - God bless you for your kind visit - though it left me more disturbed than I have been during my imprisonment. It is wonderful how many of us stand the cold floors without being sick. The weather was so cold yesterday that it was impossible to read near the doors which were open to admit light & too dark in any other part of the room. Confinement here is almost a living death, and as far as I am concerned, after having been in Fort McHenry & Fortress Monroe I should be pleased to be removed to any other place. In packing up anything to send me - put in waste paper or any old thing you can think of- ginger cakes - candles - nicknacks - anything which I have forgotten. Dr. McGill of Hagerstown was offered his release today - but would not take the oath. Here is a distinguished physician & surgeon who had charge of the U.S. Hospital at Hagerstown who operated on their troops - who devoted his time to their sick & wounded without one cent of pay- & yet he is taken up & imprisoned without charge against him - except that he was opposed to the war - can only escape by perjuring himself.

Fort Warren - Nov 22 1861- I have made up my mind. If the North conquers the South & we become subject to their rule - more odious from their antecedents & their present opinions than any other ever established by freemen (free only (perhaps) as far as they are concerned) I shall dispose of what property I have left & emigrate. I do not deny that there are men of generous sentiments & feelings at the North & that it has been a great misfortune, that our diversities of interests, which under proper restraint should have united us, have divided us - but the people of the North & South mutually detest each other. If this is so now and I assure you from persons who have taken pains to ascertain from months of residence in different towns of the North this fact - what will be the state of feeling after the war is over? Perhaps the North thinks the Southern people like whipped spaniels will lick their master's hands!!

Fort Warren - December 11 1861 - The terrapins arrived day before yesterday, & we had them heated about 9 o'clock in the bucket you sent them in, & served out to several rooms containing our friends. I suppose 25 prisoners enjoyed them, & all agreed that they never saw than better dressed. Please remember me to Sibby & say that I feel greatly indebted to her for her kind letter, & her kind wishes. I showed it to several of our immediate friends and they greatly appreciated it. I hope that Genl. McClellan will not forget his promise, & that Tom Donaldson's opinion that the Legislature will demand our unconditional release may prove correct. We have been greatly amused for the last two or three days at the game of fort ball which Col Dimmick kindly permitted them to play. Raleigh and Doug will understand how amusing it must be when 150 men are running, kicking & screaming after two balls - followed {by} a large young dog who in all the crowd follows the ball - first one & then the other - giving it a bite whenever he reaches it regardless of all the accidental kicks - His name is Ely.

Fort Warren - Xmas Eve 1861 - I am here & we are separated for the first time in twenty seven years at this season. History will decide upon our imprisonment - there I leave it. Last night (in fear of keeping our good things too long) we had the boned turkey - capital it was. Tonight we shall heat the terrapins. Tell Sibby I expect them to beat all creation. We have received an avalanche of good things - literally a cart load of turkeys, hams, pickles &c. & I was grateful to find my tenant amongst the 130 contributors. We shall up & make all hearts glad tomorrow. Mrs. Brown sent from Boston today wreathes, & ropes of evergreens, & we have been decorating our room with them since dinner. In the centre of the ceiling we have a holly bush & two circles of evergreens descending - From the holly, four evergreen ropes extend to each corner & over the mantle piece is a circle of evergreens with red berries interspersed. Your observation about the plans of the administration are perfectly correct. We know not what a day may bring forth. But every body seems determined to be merry on Xmas Eve & so I stop- with my best love & a few drops of my heart's blood if I could send it to all of my dear family.

Annie C. Thomas, Dr. John Hanson Thomas's wife, remained at home in Baltimore, anxious over her husband's imprisonment. She wrote him almost-daily, soul-baring letters, often filling multiple pages with news of more arrests and military deaths, her Confederate sympathy, and pleadings for his cause from Baltimore. The following are a few excerpts of the lengthy letters written by Thomas to her husband:

Baltimore Sept. 20th 1861- I am so disturbed to find you do not receive my letters that I am going to write Maj Belger to find why it is. I certainly have not written anything to offend as that would not only be un-ladylike but could defeat the purpose for which I write. I was told by a friend today that every servant in our house was a spy, but even if it were so it does not give me one moment's trouble, for there is really & truly not one thing in this house which is contraband. I was told too that it was thought that I would be arrested as a number of ladies were to be. You know how little I meddle with politics & how moderate I am. My heart jumped in my mouth when I heard it. It is reported that Reverdy Johnson had you all arrested. Dr. Robinson's house was searched & papers taken but thus far has escaped tho they are in pursuit of him.

October 27th - Emily Brown came in yesterday with Mr.Brooks letter to tell the good news of your removal to a room with a fire & a plank floor. Certainly this is a time when we are grateful for small favors. We observe by the Herald that the Government is going to make you more comfortable. I presume that Charlotte's mission has brought this about. When she told Mr. Lincoln of your situation he said "do prisoners expect such furniture & comforts as surround me ?" I should certainly have told him that you have been used to it all your life and he had not been. I am afraid Col. Burke will think this very impudent & perhaps will not let it pass but as it is my first offense I hope he will overlook it. I heard last night that Dr. Marshall, a son of James K died some weeks ago. He was wounded in the Bull Run battle. I expect he was the one who lived here awhile. The community seems to feel your arrest more than all the others. The colored population are in a state of indignation. John Jones expresses himself loudly - Bishop Payne (colored) had prayers for you and your family last week & many colored persons pray for you. I wonder what the abolitionists would think of this?

Nov 13th- The only request I have ever made to any of your superiors was made when I sent my birthday letter. I wrote Col. Burke a polite note asking him to be kind enough to pass that letter without opening it, as there was nothing against the Government. I feel satisfied, if I had written Col. Dimmick he would have treated me as a lady & would have granted my request. It is a strange reality when gentlemen allow ladies to make requests and feel no hesitation in refusing. However I ought not to complain when you are certainly under the hands of a Christian gentlemen. Why do all of our letters come open to us? I think it bad enough for officers to read what we write without wanting Post Masters to do likewise. Your box of nice things was sent by Tom Winchester. We are all very uneasy lest you should return them tho I never supposed you could do such an ungentlemanly thing. It was reported that none of the gentlemen would accept any thing "from a Massachusetts man". Mr. Marshall called here on Monday to say he had just learned we had heard some disagreeable remark he had made the day you were arrested. He was said to have called you a d----d rebel. He denied it most flatly, & said he had always had the highest regard for us both because we had treated him so kindly.

Baltimore Nov 15th - This our wedding day will not pass as gloomily as I expected for I was told twice yesterday by responsible gentlemen that your release was near at hand and I believe it firmly.This is the day set aside by President Davis for fasting and prayer. I am delighted that it should be a day of such moment to us. I and all the children intend going to Church which is always open on Friday. All the Maryland Club will be going. J.W. Rankin intends praying for the President of the Southern Confederacy. I hear John Woods stands at the Church door & insults him as he comes out, & has vowed vengeance towards him.

Dec 29th - The Mason & Slidell business does not seem to depress our friends. We will yet reap a benefit from it. The stone blockade is a disgrace to the Nation. I feel ashamed even now to hail from the N. States as the English will have such a contempt for us. If you are offered your parole for 30 days will you take it - Mr. George says I should urge you to do so.

Feb. 22nd 1862 - I am in such a state of excitement that I cannot contain my thoughts -The papers say you & others are to be released today - Friends have flocked in to congratulate & I am still uncertain whether you are going to accept the parole or not. Your friends seem to desire you to do so. Mrs. Warfield was here in a quiet state of uncertainty about her husband & I hope he will come out if you do. Now that there is some hope of seeing you I can't get over my disappointment if you should remain, tho the parole does not read agreeably to me - This has been a day of days here with the Northern soldiers passing- The monument dressed with great expense. The flags are for Genl. Washington & the red, white & red flowers for Jeff Davis & myself. Thousands of people & soldiers surround as I feel my heart glowing for Jeff Davis & his Southern cause. God bless you & direct you. Your devoted wife - Annie C. Thomas I got a call from the gentleman who lives on corner of Hamilton & Cathedral. He called to give me more cheering news - I get all of your letters.

Maryland history well remembers the imprisonment of public figures, who were sympathetic to the Confederacy, while suspending Constitutional due process. This archive offers an extremely rare personal glimpse at one well-known Baltimore figure, who was arrested at this time. Shedding new light on Maryland Civil War politics as well as the personal experience of Civil War prisoners of war, this archive offers previously undocumented evidence of a nation torn apart, experienced first-hand by a family, a city, and a state. All in good to excellent condition.