CHAPTER IV
SPIRTUALISM AND WAR
I was lecturing in Albany, in April,
1861, when the war of the Rebellion broke out. It is well known that the
northern people expected that the President’s first call for troops to
the number of 75,000 men would quickly end the “little fuss” down south,
and that, taken all in all, the war would soon be over. The first battle
of Bull Run made the northern people acquainted with the fact that no
easy victory awaited them. At the close of my evening lecture, the
Sunday following this disastrous battle to the north, a gentleman asked
this question: “How long will this conflict continue?” Our spirit
friends made the reply, “That it would continue four years, and that it
would require five practically to end it.” This was a distinctly
prophetic statement which after events fully verified.
At the time no one
believed or supposed it possible that a war could be maintained in this
country for that length of time, particularly an internal war, and the
statement of the spirits created much discussion.
More than a year had passed away. I
was still speaking for the society when I was summoned home to bid a
brief farewell to my father and brothers, all four of whom had enlisted
and were about to start for the front. After much consideration it was
decided best for my mother to break up her home and return with me to
Albany to remain until my father’s return, if he should be so fortunate
as to escape the ill fortunes of war. The last evening, before the
company in which my father and brothers were enlisted started for the
front, we passes together at the house of a friend, and a parting circle
was held. Our spirit friends gave us every encouragement, assuring us
that they foresaw that all four would return in safety to their homes.
A spirit purporting
to be a Dr. Bamford, whom my father had known in earlier years,
controlled me, and in his quaint “down East” dialect assured my father
that the next time he had the pleasure of talking with him would be on
Virginia soil. This astounding statement surprised all present, and none
more so than myself, when informed of his words; for I had no possible
way of visiting the army, no desire to do so, and had no thoughts of any
conditions that could by
chance bring about a meeting with my father in that distant State.
However, time passed on.
(In August, 1862, while my friend,
Miss Hannum, and myself were sitting in our room in Albany, a powerful
influence came over me, and I was “controlled” to speak to her for
nearly an hour, the purport of which was that there was a “congress of
spirits” in the spirit life, composed of the leading public men who had
passed away from earth, who were still interested in and guiding with
care the affairs of the nation as perfectly as in their power; that it
was imperatively necessary that they should communicate with President
Lincoln; and they desired me to make arrangements to go to Washington
and seek an immediate interview with him, assuring us that we would be
well received and kindly treated; and that we should tell the President
how we came to visit him, assuring us that we would have no cause to
regret immediate obedience. When I awoke and learned the purport of the
message we talked over the matter earnestly, but could not bring
ourselves to follow the suggestion; and although the matter was
repeatedly referred to by our spirit friends thereafter, we refused to
comply with their wishes then, which fact was due to a knowledge of
unpleasant experiences which had been the reward of other Spiritualists
who had followed
Was Abraham
Lincoln a Spiritualist? |
similar directions, and who
encountered woeful disappointments; and we therefore concluded that two
bedraggled young damsels upon a spiritual mission would find but poor
reception in the presence of the first ruler of the land.)
It was in the
following November, the first week of the month, that I received two
letters in the same mail, one from Washington A. Danskin, Baltimore,
Md., asking me to speak for his society during the following month,
December; the other from my youngest brother, who informed me that he
was sick in the hospital at Alexandria, and that unless he could obtain
a furlough and reach home and receive the care needed he would certainly
die; that it was impossible to obtain a furlough save through the
actions of friends. The letter from my brother decided me to accept the
proffered engagement in Baltimore. I laid the case before the officers of our society, and they willingly
released me from my duties; and leaving my mother and Miss Hannum
together, housekeeping, as we had been since my father’s enlistment, I
started for Baltimore.
During the first week of my stay in
Baltimore I made inquiries regarding the presence of any Spiritualists
in Washington through whose aid I would be able to undertake my
difficult mission regarding my brother. I was informed that Thos. Gales
Foster, a well-known and most eminent speaker in our ranks, had recently
taken a position as clerk in the War Department, and that he had resided
with his family in that city. Obtaining a letter of introduction to him,
I made my way to Washington and presented myself at Mr. Foster’s house.
I was given a most cordial welcome and a place in the household, to
remain until the result of my proposed efforts could be known.
The following day,
Mr. Foster presented me to the then Assistant Secretary, Mr. Tucker. I
told him what my brother had written, and expressed a desire to go to
him at Alexandria. He heard me kindly, gave me an order for a pass, and
directed where to obtain it. Everybody knows that all official business
in the city of Washington is transacted between the hours of nine in the
morning and three in the afternoon. By the time this had been
accomplished it was too late to think of going to Alexandria that day.
The next morning Mr. Foster accompanied me to the office where I was
given a permit, and going on board the Alexandria boat I was soon at my
destination. A number of rickety-looking vehicles standing on the wharf
bore the legend, “To the Camp”.
Entering one of them I was driven to
the broad gates leading to the encampment. A sea of tents arose on every side; it
looked like a vast city of white canvas. I confess to a feeling of timidity and dread; but, approaching a sentry, inquired for
the Connecticut Division, as I
had been advised at Washington. Every kindness and politeness were shown
me, and I was passed from hand to hand until I reached the tent of the
Commanding Officer of the
Connecticut troops quartered there in the hospital. I stated my errand, and desired to see my
brother. The officer in charge treated me with consideration, and told
me he would give me the use of his tent for our meeting, as the quarters
of the men were hardly suitable for a lady to enter. In a few moments he
returned with my brother, who was leaning heavily upon his cane, and
whose appearance fully proclaimed his debilitated condition. I leave the
reader to judge of the meeting that followed; nor did it at the time
seem strange that I, a mere girl in years, was there amid that vast
array of tents filled with sick and weary soldiers, alone and unguarded
save by that same power that had thus far tenderly guided my life.
Was Abraham
Lincoln a Spiritualist? |
My brother informed me that the
routine requisite for the examination before the board of surgeons that
daily met on the hill was the issuing number of tickets, and as the
numbers were called, the holders were brought before the board,
examined, and either remanded back to their quarters or recommended to a
furlough. He stated that he had many times received a ticket, but his
number was never reached before the board adjourned.
Leaving with him
the fruit I had brought, and bidding him to be of good cheer, I walked
up the hill to the modern brick house on its’ summit where the surgeons’
headquarters were established. I inquired for Dr. Curtis, and was
informed very curtly “that he could not be seen.” Feeling timid in the
presence of so many pert young officers, who seemed to be doing nothing,
I stated the case of my brother. His name was taken down, and I was
informed that he should have a ticket in the morning, which would bring
him before the board of examination. Feeling that I had achieved all
that was necessary I returned to my brother, and informed him of the
result. He said, “It will do me no good, Nettie; it is only a repetition
of what has happened every day for weeks past.” I replied, “I will be
down tomorrow and see.” Returning to Washington by the last boat, my
friends were informed of my work and its results. They felt confident of my success,
feeling I was being led “by
those who would insure success.”
That evening quite a number of people
gathered at Mr. Foster’s, and we held a spiritual séance. I was introduced to
quite a number of prominent
people, among them the Hon. D.E. Somes, ex-member of Congress from
Biddeford, Maine; Mr. Cranston Laurie,
for many years statistician for the Post Office Department, and a Judge
Hoar of the Interior Department.
Mr. Foster became
entranced and gave us one of his grandly eloquent discourses, and at its
close he turned to me and assured me that success awaited my efforts in
regard to my brother, BUT THAT, “I HAD OTHER AND GREATER WORK TO DO IN THAT
CITY.” I thought very little at the time, of the latter part of his
prediction, my mind being wholly centred on the purpose of getting
brother home. The next day I returned to Alexandria and found that the
board of examining surgeons had met and again adjourned after examining
a number of patients. Brother had received his ticket, but his name had
not been called. He was disappointed and disheartened. I again visited
the Headquarters of Surgeon-General Curtis, and explained that my
brother’s case had not received attention. I was treated politely, but
in a manner that showed me that no interest was taken in the affair.
Amid the thousands around them one case was of no more interest than
another. Feeling for the first time somewhat apprehensive, I returned to Washington. This being
Friday, I was compelled to
return to Baltimore on Saturday, to be in readiness for Sunday’s labour
in that city.
On Monday morning, by an early train,
I returned to Washington. On reaching the home of my friends, the
Fosters, I found that Mr. Foster had already gone to his office in the
War Department. I therefore awaited his coming home to dinner before
taking any further steps. He counselled that I should see Assistant
Secretary Tucker, and state
the case to him. As it was then too late in the day to do so, I was obliged to defer
my call on the secretary until the next day.
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Lincoln a Spiritualist? |
During the evening we had a quiet,
pleasant circle whereat Mr. Foster informed me that during my
entrancement I was controlled by a powerful spirit, who, in Mr. Foster’s
language, appeared to know exactly what he was about, and that this
influence declared that my efforts in regard to my brother would be
successful and that he could be on his way home in twenty-four hours,
depending upon my following the spirit’s direction, which was to go to
Abraham Lincoln and say to him that I had been directed to come, as a
crisis in affairs was approaching and that he had important revelations
to make, which would aid him materially in an adjustment. The spirit
gave assurance that I should be well received, and that Mr. Lincoln
would simplify the matter of
my brother’s requirements and relieve me of further anxiety, and if I did not follow the spirit’s directions I
would meet with many disappointments and annoyances, as it was then
decided that I should not leave Washington until the spirit had obtained
the desired interview with Mr Lincoln before the dawn of the new year,
and with
or
without my
consent that he would bring about such a meeting in his own way.
Mr. Foster talked with me long and
earnestly with me on the subject, and I told that I had once before been
directed in a similar manner to seek the President- of my sensitiveness
in the matter, giving the reasons for not obeying. I added that I felt
Mr. Lincoln would be justified in handing me over to the police, as an
escaped lunatic, should I go to him upon so strange an errand. At that
time Mr. Foster did not know President Lincoln, but had seen him many
times; he nevertheless assured me that I should not hesitate, and
offered to go with me if I would obey the spirit’s direction. I again
flatly refused, which afterwards had good cause to regret.
Reaching the office
at ten o’clock the next day, my disappointment was great to find Mr.
Tucker was not at his office. I waited an hour, but still he did not
come, and leaving, returned at two o’clock, when he received me with the
same kindly manner that had characterised him from the first; and,
having heard my story, he took up the white envelope lying upon his
desk, and rapidly wrote the following words: “The surgeon commanding
will give his immediate attention to the case of A.S.Colburn, sixteenth
Conn. Regt. Per order Secretary of War.” Folding this envelope, he
handed it to me, saying: “ I think this will be all you require.” The
following morning I started
for Alexandria. I found no
change in the situation, save that my brother was more feeble, and I
went at once to headquarters and inquired for Dr. Curtis.
I was told he had
returned to the city; that it was impossible to see him or any of his
staff. Not knowing the all-potent weapon I carried in my pocket, in the
shape of a simple envelope, I retreated before the forbidding appearance
of the clerks, who had come to remember me and my frequent application.
Going to my brother, I comforted him as well as I could, promising him I
would come by an earlier boat on the next day.
Thursday saw me
again at Alexandria, and on this occasion I was told that no more
sessions were to be held at this camp; that the camp was about to be
moved to new quarters, several miles distant; and that the board would
not meet again at this point. Feeling sick and discouraged, it required
all my powers of mind and body to encourage my brother and bid him hope
for some more favourable turn in affairs. Leaving him with the
delicacies I had brought, hoping to tempt his appetite, I returned to
Washington, dispirited and disheartened. Mr. Foster advised me to see Mr. Tucker in
the morning. On Friday morning I presented myself before him, and the
sight of my
Was Abraham
Lincoln a Spiritualist? |
rueful face caused him to ask with
some concern if my brother was released. I stated to him the
discouragement I had met with. He then quietly asked me, “Did you show
any of the officials the paper which I gave you?” I looked up in
surprise and said, “No, sir! I have it in my pocket now.” A quiet smile
broke over his face, and he said: “I can do nothing more than that for
you. You go back today,” and looking at his watch he said, “You will
have time to catch the boat. Go to Gen. Curtis’s headquarters, and
present that paper; I think that is all you will need to do.”
A little more
hopeful, I was soon on my way down the river. Entering the campground, I was startled to find a scene of desolation and desertion
that is nowhere equalled save,
it may be, on a deserted battlefield. Where, the day before, had been a
sea of tents, extending as far as the eye could reach over the rolling
hillside, only a cluster here and there remained; but the ground was
strewn with the evidences of the late encampment. Little chimneys of
blackened brick rising on every side of the trampled earth, the worn-out canteen,
and the general debris of the deserted camp met the eye in every direction. Going to
my brother’s quarters, I found that he, with a number of others, had
been left behind, there not being room in the ambulances to carry all,
or he would have been removed that day to the new hospital grounds in
the interior. Without shelter, they must wait until the following day
before they could follow in the wake of their late companions.
Frightened at the situation and his shelterless state, with every
evidence of a threatening storm, I hurried to the house on the hilltop, where there were still
signs of life and activity.
On this occasion,
as the clerk was about to uncivilly pass me by, I presented the paper
Secretary Tucker had given me.
He took it from my hand, read it, and his face turned scarlet. His cap was off in a moment,
and, bowing most politely, he said: “Please take a seat, madam; we will see what can
be done.” In an instant, all was changed. Three or four surgeons were
immediately at my command. They informed me that while it was a little
irregular, yet, they, being regular army surgeons, had power to examine
and decide upon his case. My brother was immediately sent for. An
impromptu board was formed, and he was thoroughly examined, and I
received at the hands of these polite officers a strong recommendation
of a furlough for my brother. They asked me if they should forward it to
Washington. I asked if it would do any harm for me to carry it and present it in
person. They said, “No harm whatever; it might expedite matters
somewhat.” As this was what I desired, I took the document, encased in a
white official envelope, and
retreated from their presence in triumph.
I was beginning to
learn the power of those magical words, “PER ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF
WAR.” The colonel of an Indiana regiment, stationed just under the hill,
offered shelter and care for my brother until the result of the
application for the furlough should be known. Leaving him for the first
time hopeful, and full of
visions of home, I returned to the city with my precious paper.
The next day, at
nine o’clock, I was obliged to return to Baltimore, to meet my Sunday’s engagement. The following Monday I returned to Washington, and going at once to Secretary Tucker’s room, showed him my paper, and explained how
quickly the paper he had given me had changed the state of affairs. He
quietly smiled, and taking another envelope wrote upon it these words:
“Gen. Heintzelman will please give this case his immediate attention.
Per order of the Secretary of War.” Handing me this envelope, which I
placed in my pocket, he handed me back the recommendation, and told me to go to
Gen. Heintzelman’s office on the opposite side
Was Abraham
Lincoln a Spiritualist? |
of Pennsylvannia Avenue, saying he
hoped all would be well - cordially shaking hands with me, expecting, no
doubt, he had seen the last of his troublesome little visitor.
On going in at the
front door I was bewildered by the number of clerks moving in every
direction, and I knew not whom to accost. At last, I stepped towards a
clerk, who had paused for a
moment in the centre of the room, and asked if I could see Gen.
Heintzelman. He said, “He is too busy, madam, and cannot be seen.” I was
about to draw the magical envelope forth from my pocket, when a small,
dapper little man with blond moustache, who evidently felt the full
measure of the shoulder straps, stepped up to me, and said, “did you
wish to see him about a furlough?” I responded in the affirmative. He
replied, “That matter comes under my department. Please step around to
my office. Going as directed, he received me in his office, and, taking
the paper I had, turned it carefully over, and turning to me with a
frown, said, “Why did this paper not come through the mail in the
regular form?” I replied that I hoped to expedite the matter by bringing
it in person. He said, “Very well; we will see.” I timidly asked when he
could have his furlough; feeling there could be no possible reason for
refusing it. He replied, “I cannot tell; it has first to go to the
recorder’s office.”
Completely
overpowered by his bombastic manner, I ventured to ask when I could call
to get an answer. “Come around tomorrow,” he responded curtly. In the
pauses of this interesting
conversation I had heard him addressed, if memory serves correctly, as
Captain DeKalb. Feeling greatly worried, I left the office and took the
afternoon boat to Alexandria to inform my brother of the progress made
and to see that all was well with him. Under the care he had received in
the Indiana regiment, he was feeling somewhat better, but growing
anxious. Save for this remnant, there were no soldiers left on all that
wide campground. The house on the hill was deserted. I had just time to
reassure my brother and catch the last boat back to the city.
The following
morning at eleven o’ clock I presented myself at Capt. DeKalb’s office.
He said the paper had not been returned to him, and he could not tell
when it would be. I tried to explain the situation of my brother, when
he interrupted me in a very impertinent manner, saying. “Your
interference in the regular routine of business may probably defeat the
furlough any way.” Startled at this unceremonious announcement, I had just enough voice to ask if I
should return the next day. He replied, “You can do so, but I cannot promise anything.” I
left the office for the first time with tears blinding my way, and I
stumbled against a gentleman who was passing in the street. We glanced,
recognised each other, and were shaking hands, each pleased to meet a
familiar face in a strange city. The gentleman proved to be a Mr. Betts,
of Albany, a wealthy gentleman of that city and a prominent member of
our society. Mr. Betts walked with me down to the green house opposite
the Treasury building, and I related to him as briefly as I could my
long efforts and the result. He said, quickly, “My advice is that you go
at once to Secretary Tucker and state the case to him.”
As it was now too
late to visit the secretary’s office, it being past three o’clock, I
went to Mr. Foster’s. Not
wishing to trouble Mr. Foster again, if it avoidable, at eleven o’ clock
I again sought Capt. DeKalb’s office. He met me with the curt statement
that the paper was lost and
could not be found; that he had sent to the recorder’s office for it, but that they had no knowledge of
it. Going from his office, I went directly to Mr. Tucker’s presence. I told him my story, and again the quiet smile stole
over his face as
Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist? |
he asked me, “Where is the envelope I
gave you to Gen. Heintzelman?” I quickly put my hand in my pocket and drew
it forth. He said, “Why did you not present it?” I replied, “Because I was
told he could not be seen.” The reply caused him to smile again, and he
said, “You take that and hand it to any one of the clerks, telling them it
is for Gen. Heintzelman.”
As I left the office I met Mr. Betts,
who offered to be my escort, which favour was gladly accepted. Entering again the
front door, the same busy scene presented itself to my eyes as on the former occasion. A
clerk stepped forward and asked me what I wanted. I desired him to hand the paper
to Gen. Heintzelman. As it was open, he read without trouble, and doffing his cap,
which he had not chosen to do up to that moment, he quickly placed chairs
for myself and my companion, and in another moment the fine soldierly
presence of Gen. Heintzelman was beside me. His hands were full of papers,
and he looked the hurry that his tones conveyed. “What can I do for you,
madam?” he kindly inquired. I briefly stated my brother’s case; my application there; Capt. Kebalb’s taking possession of the paper; also
his statement of the morning
that the
paper was lost. He rose with
an angry frown on his face, saying, “Excuse me a moment”, and left me.
High words from the office near me reached my ears, and I felt that the
dapper little captain was getting a rebuke from his superior officer. The
general returned in a few moments, and, politely bowing, said, “Return at
one o’clock and I think the paper will be found.” It wanted an hour of the
time. Mr. Betts went with me to the post office, where we made a call upon
Mr. Laurie, to while away the time. |