Category Archives: Civil War

April 13, 2013 · 8:09 am

President Lincoln’s April 1864 Visit to Baltimore

A nice post on Abraham Lincoln from the City of Baltimore Archives.

rob schoeberlein's avatarBaltimore City Archives Blog

Acting upon the invitation of the women organizers, President Abraham Lincoln agreed to preside over the opening ceremonies for the Maryland State Fair for U.S. Soldier Relief, also known as the Baltimore Sanitary Fair.* Lincoln’s appearance in Baltimore held symbolic importance for city Unionists, and perhaps, to himself. For loyal citizens it offered both a chance to display their devotion to the man who embodied the Union and cast off doubts about Baltimore’s predominant political sympathy. For the President, coming to Baltimore presented an opportunity to make amends for a past indiscretion. In March 1861, en route to his inauguration, Lincoln secreted himself through Baltimore’s darkened streets in response to the rumor of an alleged assassination plot. Already held in low regard by his affiliation with the perceived anti-Southern Republican Party, many residents regarded the President-elect’s distrustful action as an affront to their city’s honor; even Unionists expressed bewilderment. Later, the President “was…

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April 10, 2013 · 6:13 pm

DCs and Civil War (2)

7-2-8 Marianna Flynn.b

(Exerpt from Life of Mother Mariana Flynn and image of Mother Mariana Flynn used with permission of the Daughters of Charity Provincial Archives)

Mother Mariana Flynn was Visitarix (superior) of the US Province of the Daughters of Charity from 1887 to 1901. One of Mother Mariana’s first missions was at St. Joseph’s Asylum in Richmond, VA. She was serving in Richmond when the Civil War broke out and served there throughout the war. A biography of Mother Mariana written after her death provides details about the asylum and about Richmond at the start of the Civil War.
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In 1861, our young Sister was transferred to St. Joseph’s Asylum, Richmond, Va.

This mission was established in response to a formal application made to Mother Rose White, of happy memory, by Father Timothy O’Brien, a holy and zealous priest: a man of superior administrative ability, tireless zeal, and ardent piety, to whom Catholicity in Richmond owes more than to any other individual. On the feast of St. Cecelia, November 22, 1834, three Sisters left St. Joseph’s to commence the Richmond mission – Sr. Margaret George being named Sister-Servant of the little band. It is a singular coincidence that this Sister was recalled to the Central-House 1837 to fill the office of Treasurer. Sr. Margaret never lost interest in the Virginia foundation; and as a member of the Council, warmly seconded any measures conducive to its welfare. Thus under the kind patronage of Father O’Brien, who proved himself true to his promise to Mother Rose, “that while he had anything , the Sisters should have the greater half,” this humble beginning slowly but steadily progressed, until we find ourselves at the sad and ever memorable epoch of the Civil War when our dear Mother is introduced to this favored mission …

Sr. Blanche Rooney, a woman of extraordinary business talent, and one well fitted to cope with the emergencies crowding upon the country in the shape of a Civil War, was the Sister-Servant at this time. Richmond became the Capital of the Confederacy, and all interest centered there, causing the works of the Asylum to be more prosperous than ever. The school was largely attended; public and sectarian schools had closed, but the boarding and day school of the Asylum enjoyed the most liberal patronage: Methodists, Baptists, all creeds, flocked to the Sisters’ school. The Asylum in addition to its accustomed work, became, during the war, a sort of Central-House or head-quarters, to the Sisters operating in the ambulances and moving with the army of Northern Virginia. At the first approach of suffering, consequent upon war, the devoted and generous Sister Blanche could hardly delay until the Sisters’ services should be solicited by the military authorities; she had already provided herself with the requisite permission from Superiors, and it was not long before the desired summons came. The surgeon of the General Hospital called at the Asylum and earnestly requested that the Sisters should take the direction of this hospital. Sr. Blanche gladly consented and the Sisters commenced their noble work July 26, 1861.

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April 10, 2013 · 6:05 pm

DCs and Civil War (1)

(Letters of Father Francis Burlando used with permission of the Daughters of Charity Provincial Archives)
Documentation of the Daughters of Charity in the Civil War can be found throughout our holdings. Seen here are two letters from Father Francis Burlando, Provincial Director of the Daughters of Charity US Province during the Civil War. The first is from November of 1860. The second is from September of 1861.
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St. Joseph’s Novb 30th 1860

My very dear Sister;

The grace of our Lord be with us forever!

From various circumstances it would seem that designing fanaticism threatens to sever the union of our beloved Country.

If the Confederacy of the different States of the Republic is preserved, peace, harmony, confidence & prosperity will reign in our midst and Religion will continue to progress, triumphing over error & prejudice; if on the contrary the union be dissolved, disorder, mistrust, poverty & civil war with all their sad appendages will be the almost inevitable consequences.

In these critical circumstances it becomes our duty to offer violence to heaven by fervent prayer that God in his mercy will avert the impending calamity.

For this purpose the Sisters in every house of this Province will say the anthem Da Pacem &c with the verse Fiat Pax, the prayer Deus a quo Sancta &c and the Remember &c

These prayers to be said every day for nine days. During this Novena, they will have an extra Communion on a day to be designated by the Sister Servant of each house.

I am, in the love of our Lord,
Your truly devoted
F. Burlando,
C.M. [signed]

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Emmittsburg [sic] Sept 15th 1861.

My very dear Sisters:

The grace of our Lord be with us forever!!!

For some months past you have no doubt, anxiously viewed the gathering storm which is threatening the beautiful horizon of our Country — you are aware of the conflicting opinions which disturb the peace of our Cities & distract the minds of our Citizens — Friend is armed against friend, & brothers, Fathers, & Sons enlist on opposite sides, in the struggle — Our once happy land is plunged in anarchy & confusion, & deluged with the blood of its own sons.

In this sad & lamentable state of things, I think it my duty to remind you, my dear Sisters of the maxim of St. Vincent, which was, to refrain from uttering Political sentiments – this judicious silence he left to his children as a legacy after his death as he had practiced & warmly recommended it during life — You, as his devoted Daughters understand the obligation of adhering strictly to the wise lessons he gave you, & consequently, you will carefully abstain from speaking or writing about political affairs of our Country – It is not the sphere of the Daughters of St. Vincent to discourse about Politics of which they are, & should be uninformed – Their only duty is to sanctify themselves in the Exercise of charity according to their Rules; they leave State affairs to God & to those entrusted with them – They have no Enemy but pride & the evil spirit – North, South, East or West are alike to them; every afflicted member of society is their friend & an object of their Solicitude, because he represents their suffering Saviour, the Immaculate Spouse of their soul & the great pattern of charity whom they should strive to imitate especially by the performance of deeds of charity wherever holy obedience sends them. This is their particular duty, their noble mission, their life, their existence. Pressed by the charity of Jesus Christ, they have renounced the maxims of the world & consecrated their life to do good to all whether Christian, Turk, or Jew – While the whole world is tossed to & fro by human passions, & the clasping of arms resounds on all sides the daughter of St. Vincent is like Moses with uplifted hands & eyes beseeching the Father of Mercy to show mercy; or, she is at the death-bed of an agonizing fellow being, soothing his sufferings or whispering to him sentiments of contrition for sins, love of God & desire of Heaven; or, she is drying up the tears of affliction & giving relief to the widow & orphan – Hers is a ministry of love; she walks as it were between Heaven & earth to draw down mercy from above & to bring ungrateful creatures to the love of their Creator. She is at home wherever there are miseries to be alleviated; pains to be soothed, tears to be wiped away, & broken hearts to be consoled; these are the objects of her solicitude & charity — Let therefore, no Political difficulties occupy your thoughts or your precious time, except before the Altar of God — He alone can still the storm & give us peace: may he grant it, through Jesus Christ our Saviour; may our Immaculate Mother, the great Patroness of America obtain it – To this effect you will say daily 3 times Hail Mary, the Da Pacem & the prayer Deus a quo Sancto &c

God be with you all
Yours truly devoted,
F. Burlando C.M. [signed]

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