A POLITICIAN GOES TO WAR Gabe, Blake, Isabel 1/17/17 Mr. Mulacek 3 rd Hour
Jon White Geary Dec 30, 1819 - Feb 08, 1873 Born on December 30, 1819, native Pennsylvanian John White Geary gained a reputation as much for his military bravery and leadership as for his political ambitions. The son of Richard and Margaret White Geary, John Geary attended Jefferson College at Canonsburg, Pennsylvania but dropped out when his father died. Geary's father left his family with debt from unsuccessful business ventures, a debt which John Geary worked off as a teacher, a store clerk and as an engineer for the railroad until the Mexican-American War altered Geary's career. Standing six feet, five and half inches tall and rumored to weigh 260 pounds, Geary established his military might and political leadership in the Mexican-American War as the lieutenant colonel of the 2nd Pennsylvania Infantry and later as the military governor of Mexico City. After the conflict with Mexico, Geary served as San Francisco s first mayor in 1850. When his wife, Margaret Ann Logan, fell gravely ill in 1852, Geary returned to Pennsylvania with his two sons to care for the ailing Margaret, who died in 1853.
Jon White Geary Dec 30, 1819 - Feb 08, 1873 He was a member of the State Constitutional Convention at Monterey, and was elected San Francisco s last American alcalde in August 1849, and became the city s first mayor May 1, 1850. He served one year, then returned to Pennsylvania in 1852. As a parting gift, he gave the city the land that later became Union Square. He was governor of the Territory of Kansas in 1856, and resigned after numerous confrontations with pro-slavery forces
Camp " Geary" Near Harper's Ferry Maryland July 30th, 1861 Jno. W. Geary I have telegraph{ed} you three times since my departure for Phila. and now I will write you a few lines. You can scarcely imagine my feelings when I left you and our dear little ones. I thought my heart-strings would be torn assunder, but still I managed to maintain my composure and firmness-some of course would call this stoicism, but call it what they may, there was every impulse of love in my nature only restrained by the necessity of the case and the surrounding circumstances. Nothing particular happened on our march from Phila. to Baltimore, except the falling of one of the men from the platform of one of the cars, the only injury received was a slight bruise on the head. The fellow sprang to his feet, ran after the cars, and jumped on again. At Baltimore we formed, distributed ammunition, and marched through the streets in which the various attacks and insults had been offered the northern troops in their transit through the city.1 We felt that the blood of the Pennsylvanians had moistened the streets, that it was yet unavenged.
Camp " Geary" Near Harper's Ferry Maryland July 30th, 1861 Jno. W. Geary My determination was, if there had been the slightest insult offered to 49. A combined naval and infantry force under Ulysses S. Grant had captured Confederate Forts Henry ( February 6, 1862) and Donelson (February 13-16) in Tennessee. The festivities were also held in honor of George Washington's birthday, February 22, a national holiday. my regiment, to have resented it instantly, and if necessary would have fired the city, but luckily we received nothing but respect and kindness. However, at the depot we were obliged to compel the agents of the B&O R.R. Co. {Baltimore & Ohio Railroad} to furnish additional cars and another locomotive, which they did, but very reluctantly. At 3 o'clock p.m. we arrived at Harper's Ferry, where we found the whole army retiring from Virginia to the Maryland side. Helter skelter men, horses, cannon, wagons, &c., &c. "ad infinitum." I never saw more confusion. I thought the army was again defeated, but was soon informed that that was the way the three months men2 done the thing up. They are leaving for home -- the service will not lose much -- but of course this is for your own eye only.
Camp " Geary" Near Harper's Ferry Maryland July 30th, 1861 Jno. W. Geary I reported immediately after my arrival to Major Genl {Nathaniel P.} Banks. and from him had a very gracious reception. To-day I have had orders to report to Col Thomas of the Regular Army, who is the commander of our Brigade. The condition of affairs is somewhat doubtful. We cannot tell any thing definite about the movements of {Confederate} Genl {Joseph E.} Johnston. But we are ready and I think from our present condition we can defy any force the enemy can or dare bring to molest us. Willie is well and is getting along very contentedly. He is much delighted and seems to relish hardships. He has already gained much confidence in himself and I think the campaign will be of service to him. I hope Eddie will come on when Maj Tindale comes. My Dear Mary I cannot tell you how much I miss you. Your kind attentions and caresses, the sweet little prattler too comes in for a share of my loss. Were I not so filled with business I would not know what to do. God bless you all and preserve you in health and strength is the sincere prayer of your husband. Ever devoted and true,
Camp " Geary" Near Harper's Ferry Maryland July 30th, 1861 Jno. W. Geary This letter was written by Jon White Geary. We presume that this letter was written to his beloved wife. 1861 was the first year of the four year battle. There is no need for bias in the letter because it talks about Jon and how he misses his wife and family. What do you think Jon was feeling when he wrote this letter? Do you think his emotion changed throughout the letter?
Camp De Korponay Point of Rocks, Md. Aug 17th 1861 My Beloved Mary You complain of not receiving my letters in proper time. I fear there is something wrong in the intermediate Post Offices. I have written almost every day since I left home, if they do not reach you, I cannot be responsible for the malfeasance of the mail carriers. My health is good and so is that of Willie. The condition of my command is good. The enemy is hovering about us in considerable strength, perhaps three times as great as that of my command. Notwithstanding their insolence I will resist any attack from that side at all hazards. -- and I think I will whip them badly if they attack me in position -- Being in command I am engaged in active duties night and day, as I am determined not to be surprised. Yesterday about 1200 of the enemy were visible crossing the Catoctin mountain Eastward. They appeared, however, more like plunderers than a fighting party. They had with them a large drove of cattle.
Camp De Korponay Point of Rocks, Md. Aug 17th 1861 The enemy since the battle of Manassas Gap, has become exceedingly insolent -- they are preparing to burst through our lines and cross the Potomac for the purpose of carrying Baltimore, Washington, &tc. This game may look well on paper but they run against some obstacle in the shape of a snag. My Dear Wife I have not time to write you a love letter as I would like to do, but will tell you all when I get to see you, which I hope will be soon. You see I am in the post of danger -- therefore in that of honor. The enemy since the battle of Manassas Gap, has become exceedingly insolent -- they are preparing to burst through our lines and cross the Potomac for the purpose of carrying Baltimore, Washington, &tc. This game may look well on paper but they run against some obstacle in the shape of a snag.
Camp De Korponay Point of Rocks, Md. Aug 17th 1861 My Dear Wife I have not time to write you a love letter as I would like to do, but will tell you all when I get to see you, which I hope will be soon. You see I am in the post of danger -- therefore in that of honor. I will write you every day or cause Willie to do so. I have just captured a secession spy laden with important letters. I will send him to Genl Banks. The letters fully disclose the plans of the enemy. Love & kisses to all the babies. My kindest love to you & Eddie --Your ever true husband Jno. W. Geary
Camp De Korponay Point of Rocks, Md. Aug 17th 1861 This letter was once again written for his wife. It mainly talks about the positioning of each army and strategies to take the other down. There is minimal bias, but it talks about how Jon believes they are the perfect position to eliminate the Southern army. George Thomas appointed brigadier general of volunteers, Army of the Cumberland.
Camp De Korponay Point of Rocks, Md. Aug 17th 1861 The Army of the Cumberland was one of the principal Union armies in the Western Theater during the American Civil War. It was originally known as the Army of the Ohio. On August 20, there was a skirmish at Jonesboro, MO. On August 27, there was a Battle of Cape Hatteras SC-Union troops take Ft Clark. What was one of the strategies that Jon planned on using? Who do you believe was favored in the war at this point in time?
Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 23rd 1864 My Dear Wife I have this moment received your kind favor of the 15th inst. giving a description of your visit to Chambersburg, and of your sensations upon witnessing the scene of the ruins, and how the bereaved people must have felt when under orders to leave their loved homes for the purpose of their houses being burnt. Well this is war, and only a small portion of it at that. I would not like you to witness some of the terrible scenes through which I have passed. Your nerves would not stand it. Why even in this city women and children were crushed to pieces by our cannonballs and shells during the siege -- houses torn to pieces -- burned. The horrors of a single battle field must be seen to be appreciated. You have no doubt witnessed the scene of the conflict at Gettysburg and of course, out of compliment to me, you would visit the spot where I and my Division did battle.
Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 23rd 1864 You saw there a small portion still imprinted upon the trees and rocks. Our old breast works, hastily constructed; before which lay 1200 of the enemy "stark and stiff' beside the wounded. The crash of musketry and the sound of cannon you cannot hear -- that is left for the imagination, but enough is there to teach you the dangers of a single battle, and to point us to the Great Mercy of God, who has so often, amid such scenes[,] preserved me still among the living. I hope you have returned safely, and that you will give me a full account of what your impressions of what a battle field is when viewed 15 months after the conflict.
Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 23rd 1864 I have written you many letters which had not reached you up to the date of your letter, doubtlessly you have recd them by this time. Give my love and many kisses to the children. My health is good and my time is still taken up with my report, which is quite lengthy. The weather is very wet, and the equinoctial storms are prevailing. The enemy are again reported in motion and it is probable some of us will be sent to watch his movement. Sheridan's victory was grand. I commit you and all ours to the care of the great Creator. Your loving husband J W G
Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 23rd 1864 Jon wrote this letter to his family and his wife. The war was coming to a close. One more year of the hard fought battle before it was over. To please Radical Republicans before the Election of 1864, Lincoln asks Montgomery Blair to resign as Postmaster General, which he does later in the day. There does not to seem to be any bias in the letter. Do you think that Geary will be effected for life from the scenes of horror he has witnessed? Do you think Geary felt any remorse from the killing?
Sites Used A Politician Goes to War: The Civil War Letters of John White Geary By William Allan Blair http://www.onthisday.com http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/john-white- Geary.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/