The following letter was written by John Booton (“Boot”) Hill (1841-1913), the son of William Alexander Hill (1817-1873) and Judith Frances Booton (1822-1909) of Madison county, Virginia. Shortly after Virginia seceded from the Union, Boot enlisted on 23 April 1861 at Madison Court House to serve in the 7th Virginia Infantry. It wasn’t long before he was elected the captain of Co. A. He was later detailed to Beauregard’s Headquarters at Manassas and in the Pay Dept. of the State of Virginia. during the war, mustering out as a Major.
As indicated in his letter, Boot was residing in New York City before the war began, apparently employed as a clerk for his uncle, Major Henry Hill (1816-1866), who was the Army Paymaster of New York at the time. Henry’s resignation from the US Army was announced on local New York papers in June 1861 when he decided to cast his lot with the Confederacy.
Beneath the weight of historical significance, Boot’s letter documents the arrival of President-elect Abraham Lincoln and his entourage in New York City on 19 February 1861, en route to Washington D. C. for his upcoming inauguration in early March. While numerous eyewitness accounts of Lincoln’s arrival in New York City exist, few of them—such as Boot’s—display the disrespectful mockery of his appearance and contempt for his assumption of the presidency.
Hoping to capitalize on the crowd coming into New York City to see the President-elect, P. T. Barnum announced in advance that his museum would be exhibiting “The Great Lincoln Turkey”—alleged to be a forty pounder—that would be presented to Lincoln on Inauguration Day. New Yorkers were invited to come to the museum to not only see the turkey, but to “use its windows and balconies to observe Lincoln’s departure from the city.” [Source: The Demon of Unrest, Eric Larson, page 246.]
[Note: This previously unpublished letter resides at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture in Richmond, Hill Family Papers, 1787-1945).]
Transcription
Paymaster’s Office
New York [City]
February 20th 1861
My dear sister,
Your kind letter came duly to hand, but you certainly kept it at home two or three days after it was written. I think ’twas dated the 6th and mailed the 9th. But I’ll pass over this if you will promise to do better in future.
“Old Abe” has come at last. I tell you his “brethering” are making a [good] deal of fuss about him and the “Prince of Rails” (his son Robt). 1 I saw the “old fellow” at a distance and was told by some that were close to him that his portrait is far better looking than he. If that be the case he is very handsome—over the left. You may form some idea of his looks by simply calling to mind Mr. Isaac Vernon who is a finer looking man than “Abe.” He’ll do now, won’t he?
I’ll leave him now and tell you of something else. I went in Barnum’s Museum yesterday and saw the “Turkey” that “Abraham” is to have for dinner on nthe 4th proximo. It is very fat. I hope he’ll enjoy it as much as I would of smaller size at pa’s table in company with you all. I must not dwell upon this point because I’ll excite your desire to see me unintentionally.
The paymaster that is most likely to succeed us is one of “Abe’s” company. His clerk came down this morning to get some letters that had been forwarded to the care of Mrs. Leslie. I do not care how soon we are relieved, I assure you. I wish it could be tomorrow or by the 1st of March at furthest. I must not be impatient. If I knew when it would happen, I could make an arrangement with the “Preserving Vegetable Co.” in this city which would be profitable to me, if I would go to St. Louis direct. Now don’t get mad, you dear sister mine, I would be making something by the operation and you must not fret if I do not see you soon after we are ordered from this post. I could go to St. Louis, make arrangements there for shipping the articles, at the company’s expense, mind you, or upon such terms as would pay me well, and then return home for a mont or so, if we get a stay of orders. I do not know that Uncle H[enry] will apply for “stay of orders.” It will be governed by circumstances, I suppose.
But enough of this. I have not left New York yet and do not know when I shall. you need say nothing of this out of the family. I shall not enter into any arrangements without consulting “Pa & Ma,” also Uncle H.
I, of course will not entertain such a thought as this, if the Union dissolves and Virginia goes South as she will do. If she doesn’t, I will. Don’t you think I am right. I reckon you don’t think much about it and more about your French, &c. &c. I hope you do. Well, give my love to all. Kiss them all for me and believe me your fond brother, — Boot
To Miss Hill, Glendalough, [Madison] Virginia
1 Robert Todd Lincoln—“Bob” to his family and friends—was dubbed the “Prince of Rails” during his “Railsplitter” father’s 1860 campaign for president, after a visit to this country by England’s Prince of Wales. Robert was a prince who would never ascend to the throne.
Spared & Shared 23 