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Letter: Columbus O'Donnell to Henry O'Donnell, January 15, 1862

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@ University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

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In this letter dated January 15, 1862, Columbus O'Donnell writes to his nephew Henry O'Donnell about the war and the sacrifices he and other Americans will need to make to preserve the Union and of the Trent Affair of 1861, though his grasp of the facts about the Confederates Slidell and Mason appear to be erroneous. He begs his nephew to continue to write him, though his age and illnesses have prevented him from replying promptly. 'With a brief note dated July 18th, 1862 (page 4), Henry O'Donnell sends the letter off to his mother. (Editor's note: When on page 4 of this letter O'Donnell refers the traitors "Slidel and Mason", he is referring to John Slidell (1793-1871) and James Murray Mason (1798-1871), Confederate agents traveling aboard the British ship RMS Kent to England and France to elicit diplomatic recognition for the Confederacy. The USS San Jacinto intercepted the RMS Kent, and the captain of the San Jacinto removed the men from the ship. The United States government, to lessen the chance of war with Britain or of Britain providing support for the Confederacy, eventually handed Slidell and Mason over to the British. Perhaps confusing them with some others, O'Donnell erroneously refers to Slidell and Mason as members of President Buchanan's cabinet; they never were members of the president's cabinet.)
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Digital Reproduction Of 4 Page Document, 25 X 20 Cm.
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University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)

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