Part 57 (1/2)
”MARIETTA, OHIO, June 29th, 1865.
”_Mr. James E. Yeatman, President Western Sanitary Commission, St. Louis_:
”MY DEAR SIR: I have learned, with the greatest satisfaction, through Brigadier-General T. C. H. Smith and the public press that you are devoting your n.o.ble energies in giving tone and direction to the collection and appropriation of a fund for the erection of the Freedmen's National Monument, in honor and memory of the benefactor and savior of their race.
”The general also informs me that you desire, and have requested through him that the five dollars deposited with the Rev. C. H. Battelle, of this city, by Charlotte Scott, should be used as the _original and foundation subscription_ for this most praiseworthy purpose; and Mr. Battelle a.s.sures me that he will most cheerfully remit it to you this day. As a slave-holder by inheritance, and up to a period after the outbreak of the rebellion, and as an ardent admirer of our lamented president, the author of universal emanc.i.p.ation in America, I feel an enthusiastic interest in the success of the Freedmen's National Monument. I hope it may stand unequalled and unrivalled in grandeur and magnificence. It should be built _essentially_ by _freedmen_, and should be _emphatically national_. Every dollar should come from the former slaves, every State should furnish a stone, and the monument should be erected at the capital of the nation.
Nothing could be better calculated to stimulate this downtrodden and abused race to renewed efforts for a moral and national status.
”Charlotte Scott, whose photograph General Smith will forward, was born a slave in Campbell County, Virginia. She is about sixty years old, but is very hale and active. Her reputation for industry, intelligence, and moral integrity, has always been appreciated by her friends and acquaintances, both white and colored. She was given, with other slaves, to my wife, by her father, Thomas H. Scott.
When we received the news of Mr. Lincoln's a.s.sa.s.sination, the morning after its occurrence, she was deeply distressed.
In a conversation with Mrs. Rucker, she said: '_The colored people have lost their best friend on earth. Mr. Lincoln was our best friend, and I will give five dollars of my wages towards erecting a monument to his memory._' She asked me who would be the best person to raise money for the purpose.
I suggested Mr. Battelle, and she gave him the five dollars.
”I am, my dear sir, truly and respectfully,
”WILLIAM P. RUCKER.”
”MARIETTA, OHIO, June 29th, 1865.
”_Mr. J. E. Yeatman._
”DEAR SIR: I was providentially called upon by Charlotte Scott, formerly a slave of Dr. W. P. Rucker, now living in this place, to receive the enclosed $5, as the commencement of a fund to be applied to rearing a monument to the memory of Hon. Abraham Lincoln.
”I received her offering, and gave notice through the press that I would receive other donations, and cheerfully do what I could to promote so n.o.ble an object. Other persons have signified their willingness to give when the measure is fully inaugurated.
”By the advice of General T. C. H. Smith I herewith forward you her contribution, and I hope to here from you upon its receipt, that I may show to Charlotte and others that the money has gone in the right direction. After hearing from you I hope to be able to stir up the other colored folks on this subject.
”I rejoice, dear sir, that I have some connection with this honorable movement in its incipiency. I shall not fail to watch its progress with thrilling interest, and hope to live until the top stone shall be laid amid the jubilant rejoicing of emanc.i.p.ated millions crying 'Grace, grace unto it.'
”Very respectfully yours,
”C. D. BATTELLE.”
”The publication of the note of Mr. Yeatman, and the first communication received concerning the colored woman's proposed offering, brought the following letters and contributions, showing how generously the proposition of Charlotte Scott was responded to by the colored troops stationed at Natchez, Miss. These contributions have been duly deposited for safe keeping towards the Freedmen's National Monument to Mr.
Lincoln.
”HEADQUARTERS 6TH U. S. COLORED HEAVY ARTILLERY,
”FORT MCPHERSON, Natchez, May 19th, 1865.
”_James E. Yeatman, President Western Sanitary Commission, St. Louis_:
”DEAR SIR: I hereby transmit to you, to be appropriated to the monument to be erected to the late President Lincoln, the sum of four thousand two hundred and forty-two dollars, the gift from the soldiers and freedmen of this regiment.
Allow me to say that I feel proud of my regiment for their liberal contribution in honor of our lamented chief. Please acknowledge receipt.
”Very respectfully, your obedient servant,