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Mount Vernon: The Civil War Years
During the turbulent years of the Civil War, only one place in America was respected by soldiers from both North and South--George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. MOUNT VERNON: THE CIVIL WAR YEARS tells the fascinating story of how one courageous woman protected this national landmark during our nation's darkest hour.
With forewords by Ulysses Grant Dietz and Robert E. Lee IV, and an introduction by Civil War historian Ernest B. Furgurson.
With forewords by Ulysses Grant Dietz and Robert E. Lee IV, and an introduction by Civil War historian Ernest B. Furgurson.
- GenresCivil War
136 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 9, 2020
The Presence of a Lady!
Here is information to supplement the excellent editorial review by Midwest Book Review: This work was formerly titled "Presence of a Lady," referring to Sarah C. Tracy, secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, the first Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. In 1858, John Augustine Washington III sold 200 acres of Mount Vernon for $200,000 to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, which took over operations in 1860. MVLA immediately hired Upton H. Herbert, a Virginian, as Mount Vernon's superintendent to be in charge of putting the estate in order. However, as the Civil War started in 1861, MVLA believed it also needed the "presence of a lady" to ensure the grounds were respected by both Union and Confederate soldiers. For this position, as Ms. Cunningham was an invalid in South Carolina at the time, MVLA hired Sarah C. Tracy, formerly of Troy, NY, who was given the title of secretary. She had been recommended as a “Lady, both well educated and bright, agreeable, ready with her pen and her tongue. Every needed requisite.”
The book starts with a number of informative forwards (each of which provides interesting Civil War background) by: Ulysses Grant Dietz, Robert E. Lee IV, Dorothy Troth Muir, and Ernest B. Furgurson. Included here is an excellent overview of Civil War battles and various other related information items, one of which was a description of “Professor” Lowe as he went “high” in his military reconnaissance balloons to assist the Union. The book then essentially proceeds as a collection of interesting letters from Ms. Stacy and her correspondents from 1861 through 1886. Spoiler alert: the reader will be pleased to discover that Ms. Tracy and Mr. Herbert were married in 1872 after they had left Mount Vernon employ. I’d also like to add that in researching one correspondent, Mrs. Comgegys, I discovered she was Margaret Ann Douglas Comegys, the Vice Regent from Delaware. Exactly why Ms. Tracy chose her to correspond with is not mentioned. My guess is because it was difficult to get letters from Mount Vernon to Ms. Cunningham in South Carolina during wartime, and Ms. Tracy needed someone to receive her official reports.
Highly recommended by a fellow author!
Here is information to supplement the excellent editorial review by Midwest Book Review: This work was formerly titled "Presence of a Lady," referring to Sarah C. Tracy, secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham, the first Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association. In 1858, John Augustine Washington III sold 200 acres of Mount Vernon for $200,000 to the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, which took over operations in 1860. MVLA immediately hired Upton H. Herbert, a Virginian, as Mount Vernon's superintendent to be in charge of putting the estate in order. However, as the Civil War started in 1861, MVLA believed it also needed the "presence of a lady" to ensure the grounds were respected by both Union and Confederate soldiers. For this position, as Ms. Cunningham was an invalid in South Carolina at the time, MVLA hired Sarah C. Tracy, formerly of Troy, NY, who was given the title of secretary. She had been recommended as a “Lady, both well educated and bright, agreeable, ready with her pen and her tongue. Every needed requisite.”
The book starts with a number of informative forwards (each of which provides interesting Civil War background) by: Ulysses Grant Dietz, Robert E. Lee IV, Dorothy Troth Muir, and Ernest B. Furgurson. Included here is an excellent overview of Civil War battles and various other related information items, one of which was a description of “Professor” Lowe as he went “high” in his military reconnaissance balloons to assist the Union. The book then essentially proceeds as a collection of interesting letters from Ms. Stacy and her correspondents from 1861 through 1886. Spoiler alert: the reader will be pleased to discover that Ms. Tracy and Mr. Herbert were married in 1872 after they had left Mount Vernon employ. I’d also like to add that in researching one correspondent, Mrs. Comgegys, I discovered she was Margaret Ann Douglas Comegys, the Vice Regent from Delaware. Exactly why Ms. Tracy chose her to correspond with is not mentioned. My guess is because it was difficult to get letters from Mount Vernon to Ms. Cunningham in South Carolina during wartime, and Ms. Tracy needed someone to receive her official reports.
Highly recommended by a fellow author!
July 14, 2017
While I love Dorothy Troth Muir's collection of specific letters belonging to Sarah Tracy, Secretary to Ann Pamela Cunningham of the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, she seems to take liberties with her descriptions of what some historical figures were thinking, wearing and when they lit candles. I am so thankful that Ms. Muir pursued local history and documented it that I totally forgive her. Sarah Tracy and Upton Herbert were instrumental in protecting Mt. Vernon during the Civil war and were quite creative in their methods!
May 9, 2022
A very good book. I knew Mt Vernon was neutral ground during the Civil War, but I had no idea how hard it was to maintain that status. Or how hard it was for Ms Tracy and Mr Herbert to get by for 5 long years.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews