Page 366. The Angels of Buena Vista. A letter-writer from Mexico during the Mexican War, when detailing some of the incidents at the terrible fight of Buena Vista, mentioned that Mexican women were seen hovering near the field of death, for the purpose of giving aid and succor to the wounded. One poor woman was found surrounded by the maimed and suffering of both armies, ministering to the wants of Americans as well as Mexicans with impartial tenderness.—Author's note.
Page 369. Guvener B. George Nixon Briggs was the Whig governor of Massachusetts from 1844 to 1851.
Page 369. John P. Robinson. John Paul Robinson (1799-1864) was a resident of Lowell, a lawyer of considerable ability and a thorough classical scholar. Late in the gubernatorial contest of 1847 it was rumored that Robinson, heretofore a zealous Whig, and a delegate to the recent Springfield convention, had gone over to the Democratic or, as it was then styled, the "Loco" camp. The editor of the "Boston Palladium" wrote to him to learn the truth, and Robinson replied in an open letter avowing his intention to vote for Cushing.
Page 369. Gineral C. General Caleb Cushing.
Page 384. Battle Hymn of the Republic. This, perhaps the loftiest strain of American patriotism, was inspired by a visit which Mrs. Howe paid to Washington in December, 1861. She heard the troops singing "John Brown's Body," and, at the suggestion of James Freeman Clarke, determined to write some worthy words to go with that air. The words were written almost at once, and were taken back to Boston by Mrs. Howe. She gave them to James T. Fields, editor of the "Atlantic Monthly," and they were published in the issue of that magazine for February, 1862, being given the entire first page. Mr. Fields furnished the title. Strangely enough, the poem attracted little attention, until a copy of a newspaper containing it was smuggled into Libby Prison. Chaplain Charles C. McCabe read it there, and presently the whole prison was singing it. After his release, Chaplain McCabe continued to call attention to the song, and its merits were soon widely recognized. President Roosevelt has suggested that it deserves to be the national anthem.
Page 386. Mr. Foote. Henry S. Foote was Senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1852. He was a member of the Confederate Congress.
Page 386. Mangum. W. P. Mangum (1792-1861) was Senator from North Carolina from 1831 to 1837, and again from 1841 to 1847.
Page 387. Cass. Lewis Cass (1782-1866) was Senator from Michigan from 1845 to 1848, and candidate for the presidency on the Democratic ticket in 1848. After his defeat by Taylor he was, in 1849, returned to the Senate to fill out his unexpired term. He was Buchanan's Secretary of State until the famous message of December, 1860, when he resigned.
Page 387. Davis. Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederate States, was a Senator from Mississippi from 1847 to 1850.
Page 387. Hannegan. Edward A. Hannegan was Senator from Indiana from 1843 to 1849.