Greensboro in Caroline County, Maryland — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Letter to Lincoln
Chaos on the Eastern Shore
Photographed By Beverly Pfingsten, November 3, 2007
1. Letter to Lincoln Marker
The war divided communities in Maryland, pitting neighbor against neighbor. During Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's first invasion of the North, which ended at Antietam, a Greensboro resident wrote to President Abraham Lincoln for assistance on September 13 1862:
We the Loyal Union people of the Eastern Shore of Maryland are in contact constantly with vile secesh(secessionists) Traitors, that frequently threaten us with vengeance when Stonewall Jackson comes into the state. They declare that they have plenty of arms in various places in this and adjacent counties. They have attempted and where they will train gurilla(sic) bands and companies; numerous ones declare these things together with personal threats against eminently Loyal Citizens.
We complain, and in some instances these vile miscreants are arrested...(but) agree to take the oath of Allegiance and are liberated; they come home worse, far worse than before their arrest. ... They have already but a few milles from where I now live burned t(w)o meeting houses or Churches and others are threatened. ... I fear Sir that we have been so long and so palpably trifled with that the summary Execution of some of them will be the result. There is a mark beyond which forbearance ceases to be a virtue and at this point I hope the Divine Governorwill Himself bear rule.
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With profound respect I am Sir your obedient servant,
Richard Chambers
Erected by Maryland Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Maryland Civil War Trails series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1907.
Location. 38° 58.493′ N, 75° 48.287′ W. Marker is in Greensboro, Maryland, in Caroline County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street (Maryland Route 480) and Bernard Avenue, on the left when traveling south on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 Main St, Greensboro MD 21639, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Peter Harrington (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Goldsborough House (about 600 feet away); Choptank River Park (approx. ¼ mile away); Greensboro (approx. 0.3 miles away); Saulsbury House - Fifer Hospital - Ridgely House (approx. 4.7 miles away); Town of Ridgely Flag (approx. 4.7 miles away); The Drinking Fountain (approx. 4.7 miles away); Ridgely Memorial Park (approx. 4.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Greensboro.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,544 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 7, 2007, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 2. submitted on September 5, 2022, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
