Description

Description: Nineteen of the thirty-four letters are dated during the Civil War. John Pugh Green was a schoolmate of William Kane, the youngest of the Kane brothers, who died when he was 14 years old. Green became attached to the entire Kane family after William’s death. They solicited his help (in his capacity as a lawyer) and entrusted him with financial matters. The thirty-four letters from various Kane family members to Green demonstrate their fondness for him, concern for his well-being during the Civil War, and, significantly, they  provide information regarding Gen. Thomas Kane’s failing health.  Twenty of the letters from Jane D. L. Kane’s (Gen. Thomas Kane’s mother) reflect this relationship, “I will always consider you as one of my family,” share “confidences,” and state her pleasure that Green is also “one of Tom’s [Gen. Thomas Kane] military family,” so that they could look out for each other (Sept 20, 1862). In all her letters, Jane Kane expresses great concern over the General’s pleurisy, his “wasted form, his racking cough,” fearful that he will set off to war should the army receive moving orders [which he does as the Battle of Gettysburg is brewing], and apprehension over the prolonged war; her “extinguished” patriotism wish is for all of them to “join the peace party” (June 10, 1863). She persuades Green to not give up his current [Adjutant General] position to become a soldier. The accounts of “The frightful loss in the colored regiments with their officers” and the “fiery denunciations” of the working people fill her with dread. The remaining 14 letters are from the brothers, John K. Kane and Robert P. Kane, the sister, Bessie Kane, and Elizabeth D. Kane (Mrs. Thomas Kane). The collection also includes an invitation to Judge (John Kintzing) Kane’s funeral.. The collection provides much insight into General Kane’s failing health which worsened after Gettysburg and forced him to resign.

Jane D. L. Kane (1796-1866) was the wife of the honorable Judge John Kintzing Kane of Philadelphia and the mother of the notable Civil War Gen. Thomas Leiper Kane and the arctic explorer Elisha Kent Kane.

Civil War Union Brigadier Gen. Thomas L. Kane (1822-1883) recruited the famous “Bucktail” regiment, the 13th Pennsylvania Reserves. As Brigadier General, he commanded a brigade at the Battle of Chancellorsville where he fell ill and later resigned. He was also an abolitionist and influential in the westward movement of the Mormons.

Capt. John Pugh Green (1839-1924) served as Captain and Assistant Adjutant General under General Thomas Kane and others during the Civil War. In 1865 he began a career with the Pennsylvania Railroad, retiring as the Vice President of the company. He also wrote extensively about the 11th and 12th Army Crops movements, Inter-State Commerce Bills and the Pennsylvania Railroads.

Item #AM00276

Condition: The letters are written on various kinds and sizes of paper, the largest being approximately 10″ x 8″. They have punch holes, and some have a few light tears along fold lines, none of which detract from the writing. Condition is very good.