A military genius : $b Life of Anna Ella Carroll of MarylandBlackwell, Sarah Ellen
History
A military genius : $b Life of Anna Ella Carroll of Maryland
Blackwell, Sarah Ellen
Carroll, Anna Ella, 1815-1894; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865
Miss Carroll was very pleasing, with a fine and intelligent face, an
animated and cordial manner, and great life and vivacity, roused into
fire and enthusiasm on any topic that appealed to her intellect and
her sympathies. Naturally, in so favorable a social position and with
such gifts, she received early in life much attention and had offers
of marriage from many distinguished parties; but she never seemed
inclined to change her condition or to give up the beloved
companionship of her father. A literary life and his congenial
presence seemed to be all-sufficient for her, and she remained his
devoted companion until his death, in 1873, when she also, the child
of his youth, was well advanced in life.
After Governor Carroll's term of office had expired he returned to his
estate, and shortly after he was waited upon by a deputation, who had
been sent to enquire if he would accept a nomination as United States
Senator. But at that time Mrs. Carroll was dangerously ill. His
extensive plantation and group of children required his presence, and
he declined to serve. He was devoted to his wife, and their marriage
was one of unbroken harmony until her death, in 1849. Governor Carroll
devoted himself thereafter to the necessities of his family and
estate.
Anna Ella Carroll frequently visited her friends at Washington, and
early commenced an extended relation with the press, writing usually
anonymously on the political subjects of the day. A friend of her
father, Thomas Hicks, considered that he owed his election as Governor
of Maryland largely to the articles which she contributed in his
favor, and he retained through life a strong personal friendship and
high admiration for her intellectual powers. At his death he left her
his papers and letters, to be edited by her--a labor prevented by her
subsequent illness. In 1857 Miss Carroll published a considerable
work, entitled "The Great American Battle," or Political Romanism,
that being the subject of immediate discussion at that time. This work
was compiled from a series of letters contributed by her to the press,
and her family knew nothing of the project until she surprised them by
the presentation of the bound volume.
Old Sir Thomas King would certainly have been greatly gratified if he
could have known how vigorously his great-granddaughter was to uphold
the banner of religious and political freedom. This work was
accompanied by an excellent portrait of the authoress in the prime of
life, which we here reproduce for our present readers.
In the following year Miss Carroll published another considerable
work, entitled "The Star of the West," relating to the exploration of
our Western Territories, their characteristics, the origin of the
National claims, and our duties towards our new acquisitions, and she
urged the building of the Pacific railroad. This seems to have been
one of her most popular works, as it went through several editions,
and greatly extended her acquaintance with leading men.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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