Moses A. Curtis Biographical File

"Declaration of Independence," by Judge Duncan of Louisiana, followed by some interesting remarks upon the history of a flag and its staff which [waved?] over the stand, & wh. had been carried in the pro = cession by a soldier of the Revolution, supported by a small lad representing Young America. "the Star Spangled Banner," by the Band. [?] Ora= tion by Bp. Otey (one [how?] long) upon liberty, mo= rality & education _ very good. _ "Hail Columbia," by the band.

I have made some acquaintances to-day of course, _ but was particularly pleased at meeting the famous "Irish Patriot" Mitchell [_?] had several conversations [&?][-?] _ Sam Harden & his wife, "Miss Charlotte.", Bp. Green[,?]

&c. &c. _ _ All the Delegation _ at least the [C?]lerical _ to-day [?] presented [? w/?] free tickets to Nashville. On consulting Bro. Gregg, it was concluded that we wd. go to Nashville, instead of Stone Mt., if we get through here in season. If I go there, I will [w?]rite again on the 6th. Otherwise, I shall probably not [w?]rite again. We shall see _ _ In the programme of services to-morrow, I am down for a Sermon. This is all wrong. I think the Bishops should do the preaching. People will expect it of them.

Lookout Mt. , Tenn. July 4th,1857

Well,dearest, another word with you, rather with you now than with Jinny tho she begged me repeatedly to write to her from Chattanooga. I do not care to write to anyone else from here. I can write to _her_ when I get home, if the humor takes me.

We have had a pretty successful affair today. A stand & seats were prepared in the woods, from whence we had a magnificent view of country far as one could see. The excersises were opened by a lesson from Scripture read by Bp. Green[no, the singing of Old Hundred preceded this]. Then the Te Deum. Prayer by Bp. Cobbs. Gloria in Excelsis[singing by an extempore choir. . Bp Elliot's wife presiding at a Melodeon which I had noticed at my Hotel and proposed it should be sent for]

Our first meeting was held the afternoon. A body organized & adjourned adjourned to Monday morning. Bro. Gregg & myself then walked to the north point of the Mt., where we had a most exquisite view of the country below upon the winding Tennessee. It is far finer of its kind than I have seen elsewhere in the Alleganies, & was alone worth the journey of 700 miles to see. I wish I could give a daguerrotype likeness of it. Bp. Green & his clerical delegate met us near the point by another road, & I lay down & leaned far over the precipice to pluck some twigs of Sweet Birch. Mr. Gregg will not go near a precipice, & at supper tonight he took a fit of shudders when alluding to my temerity. Just as if I was going to tumble over merely a Birch twig.

It is rather cool up here at night, & the guests gathered around the parlor fire. have left it to have a chat with you & then an early bed. I have some notion of rousing Gregg at 3 o'clock & taking a moonlight view of the point. However, as I have not yet quite made up my lee-way in sleep, I may postpone it to another night, especially as I have yet to preach in Chattanooga tomorrow. The natives will be well treated to Episcopapcy tomorrow, as there will be service & sermon at the Methodist & Presbyterian houses also - twice in all of them. God bless you all, my loved ones. M.A.C.

SEWANEE REFERENCES IN THE REVEREND MOSLEY ASHLEY CURTIS CORRESPONDENCE

2 July 1857: Curtis to Mary (his wife) from Augusta, Ga. Bishop Davis and Brother Gregg at Kingsville.

3 July 1857: Same to same from Lookout Mt: Reached city at 5:30 and other delegates already on mountain and carriages waiting for them. Bishop, too, tired but he and Gregg went, most of it on foot. Cool and glad of thick coat. Hotels larger and better than in city.

4 July 1857: Same to same: Stand and seats in woods with beautiful view. Procession led by band. Prayers, scripture, etc., hymns, Bishop Elliott's wife at melodeon. Declaration of Independence read, remarks on flag, Star Spangled Banner. Bishop Otey's long oration. Meetings in p.m.

5 July 1857: Same to same: Clergy and bishops dined at private Chattanooga house this Sunday. Bishop Rutledge preached and Curtis read service. Curtis preached in afternoon at the Presbyterian church, the Episcopal church being closed for lack of patronage.

6 November 1857: Same to same: Going to Nashville with Gregg tomorrow (having been given free tickets). Convention to meet in Montgomery 20 November. (All Curtis' letters to his wife are in the Southern Historical Collection, Wilson Library, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill).

28 January 1860: Curtis to Asa Gray (Arnold Arboretum) Has been sick but recuperating. Will leave for Wilmington tomorrow & from there go to New Orleans if well enough where the board of trustees meets. Mary & several young ladies will go along.

13 March 1860: Same to same: Saw Ridell in New Orleans, missed Dr. Nott at Montgomery. Health much improved and a gay time. Board meeting lasted 6 days. Another 6 days spent sightseeing... went 160 miles upriver. "Wickedness & vice, however, are more open & unblushing than I have ever seen them elsewhere."

6 December 1866: Same to same: Had gone to Sewanee in October by way of South Carolina, & Georgia, returning via Knoxville, Lynchburg, 697 m. either way. Cornerstone of Tennessee marble of 6 tons destroyed... all houses burned & coins and documents stolen... one of them being the Constitution of the U.S. Bonds and title deeds safe...