Printed safeguard signed by Gen. George B. McClellan, commander of the Army of the Potomac,
granting protection to: “Hill Carter, Esq., his family, & property,
for his kindness to the sick & wounded of this Army left at his house.”

MS1991.1

Federal troops, camped at nearby Harrison’s Landing, took needed provisions from the Carter plantation Shirley and received needed aid for their wounded from ladies of the house. Hill Carter was the father of Robert and had, himself, served as a midshipman in the U. S. Navy during the War of 1812. The family, through various influential connections developed a good rapport with ranking members of the occupying Union forces.

President Lincoln’s son Tad, while on an excursion up the James aboard the River Queen in March, 1865, stopped at the plantation to pick spring bulbs for his convalescent mother aboard the boat.

Civil War