Old Capitol Prison

[LincolnToddFan]

President Lincoln, fed up with the mischief making of one of his wife's Confederate sympathizing sisters(Martha Todd White) threatened to have her tossed in the prison if she didn't leave D.C. within 24 hours. I guess Mary sided with her husband. She refused to receive Martha at the WH!

Still I have read that some newspapers held this visit against Mary. They reported that Mary had helped Martha Todd White smuggle contraband out of Washington and had therefore aided the South. From there, the story was embellished to the point that Mary had told military secrets as well and was a traitor and secret Southern sympathizer.

Thanks Roger, I have heard that too. It's all such garbage.

According to Northerners the poor woman was a traitor for being a Southerner, and according to Southerners she was a traitor for supporting her husband and the Union cause. She couldn't win no matter what, and still cannot to this day if certain authors and academics are to be believed.

No wonder she eventually lost her mind.