Lincoln's Summer Cottage

[gary]

Originally built by a businessman, the land was sold to the government to provide an asylum (retirement home) for soldiers. Situated in the District of Columbia on a hilltop that once overlooked the Capitol. Modernly, that view is now obstructed by trees and by newer buildings. The Soldiers' Home or President Lincoln's Cottage offered Abe refuge from the politics of the White House. Lincoln would go there to unwind and to reflect upon the events. He would also talk with the soldiers and could be seen in the graveyard, deep in his thoughts.

While the grounds is still used as a retirement home for soldiers, the cottage itself (a very spacious house) is managed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Trust raised $17 million to restore the cottage's wartime appearance, rennovate its visitor and education center and for an endowment for sustaining their work. While the cottage has been restored, its furnishing is sparse and deliberately so. Other than a few pieces, the Trust hasn't been able to learn what type of furniture was there during Lincoln's time. Rather than misintrepret it, they elected to leave it mostly unfurnished until research guides them otherwise. Hence, when you walk into the library, do not expect to see shelves upon shelves crammed with books. There's only two books there. To their credit though, well read guides are at hand to lead you through the cottage and to enrich your visit with their insights about Lincoln. Research is ongoing including future archaeological digs on the grounds.

If you plan to visit, buy your tickets on-line and in advance to ensure that they can admit you.

Another nice thing about the Summer Cottage is that is is close to Fort Stevens (or what's left of it). A mere mile or so away, Fort Stevens is the site where the Union Army (and the VI Corps) kept Jubal Early at bay. From it, Lincoln surveyed the Confederate lines. Standing next to him was a surgeon who suddenly collapsed from a bullet. Someone told the "fool" to get down and the fool obliged him. While that someone's identity is lost today (over twenty claim to have warned Lincoln including future Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes), it was fortunate for history that Lincoln did.

For more information on the Summer Cottage, click on the link below:

http://www.lincolncottage.org/about/PLC%20Brochure.pdf

[unionblue]

gary,

Thank you for the information.

Again, something I did not know about.

Sincerely,
Unionblue

[PvtClewell]

Gray,

One of our elective field trips at the Gettysburg Civil War Institute this year was a visit to the cottage. It is a very interesting place.

It was also a place where the Lincolns could go in the heat of summer, being situated, as it is, on a hilltop and thus could benefit from cool breezes coming off the Potomac. In Lincoln's day, he could clearly see the river from the cottage. I've got it in my head that the cottage is about four miles from the White House.

Lincoln drafted segments of (if not all of) the Emancipation Proclamation in a second floor bedroom/study there.

Fort Stevens is also interesting, located in the middle of a residential area, taking up a city block and looking pretty much like a park. But it does feature the remnants of some pretty nice earthworks.

Our tour guide at Ft. Stevens that day was Craig Symonds.

[M E Wolf]

Dear List Members;

To add to President Lincoln, Ft. Stevens and the Summer Cottage:

www.mrlincolnswhitehouse.org/inside

It has references to support the story.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
O.R.-- SERIES I--VOLUME XXXVII/1 [S# 70]
JUNE 23-AUGUST 8, 1864.--Operations in the Shenandoah Valley, Maryland, and Pennsylvania.
No. 32.--Report of Lieut. Col. John N. Frazee, One hundred and fiftieth Ohio Infantry, of the defense of Washington.
FORT STEVENS, D.C., July 16, 1864.
SIR: I have the honor to make the following report of operations against the enemy near Fort Stevens, D.C., on the 11th and 12th instant.
At 11 o'clock on the morning of the 11th the enemy commenced the attack on the picket-line in my front (which line was picketed by Company K, One hundred and fiftieth Regiment Ohio National Guard), who fell back slowly fighting the enemy, losing 1 man wounded, who has since died. The enemy's line of skirmishers continued to advance until they were within a distance of 150 yards of our immediate front and 50 yards of our right. They held their ground for a while, being covered by an orchard, when we opened fire upon them with the following shots: One 30-pounder Parrott percussion-shell, when they fell back about 300 yards fur-t-her; two shell (percussion) were thrown 1,254 yards, which exploded in their midst; five percussion-shell were then thrown into a grove, distance 1,050 yards, all burst and drove the enemy back; two 30-pounder Parrott percussion-shell were then thrown at a body of cavalry on the pike, distance 2,000 yards, which struck and exploded in their midst, and scattered them. At 4 p.m. I directed two 30-pounder Parrott shell to be fired at enemy in rear of old target, distance 1,256 yards, which dislodged them. We fired one 30-pounder Parrott shell at Carbery's house, which was filled with the enemy's riflemen; the shell struck and exploded; also one 30-pounder percussion, distance 1,600 yards, fired at the enemy in the road in front of old target, burst and did good execution. At 6 p.m. the enemy advanced again and stationed themselves behind the old target, distance 1,256 yards. Six 24-pounder fuse-shell were fired at them, which exploded and caused them to evacuate; this closed the firing for the day.

On the morning of Tuesday, July 12, we opened upon the enemy with three 30-pounder Parrott percussion-shell, directed at Carbery's house; distance, 1,078 yards. The first exploded from some unknown cause at a distance of five yards and killed one of our skirmishers; one passed to the right and exploded; the third fell 20 yards short and exploded. Three shots (30-pounders)were directed at Rives' house; distance, 1,050 yards, which dislodged a number of the enemy's riflemen. At 11 a.m. two solid shots were fired at old camp, distance, 1,950 yards, at a body of infantry, which apparently did good execution. Four percussion-shells were then fired at Rives' house to dislodge the enemy, all of which passed over. Four 30-pounder percussion-shells were fired at Carbery's house. 1,078 yards, striking and doing good execution. One 24-pounder shell was fired at carriage shop, distance 2,075 yards, which struck on Seventh-street pike. Four 30-pounder Parrotts were fired into the grove to right of pike, distance 1,050 yards; effect not visible. At 6 p.m. General McCook ordered every gun brought to bear upon Carbery's house to dislodge the enemy's riflemen, who were holding our skirmishers in check. I fired ten 24-pounder shell, ten 30-pounder Parrott, one 8-inch howitzer, two 10-inch mortar, which set the house on fire and obliged the enemy to fall back, and our skirmish line was enabled to advance. Eight shots were then directed to Rives' house, 1,078 yards, by order of General McCook, and all passed through. Five 30-pounder shells and four 24-pounder shot were fired at carriage shop, distance 2,075 yards, all falling among the enemy's cavalry and causing them to retire. One 24-pounder shell, two 30-pounder percussion-shell, and one 24-pounder shot were fired at the enemy in column en masse in field in front of fort, distance 2,200 yards, causing them to deploy in line of battle. They advanced and two 30-pounder shell were fired at them in ravine back of Carbery's house, distance 1,200 yards, which exploded and caused them to retire.

The only casualty in the fort was 1 surgeon wounded in leg (name not known).

The troops garrisoning the fort were composed of Company K, One hundred and fiftieth Regiment Ohio National Guard, 78 men, Capt. A. A. Safford; Thirteenth Michigan Battery, 79 men, Capt. Charles Dupont; 52 convalescents, commanded by Lieutenant Turner, of Company K, One hundred and fiftieth Regiment Ohio National Guard.

I am pleased to say that the promptness with which all orders were obeyed reflects credit on both officers and men of this command.

I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,

JOHN N. FRAZEE,

Lieut. Col. 150th Regt. Ohio N. G., Comdg. Fort Stevens.
Lieut. Col. J. A. HASKIN,
Comdg. Second Brigade, Hardin's Division.
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I will also note, along with the US Army Regulars, Reserves, Veteran's Corps; etc.; the US Marine Corps also marched from the 8th & I SE Barracks to Ft. Stevens. (It is often missed in researching the Ft. Steven's affair in Washington, DC).


Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf