Lincoln Stories

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Friends,

I read this from the book, Carl Sandburg's ABRAHAM LINCOLN, volume 2 of three volumes, 'The War Years (1861-1864).

Robert Lincoln told a story about his famous father concerning a day the two of them were in a carriage when they were halted at a street corner by marching troops. "Father was always eager to know which state they came from. And in his eagerness to know from where they hailed, father opened the door and stepping half way out, shouted to a group of workman standing close by, "What is that, boys?' meaning where did they come from. One short, little red-haired man fixed him with a withering glance and retorted, 'It's a regiment, you ****ed old fool.' In a fit of laughter father closed the door, and when his mirth had somewhat subsided, turned to me and said, "Bob, it does a man good sometimes to hear the truth.'

A bit later, somewhat sadly he added, 'And sometimes I think that's just what I am, a ****ed old fool.'"

YMOS,
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Another story from the book in the above post.

"On board the steamer <u>Daylight</u>, which had performed bravely down the Potomac, Lincoln stood where a half-dozen members of the crew brought a tarpaulin to protect him from rain while he insisted on shaking hands with the crew. A fireman in shirt sleeves was the last up, his face and hands sooty and smoked, saying, "My hand isn't fit to give you, sir, but there's not a man aboard loves you more than I do." "Put that hand in mine," cried the President. "It has been blackened by making fires for the Union."

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[nancy]

}When the Civil War was practically over Mr. Lincoln responded at once by an improvement in health and spirit, but he did not want to go to the theater on that fateful night, and not from any presentiment of evil. The play was "Our American Cousin," and he had seen it once. It was funny enough, and Mr. Lincoln loved funny things, but not twice in the same place, even for company's sake. He tried to get out of going, but Mrs. Lincoln would not permit it. She had had troubles of her own with that theater party from outside--General and Mrs. Grant having been called away at the last minute--and she did not propose to have her own husband desert her. She insisted on his going.
"All right," he said, in his meek, submissive way, when he found resistance was useless,"all right, Mary, I'll go; but if I don't go down to history as the martyr President I miss my guess."
He didn't miss his guess, but his little joke became a world tragedy.

Source:The Wit and Wisdom of Abraham Lincoln edited by Anthony Gross pg 137

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Nancy! Are you the same Nancy who is over on Yahoo Groups?? If so, you know me as Billie over there.

Welcome, welcome!!

Zou

[nancy]

Yep, it is me. This site is really high tech! And if you know me, I am not! Kinda confused by all these different places.

Nancy}}}}

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From the Lincoln Log of Daily Activities:

Friday, February 15, 1861.
Browse Month
Pittsburgh, PA and Cleveland, OH. At 8:30 A.M. Lincoln appears on balcony of Monongahela House, and delivers longest address of journey. Multitude of 5,000 stands in rain in front of hotel. Mayor George Wilson introduces Lincoln, who repeats remarks made in Columbus, Ohio then comments on tariff: "So long as direct taxation for the support of government is not resorted to, a tariff is necessary. . . . I have long thought that if there be any article of necessity which can be produced at home with as little or nearly the same labor as abroad, it would be better to protect that article. Labor is the true standard of value. . . . According to my political education, I am inclined to believe that the people in the various sections of the country should have their own views carried out through their representatives in Congress, . . . so that . . . adequate protection can be extended to the coal and iron of Pennsylvania, the corn of Illinois, and the 'reapers of Chicago.' " Lincoln visits Leonard Swett, elector-at-large from Illinois, who has been detained at hotel several weeks by sickness. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861 Speech at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:210-15.

Leaves immediately for depot through streets lined with people. Villard, Lincoln, 85-7.

Kisses little boy and three lasses while waiting in crowd at depot, part of time in rain. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861.

Train departs 10 A.M. and retraces journey through Rochester, Pa., to Wellsville, Ohio. Lincoln tells assemblage at Wellsville that he will not speak, because he did so day before. At Salineville and Bayard, Ohio, responds to cheering crowds by saluting and bowing. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861.

At Alliance, Ohio, he offers remarks that now have become routine: "I appear before you merely to greet you and say farewell. . . . If I should make a speech at every town, I would not get to Washington until some time after the inauguration." Remarks at Alliance, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:215.

Accepts hospitality of John N. McCullough, president of railroad, and has dinner at Sourbeck's Hotel. Company of Canton Zouaves stands guard, band plays national airs, and gun salute shatters window during meal, sprinkling glass on Mrs. Lincoln. From temporary stand in front of depot, Lincoln thanks citizens for rousing reception and excuses himself from speaking. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861.

At Hudson, Ohio, crowd engulfs train. Lincoln steps out on train platform and remarks: "You see by my voice that I am quite hoarse. You will not, therefore, expect a speech from me." Remarks at Hudson, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:217-18.

At Ravenna, Ohio, says: "There are doubtless those here who did not vote for me, but I believe we make common cause for the Union." Remarks at Ravenna, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:217.

Lincoln, less talkative during day, sits in rear car reading newspapers and reflecting. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861.

Accepts invitation of Select and Common Councils of Philadelphia to visit city and sets 21st as date. Abraham Lincoln to William P. Hacker and Others, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:216.

Arrives at Cleveland in snow storm. DLC—JGN, Nicolay to Bates, 17 February 1861.

Detrains two miles from center of city. "Deafening shout from tens of thousands was re-echoed by roar of artillery." Enters open carriage at approximately 4:30 P.M. Escort of military (Cleveland Grays) and fire companies joins procession to Weddell House. Acting Mayor J. N. Masters and Judge Sherlock J. Andrews welcome him. Lincoln replies: "I think that there is no occasion for any excitement. The crisis, as it is called, is altogether an artificial crisis." Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861 Speech at Cleveland, Ohio, 15 February 1861, CW, 4:215-16.

Attends brilliant reception in his honor given in evening. Separate levee held for Mrs. Lincoln. At 10 P.M. Lincoln and suite are guests at supper in Weddell House, where they have lodgings. Cincinnati Commercial, 16 February 1861.

[Another version of temporary loss of First Inaugural Address has it occurring in Cleveland, where it is mislaid by Robert Lincoln. Col. James T. Sterling, "How Lincoln `Lost' His Inaugural Address," Address Before Michigan Commandery of Military Order of the Loyal Legion, November 3, 1898. Reprinted in Lincoln Herald, XLV, 23-25.

See also February 11, 1861.] [Irwin withdraws $39.59 from Springfield Marine Bank. H. E. Pratt, 176.]

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From the Lincoln Logs:


Wednesday, February 27, 1861.
Browse Month
Washington, DC. Lincoln walks two miles and holds long interview with former Sen. John Bell (Tenn.) before breakfast. N.Y. Times, 28 February 1861.

Mayor James G. Berret (Washington) and Common Council of Washington call at hotel; Lincoln replies to their official welcome: "I have not now any purpose to withhold from you any of the benefits of the constitution, under any circumstances, that I would not feel myself constrained to withhold from my own neighbors." Reply to Mayor James G. Berret at Washington, D.C., 27 February 1861, CW, 4:246-47.

Receives clerks of executive departments. Talks with Sen. Douglas (Ill.) who stays late to make impassioned plea for conciliation of South. National Intelligencer, 1 March 1861 Fletcher Pratt, History of the Civil War, 4.

Goes to Capitol and receives justices of Supreme Court in afternoon. N.Y. Times, 28 February 1861.

At 9 P.M. group of border statesmen, including former Sec. of Treasury James Guthrie of Kentucky and Alexander W. Doniphan of Missouri, calls to talk compromise. Baringer, A House Dividing, 315.

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From the Lincoln Log:

Monday, December 7, 1863.

Washington, DC. 10:20 A.M. President telegraphs Mrs. Lincoln in New York: "All doing well. Tad confidently expects you to-night. When will you come?" Mrs. Lincoln replies: "Will leave here positively at 8 a.m. Tuesday morning. Have carriage waiting at depot in Washington at 6 p.m. Did Tad receive his book. Please answer." 7 P.M. President telegraphs reply: "Tad has received his book. The carriage shall be ready at 6 P.M. tomorrow." CW, 7:35.

Issues press release on Union success in Tennessee and recommends that all loyal people assemble informally in churches and render homage to God. Washington Chronicle, 8 December 1863 CW, 7:35.

Refers to military situation at Knoxville and comments: "Now if this Army of the Potomac was any good . . . if the Army had any legs, they could move 30,000 men down to Lynchburg and catch Longstreet. Can anybody doubt, if Grant were here in command that he would catch him?" DLC—JGN, Memorandum, 7 December 1863.

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Tuesday, December 8, 1863.

Washington, DC. President receives joint committee from 38th Congress and announces that Annual Message will be communicated to Congress tomorrow at 12:30 P.M. Senate Journal, 8.

Annual report describes past year as one of health, sufficient harvests, improved conditions in national affairs, and peace with foreign powers. Treaties with Great Britain have suppressed African slave trade and adjusted possessory claims in Washington Territory. Negotiations with Spain, Chile, Peru, Nicaragua, and Colombia have been satisfactory. Foreigners within lines of insurgents are classed as belligerents, and naturalized persons must serve in military. Condition of organized territories is generally satisfactory. Under sharp discipline of civil war, Nation is beginning a new life. Operations of Treasury during last year have been successfully conducted. Pay of Army and Navy promptly met. People have borne burdens cheerfully. Blockade is increasing in efficiency; but illicit trade is not entirely suppressed. Production of war vessels has created new form of naval power. Post office may become self-supporting in few years. In Dept. of Interior public lands are being taken up, legislation is needed for Indian system, consideration should be given to enlarging water connections between Mississippi River and northeastern seaboard. When Congress assembled year ago, tone of public feeling and opinion at home and abroad was not satisfactory. With emancipation and employment of Negro troops there is new reckoning. Crisis which threatened to divide friends of Union is past. Looking to resumption of national authority within states, proclamation of amnesty and reconstruction is thought fit. State governments set up under prescribed mode will be recognized. War power is still main reliance. Chief care must be directed to Army and Navy. CW, 7:36-53.

President issues Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction whereby: 1. Persons in rebellion, with certain exceptions, who take oath to support Constitution are granted full pardon. 2. Exceptions are civil, diplomatic, and specified defense agents of Confederate government, and persons guilty of mistreating Negro prisoners of war. 3. Governments reestablished as prescribed in rebellious states shall be recognized as free governments of such states. 4. President will not object to provisions adopted by reestablished governments in relation to freed people. 5. Proclamation has no reference to states wherein loyal state governments have been maintained. 6. Congress shall have sole right of admitting members representing reestablished governments. CW, 7:36-53., 53-6.

[This proclamation is authority for pardons granted by Lincoln throughout remainder of war.] Lincoln sends "my profoundest gratitude" to Gen. Grant and his command for fighting at Chattanooga and Knoxville. CW, 7:36-53., 53-6., 53. Deposits in Riggs Bank November salary warrant for $2,022.34. H. E. Pratt, 183.

Nominates "Commander D. D. Porter, to be a Rear Admiral in Navy, on the Active List, from the 4th. July 1863." CW, 7:56-7.

Recommends to Congress that "Capt. John Rodgers, U.S. Navy, receive vote of thanks" for skill and gallantry exhibited in engagement with rebel steamer "Fingal," alias "Atlanta." CW, 7:56-7., 57.

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A quote,

"Mr. Lincoln naturally longed for the glory and repose of a second term to be spent in peace. At the time it occurred, his death, even by natural causes, would have been a serious injury to the prospects of the South. But the manner of his death, frenzying the northern mind, was the last crowning calamity of a despairing and defeated cause."

Jefferson Davis.

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