This Day with President Lincoln

[larry_cockerham]

Did Lincoln have a serious vice? $800 was a lot of scratch in 1865?

[ole]

Do you mean vice as in needing $800 or having it? Lincoln was fairly well off when he went to Washington. Getting fed and housed for free didn't drain his personal resources nor his salary; however, Mary loved to shop. I'd guess that's where most of the money was destined.
Ole

[samgrant]

April 14


1861 - Sunday

President attends New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and meets pastor, Dr. Gurley.

Cabinet approves call for 75,000 militia and session of Congress for July 4, 1861.

Lincoln takes his sons and John G. Nicolay, private secretary to President, for carriage ride.

Prepares and distributes proclamation dated April 15, 1861 calling out militia.

Sen. Douglas (Ill.) and former Cong. George Ashmun (Mass.) confer with Lincoln. Although Douglas opposes administration on political issues, he pledges support to preserve Union.

[Maj. Anderson evacuates Fort Sumter, S.C.]

Cabinet convenes for long night session.


1862 - Monday

Cabinet in special meeting to consider establishing military government over islands along coast of South Carolina. Lincoln interviews two paroled Southern prisoners.

Lincoln examines case of Col. Magoffin.

Transmits information on Mexican affairs to House of Representatives. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives

Sen. Browning (Ill.) at White House in evening discusses with President bill to end slavery in District of Columbia, and successor for Judge Stephen T. Logan, former law partner of Lincoln in Springfield, on commission to examine into claims at Cairo, Ill.


1863 - Tuesday

Lincoln explains to former Cong. Bouligny (La.) why promised appointment as surveyor of Port of New Orleans was not confirmed. Abraham Lincoln to John E. Bouligny

Orders Gen. Hunter and Rear Adm. Du Pont to keep up demonstration against Charleston "for a time." Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter and Samuel F. Du Pont

Telegraphs Gen. Hooker: "Would like to have a letter from you as soon as convenient." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker


1864 - Thursday

President reviews 67 courtmartial cases. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt

Interviews Henry C. Lea, Philadelphia pamphleteer associated with Union League.

Confers with judge advocate general on court martial cases.


1865 - Friday

Capt. Robert Lincoln arrives in Washington from scene of Gen. R. E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox, Va., in time for 8 A.M. breakfast with President.

During morning Lincoln confers at length with Cong. Colfax (Ind.), who is preparing to visit West Coast.

Interviews former Sen. Hale (N.H.), newly appointed minister to Spain, and goes for short drive with Gen. Grant, in town for cabinet meeting. Receives many members of Congress who call to congratulate him on successful conclusion of war.

Interviews William A. Howard, Detroit lawyer.

Writes Gen. Van Alen: "I thank you for the assurance you give me that I shall be supported by conservative men like yourself, in the efforts I may make to restore the Union, so as to make it, to use your language, a Union of hearts and hands as well as of States." Abraham Lincoln to James H. Van Alen

Visits cipher room of War Dept., tells Gen. Thomas T. Eckert of plans to attend theater, and invites him to come along.

About 10 A.M. Gov. Swann (Md.) and Sen. Creswell (Md.) present memorandum concerning Maryland appointments. Memorandum Concerning Maryland Appointments

At 11 A.M. cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Grant reports to cabinet on surrender of Confederate forces at Appomattox, and Sec. Stanton presents draft of plan for reestablishing authority in Confederate States.

President tells several cabinet members about his recurring dream of ship "moving with great rapidity toward a dark and indefinite shore," that presages Union victories.

Cabinet meeting lasts from 11 A.M. to 2 P.M. Informal discussion relative to what should be done about President Davis and other leaders of Confederacy.

Between 2 and 3 P.M. President lunches with Mrs. Lincoln in private parlor.

Edward D. Neill, White House employee, sees President about signed commission.

Lincoln interviews Vice President Johnson at 3 P.M. Mrs. Nancy Bushrod, Negro woman, pushes by guards and sees President regarding husband's pay.

Cong. Samuel Shellabarger (Ohio) calls on President at approximately 4 P.M. to discuss appointments.

Asst. Sec. Dana reports to President at 4:30 P.M. that Jacob Thompson, Confederate agent in Canada, is now in U.S. making ready to sail for Europe. Should he be allowed to leave country? President is willing for him to leave.

Sec. Hugh McCulloch makes friendly call on President.

Around 5 P.M. Cong. Edward H. Rollins (N.H.) calls on President to get petition endorsed. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton

In late afternoon President and Mrs. Lincoln go for drive. They stop at Navy Yard to view three monitors, damaged in Fort Fisher, N.C., engagement. President talks of time when they can return to Illinois and live quietly.

Between 6 and 7 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln return from drive and find Gov. Richard J. Oglesby (Ill.) with other Illinois friends at White House. Reads four chapters of Petroleum V. Nasby's book [David R. Locke, The Nasby Papers . . . , Indianapolis, 1864.] to Oglesby and Gen. Isham N. Haynie.

After supper President interviews Cong. Colfax (Ind.) relative to special session of Congress and order of Gen. Weitzel. Former Cong. Cornelius Cole (Calif.) accompanies Colfax.

At 8 P.M. former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.) sees President regarding cotton claim against government. President gives him appointment as follows: "Allow Mr. Ashmun &friend to come in at 9 A.M. to-morrow." [Ashmun considered this Lincoln's last autograph.] Card of Admission for George Ashmun

President exchanges few words with former Cong. Arnold (Ill.) while getting in carriage to go to theater.

At approximately 8:30 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Clara Harris and Maj. Henry R. Rathbone, enter Ford's Theatre for performance of "Our American Cousin" featuring Laura Keene.

[Exact time of assassination is not agreed upon. After extensive research Otto Eisenschiml wrote:] "It is therefore safe to say that Booth fired his shot at or close to 13 minutes past 10 P.M."

Shortly afterward President, completely insensible, is moved across street to house of William Petersen, 453 10th St. NW., and placed upon bed in small room at rear of hall on ground floor. Mrs. Lincoln stays near her husband. Robert Lincoln and John Hay come from White House. Dr. Stone tells Robert there is no hope. Family and others whose official or private relations to President give them right to be present begin their long night wait for death to overtake him.


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[samgrant]

April 15


1861 - Monday

President Lincoln issues proclamation calling forth "the militia of the several States of the Union to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand." Proclamation Calling Militia and Convening Congress

Cabinet meets at 10 A.M. and remains in session virtually all day.

Gen. Scott, Gov. Curtin (Pa.), and Alexander K. McClure, prominent Pennsylvania Republican, attend conference at White House relative to defense of Washington. President remarks that if he were Gen. Pierre G. T. Beauregard (CSA), he would take Washington.

Interviews John W. Lawrence, Union mayor of Portsmouth, Va., who urges him to defend naval depot and estimates that over half of citizens of city are loyal.

Receives Sen. James Dixon (Conn.), who assures him Connecticut people approve President's course.

Writes Col. Elmer E. Ellsworth: "I have been, and still am anxious for you to have the best position in the military which can be given you." Abraham Lincoln to Elmer E. Ellsworth


1862 - Tuesday

President sends to Senate treaty with "Sac and Fox, of the Missouri, and the Iowa tribes, of Indians." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate

Uses March salary warrant for $2,083.33 to purchase 1861 treasury notes.

Recommends to Senate passage of resolution extending time for ratification of extradition treaty with Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate

Transmits to Senate treaty with Nicaragua as approved June 26, 1860, with amendments proposed by Congress of Nicaragua. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate


1863 - Wednesday

Mayor Wallach (Washington) and committee from school board of Washington confer with President on granting scholarships to service academies to students in public schools of that city.

President calls Sen. Sumner (Mass.) to White House for conference on resolution regarding slavery that might shape English public opinion in favor of U.S. Government. Resolution on Slavery

Sends note: "Hon. Sec. of Treasury, please give Louis [Bargdorf, doorkeeper at White House], whom you know, an audience of a few minutes." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase

Expresses uneasiness over progress of cavalry under Gen. Stoneman: "I do not know that any better can be done, but I greatly fear it is another failure already." Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker


1864 - Friday

Lincoln sends to Senate supplemental treaty with Chippewa Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate

Cabinet meets. Secs. Chase and Stanton and Postmaster Gen. Blair absent. Topics of general interest only.


1865 - Saturday

Surgeons maintain constant observation of President through night. About 2 A.M. Vice President pays call. Dawn finds Mrs. Lincoln and Robert still waiting in Petersen's house.

Dr. Charles S. Taft at bedside records his observations: President stops breathing "at 7:21 and 55 seconds in the morning of April 15th, and 7:22 and 10 seconds his pulse ceased to beat."

Silence follows and is broken by voice of Sec. Stanton: "Now he belongs to the ages."


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[larry_cockerham]

"Now he belongs to the ages".

Amazing he gets this much press 140 plus years later. His job as president was a bit thankless and an uphill battle at best. Without him, we wouldn't have all these ****** (thought I'd get the ed as well) pennies lying around.

[samgrant]

? Or: "Now he belongs to the angels." ?

[samgrant]

April 16


1861 - Tuesday

Lincoln holds patronage conference with Pennsylvania delegation including Gov. Curtin (Pa.).

Writes Sec. Cameron: "I especially wish Robert A. Kinzie to be appointed a Pay-Master. This is not a formality, but an earnest reality." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron


1862 - Wednesday

President signs "An act for the release of certain persons held to service, or labor in the District of Columbia," and for appointment of board of commissioners to appraise slaves of loyal citizens and allow payment not exceeding an average of $300. Message to Congress

Approves act authorizing establishment of branch post offices in cities.

Appoints J. G. Berret, former mayor of Washington, former Cong. Samuel F. Vinton (Ohio), and Daniel R. Goodloe, formerly of North Carolina, commissioners to act for abolition of slavery in District of Columbia.

Asst. Sec. Fox at White House in evening.


1863 - Thursday

President cancels contract with B. **** "for immigration of persons of African extraction to a dependency of the Republic of Hayti." Proclamation Cancelling Contract with Bernard Koch

Mil. Gov. Johnson introduces Judge John S. Brien of Nashville to President.

John Hay writes from Hilton Head, S.C., regarding attitude of Gen. Hunter and Rear Adm. Du Pont toward President's order of 13th. Hay is on assignment to deliver Sec. Welles' order of April 2, 1863. Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter and Samuel F. Du Pont

Lincoln writes memorandum concerning patronage in St. Louis. Editor of Missouri "Democrat" appointed postmaster. Party divides into factions. "I have stoutly tried to keep out of the quarrel, and so mean to do." Memorandum Concerning Patronage in St. Louis, Missouri


1864 - Saturday

President authorizes transfer of Fort Smith, Ark., and Indian Territory to Dept. of Arkansas. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck

News of disaster of Red River expedition reaches White House.

"The President is quite indisposed today, we regret to say, and is not receiving visitors."

Orders Provost Marshal Gen. James B. Fry to put on record "that the Philadelphia quotas be adjusted for the calls of 1863 and 1864 already made." Abraham Lincoln to James B. Fry

On recommendation of DeWitt C. Leach, agent of Mackinac Indian Agency, Detroit, Mich., that certain public lands be withdrawn from sale and added to Little Traverse Indian Reservation, Lincoln directs Sec. Usher: "Let the lands be withheld from sale as recommended." Abraham Lincoln to John P. Usher


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[samgrant]

April 17


1861 - Wednesday

Company of Marylanders calls upon President and urges reinforcement of Fort McHenry, Md.

Lincoln confers with Gen. Scott on matters pertaining to Harper's Ferry, Va., Gosport Navy Yard, Va., and defense of Washington.

Interviews George T. Whittington of Alexandria, Va., and recommends that Sec. Seward send him to Richmond to "make observations for us." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward


1862 - Thursday

President recognizes C. F. Adac as consul for Duchy of Saxe-Altenburg at Cincinnati.


1863 - Friday

Cabinet meets



1864 - Sunday

Lincoln receives invitation from William J. Albert, president, Maryland Sanitary Commission Fair, to be his guest while in Baltimore for fair on 18th.


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[samgrant]

April 18


1861 - Thursday

Lincoln hears eyewitness account of what Mr. Wiley of New York saw in Charleston Friday night, April 12, 1861.

Interviews New York "Tribune" correspondent, Bayard Taylor.

Quarters Jim Lane's "Frontier Guards" (600 Kansas men) in East Room of White House under Maj. Hunter.

F. P. Blair, Sr., allegedly at request of Lincoln, unofficially offers Col. Robert E. Lee command of Federal Army.

President confers with Sec. Welles and Gen. Scott on military protection of Norfolk Navy Yard, Va. Cabinet in evening meeting discusses fall of Harper's Ferry, Va., and possible attack on Navy Yard.

Lincoln retires early, but is awakened by John Hay, assistant secretary to President, bearing warning of possible plot against his life; merely grins.


1862 - Friday

President in conference room at Capitol consults with Sen. Browning (Ill.) about J. G. Berret's nomination.

President transmits to Congress documentation relative to arrest of Simon Cameron, minister to St. Petersburg and former secretary of war. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives

Calls Asst. Sec. Fox to White House. Mrs. Lincoln sends Mrs. Fox bouquet.


1863 - Saturday

President authorizes Asst. Sec. Harrington to discharge duties of secretary of treasury in absence of Sec. Chase. Appointment of George Harrington

Sec. Welles discusses with President letter he wrote to Sec. Seward on handling mails.

Surrenders confiscated mails to President under protest.

President recognizes Johannes Schumacher as consul of Free Hanse City of Bremen at Boston.

Gen. Heintzelman, with wife and daughter, spends evening at White House with Mrs. Lincoln who tells Mrs. Heintzelman that Charles Heintzelman will go to West Point.


1864 - Monday Washington, DC and Baltimore, MD.

Lincoln commutes courtmartial sentences of 20 prisoners sentenced to be shot.

Interviews Chippewa Indian chiefs in East Room of White House and conducts them on tour.

Participates in program opening Maryland Sanitary Commission Fair. Gov. Bradford (Md.) delivers eloquent address before crowd of 6,000 to 8,000, followed by 15-minute speech by Lincoln. President refers to change in Union sentiment since 1861 in Baltimore. It "is part only of a far wider change. When the war began, three years ago, neither party, nor any man, expected it would last till now. . . . So true is it that man proposes, and God disposes." Comments on meaning of liberty and massacre reported at Fort Pillow, Tenn.
Address at Sanitary Fair, Baltimore, Maryland

Mrs. Lincoln does not attend Baltimore fair.



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[samgrant]

April 19


1861 - Friday

Cabinet in morning session hears Comdr. James Alden's (USN) story of conditions at Norfolk.

President issues proclamation blockading ports in states of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Proclamation of a Blockade

Drives out to inspect forts around Washington. Attempts to aid Gosport Navy Yard, Va., but fails.

Representatives of Mayor George W. Brown (Baltimore) present letter informing Lincoln "that it is not possible for more soldiers to pass through Baltimore unless they fight their way at every step."

President receives telegram from Gov. Hicks (Md.) and Brown that 6th Massachusetts Infantry passing through Baltimore is attacked by mob. Approximately four soldiers and nine citizens killed. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks and George W. Brown

Interviews Col. John B. Magruder, commanding 1st U.S. Artillery defending Washington, who thinks of resigning. [Magruder, a Virginia native, did resign and was commisioned brigadier general of the CSA.]

President is "annoyed" to learn his hotel bill ($773.75) has not been paid. Sends John G. Nicolay to pay it and obtain receipt.


1862 - Saturday Washington, DC and Aquia Creek, VA.

President announces ratification of treaty with Potawatomi Indians of Kansas.

In afternoon, accompanied by Secs. Stanton and Chase, Comdr. Dahlgren, and D. Dudley Field, New York merchant, boards revenue cutter "Miami" at Navy Yard for trip down Potomac to meet Gen. McDowell at Aquia Creek. Reaches destination. McDowell does not arrive. Lincoln spends night on board.


1863 - Sunday En route to Aquia Creek, VA and Washington, DC.

"The President and Halleck went down to the Army very privately yesterday leaving here before daylight, and returning the same night." "The President and the Secretary of War went off on a reconnaissance yesterday, I suppose to Aquia Creek, but returned in the evening. What they did or saw has not transpired." [Noah Brooks]


1864 - Tuesday Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC.

President returns to Washington in morning from Baltimore.

Recognizes G. B. Carruti as consul of Italy at San Francisco and F. de Luca at New Orleans.

Does not attend cabinet meeting.

Rests preparatory to night reception at White House.

Large crowd overruns White House at last reception of season. President gives "warm salutation and a pleasant word" to "official and social intimates."


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