Civil War History - Secession and PoliticsWas it Slavery, or was it States Rights? Perhaps it was the election of Lincoln? What were the real reasons for Southern Secession and what were the political issues in this time of war? Find your answers here in the Secession and Politics Disussion.
President and John Hay, assistant secretary to President, have tea in evening with family of Asst. Sec. Fox.
1862 - Wednesday
[Nothing of note.]
1863 - Thursday
President attends wedding of Kate Chase, daughter of Sec. Chase, and Sen. William Sprague (R.I.) for few minutes without Mrs. Lincoln.
"Mr. Lincoln and most of the Cabinet were there [Chase wedding] and many General officers in uniform."
Lincoln requests J. D. Defrees: "Please see this girl who works in your [Government printing] office, and find out about her brother, and come and tell me." [Her brother, impressed into Confederate service, was taken prisoner by Union forces.] Abraham Lincoln to John D. Defrees
1864 - Saturday
President interviews Col. Julius C. Kretchmar, 103d New York Volunteers, and sends him to Gen. Marsena R. Patrick, provost marshal general, Army of Potomac. Abraham Lincoln to Marsena R. Patrick
Receives former Cong. Bingham (Ohio) regarding pass for Mrs. E. M. Bradley of Kentucky.
Notifies Gen. John A. Logan that leave for him to visit Washington was granted some days ago, subject to countermand by Gen. Sherman. Abraham Lincoln to John A. Logan
Baltimore delegation visits President on behalf of unemployed and destitute laborers in city.
Lincoln, Sec. Seward, and John Hay wait in Gen. McClellan's residence to see him. McClellan arrives home from wedding and retires to bed without speaking to President.
Mrs. Lincoln returns to Washington.
Lincoln writes Sec. Cameron: "I hope you will, if possible, find some employment for" Charles S. Todd, former minister to Russia, "and distantly related to Mrs. L." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron
1862 - Thursday
New York delegation urges President to enforce better observance of Sabbath in army. Order for Sabbath Observance
President discusses with Capt. Dahlgren promotion of son, Capt. Ulric Dahlgren (USA).
Orders that attorney general be charged with superintendence and direction of all proceedings to be held under Act of Congress of July 17, 1862, entitled "An Act to suppress Insurrection, to punish Treason and Rebellion." Order Concerning the Confiscation Act
Acknowledges message from E. H. E. Jameson, member Missouri Legislature: "Yours saying [B. G.] Brown and [John B.] Henderson are elected Senators, is received. I understand, this is one and one. If so, it is knocking heads together to some purpose." Abraham Lincoln to E. H. E. Jameson
1864 - Sunday
President continues to receive many telegrams relative to election.
Lincoln receives account of Leonard Swett's survey of Dept. of West.
Consults with Gen. McClellan and Asst. Sec. Fox about another "big expedition."
Calls at Sec. Seward's house in evening and meets newspapermen W. H. Russell, correspondent London "Times," and Henry J. Raymond, editor New York "Times."
1862 - Friday
President pauses on way to War Dept. to watch telegraph operators practice new flag code of James M. Swain on White House grounds.
Agrees with Halleck on Gen. Burnside's plans and notifies Burnside to go ahead.
Receives Massachusetts group bearing petition from 12,333 women supporting administration.
Telegraphs Gen. Francis P. Blair, Jr., at St. Louis: "Please telegraph me the result of the election in Missouri, on Congress and Legislature." Abraham Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Jr.
1863 - Saturday
Lincoln interviews Gov. Curtin (Pa.) and delegation interested in appointments.
President's son, Tad, receives South American pony as gift from Col. Joseph B. Stewart whom he met while visiting New York.
1864 - Monday
President accepts resignation of Gen. McClellan and appoints Gen. Sheridan to rank of major general.
O. H. Browning at White House in evening learns that President has not started on his Message to Congress.
Lincoln writes Gen. Hurlbut: "Few things, since I have been here, have impressed me more painfully than what, for four or five months past, has appeared as bitter military opposition to the new State Government of Louisiana." Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Hurlbut
President replies to address presented by delegation from Baltimore: "The Government of the United States has been diligently engaged in endeavoring . . . to save Baltimore and Maryland from the danger of complete ruin through an unnecessary and unnatural rebellion." Reply to Delegation of Baltimore Citizens
Interviews Gen. Charles P. Stone.
Postmaster Gen. Blair and wife call on President. Blair confers with Lincoln about "Trent" affair involving removal by Capt. Charles Wilkes (USN) in command of U.S.S. "San Jacinto," of former Sen. James M. Mason (Va.) and former Sen. John Slidell (La.) Confederate envoys, from British ship.
In afternoon President and several members of cabinet board steamer "Mount Washington" at Navy Yard for Alexandria, Va., to inspect U.S.S. "Pensacola."
1862 - Saturday
President, with Secs. Seward and Chase, drives to Navy Yard for trial test of Hyde rocket. Capt. Dahlgren joins group. Defective rocket explodes; President miraculously escapes injury.
Prescribes that Sunday labor in army and navy be reduced to measure of strict necessity. Order for Sabbath Observance
John Hay writes: "Hell is to pay about Watt's affairs [John Watt, White House gardener and temporary steward, suspected of juggling government funds]. I think the Tycoon [President] begins to suspect him. . . . He [Watt] has got William and Carroll turned off, and has his eye peeled for a pop at me, because I won't let Madame [Mrs. Lincoln] have our stationery fund. They have gone to New York together."
Mrs. Lincoln returns to New York from Boston and plans to stay at Metropolitan Hotel few days before going to Washington.
1863 - Sunday
President's bodyguard, Marshal Lamon, announces program for dedication of National Cemetery at Gettysburg on November 19, 1863.
Lincoln, accompanied by Noah Brooks, visits Gardner's Gallery and poses for photographs.
Attends Grover's Theatre to see E. L. Davenport in role of Hamlet.
Asks governors to tell him exactly, or approximately, number of votes cast in their states in late election. Information needed for forthcoming Annual Message. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel A. Cony and Others
Telegraphs chairman, Maryland State Central Committee of Union Party: "I shall be happy to receive the committee on Thursday morning (17th.) as you propose." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Purnell
Asks Gen. Thomas how much force and artillery Gen. Gillem had, when attacked and routed near Morristown, Tenn., last night. Abraham Lincoln to George H. Thomas
Gen. Edwin V. Sumner interviews President and Gen. McClellan.
Sen. Sumner (Mass.) and Postmaster Gen. Blair urge Lincoln to surrender Mason and Slidell at once.
President writes Adjt. Gen. Thomas: "Lieut. John Watt who, I believe, has been detailed to do service about the White-House, is not needed for that purpose, and you assign him to his proper place in Regiment." Abraham Lincoln to Lorenzo Thomas
1862 - Sunday
Assoc. Justice David Davis discusses with Lincoln plan to send whole western military force down Mississippi. Abraham Lincoln to Samuel Treat
Hiram Barney consults with Lincoln about removals from office for political reasons.
1863 - Monday
President interviews Gen. Richard Busteed (commission expired March 4, 1863) and nominates him to be judge in northern Alabama. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates
Receives Commandant Isola and Lt. Martinez, from Italian ships docked at New York.
Confers with Sen. Lafayette S. Foster (Conn.) in afternoon. Interviews visitors from Montreal introduced by Mayor Wallach (Washington).
Lincoln interviews Jean J. Giers, of Alabama, who asks for small-arm ammunition needed by loyal people in northern Alabama. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton
Consults with Thurlow Weed about recent elections.
Lincoln had a meeting with a committee of New York merchants during March of 1861.
Does anyone know the exact day?
__________________ POWER & MONEY
"Your New-York bankers and merchants are shrewd people, but I never gave them credit for so much sagacity as when they took the Government Loan. It was not merely patriotism, it was a high stroke of policy. It has saved the Government, and what they will regard as equally important, saved them from a great financial disaster."
possibley March 6th. He meets with delegates from PA, RI, and NY not sure if they are the same.
__________________ "In mortal combat, a man may and will become so infuriated by the din and dangers of a bloody fight that his heart will turn to stone and his every de sire [be] for blood."
John Hadley, 7th Indiana after the battle at Port Republic
Lincoln had a meeting with a committee of New York merchants during March of 1861.
Does anyone know the exact day?
March 2, 1861 "Deputation headed by Simeon Draper, New York merchant and friend of Sen. Seward (N.Y.), protests appointment of Sen.-elect Chase (Ohio) to cabinet. Lincoln proposes alternate slate without Seward's name. Delegation retires nonplussed."
more probably:
February 20, 1861 "Accompanied by Thurlow Weed, N. B. Judd, James W. Webb, editor, "Morning Courier and New York Enquirer," and Gov. William Sprague (R.I.), Lincoln leaves Astor House at 8:30 A.M. to breakfast with selected group of merchants at home of former Cong. Moses H. Grinnell (N.Y.), New York merchant."
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"It was a very peculiar time." - Franklin D. Cossitt
Ancestors in USA Army: 6th IA Inf, 11th IL Cav, 1st AL Cav; 122nd NY Inf; 6th MI Cav; 35th MA Inf; 100th IL Inf; 1st CO Inf/Cav; 22nd IN Inf
President interviews A. B. Bennett, prominent gentleman from Canada, who expresses sympathy with Unioncause.
Writes Gen. Blair: "I suppose you are ordered to St. Helena. This means that you are to form part of McClernand's expedition, as it moves down the [Mississippi] river." Abraham Lincoln to Francis P. Blair, Jr.
Replies to Robert A. Maxwell, resident of Philadelphia addicted to writing sensational and sometimes unintelligible letters on public affairs to members of government: "Your despatch of to-day received. I do not at all understand it." [Probably relates to Richmond campaign and Gen. Franklin.] Abraham Lincoln to Robert A. Maxwell
1863 - Tuesday
President watches parade of 2,500 from Invalid Corps pass White House.
Presents elastic penholder to Atty. Gen. Bates and receives in return quill from Rocky Mountain Bald Eagle, pre-war gift to Bates from J. E. B. Stuart.
At suggestion of Sec. Seward, interviews Judge Duvall of Texas.
Discusses train schedule to Gettysburg with Sec. Stanton
Recognizes Frederick Hertel as consul of Kingdom of Hanover at Chicago.
Issues order concerning Union Pacific Railroad fixing "so much of the Western boundary of the State of Iowa as lies between the North and South boundaries of the United States Township . . . as the point from which the line of railroad . . . shall be constructed." Order Concerning Union Pacific Railroad
Alters original one-day schedule to Gettysburg arranged by Stanton : "I do not like this arrangement. I do not wish to so go that by the slightest accident we fail entirely, and, at the best, the whole to be a mere breathless running of the gauntlet." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton
In evening examines drawing of burial plot of National Cemetery at Gettysburg with William Saunders, designer.
Informs James Speed he has prepared about half of Gettysburg Address.
1864 - Thursday
Union Maryland Central Committee calls on President by appointment. Montgomery Blair introduces each member to Lincoln. William H. Purnell, chairman, delivers an address, and President replies that his pleasure from recent election consists in belief that policy he has pursued will be the best and only one that can save the country. Reply to Maryland Union Committee
Asst. Sec. Dana delivers two letters forwarded by Gen. Dix to President. President looks at letters and seems to think them of little importance. [Letters were picked up in New York by Mrs. Hudspeth and sent to Dix. They later became part of evidence in trial of Lincoln conspirators.]
Lincoln submits to Sec. Seward plan of H. P. Livingston to assist in putting down rebellion by purchasing controlling interest in Southern newspapers. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward
Lincoln appoints father of late Col. Ellsworth military storekeeper.
Mrs. Lincoln, escorted by Gen. Daniel E. Sickles, visits arsenal.
Borrows from Library of Congress: "Oeuvres de Victor Hugo, vol. 11." Additional books sent to White House are Gunnison's "Mormons," Hyde's "Mormonism," and "Book of Mormons." [John Williams Gunnison, Mormons, or Latter Day Saints . . ., Philadelphia, 1856; John Hyde, Mormonism: Its Leaders and Designs, New York, 1857; The Book of Mormon; an Account Taken by the Hand of Mormon from the Plates of Nephi. By Joseph Smith Jr., Palmyra, N.Y., 1830.]
Lincoln thanks George Bancroft, historian, for sending report of proceedings of New York meeting for relief of Union people of North Carolina. Abraham Lincoln to George Bancroft
1862 - Tuesday
President sends William M. McPherson of St. Louis to Arkansas for purpose of persuading people who want peace to elect members to Congress, "and perhaps a legislature, State officers, and United States Senators." Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele, John S. Phelps and Others
Mrs. Lincoln is still at Metropolitan hotel in New York where she is receiving daily calls from elite of city.
Lincoln inquires of Gen. Dix at Fortress Monroe, Va.: "Please give me your best opinion, as to the number of the enemy now at Richmond, and also at Petersburg." Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dix
1863 - Wednesday Washington, DC and Gettysburg, PA.
President sad and depressed because Tad is too ill to eat breakfast and Mrs. Lincoln is hysterical.
Writes note that William H. Johnson, his valet, will accompany him to Gettysburg.
President and party leave Washington about noon on special train of four cars furnished by B. & O. Railroad.
Party consists of John Nicolay and John Hay, Secs. Seward and Usher, Postmaster Gen. Blair, several members of diplomatic corps, and foreign visitors, together with military guard from Invalid Corps and Marine band. Gen. Schenck's staff boards train at Baltimore about 2 P.M.
During ride to Gettysburg President relates number of stories and puts everyone at ease. Little girl presents flowers to President at one stop and receives kiss in return.
Presidential party reaches Bolton Station in Baltimore in 1 hour and 10 minutes. Train is transported to North Central tracks and proceeds on that line to Hanover Junction, Pa. Changes to Hanover Line for remainder of trip. Proceeds west to Hanover where "train passing east compelled the Presidential train to halt. . . . The President stepped upon the platform . . . and delivered one of the brief, quaint speeches for which he is celebrated. Said he: 'Well, you had the rebels here last summer . . . did you fight them any?' " Train is delayed 8 minutes at Hanover.
Special train arrives about 5 P.M. in Gettysburg, where Lincoln is guest of Judge Wills.
After supper Lincoln receives telegram from Sec. Stanton : "By inquiry Mrs. Lincoln informed me that your son is better this evening."
Singers from Washington and choir from Baltimore also serenade President.
1864 - Friday
President confers with William P. Wood, superintendent, Old Capitol Prison, regarding Negro soldier sentenced to die. Grants respite of one week. [Soldier hanged 25th.]
Proclaims treaty and convention between U.S. and Belgium for abolition of Scheldt Dues.
Deposits September salary warrant for $1,981.66 in Riggs Bank.
The Rev. and Mrs. Phineas D. Gurley are dinner guests.
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