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.
Lincoln refuses to accept resignation of Col. Lamon as U.S. marshal for District of Columbia.
1862 - Wednesday
Lincoln receives J. Wesley Greene, Pittsburgh businessman, at White House for interview to hear about two conversations Greene claims to have had with President Davis. Memorandum Concerning J. Wesley Greene
Orders Atty. Gen. Bates to issue pardon to Gen. Edwin R. Price (CSA), who resigned his commission and went home. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates
1863 - Thursday Gettysburg, PA and Washington, DC.
According to Nicolay's account, after breakfast at Wills house, Lincoln retires to his room, where Nicolay joins him, and completes preparation of his speech.
About 10 A.M. President, dressed in black, wearing white gauntlets and usual crepe around hat in memory of Willie, leaves Wills house to join procession. Receives round after round of "three hearty cheers," and shakes many hands as crowd gathers.
Thousands welcome President in Gettysburg. Weather fine. Flags in Washington at half-mast in honor of dead in cemetery at Gettysburg.
Gov. Curtin (Pa.), who arrived last evening with numerous important people on special train from Harrisburg, Pa., remarks to Lincoln about serenade given Gov. Seymour (N.Y.), and Lincoln replies: "He deserves it. No man has shown greater interest and promptness in his cooperation with us."
President mounts "a magnificent chestnut charger."
Rides in procession to cemetery.
Procession delayed; starts to move about 11 A.M.
Head of procession arrives at speaker's platform inside cemetery at 11:15 A.M. President receives military salute. President and members of cabinet, with group of military and civic dignitaries, occupy platform. "The President was received with marked respect and a perfect silence due to the solemnity of the occasion, every man among the immense gathering uncovering at his appearance."
Lincoln shakes hands with Gov. Tod (Ohio), who introduces Gov.-elect John Brough (Ohio), and takes his place between chairs reserved for Sec. Seward and Edward Everett, orator to make principal address. At 11:40 A.M. Everett arrives, is introduced to President, and program music begins.
Once during Everett's two-hour oration Lincoln stirs in his chair. "He took out his steel-bowed spectacles, put them on his nose, took two pages of manuscript from his pocket, looked them over and put them back."
Pronounces his "r" plainly, does not speak like Southerner.
On platform, after speech, President remarks to Marshal Lamon: "Lamon, that speech won't scour! It is a flat failure and the people are disappointed."
John R. Young, recording speech in shorthand for Philadelphia "Press," leans across aisle and asks President if that is all. Lincoln replies, "Yes, for the present."
President decides to hear address by Lt. Gov.-elect Charles Anderson (Pa.) at 4:30 P.M. in Presbyterian Church. Meets "old John Burns, the soldier of 1812, and the only man in Gettysburg who volunteered to defend it." Burns accompanies him and Sec. Seward to hear Anderson speak. President's special train leaves Gettysburg about 7 P.M. and arrives in Washington at 1:10 A.M. on Friday.
Lincoln returns from Gettysburg with a mild form of smallpox (varioloid) and remains under half quarantine in White House for nearly three weeks.
President and several members of cabinet ride to Munson's Hill, Bailey's Cross Roads, Va., approximately six miles from White House, and witness "the largest and most magnificent military review ever held on this continent."
1862 - Thursday
President receives, by hand of Sen. Henry M. Rice (Minn.), memorial regarding Indian affairs signed by 18 bishops of Episcopal Church.
Reviews Gen. Silas Casey's division at Fort Albany, Va., one mile from Long Bridge.
1863 - Friday
Sec. Usher informs President that grading of first 40 miles of Union Pacific Railroad was completed November 18, 1863.
Exchanges letters with Edward Everett who writes: "I should be glad, if I could flatter myself that I came as near to the central idea of the occasion, in two hours, as you did in two minutes." Lincoln writes: "I am pleased to know that, in your judgment, the little I did say [Gettysburg] was not entirely a failure." Abraham Lincoln to Edward Everett
Reads to John Hay letter of Sen. Chandler (Mich.) relative to attitude of War Democrats toward Thurlow Weed, Sec. Seward, and Postmaster Gen. Blair.
Replies to Chandler's letter: "I hope to 'stand firm' enough to not go backward, and yet not go forward fast enough to wreck the country's cause." Abraham Lincoln to Zachariah Chandler
Requests Sec. Stanton : "Please see and hear the Attorney General, and oblige him in what he will ask in regard to a niece of his who is in distress." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton
In evening Cong. Colfax (Ind.) visits Lincoln.
1864 - Sunday
Writes Charles A. Dana, asking him to see Mr. Stokes.
Fifteenth New York Regiment in presence of Lincoln gives exhibition of skill in throwing pontoon bridge across eastern branch of Potomac.
President writes Gen. McClellan: "If General McClellan and General Halleck deem it necessary to declare and maintain martial law at St. Louis the same is hereby authorized." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan
Asks Sec. Smith: "Can you, by any possibility, find some place for Judge Taft? I shall be greatly obliged if you can & will." [Taft's children were playmates of Willie and Tad Lincoln.] Abraham Lincoln to Caleb B. Smith
Interviews group of unconditional Union Kentuckians on subject of gradual abolition of slavery. Remarks to Union Kentuckians
1863 - Saturday
Lincoln, ill with mild case of smallpox, quips: "Now I have something I can give everybody."
"Old Abe has a well developed case of varioloid. I was with him an hour and a half the other day and we went over many things."
Converses in evening for more than hour with Cong. Colfax (Ind.) about Postmaster Gen. Blair and presidential candidates.
1864 - Monday
Lincoln writes famous letter to Mrs. Lydia Bixby. [Although original manuscript is generally believed to be lost, an authentic text appeared in Boston "Transcript," November 25, 1864.] Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Lydia Bixby
Interviews Cyrus M. Allen of Vincennes, Ind., who speaks for appointment of Joseph G. Bowman, colleague of Lincoln in Illinois Legislature in 1839, as assessor of internal revenue. Abraham Lincoln to William P. Fessenden
Writes former Cong. Augustus R. Wright (Ga.): "Admitting that your cotton was destroyed by the Federal Army, I do not suppose any-thing could be done for you now. Congress has appropriated no money for that class of claims, and will not, I expect, while the active war lasts." Abraham Lincoln to Augustus R. Wright
Cabinet considers granting clearances to reconquered Southern ports.
President recognizes Oscar Malmborg as vice consul of Norway and Sweden at Chicago.
Following books sent to White House from Library of Congress: "U.S. Constitution 1783, U.S. Constitution 1856, Mormonism in all ages, Mormons, or Latter Day Saints, Works of Jefferson, vols. 4, 7, 8, 9." [Possibly first title is in error for one of several 1787 printings of Constitution; second is likely Declaration of Independence, and Constitution of the United States of America, with its Amendments. Census of 1850, Boston, 1856; third volume is unidentified; fourth is Henry Mayhew, The Mormons; or Latter-Day Saints. With Memoirs of the Life and Death of Joseph Smith . . ., London, 1856; fifth, The Writings of Thomas Jefferson, New York, 1861.]
1862 - Saturday
President decides that "Confederate Scrip" owned by Union men may not be invested in cotton to be removed from Confederacy. Abraham Lincoln to William L. Vance
Holds conference at Sec. Seward's residence.
Informs Gen. Banks: "I have just been overwhelmed and confounded with the sight of a requisition made by you, . . . If you had the articles of this requisition upon the wharf, with the necessary animals to make them of use, and forage forthe animals, you could not get vessels together in two weeks to carry the whole, to say nothing of your twenty thousand men; . . . And, after all, where you are going, you have no use for them." Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks
1863 - Sunday
Lincoln receives N. B. Judd, minister to Prussia, who expresses desire to return to private life.
In evening Sec. Seward reads to President dispatch from Gen. Cassius M. Clay (resigned), minister to Russia, on American politics, European diplomacy, and naval improvements of century.
President confers with A. G. Hodges and Gen. Samuel G. Suddarth, of Kentucky State Militia, in hope of devising means of harmony for Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas E. Bramlette
Interviews Gov. Morton (Ind.) regarding war news printed in Indianapolis "Daily Journal."
Receives information that ox presented to National Sailors' Fair brought $3,200.
Elizabeth Todd Grimsley seeks appointment as postmaster at Springfield, Ill.
President and Sec. Seward leave at 1 P.M. in steamer "Mount Washington" to visit flotilla on Potomac, and return in time for Lincoln to enjoy performance of Hermann, the magician, at White House.
Mrs. Lincoln, accompanied by Comdr. Dahlgren and John Hay, goes down Potomac on board steamer "Mount Washington" as far as Stump Neck.
Invites about 100 guests, including Gen. Heintzelman and wife, to White House for evening's entertainment.
1862 - Sunday
President reads collection of newspaper editorials by Henry Ward Beecher criticizing administration of government.
1863 - Monday
President, somewhat despondent over progress of Gen. Grant, takes "heart again" from success of Gen. Thomas in Tennessee.
Accepts resignation of Gen. Schenck, to take effect December 20, 1863.
Transmits to Sec. Seward contents of two dispatches, to effect that Gen. Burnside thinks he can hold Knoxville. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward
1864 - Wednesday
Gen. Grant and staff in Washington conduct long interviews with President, Sec. Stanton , and Gen. Halleck.
Sen. Ramsey (Minn.) visits President and secretary of war. "President in fine spirits."
President calls conference on "Trent" affair at War Dept. with members of cabinet and several senators.
Consults with Cong. Isaac N. Arnold (Ill.) about conditions in Northwest and what Federal government should do for that section.
1862 - Monday
President answers "no" to question of Gen. Schurz: "Has it not been . . . apparantly [sic] proved as a fact, that . . . the enemy was continually supplied with information by some of the confidential subordinates?" Asks for any tangible evidence upon that subject. Abraham Lincoln to Carl Schurz
Explains to George S. Boutwell, commissioner of internal revenue, that by oversight "the Eastern Shore counties of Virginia, and some other counties of Hon. Mr. [Cong. Joseph E.] Segar's District, were not classed as loyal in the proclamation of July." Abraham Lincoln to George S. Boutwell
Writes Maj. Key: "In regard to my dismissal of yourself from the military service, it seems to me you misunderstand me. . . . I bear you no ill will; . . . I am really sorry for the pain the case gives you, but I do not see how, consistently with duty, I can change it." Abraham Lincoln to John J. Key
1863 - Tuesday
Sec. Seward confers with President relative to warning Spain not to interfere in Santo Domingo.
In afternoon Mrs. Lincoln visits regiment of Col. John Cochrane, former congressman from New York, encamped near Glenwood Cemetery, north of Capitol.
1862 - Tuesday
11:30 A.M. President inquires of Gen. Burnside: "If I should be in a Boat off Aquia-Creek, at dark to-morrow (wednesday) evening, could you, without inconvenience, meet me & pass an hour or two with me?" Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside
Interviews Samuel B. Ruggles, New York lawyer, politician, and railroad and bank director, regarding "active steps to favor N.Y."
1863 - Wednesday
President signs authorization: "During the temporary absence of the Secretary of War his duties will be performed by Assistant Secretary P H Watson." Authorization for Peter H. Watson
Telegraphs Gen. Grant: "Your despatches as to fighting on Monday & Tuesday [Orchard Knob and Lookout Mountain] are here. Well done. Many thanks to all. Remember Burnside." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant
Lincoln expects war news in evening but retires to bed early feeling unwell.
1864 - Friday
Cabinet meets. President reads draft of Annual Message to Congress.
Replies to inquiry of Gov. Curtin (Pa.): "I have no knowledge, information, or belief, that three States, or any state, offer to resume allegiance." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew G. Curtin
John Hay, for Lincoln, thanks George B. Smith for present of piece of beef.
President confers with Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas regarding confiscation of her property in southern Illinois. "But it is especially dangerous for my name to be connected with the matter; for nothing would more certainly excite the secessionists to do the worst they can against the children." Memorandum: Advice to Mrs. Stephen A. Douglas
Sec. Cameron and Bishop Matthew Simpson of Methodist Church discuss with President possible bias of government toward churches.
Mrs. Lincoln attended by former Cong. Ashmun (Mass.) watches Gen. McClellan's morning review of regular troops on East Capitol Hill.
1862 - Wednesday
President at Belle Plain in evening for conference with Gen. Burnside. "Neither Halleck nor the Sect. knew that he was going."
Referring to slave belonging to Judge George Robertson of Kentucky, Lincoln writes: "If this be true, convey yours [slave] to Col. [William L.] Utley, so that he can make him free, and I will pay you any sum not exceeding five hundred dollars." Abraham Lincoln to George Robertson
Mrs. Lincoln leaves New York on return trip to Washington.
1863 - Thursday
President confined to sick room.
Gen. Meagher presents Pvt. Miles O'Reilly [pen-name of Charles G. Halpine] to President.
1864 - Saturday
At 10 A.M., before an informal gathering in White House, President receives gift of elkhorn chair from its maker, Seth Kinman, California hunter. Clinton Lloyd of Pennsylvania makes presentation speech to which Lincoln replies briefly.
President consults with Sec. Stanton in morning about sending Gen. Banks to New Orleans. [They concluded that he should go; but Banks remained in Washington four months longer.] Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks
Citizens of Saratoga County, N.Y., petition President for exchange of prisoners.
President orders government departments closed tomorrow because Washington and Georgetown authorities have appointed 28th as day of thanksgiving. Order for Day of Thanksgiving
Thanks Synod of New York and New Jersey for resolutions appealing to Christians to behave like Christians in these wicked times.
Calls at home of Asst. Sec. Fox in evening.
1862 - Thursday
President confers with Gen. Burnside on board steamer "Baltimore" preparatory to attack on Fredericksburg, Va.
Proposes plan for attacking Fredericksburg: three forces to move simultaneously, one from Port Royal, Va., directly up south side of Rappahannock, one from north side of Pamunkey, while Burnside attempts crossing at Fredericksburg. Gens. Halleck and Burnside reject plan. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck
Returns to Washington before noon.
Ohio congressmen wait upon President with petition for release of former Cong. Edson B. Olds (Ohio), imprisoned in Fort Lafayette, N.Y., for disloyalty.
Mrs. Lincoln arrives home after extended trip to New York and Boston.
1863 - Friday
President is prohibited by physician from receiving visitors or interviewing members of cabinet.
I want to thank you again for this thread and your tireless effort to keep it current and up-to-date.
It has become a priceless historical resource for me and others.
Thanks again,
Unionblue
__________________ "The American people and the Government at Washington may refuse to recognize it for a time but the inexorable logic of events will force it upon them in the end; that the war now being waged in this land is a war for and against slavery." Frederick Douglass
"Loyalty to our ancestors does not include loyalty to their mistakes." George Santayana
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Linear Mode
