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 stands on sidewalk in front of White House and reviews 6th U.S. Cavalry in forenoon.
Telegraphs Gen. Buell: "Have arms gone forward for East-Tennessee? Please tell me the progress and condition of the movement, in that direction." Abraham Lincoln to Don C. Buell
1863 - Sunday
Cesar J. Kaskel, sponsored by Cong. John A. Gurley (Ohio), interviews Lincoln regarding order issued by Gen. Grant expelling Jews from Military Department of Tennessee.
James M. Winchell, newspaper correspondent, interviews President on Battle of Stone's River.
Lincoln attends New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and drives Sen. Browning (Ill.) home.
Authorizes Sec. Welles to hear and to judge applications for permission to move families and property to protection within Union lines. Abraham Lincoln to Gideon Welles
1864 - Monday
Lincoln is honorary officer of Ladies Great National Sanitary Fair in Washington during January.
1865 - Wednesday
President interviews Thornton F. Marshall of Kentucky regarding "trade regulations in our portion of Ky." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton
Discusses problems of dealing in cotton with Fergus Peniston of New Orleans, and grants him permit to trade. Cotton Permit for Fergus Peniston
Sec. Welles consults with Lincoln about employing criminal lawyer to represent government.
Congratulates Gen. William S. Rosecrans on victory in Battle of Murfreesboro (Stone's River): "God bless you, and all with you!" Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans
Lincoln receives December salary warrant for $2,022.33.
Borrows from Library of Congress: "Atlantic [magazine], Jan.-June 1861."
1864 - Tuesday
President transmits to Congress communications from secretary of war and provost marshal general relating to joint resolution, approved December 23, 1863, prohibiting payment of bounties to veteran volunteers after January 5, 1864. "I feel constrained to recommend a re-consideration of the subject." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives
Sends Gen. Nathan Kimball to Arkansas with blank books in which to record names of persons taking oath of December 8, 1863. Abraham Lincoln to Frederick Steele
Asks H. T. Blow, president of Western Academy of Art, to thank John W. Schaerff, artist and lithographer at St. Louis, for "photograph of Mr. Schaerpp's picture which you have had the kindness to deliver." Abraham Lincoln to Henry T. Blow
1865 - Thursday
Lincoln sends for O. H. Browning in morning. Talks about Emily Todd Helm and Martha Todd White, who have cotton to sell. Issues passes for J W. Singleton to go south and visit trading posts.
Authorizes Asst. Sec. Dana to perform duties of secretary of war in absence of Sec. Stanton.
Receives committee of Democratic senators from Maryland asking that State Sen.-elect Levin L. Waters be released from military custody.
Receives December salary warrant for $1,981.66 and tucks it away in desk. [This is one of four found in desk after his death.]
Telegraphs Gen. Grant: "Richard T. Jacob, Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, is at the Spotswood-House in Richmond under an order of Gen. Burbridge not to return to Kentucky. Please communicate leave to him to pass your lines, and come to me here at Washington." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant
Writes Stanton that "while Gen. Sherman's 'get a good ready' is appreciated, and is not to be overlooked, time, now that the enemy is wavering, is more important than ever before. Being on the down-hill, & some what confused, keeping him going. Please say so much to Genl. S." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton
President visits Gen. McClellan still confined at home with typhoid fever. Shows him dispatch from Gen. Buell relative to military situation in East Tennessee. Abraham Lincoln to Don C. Buell
Cabinet meets 7:30 P.M. at request of Joint Committee on Conduct of War. Lincoln rejects demand of Sen. Wade (Ohio) for removal of McClellan.
Receives December salary warrant for $2,083.33.
1863 - Tuesday
Col. Daniel Ullmann and Capt. Alban B. Botsford, both of 78th New York Infantry, confer with President in matter of organizing brigade of Negro troops in Louisiana. Memorandum Concerning Alban B. Botsford
Lincoln directs Sec. Seward not to countersign contract between U.S. government and B. **** for colonizing 5,000 Negroes on Ile à Vache. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward
Interviews Strange N. Palmer, father of Robert M. Palmer, late minister to Argentine, and Simon Cameron regarding commission in Marine Corps for Strange J. Palmer.
President explains to Mrs. Abraham H. Hoge that to make her son a major it is necessary to find a vacancy and officer who is willing to take him. Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Abraham H. Hoge
1864 - Wednesday
President confers with Atty. Gen. Bates in forenoon about departmental matters.
Sends congratulations to King of Portugal on birth of Prince Carlos Fernando. Abraham Lincoln to Luiz I
A. Kidder of Chicago sends President 50 engraved and lithographed copies of Emancipation Proclamation.
Answers objection of Gov. Thomas E. Bramlette (Ky.) to order of Gen. Foster moving troops specifically raised for protection of Kentucky to Knoxville, presumably at direction of Gen. Grant. "True, these troops are, in strict law, only to be removed by my order; but Gen. Grant's judgment would be the highest incentive to me to make such order." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas E. Bramlette
1865 - Friday
Cabinet meets.
President receives telegram from Gen. Grant requesting prompt action in removing Gen. Butler from command.
Deposits October salary warrant for $1,981.67 in Riggs Bank.
Scolds Gen. Napoleon J. T. Dana for issuing order requiring affidavits of ownership and control over products transported under treasury regulations. Abraham Lincoln to Napoleon J. T. Dana
Holds levee for overflow crowd from 8:30 to 10:30 P.M.
1863 - Wednesday
President discusses with former Cong. Green Adams (Ky.) proposition to raise and arm special force in Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln to Green Adams
Informs B. Gratz Brown, antisecessionist and Democratic candidate in senatorial election in Missouri: "The Administration takes no part between it's friends in Mo." Abraham Lincoln to B. Gratz Brown
Col. Walter B. Scates, former chief justice of Illinois Supreme Court, hands to President letter from Gen. McClernand protesting Emancipation Proclamation as mitigating chances of negotiating peace with South. Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand
Sen. Sumner (Mass.) again interviews President about returning Gen. Butler to New Orleans.
Orders death sentence of Henry Andrews commuted to imprisonment, "because I am trying to evade the butchering business lately." Endorsement Concerning Henry Andrews
Interviews O. H. Browning at night relative to claim of Illinois for 2 per cent fund associated with sale of public lands.
Acknowledges receipt of plan proposed by C. J. Wright of Cincinnati and Charles K. Hawkes of New York for getting cotton from within rebel lines and asks three questions: 1. If Rebel should come into Union lines with cotton and offer to take oath of December 8, 1864., "what do you understand would be done with him and his cotten?" 2. "How will the physical difficulty, and danger, of getting cotten from within the rebel lines be lessened by your plan?" 3. "Where do you propose putting the cotten &c. into market? how assure the government of your good faith in the business? and how be compensated for your services?" Abraham Lincoln to Crafts J. Wright and Charles K. Hawkes
President with Mrs. Lincoln and party attends celebration of French regiment quartered in Tennallytown, DC.
Converses at length with Gen. James Shields, who once challenged him to duel in Springfield.
White House requests loan of "Halleck's Science of War" from Library of Congress.
1863 - Thursday
Lincoln replies to Gen. McClernand that Emancipation Proclamation has been issued and "broken eggs can not be mended." Abraham Lincoln to John A. McClernand
Proclaims treaty of peace, friendship, commerce, and navigation with Republic of Bolivia.
Senate confirms nomination of John P. Usher to be secretary of interior.
Mrs. Fox at White House for social visit with Mrs. Lincoln.
President orders that attorney general be charged with direction of all proceedings under Act of August 6, 1861, as fully in all respects as under Act of July 17, 1862. Order to Edward Bates
Writes Gen. Burnside: "I deplore the want of concurrence with you, in opinion by your general officers, but I do not see the remedy. . . . I do not yet see how I could profit by changing the command of the A.P. & if I did, I should not wish to do it by accepting the resignation of your commission." Abraham Lincoln to Ambrose E. Burnside
Inquires of Mil. Gov. Johnson about Capt. Charles S. Todd, 6th Kentucky Regiment, killed at Battle of Murfreesboro. Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson
Cabinet meets, with Secs. Welles and Usher only members present.
Sec. Seward presents members of National Academy of Science to President.
Mrs. Lincoln announces her Saturday afternoon receptions will begin January 9, 1864.
President writes Mrs. Esther Stockton, widow of Rev. Joseph Stockton, of Pittsburgh: "Learning that you who have passed the eighty-fourth year of life, have given to the soldiers, some three hundred pairs of stockings, knitted by yourself, I wish to offer you my thanks." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Esther Stockton
President and John Nicolay are at Capitol attending to public business.
Lincoln writes Gen. McClellan: "I think you better go before the Congressional Committee the earliest moment your health will permit—to-day, if possible." Also: "I send the within copy of dispatch from Gen. Buell, with the remark that neither he nor Halleck meets my request to name the day when they can be ready to move." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan[1] Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan[2]
In evening consults with Sens. Browning (Ill.) and Hale (N.H.) and Rear Adm. Andrew H. Foote about compensated emancipation.
1864 - Saturday
President interviews Capt. Lavender, sea captain from New York, relative to contrivance for discovering and removing underwater obstructions. Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dahlgren
Gen. Meigs reports to President on conditions in West.
Deputation from Philadelphia visits Lincoln on behalf of Gen. Meade.
Mrs. Lincoln's reception from 1 to 3 P.M. is well attended.
1865 - Monday
President transmits to Senate information regarding limitation of naval armament on Great Lakes. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate
Returns to Sen. Trumbull (Ill.) statement of Gen. Banks, submitted to Senate Judiciary Committee, regarding Louisiana state government and restates Trumbull's question as to proposed Lousiana Senators: "'Can Louisiana be brought into proper practical relations with the Union, sooner, by admitting or by rejecting the proposed Senators.'" Abraham Lincoln to Lyman Trumbull
"First evening reception of the season at the Executive Mansion took place Monday night."
"The President, who was dressed in a plain suit of black, with white kid gloves, stood just inside the door of the Blue or Oval Room, and was supported on the left by Deputy Marshal Phillips."
About 11 P.M. President stops receiving visitors and retires upstairs. At 12 P.M. wraps shawl around shoulders and walks to War Dept., accompanied by White House guard.
Sen. Seward (N.Y.) accepts secretaryship of state. "The republicans are in ecstacies. . . . Mr. Lincoln takes the news from Charleston [firing on "Star of the West," chartered side-wheel steamer] very gravely. It is thought that the Rubicon is now crossed."
1862 - Friday
Cabinet meets. Atty. Gen. Bates complains that administration is not assuming strong enough stand in eliminating confusion.
Recognizes C. F. Adac as consul of Dukedom of Saxe-Meiningen for Western U.S.
Interviews Rev. Thomas K. Beecher, brother of better-known Henry Ward Beecher, clergyman, reformer, and abolitionist.
Consults with Thurlow Weed regarding reputation of Sec. Cameron and his removal from cabinet.
"President comes to me [Gen. Meigs] much depressed re inactivity of army and McClellan's sickness. 'The people are impatient; Chase has no money, and he tells me he can raise no money; the Gen. of the Army has typhoid fever. The bottom is out of the tub. What shall I do?' "
President summons Gens. McDowell and Franklin, Secs. Seward and Chase, and Asst. Sec. Scott to "Council of War" at 8 P.M.
Writes Cameron: "The within is a copy of a letter just received from General Halleck. It is exceedingly discouraging. As everywhere else, nothing can be done." Abraham Lincoln to Simon Cameron
1863 - Saturday
President consults with Secs. Welles and Stanton on problem of employment of contrabands (Negroes from Confederacy within Union lines).
Writes Gen. Curtis at St. Louis: "I understand there is considerable trouble with the slaves in Missouri. Please do your best to keep peace on the question for two or three weeks, by which time we hope to do something here towards settling the question, in Missouri." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis
Informs Gov. Johnson (Tenn.): "I presume the remains of Capt. Todd are in the hands of his family friends, & I wish to give no order on the subject. But I do wish your opinion of the effects of the late battles about Murfreesboro, upon the prospects of Tennessee." Abraham Lincoln to Andrew Johnson [Todd was relative of Mary Lincoln, see Jan. 8]
In evening attends patriotic readings delivered by James E. Murdoch, elocutionist, in Senate.
1864 - Sunday
President consults with Sec. Welles, F. P. Blair, Sr., and former Gov. Dennison (Ohio) regarding presidential campaign.
Authorizes and directs Gen. Hitchcock to offer Gen. Trimble, prisoner of war in Fort McHenry, Md. in exchange for Maj. [probably Harry] White, prisoner at Richmond. Abraham Lincoln to Ethan A. Hitchcock
Writes J. W. Garrett "to say, it is very important to us" to have coal for making gas, "and not to say that you must stop supplying the army to make room to carry coal. Do all you can for us in both matters." Abraham Lincoln to John W. Garrett
In confidential letter to Cong. James T. Hale (Pa.), Lincoln writes: "What is our present condition? We have just carried an election on principles fairly stated to the people. Now we are told in advance, the government shall be broken up, unless we surrender to those we have beaten, before we take the offices. . . . if we surrender, it is the end of us, and of the government. They will repeat the experiment upon us ad libitum." Abraham Lincoln to James T. Hale
Acknowledges receipt from Lt. Gen. Winfield Scott, general in chief of the army, of correspondence and notes "concerning various military movements, suggested by yourself." Abraham Lincoln to Winfield Scott
Confers with former Gov. Dennison (Ohio) and Postmaster Gen. Blair relative to third-party movement in favor of Sec. Chase or Gen. Fremont.
Receives tickets from First Presbyterian Church for lecture by John B. Gough.
Lincoln endorses memorandum of Sen. Wade (Ohio) regarding his son, Henry P. Wade: "Senator Wade must be obliged in this matter before long—a West-Point case." Memorandum: Appointment of Henry P. Wade
1865 - Wednesday
At 9 A.M. President interviews O. H. Browning and W. N. Symington. Issues pass for Symington to go to Richmond for exchange. Order Concerning William N. Symington
Lincoln receives unexpected visit from Gen. McClellan.
At 1 P.M. convenes another meeting of Gens. McDowell, Franklin, and Meigs, Secs. Seward and Chase, and Postmaster Gen. Blair. Adjourns meeting until tomorrow, when McClellan will be present.
Interviews Dr. Fuller, clergyman from Baltimore.
In evening Sen. Browning (Ill.) calls at White House. Lincoln thinking of taking field himself. Has several plans.
Lincoln instructs Judge Adv. Gen. Holt to revise proceedings of courtmartial in case of Gen. Fitz John Porter, on trial in connection with failure of Gen. Pope's campaign, August 1862, and to report on other aspects of trial. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt
Acknowledges receipt of resolutions of Connecticut Legislature favorable to administration forwarded by Gov. Buckingham (Conn.). Abraham Lincoln to William A. Buckingham
Sen. Sumner (Mass.) calls on President at night and reads letter from George Livermore of Boston acknowledging receipt of pen used by Lincoln to sign "New Years" proclamation (Emancipation Proclamation).
Mrs. Lincoln borrows "Why Paul Ferroll killed his wife" from Library of Congress. [Mrs. Caroline Wigley Clive, Why Paul Ferroll killed his wife, London, 1860.]
"The President's reception this evening passed off very pleasantly, although not so largely attended as usual. . . . President Lincoln appeared in excellent health."
Lincoln devotes salary warrants, August 1863, September 1863, October 1863 and December 1863, to purchase of $8,000 Treasury notes.
Transmits to Senate communications regarding "alleged exceptional treatment of Kansas troops when captured by those in rebellion." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate
Sends to Senate nomination of Cameron as minister to Russia.
In afternoon convenes council of several generals, including Gen. McClellan, and cabinet members to discuss military plans. McClellan declines to give details of his plans for fear of leak; considers council military cabal against him.
Lincoln writes Gen. Buell: "I state my general idea of this war to be that we have the greater numbers, and the enemy has the greater facility of concentrating forces upon points of collision; that we must fail, unless we can find some way of making our advantage an over-match for his; and that this can only be done by menacing him with superior forces at different points, at the same time." Copy sent to Halleck. Lincoln to Buell (copy), 13 January 1862, Edwin M. Stanton Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Don C. Buell
1863 - Tuesday
Cabinet examines intercepted mail in possession of Sec. Welles.
Hay given commission of assistant adjutant general.
"The President, the Cabinet, and the dignitaries run after the lectures on the Glacial Period. . . . What innocent sheep to listen to this old rehash, which an academician serves to them as being the latest and newest scientific dish."
Lincoln replies to note from Simeon Draper: "Nothing yet about the cotton matter, although I am still considering it." Abraham Lincoln to Simeon Draper
Orders Maj. Theodore T. S. Laidley: "Please make a trial of the Absterdam projectile, and report to the Secretary of War." Abraham Lincoln to Theodore T. S. Laidley
Writes Gen. Banks to "proceed with all possible despatch" to construct "a free state-government" for Louisiana. Abraham Lincoln to Nathaniel P. Banks
1865 - Friday
Lincoln will not interview T. M. Jacks, Congressman-elect from first district of Arkansas.
Writes Gen. Butler: "Yours asking leave to come to Washington is received. You have been summoned by the Committee on the Conduct of the War to attend here, which of course, you will do." Abraham Lincoln to Benjamin F. Butler
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