Lincoln Flowers For Little Willie

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William Wallace Lincoln, son to Abraham and Mary Lincoln died 5:00 PM on February 20, 1862 of Typhoid Feaver. Willie was Abrahams favorite son, the boy processed many qualities that his father so admired. Bright, inquisitive, kind hearted and remarkably precocious for his age. Willie's premature death hit the Lincolns hard. Elizabeth Keckly a former slave who designed Mary Lincoln's wardrobe recalled as she watched Abraham bury his head in his hands, "his tall frame convulsed with emotion." At the foot of the bed she stood "in silent, awe-stricken wonder," marveling that so rugged a man could be so moved. "I shall never forget those solemn moments -- genius and greatness weeping over love's idol lost." President Lincoln then walked down the hall to his secretary's office. He startled the half-dozing secretary with the news: "Well, Nicolay, my boy is gone -- he is actually gone!" John Nicolay recalled seeing his boss burst into tears before entering his own office. Willie's funeral was of course held at the White House. It was the Lincoln's intention to have Willies remains sent to Springfield to be buried in the family vault located at Oak Ridge cemetery. However, Lincoln changed these plans and had little Willie placed in a temporary vault belonging to the Carroll family in Oak Hill cemetery located in Georgetown. Lincoln simply could not stand the thought of being that far from his little Willie. Lincoln would collect the boys remains and transport them to IL with him and his family at the end of his term as President. A promise Lincoln would make good on, however an assassins bullet would dictate, Abrahams term would end premature and as promised he would travel with Willies remains to Springfield, only he himself would travel in death alongside his beloved son.

As Washington and the nation mourned, preparations were underway for the largest funeral pageant in our young nations history. After much deliberation it was decided that Lincoln's (and Willies) bodies would travel by rail and retrace in reverse the stops of Lincolns 1st inaugural trip from Springfield to Washington (with the exception of Pittsburgh and Cincinnati and the addition of Chicago). As Lincoln's services were held in the United States Capital rotunda. Willie's casket was placed onboard the specially refitted railroad car that would transport him and his father some 1,650 miles to their final resting place in Oak Ridge cemetery in Springfield, IL. At precisely 8:00 AM on April 21, 1865 the Lincoln special (A 9 car funeral train) departed the depot. Over 10,000 people showed up to see the train off. Over the next 14 days the train would make many stops, 1st in Baltimore then Harrisburg, Philadelphia, New York, Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland along the way the tracks were littered with people hoping to catch a glimpse of the Great Emancipator on his way to his final resting place. At each stop Lincoln's Casket was taken from the train by the Honor Guard and placed in state where thousands of people viewed his remains. All along little Willies casket remained on the train. No special services, no flowers, just a lonely little casket all but forgotten. Along the way the train would stop for needed supplies and groups of people would request permission to place flowers on President Lincolns casket. Their requests were granted. Some kissed his coffin many placed their hands upon it. All along Willies went almost unnoticed. That is until the train arrived in Columbus, OH. At this stop a little girl had gathered wild flowers with which she had wrought a cross. Her mothers note to General Townsend requested this cross be placed on Little Willie's coffin. Little Willie had not been forgotten. His casket sat patiently while that of his father was carried to hall after hall and honored. The bond fires that lite a ribbon across America did not burn for him but little Willie was not Forgotten.

As a footnote: A song was also composed to honor Willie and Abraham. The title of the song is "The Savior of our Country" The words are very touching.

This thread was only created to share what I thought to be a very touching true story about the funeral train and it's two famous occupants.
 
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A sad story but somehoe strangely comforting that neither father nor son had to travel alone...
I noticed that Ms Keckley found it remarkable that Abraham Lincoln cried so much at the loss of his son... true, many kids were lost because of typhoid fever, Lincolns great opponent Lee also lost his beloved daughter Annie to it and likewise wept at her loss... but it would have been monstrous had it been otherwise!
Thanks for sharing this touching story!
 
A sad story but somehoe strangely comforting that neither father nor son had to travel alone...
I noticed that Ms Keckley found it remarkable that Abraham Lincoln cried so much at the loss of his son... true, many kids were lost because of typhoid fever, Lincolns great opponent Lee also lost his beloved daughter Annie to it and likewise wept at her loss... but it would have been monstrous had it been otherwise!
Thanks for sharing this touching story!
Both men of great conviction and great character. Why should great love be left out? Apparently it wasn't. It seems pain played a major role in both their lives.
 
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