Civil War Notebook

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

The United States Senate and House of Representatives . . .

. . . adjourned yesterday, as a mark of respect and sympathy for the President in his recent affliction. The news of the death of WILLIE LINCOLN has been received with sorrow throughout the country. The inmates of the Presidential mansion receive the heartfelt sympathy of every loyal citizen. As an additional mark of respect, the projected illumination in Washington will not take place.

SOURCE: “The United States Senate and House of Representatives …,” The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 4, col. 1

The Death of Willie Lincoln.

The deceased son of President LINCOLN was a boy of unusual intelligence, and was a favorite with all who visited the White House. Some weeks since he was taken sick with an intermittent fever, which soon assumed a typhoid character, and since that time he has been gradually sinking. Much of the time his mind his mind has been wandering. His condition has been very critical for more than a week, and last Monday his case was considered almost hopeless. Since Wednesday he has sunk rapidly, and yesterday it was seen that he was dying, by he lingered until 5 o’clock in the afternoon, when his spirit was released.

Drs. STONE and HALL have attended the deceased and his younger brother since their illness. He was a fine looking boy, and his intelligence and vivacity made him a favorite with old and young. He was a faithful attended of Sabbath School, and the last day he was present there told his tutor that when he attained to manhood he wanted to be a school teacher or preacher of the gospel. WILLIAM WALLACE LINCOLN was the second son of the President and was named after the brother-in-law of Mr. LINCOLN. He was born on the twenty first day of December, 1850, and was consequently eleven years and two months old.

This morning the members of the Cabinet with their families called on the President and Mrs. LINCOLN, to tender their condolence. No others were admitted to the Presidential mansion. The foreign Ministers, Senators, and other leading citizens sent cards and letters of condolence. Senator BROWNING has entire chare of the funeral arrangements and the body will be embalmed and conveyed to Springfield.

SOURCE: “The Death of Willie Lincoln” The Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Saturday, February 22, 1862, p. 1, col. 1

Death of the President’s Son William.

Little Willie Lincoln is dead. His protracted illness terminated in death about five o’clock this afternoon. He was the pride and pet of the household, which has been plunged in deepest grief at this untimely loss.

The President’s son was ten or eleven years of age. His disease was pneumonia. The other child is recovering.

SOURCE: “Death of the President’s Son William,” The New York Daily Herald, New York, New York, Friday, February 21, 1862, p. 4, col. 6

Monday, April 14, 2025

Death of the President’s Son.

Willie Lincoln, son of the President, died at the [sic] 5 o’clock on Thursday afternoon, of typhoid fever, at the White House. He was the darling of the household. He died at the age of twelve. While the nation rejoices over a series of victories, Willies’ father and mother mourn over their cherished boy. Those, therefore, most entitled to enjoy our glorious successes are now bowed in agony at the coffin of their son. The second son of President Lincoln lies stricken of typhoid fever, and his father watches his disease even as he mourns for his dead brother. Ex-Governor Newell, of New Jersey, eminent alike as a physician and a statesman, assister Drs. Hall and Stone in watching over poor Willie Lincoln. Gov. Newell has been unremitting in his attentions. Of course the President will not be present at the great celebration of the 22d in the capital.

SOURCE: “Death of the President’s Son,” Daily Evening Express, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, Friday, February 21, 1862, p. 2 col. 2

Sunday, April 13, 2025

Death of Willie Lincoln.

The pubic rejoicings at the recent successes of the Union arms will be clouded by the intelligence of the death of the second son of the President, and the country will sympathize with the bereaved parents in such a heavy affliction. Willie Lincoln was a boy of unusual intelligence, and was a favorite with all who visited the White House. Some weeks since he was taken sick with an intermittent fever which soon assumed a typhoid character, and since that time the little sufferer had been gradually sinking. Much of the time his mind has been wandering, and only these parents who have seen a beloved child a prey to fever and delirium can imagine the anguish of the father and mother as they watched the progress of the disease, without the power to alleviate his sufferings. His condition has been very critical for more than a week, and last Monday his condition was considered almost helpless. Since Wednesday he has sunk rapidly, and yesterday it was seen that he was dying. He lingered until 5 o’clock in the afternoon, when he spirit was released.

Drs. Stone and Hall have attended the deceased and his younger brother since their illness. The latter is yet ill, but it is hoped not dangerously so. The President has, with Mrs. Lincoln, watched by the side of suffering children for ten days past, and in all that time has had scarcely and rest, as in the mist of his domestic affliction the cares of State were pressing upon him.

Willie was a fine looking boy, and his intelligence and vivacity made him a favorite with old and young. He was a faithful attendant of Sabbath school at Dr. Gurley’s church, and the last day he was present there told his tutor that when he attained to manhood he wanted to be a school teacher or a preacher of the gospel. His exercises in literary composition were very creditable for a youth of his age, and he seemed to take great pride in them.

SOURCE: “Death of Willie Lincoln,” Evening Star, Washington, D. C., Friday, February 21, 1862, p. 2, col. 1

Death of the President’s Son.

On Thursday last, Willie Lincoln, son of President Lincoln, died at the White House. He was a fine looking boy, eleven years and two months old, and his intelligence and vivacity made him a favorite with old and young. He was the second son of the President. He died of typhoid fever. This sad event has plunged the parents into great distress—as the President was dotingly fond of his children. Both Houses of Congress adjourned on Friday as a mark of respect and sympathy for the President. The members of the Cabinet with their families called on the President and Mrs. Lincoln, to tender their condolence. No others were admitted to the Presidential Mansion. The foreign Ministers, Senators, and other leading citizens sent cards and letters of condolence. The body was embalmed and would be sent to Springfield, Ill. The illumination of public buildings in Washington, which was to have taken place on the evening of the 22d, was dispensed with on acct of the death of the son of the President.

SOURCE: “Death of the President’s Son,” The Adams Sentinel and General Advertizer, Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Wednesday, February 26, 1862, p. 2, col. 4

The Funeral of the President’s Son.

The funeral of Willie Lincoln took place at two o’clock this afternoon.

The President’s youngest son continues very ill.

SOURCE: “The Funeral of the President’s Son,” New York Daily Herald, New York, New York, Tuesday, February 25, 1862

Little Willie Lincoln . . .

. . . was buried yesterday and Washington, from the Presidential mansion. The dear little boy, once the flower of the household, is now its most poignant grief. He died of typhoid fever on Thursday, at the interesting age of twelve years.

SOURCE: “Little Willie Lincoln…,” Delaware State Journal and Statesman, Wilmington, Delaware, Tuesday, February 25, 1862, p. 2 col. 1

Saturday, April 12, 2025

Willie Lincoln.

It is stated that the embalmed remains of the President’s son would leave for Springfield, after the funeral at the White House.

SOURCE: “Willie Lincoln,” Daily Illinois State Journal, Springfield, Illinois, Tuesday Morning, February, 25, 1862, p. 3, col. 1

Death of the President’s Son.

Willie Lincoln, the next to the youngest son of the President, aged over eleven years, died on Thursday afternoon, of pneumonia, after an illness of several weeks. He is said to have been a bright little fellow, and the favorite of the household of the Chief Magistrate of the Nation. The illumination intended for the evening of the 22nd was omitted on the count of the sad affliction at the White House.

The body of Willie Lincoln was embalmed by Drs. Brown and Alexander, assisted by Dr. Wood, in the presence of the attending physicians, doctors Stone and Hall, Senator Browning and Isaac Newton. The Method of Sagnet, of Paris, was used and the result was entirely satisfactory to the attendant friends of the family.

Thaddeus, the youngest son of the President, is still dangerously ill. Fears are entertained that his disease will assume the type which proved fatal to his brother.

SOURCE: “Death of the President’s Son,” The York Gazette, York, Pennsylvania, February 25, 1862, p. 2, col. 3

The Death of the President’s Son.

Amid the general joy excited by the success of the Union cause, a black shadow has fallen upon the Presidential mansion, and all who were personally acquainted with the family of the President share in the deep grief occasioned by the death of little Willie Lincoln. He was a boy of such promise that all who became acquainted with him had predicted for him a career of no ordinary character. Young as he was, he impressed every one who came in contact with him as a youth who was destined to become a ban of rank.

The body of Willie Lincoln was embalmed today by Drs. Brown an Alexander assisted by Dr. Wood, in the presence of the attending physicians, Doctors Stone and Hall, Senator Browning and Isaac Newton. The method of Sagnet, of Paris, was used, and the result was entirely satisfactory to the attendant friends of the family.

Thaddeus [sic], the youngest son of the President is still dangerously ill. Fears are entertained that his disease will assume the type which proved fatal to his brother.

SOURCE: “The Death of the President’s Son,” Daily Dispatch, Richmond, Virginia, Tuesday Morning, February 25, 1862, p. 1, col. 7

Funeral of Willie Lincoln.

The funeral of Master William W. Lincoln occurred yesterday at the White House, at two o’clock, p.m. His friends and acquaintances were previously allowed the sad pleasure of a last look, in the Green Room, where lay his remains, clothed in accustomed pants and Jacket, with white collar and wristbands turned over the dark cloth of the Jacket. On his breast rested a wreath of flowers; another lay near his feet, while a beautiful bouquet was held in his hand—the flowers composing wreaths and boquet [sic] being the queenly camellias, with azalias [sic] and sprigs of mignonette, and ivy leaves and other evergreens interspersed in the wreaths. White azalias and sprigs of mignonette were disposed about the body. The beautiful boquet in his hand was reserved for his sorrowing mother.

A plain metallic case, of imitation rosewood, was inscribed, William Wallace Lincoln. Born December 21st, 1850. Died February 20th, 1862.”

The frames of the mirrors, and the East and Green Rooms, were covered with black crape, and the glass with white crape. The funeral service was conducted by the pastor of the President, Dr. Gurley, in a very impressive manner. There were present, members of the Cabinet, foreign ministers, members of Congress, army and navy officers, and many citizens and ladies. After the service, the body was placed in a vault in the Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown.

SOURCE: “Funeral of Willie Lincoln,” National Republican, Washington, D. C., Tuesday, February 25, 1862, p. 2, col. 1

The Funeral of Willie Lincoln.

The Departments were all closed to-day in consequence of the arrangements for the funeral of William Wallace, second son of President Lincoln. His remains were placed in the Green room at the Executive mansion, where this morning a great many friends of the family called to take a last look at the little favorite, who had endeared himself to all the guests of the family. The body was clothed in the usual every-day attire of youths of his age, consisting of pants and Jacket, with white stockings and low shoes—the white collar and wristbands being turned over the black cloth of the Jacket. The countenance wore a natural and placid look, the only signs of death being a slight discoloration of the features.

The body lay in the lower section of a metallic case, the sides of which were covered by the winding sheet of white crape. The deceased held in the right hand a bouquet composed of a superb camellia, around which were grouped azalias and sprigs of mignionette. This, when the case is closed, is to be reserved for the bereaved mother. On the breast of the deceased, was a beautiful wreath of flowers, already named, interspersed with ivy leaves and other evergreens; near the feet was another wreath of the same kind, while azalias and sprigs of mignionette were disposed about the body.

The metallic case is very plain, and is an imitation of rosewood. On the upper section is square silver plate, bearing, in plain characters, the simple inscription:

WILLIAM WALLACE LINCOLN.

Born December 21st, 1850.

Died February 20th, 1862.

The mirrors in the East room, in the Green room (where the body was laid) and in the other reception rooms, were covered with mourning drapery—the frames being covered with black and the glass with white crape.

In accordance with the wish of the family, the body was not removed, but remained in the Green room during the funeral service, which was conducted by Rev. Dr. Gurley, in the East Room.

The occasion was a most impressive one, and the large crowd present seemed to be deeply affected by its solemnity. Among those present were the members of the Cabinet, foreign ministers, members of Congress, army and navy officers, and many distinguished persons in civil life. After the performance of the funeral service, the body was followed to the vault, in Oak Hill Cemetery, Georgetown, by most of those present.

SOURCE: “The Funeral of Willie Lincoln,” Evening Star, Washington, D.C., Monday, February 24, 1862, p. 3 col. 5

Funeral of Willie Lincoln.

The funeral of WILLIE WALLACE LINCOLN, second son of the President, whose death occurred on Thursday evening, will take place at two o’clock to-morrow (Monday) afternoon. The funeral will be attended by the friends and relatives of the family.

The body of Willie Lincoln has been embalmed by Drs. Brown and Alexander, assisted by Dr. Charles A. Wood and in presence of the family physicians, Drs. Hall and Stone, Senator Browning, Isaac Newton, Esq. and others. The embalmment was a complete success, and gave great satisfaction to all present. The body will be deposited in a vault to-morrow, (Monday,) and will be eventually removed to Illinois, to be deposited in the family burying ground of the President.

On Friday morning the members of the Cabinet, with their families, called on the President and Mrs. Lincoln to tender their condolence. No others were admitted to the Presidential mansion. The Foreign Ministers, Senators, and other leading citizens sent cards and letters of condolence. Senator Browning has entire charge of the funeral arrangements.—Sunday Chronicle.

SOURCE: “Funeral of Willie Lincoln,” Daily National Intelligencer, Washington, D.C., Monday, February 24, 1862, p. 3, col. 3

Thursday, April 10, 2025

Diary of Private Ephraim Shelby Dodd: Sunday, March 1, 1863

Got his wagon and hauled one load to Camp. Camp moved three miles further up the pike. I went up Creek and got Mr. Jonichin to start with his wagon. Went on top the mountain to get two more wagons and as I came back the Yanks ran our pickets in. I came near being caught by them. Came back down Creek and told J. He turned back. I and Polk then went on to Camp. After going to bed, all waked up and fell back to the other Camp.