Diary of John Hay: April 24, 1864

To-night Gen. Burnside came up with me from Willard's to see the President.  They talked about the opening campaign more than anything else. . . . He gave some interesting reminiscences of the siege of Knoxville (Tad laughing enormously whenever he saw his father's eye twinkle, though not seeing clearly why).

Burnside and Sigel are the only ones in motion in accordance with the Order for a general movement on the 23d.

SOURCES: Clara B. Hay, Letters of John Hay and Extracts from Diary, Volume 1, p. 182-3; Michael Burlingame and John R. Turner Ettlinger, Editors, Inside Lincoln’s White House,: the complete Civil War Diary of John Hay, p. 188.

Mary Todd Lincoln to Abraham Lincoln, November 2,1862

Nov 2d–

My Dear Husband

I have waited in vain to hear from you, yet as you are not given to letter writing, will be charitable enough to impute your silence, to the right cause. Strangers come up from W– & tell me you are well – which satisfies me very much – Your name is on every lip and many prayers and good wishes are hourly sent up, for your welfare – and McClellan & his slowness are as vehemently discussed. Allowing this beautiful weather, to pass away, is disheartening the North –

Dear little Taddie is well & enjoying himself very much – Gen & Mrs Anderson & myself called on yesterday to see Gen Scott– He looks well, although complaining of Rheumatism– A day or two since, I had one of my severe attacks, if it had not been for Lizzie Keckley, I do not know what I should have done– Some of these periods, will launch me away– All the distinguished in the land, have tried how polite & attentive, they could be to me, since I came up here– Many say, they would almost worship you, if you would put a fighting General, in the place of McClellan– This would be splendid weather, for an engagement– I have had two suits of clothes made for Taddie which will come to 26 dollars– Have to get some fur outside wrappings for the Coachman's Carriage trappings– Lizzie Keckley, wants me to loan her thirty dollars – so I will have to ask for a check of $100 – which will soon be made use of, for these articles– I must send you, Taddies tooth– I want to leave here for Boston, on Thursday & if you will send the check by Tuesday, will be much obliged—

One line, to say that we are occasionally remembered, will be gratefully received – by yours very truly

M. L.

I enclose you a note from Mr Stewart, he appears very solicitous about his young friend– Mr S. is so strong a Union Man – & asks so few favors – if it came in your way, perhaps it would not be amiss to oblige–

SOURCE: Abraham Lincoln Papers at the Library of Congress

Mary Todd Lincoln to Mrs. John C. Sprigg, May 29, 1862

May 29^th

Executive Mansion.

My Dear Mrs Sprigg:

Your very welcome letter was received two weeks since, and my sadness & ill health have alone prevented my replying to it. We have met with so overwhelming an affliction in the death of our beloved Willie a being too precious for earth, that I am so completely unnerved, that I can scarcely command myself to write – What would give to see you & talk to you in our crushing bereavement, if any one's presence could afford comfort – it would be yours. You were always a good friend & dearly have I loved you. All that human skill could do was done for our sainted boy, I fully believe the severe illness, he passed through, now, almost two years since, was but a warning to us that one so pure, was not to remain long here and at the same time, he was lent us a little longer – to try us & wean us from our world, whose chains were fastening around us & when the blow came it found us unprepared to meet it. Our home is very beautiful, the grounds around us are enchanting the world still smiles & pays homage, yet the charm is dispelled – everything appears a mockery, the idolized one is not with us, he has fulfilled his mission and we are left desolate. When I think over his short but happy childhood, how much comfort he always was to me, and how fearfully I always found my hopes concentrating on so good a boy as he was – when I can bring myself to realize that he has indeed passed away my question to myself is 'can life be endured?' Dear little Taddie who was so devoted to his darling Brother, although is deeply afflicted as ourselves, bears up and teaches us a lesson, in enduring the stroke, to which we must submit. Robert will be home from Cambridge in about six weeks and will spend his vacation with us. He has grown & improved more than any one you ever saw. Well we ever meet & talk together as we have done. Time how many sad changes it brings. The 1st of July we go out to the 'Soldier's Home', a very charming place 2 ½ miles from the city, several hundred feet above our present situation, to pass the summer. I dread that it will be a greater resort than here if possible, when we are in sorrow quiet is very necessary to us. Mr. Dubois, I suppose has reached home, ere this. I see by the papers that Mr. Burch is married - We have some pieces of furniture still remaining at his house, may I ask a favor of you. It is this. If Mr. Black can have room for them, can they be moved to any place above his store, where he may have room for them. The sofa, at Mr. Burch's, was new. A few months before we left. May I also ask you to speak to Mr. Black, and see if the 8 boxes we left with him are all there. I fear we have been troublesome friends. I send you a list of the articles sent me by Mr. B. If you feel the least delicacy about this - I will not wish you to do it. Whenever you have leisure, I hope you will write me. With love to you all, I remain ever your attached friend

Mary Lincoln.

SOURCES: Published in The New York Times, January 16, 1882, p. 2; The letter was offered for sale at Heritage Auctions, accessed January 3, 2014; Library of Congress, Voices of the Civil War: Our Crushing Berievement, accessed January 3, 2014; Library of Congress Blog: A Grief Like No Other, accessed January 3, 2014;

Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, Thursday, February 20, 1862

This has been a bright pleasant day, quite a rarity for a month past. There is no particular news in the papers. I have been down onto the Av^e this evening. Called upon Mr Daws M.C. who is sick at his rooms co[rne]^r of 8^th & Av^e, bought some maps and two Flags in view of the Celebration of the 22^nd. I must make arrangements tomorrow to illuminate on Saturday night. We hear tonight with much sorrow that our little friend Willie Lincoln died at 5 p.m. He had been sick for near three weeks with Typhoid fever. “Bud” has been to see him or to enquire about him almost every day. He and his Mother were there yesterday about noon. Willie was then thought to be better. He was an amiable good hearted boy, was here with our boys almost every day or our boys were there. We all got much attached to him & “Tad” his Brother. He had more judgment and foresight than any boy of his age that I have ever known, poor Willie we all lament.

Source: Horatio Nelson Taft, The Diary of Horatio Nelson Taft, 1861-1865. Volume 1, January 1,1861-April 11, 1862, Library of Congress, Manuscript Division, Washington D. C.

Grover's Theatre Advertisement: April 13, 1865

Grover’s Theatre.

­­_____

FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 14.

_____

GRAND ILLUMINAITON.

_____

DISPLAY OF FIREWORKS.

_____

The Spectacle of

A L A D D I N,

OR,

THE WONDERFUL LAMP

_____

PATRIOTIC POEM,

By

COLONEL B. B. FRENCH;

To be delivered by

A LADY OF WASHINGTON

_____

SHERMAN’S MARCH TO THE SEA.

(SONG,)

MUSIC BY KOPPITZ

_____

AND OTHER EXTRA ATTRACTIONS

_____

GROVER’S THEATRE.

_____

FRIDAY, APRIL 14.

_____

REMEMBER FORT SUMPTER

Ap12-t

– Published in the Daily National Republican, Washington, D. C., Thursday Evening, April 13, 1865, p. 2

Washington News and Gossip

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26. – The Treasury not bill as finally passed provides for the issue of one hundred and fifty millions in treasury notes – fifty millions in lieu of demand notes issued in July and to be substituted for them as fast as practicable.  These notes are to be received for all debts due and from the United States, except duties on imports, which shall be paid in coin or demand notes heretofore authorized to be received and by law receivable in payment of public dues and interest upon bonds and notes which shall be paid in coin; the notes are to be lawful money and legal tender for all purposes except as above indicated; depositors of notes of not less than fifty dollars are to receive in exchange bonds bearing six per cent. interest redeemable after five years, and payable after twenty years.  Five hundred millions of such bonds may be issued by the Secretary of the treasury and held at market value of coin or Treasury notes; receipts for imports are to be set apart as a special fund for the payment in coin of interests.  The other provisions are formal.

The Secretary of War’s late order is intended to apply only to war news of a nature affording aid and comfort to the enemy as touching intended movements.

The House Committee on the Conduct of the War had a long interview with President last evening.  I learn from a member of the committee that its members have been unanimous in all things since its organization.

The Navy and Treasury Departments have not hitherto pulled together on the question of giving permits to trade to Port Royal and Hatteras.  Mr. Welles tells Mr. Chase that he has no objections to them if Mr. Chase chooses to grant them.  Mr. Chase says he will grant them in all cases where Welles certifies that the shipper carries necessary supplies for the use of the army and navy.  He has sent every application to Secretary Welles, being apparently afraid of breaking the blockade.  It is now said that Chase may issue numerous permits to trade on the coast as well as on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, countersigned by the Surveyors of Customs in the West and by special officers in the east.  Applicants will be required to give bonds as security for their fidelity.

It is said that Gen. Sherman’s soldiers have been induced to sell their pay at a discount of 50 cents on the dollar, by representations that Treasury Notes never would be redeemed.

The additional Paymasters will probably be dropped from the rolls, the Paymaster General agreeing with the Military Committee that they are too many.

The amendments of the Congressional apportionment bill passed both houses, giving one additional member to each, to Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa and Kentucky.

The Army Committee agreed to a report in favor of a national foundry east of the Alleghanies, and an Armory Foundry and Manufacturing Arsenal west of the Alleghanies, the sites of all to be fixed by five Commissioners appointed by the President, who shall report within sixty days after their appointment to the Secretary of War, who shall sent the result together with the estimates of cost to Congress.  These works are intended to be at different points.

Mrs. Lincoln and her youngest son, who have been quite unwell, are improving.

The steamer Baltimore, direct from Roanoke Island reached the Navy Yard to-day.  She was not fired at by the rebels although the night was clear.

Dispatches from Flag Officer McKean announce the capture of a brig and two schooners off the South-west Pass.

The amendment of Mr. Sumner is to the effect that Stark, whose case is now pending in the Senate, being charged by affidavits with disloyalty, is not entitled to his seat until an investigation of the truth of the charge will put the naked question to the Senate, of its right to exclude a traitor who brings credentials from the Governor of his State, and is ready to take his seat.  There is an opinion that Stark will be admitted, although several Republicans protested against their being considered a precedent.

The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs agreed to report a bill reducing the salaries of the highest naval officers in twenty intermediate years to fifteen, and in the lowest ten per cent., and abolishing naval agencies and naval store keepers, and hemp and live oak agencies, the duties to be henceforth performed by regular navy officers.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 1, 1862, p. 3

The Family of Abraham Lincoln

ABRAHAM LINCOLN, son of Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, was born on February 12, 1809 on Sinking Spring Farm, near Hodgenville, Hardin (now Larue) County, Kentucky. He died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865 in the William Peterson House,10th St., Washington, D.C. He married MARY ANN TODD on November 4, 1842 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.  She was the daughter of Robert Smith Todd and Eliza Parker and was born on December 13, 1818 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky. She died on July 16, 1882 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

Abraham Lincoln and Mary Ann Todd had the following children:

2. ROBERT TODD LINCOLN was born on August 1, 1843 in Globe Tavern, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

3. EDWARD BAKER LINCOLN was born on March 10, 1846 in the Lincoln home, 8th & Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died in the morning of February 1, 1850 in the Lincoln home at 8th & Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

4. WILLIAM WALLACE LINCOLN was born on December 21, 1850 in the Lincoln home at 8th Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died at 5 p.m., Thursday, February 20, 1862 in The White House, Washington, D.C.

5. THOMAS "TAD" LINCOLN was born on April 4, 1853 in the Lincoln home at 8th Jackson, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died at 7:30 a.m., Saturday morning, July 15, 1871 in Clifton House, Chicago, Illinois.

2. ROBERT TODD LINCOLN, son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Ann Todd, was born on August 1, 1843 in Globe Tavern, Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. He died at about 3 a.m. on July 26, 1926 in the downstairs bedroom of his Hildene Estate, Manchester, Bennington County, Vermont. He married MARY EUNICE HARLAN, "shortly after eight" p.m. on September 24, 1868 in the home of Senator James Harlan, 304 H St., Washington, D.C.  She was the daughter of United States Senator from Iowa, James Harlan and Ann Eliza Peck and was born on September 25, 1846 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. She died on March 31, 1937.

Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Eunice Harlan had the following children:

6. MARY LINCOLN was born on October 15, 1869 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois.

7. ABRAHAM LINCOLN JR. was born on August 14, 1873. He died on March 5, 1890 in of blood poisoning in London, England.

8. JESSIE LINCOLN was born on November 6, 1875.

6. MARY LINCOLN, daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Eunice Harlan, was born on October 15, 1869 in Springfield, Sangamon County, Illinois. She died on November 21, 1938. She married CHARLES ISHAM on September 2, 1891, son of William Bradley Isham and Julia Burhans. He was born on July 20, 1853. He died on June 8 1919.

Charles Isham and Mary Lincoln had the following child:

9. LINCOLN ISHAM was born on June 8, 1892. He died in Sep 1971. He married TELHOMA CORREA on August 20, 1919.

8. JESSIE LINCOLN, daughter of Robert Todd Lincoln and Mary Eunice Harlan, was born on November 6, 1875. She died on January 4, 1948 in Rutland, Vermont. She married first to WARREN BECKWITH on November 10, 1897, secondly to FRANK EDWARD JOHNSON on June 22 1915, and lastly to ROBERT J. RANDOLF on December 30, 1926.

Warren Beckwith and Jessie Lincoln had the following children:

10. MARY LINCOLN BECKWITH was born on August 22 1898 in Mount Pleasant, Henry County, Iowa and died July 10, 1975 in Rutland Hospital, Rutland, Vermont.]

11. ROBERT TODD LINCOLN BECKWITH was born on July 19, 1904 and died on December 24, 1985. He married first to MRS. HAZEL HOLLAND WILSON, secondly to ANNAMARIE HOFFMAN and lastly to MARGARET FRISTOE.

From Washington

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.

The Treasury note bill as finally passed, provides for the issuing of $150,000,000 in Treasury notes, and $50,000,000 in lieu of the demand notes issued in July, and to be substituted for them as fast as practicable.  These notes are to be receivable for all debts due to and from the United States except duties on imports, which shall be paid in coin, or demand notes heretofore authorized to be received and by law receivable in payment of public dues, and interest upon bonds and notes, which shall be paid in coin.

The notes are to be lawful money and legal tender for all purposes, except as above stated.  Depositors of notes not less than $50 are to receive in exchange bonds bearing six per cent. interest, and redeemable after five years, and payable after twenty years.  Five hundred millions of such bonds may be issued by the Secretary of the Treasury, and sold at market value for coin or treasury notes.  Receipts on imports are to be set apart as a fund for payment in coin of interest.  The other provisions are formal.

The Secretary of War’s late order is intended to apply only to war news, of a nature affording aid and comfort to the enemy, as couching intended movements.

The House committee on the conduct of the war, had a long interview with the President last night.  I learn from a member of the committee, that its members have been unanimous in all things since its organization.

The Navy and Treasury Departments have not hitherto pulled together on the question of giving permits to trade to Port Royal and Hatteras.  Mr. Welles tells Mr. Chase that he has no objection to them, if Mr. Chase chooses to grant them.  The latter says he will grant them in all cases where Mr. Welles certifies that the shipper carries necessary supplies for the use of the army and navy.  He has sent every application to Sec. Welles, being apparently afraid of breaking the blockade.  It is said that Sec. Chase issues numerous permits to trade on the coast, as well as on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, countersigned by the surveyors of customs in the West and by special officer on the coast.  Applicants will be required to give bonds as security for their fidelity.

It is said that Gen. Sherman’s soldiers have been induced to sell their pay at discount of fifty cents on the dollar, by representations that treasury notes never would be redeemed.

The additional paymasters will probably be dropped from the rolls, the Paymaster General agreeing with the military committee that there are too many.

The amendment to the congressional apportionment bill passed both Houses; giving additional members each to Vermont, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Kentucky.

The armory committee agreed to a report in favor of a National Amory east of the Alleghanies, and armory, foundry and manufacturing arsenal west of the Alleghanies, the sites of all to be fixed by five commissioners appointed by the President, who shall send the result, together with the estimates of cost, to Congress.  These works are intended to be at different points.

Mrs. Lincoln and her youngest son, who have been quite unwell, are improving.

The steamer Baltimore, direct form Roanoke Island, reached the navy yard to-day.  She was not fired on, although the night was clear.

Dispatches from Flag-officer McKein announce the capture of a brig and two schooners, off the Southwest Pass.

The amendment of Mr. Sumner, to the effect that Stark, whose case in now pending in the Senate, being charged by affidavits with disloyalty, is not entitled to his seat until an investigation of the truth of the charges, will put the naked question to the Senate of its right to exclude a traitor, who bears credentials from the Governor of his State and is ready to take his seat.  There is an opinion that Stark will be admitted, although several Republicans protested against their votes being considered a precedent.

The Senate committee on naval affairs agreed to report a bill, reducing the salaries of the highest naval officers 20, intermediate grades 15, and in the lowest 10 per cent., and abolishing naval agencies and store keepers, and hemp and live oak agencies, these duties to be henceforth performed by regular navy officers.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.

Herald’s Correspondence.

The roads on both sides of the Potomac were getting into good condition rapidly, until a rain storm set in this evening, which has again rendered tem almost impassable for loaded teams.

A report that Gen. Sickles was shot at in his camp to-day is quite current this evening.  It is disbelieved.

Special to the Tribune.

A vote will probably be reached in the case of Benj. Stark, applicant for the seat of a Senator from Oregon, to-morrow or next day.  The first question will be upon the amendment of Sen. Sumner, which in effect, declares that Stark is charged by affidavits and otherwise, with disloyalty, and is not entitled to his seat until the truth of these charges shall have been investigated.  Should this amendment be voted down, Mr. Stark will be admitted to his seat.  Should it be adopted, a fair question upon the sufficiency of the evidence of disloyalty will remain.  The vote upon Mr. Sumner’s amendment will be a close one, but there is reason to fear that it will be defeated.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 26.

The following is a copy of the bill, as passed, authorizing the issue of certificates of indebtedness to public creditors:

Be it enacted, etc., That the Secretary of the Treasury be and hereby is ordered to cause to be issued to any public creditor, who may be desirous to receive the same, upon requisition of the head of the proper Department, in satisfaction of audited and settled demands against the U. S. certificates for the whole amount due or parts thereof.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, February 28, 1862, p. 1