Tag Archives: Abraham Lincoln

Lincoln’s First Pardon: Private William Scott

By the time of Lincoln’s death, his reputation for compassion had become legendary. Captain Abe When Abraham Lincoln was around 22, living in New Salem, IL, he enlisted in the militia along with a bunch of his buddies. A skirmish … Continue reading

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Lincoln: The Triumphal Stroll

The Procession As far back as recorded time goes, when a Great War was over, the victors paraded through their towns and villages, trumpets blaring. Hundreds, and even thousands of soldiers glittered in their armor, assembled and proud.  Most marched. … Continue reading

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Captain Grant: A Turning Point

Grant: The 1850s Ulysses S. Grant had become a soldier under duress. His father insisted that his eldest son attend West Point. It was a free education. Not that Jesse Grant was poor; he was definitely middle class, with a … Continue reading

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Civil War Divas: Mary & Julia Part II

After the initial “how-do,” Mary Lincoln and Julia Grant did not meet again for a year. Mary Lincoln: 1864-5 Mary Lincoln took a long time to emerge from her deep grief over her son Willie’s death in early 1862. Custom … Continue reading

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Mary Lincoln’s Bad Hat Story

First the source. When she was a very old lady in 1931, Julia Taft Bayne published a slim volume called Tad Lincoln’s Father. It was her personal memoir of 1861-2, when, as a teenager, she spent a good deal of … Continue reading

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Poems by Presidents: The First-Ever Anthology

A Book Review Roses are red, Violets are blue, POTUSES, Politics. Poetry too? What a surprise! Editor Michael Croland has amassed a charming little array of actual poetry (ok, plus a few limericks and light verse) written by some of … Continue reading

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Mary Lincoln and Julia Grant: The CW Divas Part 1

The similarities were apparent; the dissimilarities were intrinsic. Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1883) was seven years older than Julia Dent Grant. From Kentucky and Missouri respectively, they were both considered “westerners” in the early part of the 19th century. They both … Continue reading

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Dr. Charles Leale: Forgotten Hero of Ford’s Theater

Ford’s Theater: April 14, 1865 Enjoying a pleasant night out, Abraham and Mary Lincoln and their guests attended a comedy at Ford’s Theater. Around 10:30 p.m. a shot rang out in the Presidential Box, and a scream was heard. Within … Continue reading

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The Merrimac: The Two Incarnations

The USS Merrimac of Civil War history is sometimes spelled with a “k”. But I live in the Tidewater Virginia area, where it is always spelled with the “c”. The Best of Its Kind When the USS Merrimac was built … Continue reading

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Surgeon Joseph K. Barnes: Epic History

Surgeon Generals are seldom associated with mega-events. The Surgeon General More than 200 years ago, the US Army created the position of Surgeon General, the ranking doctor of public health.  By the time of the US Civil War, the position … Continue reading

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