Chapter III: Preface: To the First Edition

This book aims to give a view, clearer and more complete than has been given before, of the personality of Abraham Lincoln. A life so full of incident and a character so many-sided as his can be understood only with the lapse of time. A sense of the exhaustless interest of that life and character, and the inadequacy of the ordinarily constructed biography to portray his many-sidedness, suggested the preparation of a work upon the novel plan here represented. Begun several years ago, the undertaking proved of such magnitude that its completion has been delayed beyond the anticipated time. The extensive correspondence, the exploration of available sources of information in the books, pamphlets, magazines, and newspapers of a quarter of a century, and in the scraps and papers of historical collections, became an almost interminable task. The examination and sifting of this mass of material, its verification amidst often conflicting testimony, and its final molding into shape, involved time and labor that can be estimated only by those who have had similar experience.

To the many who have kindly furnished original contributions, to others who have aided the work by valuable suggestions and information, to earlier biographies of Lincoln--those of Raymond, Holland, Barrett, Lamon, Carpenter, and (the best and latest of all) that of Hon. I.N. Arnold--hearty acknowledgment is made. Much that was offered could not be used. In the choice of material, from whatever source, the purpose has been to avoid mere opinions and eulogies of Lincoln and to give abundantly those actual experiences, incidents, anecdotes, and reminiscences which reveal the phases of his unique and striking personality.

It scarcely need be pointed out that this work does not attempt to give a connected history of the Civil War, but only to sketch briefly those episodes with which Lincoln is personally identified and of which some knowledge is essential to an understanding of his acts and character. Others are brought into prominence only as they are associated with the chief actor in the great drama. Many of them are disappearing,--fading into the smoky and lurid background. But that colossal central figure, playing one of the grandest roles ever set upon the stage of human life, becomes more impressive as the scenes recede.

F.F.B. CHICAGO, _October, 1886._

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I

Ancestry--The Lincolns in Kentucky--Death of Lincoln's
Grandfather--Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks--Mordecai
Lincoln--Birth of Abraham Lincoln--Removal to Indiana--Early
Years--Dennis Hanks--Lincoln's Boyhood--Death of Nancy Hanks--Early
School Days--Lincoln's First Dollar--Presentiments of Future
Greatness--Down the Mississippi--Removal to Illinois--Lincoln's
Father--Lincoln the Storekeeper--First Official Act--Lincoln's
Short Sketch of His Own Life

CHAPTER II

A Turn in Affairs--The Black Hawk War--A Remarkable Military
Manoeuvre--Lincoln Protects an Indian--Lincoln and
Stuart--Lincoln's Military Record--Nominated for the
Legislature--Lincoln a Merchant--Postmaster at New Salem--Lincoln
Studies Law--Elected to the Legislature--Personal
Characteristics--Lincoln's Love for Anne Rutledge--Close of
Lincoln's Youth

CHAPTER III

Lincoln's Beginning as a Lawyer--His Early Taste for
Politics--Lincoln and the Lightning-Rod Man--Not an
Aristocrat--Reply to Dr. Early--A Manly Letter--Again in the
Illinois Legislature--The "Long Nine"--Lincoln on His Way to the
Capital--His Ambition in 1836--First Meeting with Douglas--Removal
of the Illinois Capital--One of Lincoln's Early
Speeches--Pro-Slavery Sentiment in Illinois--Lincoln's Opposition
to Slavery--Contest with General Ewing--Lincoln Lays out a
Town--The Title "Honest Abe"

CHAPTER IV

Lincoln's Removal to Springfield--A Lawyer without Clients or
Money--Early Discouragements--Proposes to become a
Carpenter--"Stuart & Lincoln, Attorneys at Law"--"Riding the
Circuit"--Incidents of a Trip Round the Circuit--Pen Pictures of
Lincoln--Humane Traits--Kindness to Animals--Defending Fugitive
Slaves--Incidents in Lincoln's Life as a Lawyer--His Fondness for
Jokes and Stories

CHAPTER V

Lincoln in the Legislature--Eight Consecutive Years of Service--His
Influence in the House--Leader of the Whig Party in Illinois--Takes
a Hand in National Politics--Presidential Election in 1840--A "Log
Cabin" Reminiscence--Some Memorable Political Encounters--A Tilt
with Douglas--Lincoln Facing a Mob--His Physical Courage--Lincoln
as Duellist--The Affair with General Shields--An Eye-Witness'
Account of the Duel--Courtship and Marriage

CHAPTER VI

Lincoln in National Politics--His Congressional
Aspirations--Law-Partnership of Lincoln and Herndon--The
Presidential Campaign of 1844--Visit to Henry Clay--Lincoln Elected
to Congress--Congressional Reputation--Acquaintance with
Distinguished Men--First Speech in Congress--"Getting the Hang" of
the House--Lincoln's Course on the Mexican War--Notable Speech in
Congress--Ridicule of General Cass--Bill for the Abolition of
Slavery--Delegate to the Whig National Convention of 1848--Stumping
the Country for Taylor--Advice to Young Politicians--"Old Abe"--A
Political Disappointment--Lincoln's Appearance as an Officer Seeker
in Washington--"A Divinity that Shapes Our Ends"

CHAPTER VII

Lincoln again in Springfield--Back to the Circuit--His Personal
Manners and Appearance--Glimpses of Home-Life--His Family--His
Absent-Mindedness--A Painful Subject--Lincoln a Man of
Sorrows--Familiar Appearance on the Streets of Springfield--Scenes
in the Law-Office--Forebodings of a "Great of Miserable End"--An
Evening Whit Lincoln in Chicago--Lincoln's Tenderness to His
Relatives--Death of His Father--A Sensible Adviser--Care of His
Step-Mother--Tribute From Her

CHAPTER VIII

Lincoln as a Lawyer--His Appearance in Court--Reminiscences of a
Law-Student in Lincoln's Office--An "Office Copy" of Byron--Novel
Way of Keeping Partnership Accounts--Charges for Legal
Services--Trial of Bill Armstrong--Lincoln before a Jury--Kindness
toward Unfortunate Clients--Refusing to Defend Guilty
Men--Courtroom Anecdotes--Anecdotes of Lincoln at the Bar--Some
Striking Opinions of Lincoln as a Lawyer

CHAPTER IX

Lincoln and Slavery--The Issue Becoming More Sharply
Defined--Resistance to the Spread of Slavery--Views Expressed by
Lincoln in 1850--His Mind Made Up--Lincoln as a Party Leader--The
Kansas Struggle--Crossing Swords with Douglas--A Notable Speech by
Lincoln--Advice to Kansas Belligerents--Honor in Politics--Anecdote
of Lincoln and Yates--Contest for the U.S. Senate in
1855--Lincoln's Defeat--Sketched by Members of the Legislature

CHAPTER X

Birth of the Republican Party--Lincoln One of Its Fathers--Takes
His Stand with the Abolitionists--The Bloomington
Convention--Lincoln's Great Anti-Slavery Speech--A Ratification
Meeting of Three--The First National Republican
Convention--Lincoln's Name Presented for the
Vice-Presidency--Nomination of Fremont and Dayton--Lincoln in the
Campaign of 1856--His Appearance and Influence on the
Stump--Regarded as a Dangerous Man--His Views on the Politics of
the Future--First Visit to Cincinnati--Meeting with Edwin M.
Stanton--Stanton's First Impressions of Lincoln--Regards Him as a
"Giraffe"--A Visit to Cincinnati

CHAPTER XI

The Great Lincoln-Douglas Debate--Rivals for the U.S.
Senate--Lincoln's "House-Divided-against-Itself" Speech--An
Inspired Oration--Alarming His Friends--Challenges Douglas to a
Joint Discussion--The Champions Contrasted--Their Opinions of Each
Other--Lincoln and Douglas on the Stump--Slavery the Leading
Issue--Scenes and Anecdotes of the Great Debate--Pen-Picture of
Lincoln on the Stump--Humors of the Campaign--Some Sharp
Rejoinders--Words of Soberness--Close of the Conflict

CHAPTER XII

A Year of Waiting and Trial--Again Defeated for the
Senate--Depression and Neglect--Lincoln Enlarging His
Boundaries--On the Stump in Ohio--A Speech to Kentuckians--Second
Visit to Cincinnati--A Short Trip to Kansas--Lincoln in New York
City--The Famous Cooper Institute Speech--A Strong and Favorable
Impression--Visits New England--Secret of Lincoln's Success as an
Orator--Back to Springfield--Disposing of a Campaign
Slander--Lincoln's Account of His Visit to a Five Points Sunday
School

CHAPTER XIII

Looking towards the Presidency--The Illinois Republican Convention
of 1860--A "Send-Off" for Lincoln--The National Republican
Convention at Chicago--Contract of the Leading Candidates--Lincoln
Nominated--Scenes at the Convention--Sketches by
Eye-Witnesses--Lincoln Hearing the News--The Scene at
Springfield--A Visit to Lincoln at His Home--Recollections of a
Distinguished Sculptor--Receiving the Committee of the
Convention--Nomination of Douglas--Campaign of 1860--Various
Campaign Reminiscences--Lincoln and the Tall Southerner--The Vote
of the Springfield Clergy--A Graceful Letter to the Poet
Bryant--"Looking up Hard Spots"

CHAPTER XIV

Lincoln Chosen President--The Election of 1860--The Waiting-Time at
Springfield--A Deluge of Visitors--Various Impressions of the
President-Elect--Some Queer Callers--Looking over the Situation
with Friends--Talks about the Cabinet--Thurlow Weed's Visit to
Springfield--The Serious Aspect of National Affairs--The South in
Rebellion--Treason at the National Capital--Lincoln's Farewell
Visit to His Mother--The Old Sign, "Lincoln & Herndon"--The Last
Day at Springfield--Farewell Speech to Friends and Neighbors--Off
for the Capital--The Journey to Washington--Receptions and Speeches
along the Route--At Cincinnati: A Hitherto Unpublished Speech by
Lincoln--At Cleveland: Personal Descriptions of Mr. and Mrs.
Lincoln--At New York City: Impressions of the New President--Perils
of the Journey--The Baltimore Plot--Change of Route--Arrival at the
Capital

CHAPTER XV

Lincoln at the Helm--First Days in Washington--Meeting Public--Men
and Discussing Public Affairs--The Inauguration--The Inaugural
Address--A New Era Begun--Lincoln in the White House--The First
Cabinet--The President and the Office-Seekers--Southern Prejudice
against Lincoln--Ominous Portents, but Lincoln not Dismayed--The
President's Reception Room--Varied Impressions of the New
President--Guarding the White House

CHAPTER XVI

Civil War--Uprising of the Nation--The President's First Call for
Troops--Response of the Loyal North--The Riots in
Baltimore--Loyalty of Stephen A. Douglas--Douglas's Death--Blockade
of Southern Ports--Additional War Measures--Lincoln Defines the
Policy of the Government--His Conciliatory Course--His Desire to
Save Kentucky--The President's First Message to Congress--Gathering
of Troops in Washington--Reviews and Parades--Disaster at Bull
Run--The President Visits the Army--Good Advice to an Angry
Officer--A Peculiar Cabinet Meeting--Dark Days for Lincoln--A
"Black Mood" in the White House--Lincoln's Unfaltering
Courage--Relief in Story-Telling--A Pretty Good Land
Title--"Measuring up" with Charles Sumner--General Scott "Unable as
a Politician"--A Good Drawing-Plaster--The New York Millionaires
who Wanted a Gunboat--A Good Bridge-Builder--A Sick Lot of
Office-Seekers

CHAPTER XVII

Lincoln's Wise Statesmanship--The Mason and Slidell
Affair--Complications with England--Lincoln's "Little Story" on the
Trent Affair--Building of the "Monitor"--Lincoln's Part in the
Enterprise--The President's First Annual Message--Discussion of the
Labor Question--A President's Reception in War Time--A Great
Affliction--Death in the White House--Chapters from the Secret
Service--A Morning Call on the President--Goldwin Smith's
Impressions of Lincoln--Other Notable Tributes

CHAPTER XVIII

Lincoln and His Cabinet--An Odd Assortment of
Officials--Misconceptions of Rights and Duties--Frictions and
Misunderstandings--The Early Cabinet Meetings--Informal
Conversational Affairs--Queer Attitude toward the War--Regarded as
a Political Affair--Proximity to Washington a Hindrance to Military
Success--Disturbances in the Cabinet--A Senate Committee Demands
Seward's Removal from the Cabinet--Lincoln's Mastery of the
Situation--Harmony Restored--Stanton becomes War Secretary--Sketch
of a Remarkable Man--Next to Lincoln, the Master-Mind of the
Cabinet--Lincoln the Dominant Power

CHAPTER XIX

Lincoln's Personal Attention to the Military Problems of the
War--Efforts to Push forward the War--Disheartening
Delays--Lincoln's Worry and Perplexity Brightening Prospects--Union
Victories in North Carolina and Tennessee--Proclamation by the
President--Lincoln Wants to See for Himself--Visits Fortress
Monroe--Witnesses an Attack on the Rebel Ram "Merrimac"--The
Capture of Norfolk--Lincoln's Account of the Affair--Letter to
McClellan--Lincoln and the Union Soldiers--His Tender Solicitude
for the Boys in Blue--Soldiers Always Welcome at the White
House--Pardoning Condemned Soldiers--Letter to a Bereaved
Mother--The Case of Cyrus Pringle--Lincoln's Love of Soldiers'
Humor--Visiting the Soldiers in Trenches and Hospitals--Lincoln at
"The Soldiers' Rest"

CHAPTER XX

Lincoln and McClellan--The Peninsular Campaign of 1862--Impatience
with McClellan's Delay--Lincoln Defends McClellan from Unjust
Criticism--Some Harrowing Experiences--McClellan Recalled from the
Peninsula--His Troops Given to General Pope--Pope's Defeat at
Manassas--A Critical Situation--McClellan again in Command--Lincoln
Takes the Responsibility--McClellan's Account of His
Reinstatement--The Battle of Antietam--The President
Vindicated--Again Dissatisfied with McClellan--Visits the Army in
the Field--The President in the Saddle--Correspondence between
Lincoln and McClellan--McClellan's Final Removal--Lincoln's
Summing-Up of McClellan--McClellan's "Body-Guard"

CHAPTER XXI

Lincoln and Slavery--Plan for Gradual Emancipation--Anti-Slavery
Legislation in 1862--Pressure Brought to Bear on the
Executive--The Delegation of Quakers--A Visit from Chicago
Clergymen--Interview between Lincoln and Channing--Lincoln and
Horace Greeley--The President's Answer to "The Prayer of Twenty
Millions of People"--Conference between Lincoln and
Greeley--Emancipation Resolved on--The Preliminary
Proclamation--Lincoln's Account of It--Preparing for the Final
Act--The Emancipation Proclamation--Particulars of the Great
Document--Fate of the Original Draft--Lincoln's Outline of His
Course and Views Regarding Slavery

CHAPTER XXII

President and People--Society at the White House in
1862-3--The President's Informal Receptions--A Variety of
Callers--Characteristic Traits of Lincoln--His Ability to Say
_No_ when Necessary--Would not Countenance Injustice--Good
Sense and Tact in Settling Quarrels--His Shrewd Knowledge of
Men--Getting Rid of Bores--Loyalty to His Friends--Views of
His Own Position--"Attorney for the People"--Desire that They
Should Understand Him--His Practical Kindness--A Badly Scared
Petitioner--Telling a Story to Relieve Bad News--A Breaking
Heart beneath the Smiles--His Deeply Religious Nature--The
Changes Wrought by Grief

CHAPTER XXIII

Lincoln's Home-Life in the White House--Comfort in the
Companionship of his Youngest Son--"Little Tad" the Bright Spot in
the White House--The President and His Little Boy Reviewing the
Army of the Potomac--Various Phases of Lincoln's Character--His
Literary Tastes--Fondness for Poetry and Music--His Remarkable
Memory--Not a Latin Scholar--Never Read a Novel--Solace in
Theatrical Representation--Anecdotes of Booth and
McCullough--Methods of Literary Work--Lincoln as an Orator--Caution
in Impromptu Speeches--His Literary Style--Management of His
Private Correspondence--Knowledge of Woodcraft--Trees and Human
Character--Exchanging Views with Professor Agassiz--Magnanimity
toward Opponents--Righteous Indignation--Lincoln's Religious Nature

CHAPTER XXIV

Trials of the Administration in 1863--Hostility to War
Measures--Lack of Confidence at the North--Opposition in
Congress--How Lincoln Felt about the "Fire in the Rear"--Criticisms
from Various Quarters--Visit of "the Boston Set"--The Government on
a Tight-Rope--The Enlistment of Colored Troops--Interview between
Lincoln and Frederick Douglass--Reverses in the Field--Changes of
Military Leaders--From Burnside to Hooker--Lincoln's First Meeting
with "Fighting Joe"--The President's Solicitude--His Warning Letter
to Hooker--His Visit to the Rappahannock--Hooker's Self-Confidence
the "Worst Thing about Him"--The Defeat at Chancellorsville--The
Failure of Our Generals--"Wanted, a Man"

CHAPTER XXV

The Battle-Summer of 1863--A Turn of the Tide--Lee's Invasion of
Pennsylvania--A Threatening Crisis--Change of Union
Commanders--Meade Succeeds Hooker--The Battle of
Gettysburg--Lincoln's Anxiety during the Fight--The Retreat of
Lee--Union Victories in the Southwest--The Capture of
Vicksburg--Lincoln's Thanks to Grant--Returning
Cheerfulness--Congratulations to the Country--Improved State of
Feeling at the North--State Elections of 1863--The Administration
Sustained--Dedication of the National Cemetery at
Gettysburg--Lincoln's Address--Scenes and Incidents at the
Dedication--Meeting with Old John Burns--Edward Everett's
Impressions of Lincoln

CHAPTER XXVI

Lincoln and Grant--Their Personal Relations--Grant's Success at
Chattanooga--Appointed Lieutenant-General--Grant's First Visit to
Washington--His Meeting with Lincoln--Lincoln's First Impressions
of Grant--The First "General" Lincoln had Found--"That Presidential
Grub"--True Version of the Whiskey Anecdote--Lincoln Tells Grant
the Story of Sykes's Dog--"We'd Better Let Mr. Grant Have His Own
Way"--Grant's Estimate of Lincoln