Tag Archives: Abraham Lincoln

pleading with the president

New York State and its localities were unhappy with the way the federal government was conducting the draft in the winter of 1865. Governor Reuben Fenton sent a couple state senators to Washington, D.C. to complain to the nation’s chief … Continue reading

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making tracks for peace?

President Lincoln was going to talk with the rebel peace commissioners. The first leg of his journey was by train. From The New-York Times February 3, 1865: THE PEACE CONFERENCE; MOVEMENTS OF THE PRESIDENT. He is Summoned to Fortress M[o]nroe … Continue reading

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constitutional amendment

150 years ago today the United States House of Representatives approved an amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolishing slavery throughout the United States; the Senate had earlier voted in favor of the proposal. Although three-fourths of the states would have … Continue reading

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friendly request

President Lincoln was trying to please his son Robert, his wife Mary, and his general Grant. He seems pretty confident that the war will soon and finally come to an end. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume … Continue reading

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namesakes

A Richmond newspaper can’t believe that free blacks would name their sons after Abraham Lincoln. It would make a lot more sense to name the children after the biblical Abraham. Unlike the “Washington Abraham” the biblical patriarch was a gentleman, … Continue reading

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boxing day thanks

In didn’t take President Lincoln long to get to his Christmas thank you notes in 1864. Of course, when someone gives you an entire city, it’s probably not a bad idea to make sure you show your gratitude. From The … Continue reading

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behavioral economics

And General Sherman (hey, it’s December 1864). On the same day that President Lincoln nominated Salmon P. Chase to serve as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court he presented Congress with his annual message. You can read about Mr. … Continue reading

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Abe’s Cornerstone

The Union must be preserved and slavery is wrong. Nevertheless, the president still released two rebel prisoners. From The Papers And Writings Of Abraham Lincoln, Volume Seven: MEMORANDUM, DECEMBER 3, 1864. On Thursday of last week, two ladies from Tennessee … Continue reading

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“From Maine to California”

150 years ago today was the day President Lincoln proclaimed as a day of Thanksgiving. The New-York Times saw it as a day that helped unite the states and parties and hoped it would remain a grand national holiday. From … Continue reading

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“Our pits are in an awful condition”

A young man from Seneca County enlisted for one year in August 1864. Instead of the regiment he signed up for, he was sent to the “Orange Blossoms” from downstate. He was finding picket duty in front of Petersburg pretty … Continue reading

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