Author Archives: SUMPTER

petition for legal protection

On February 22, 1865 “Tennessee voters approve a new state constitution that abolishes slavery” According to this report, on the same day that President Lincoln was shot, black men in Tennessee petitioned the state senate for legal rights. Freedom wouldn’t … Continue reading

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savior’s progress

Above the entrance to the ferry way appears the inscription: “WASHINGTON, the Father; LINCOLN, the Savior of his country.” 150 years ago today the remains of President Lincoln and his son Willie were conveyed from Philadelphia to New York City. … Continue reading

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Philadelphia procession

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let’s be guided by his spirit

at least the spirit of President Lincoln’s second inaugural I’m pretty sure The Seneca Falls Reveille (in Seneca County, New York) was a strongly pro-Democrat newspaper during the Civil War. 150 years ago today it published an editorial on the … Continue reading

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obsequies

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper on April 21, 1865: OBSEQUIES OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. The funeral ceremonies over the remains of the late President LINCOLN took place at the Executive Mansion in Washington on Wednesday, in the presence of … Continue reading

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“too noble a mind”

His was too noble a mind to indulge in a spirit of retaliation or revenge. I think the following might have been published on April 21, 1865. It seems that the editors thought it was still possible that Secretary Seward … Continue reading

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Everybody Loves Abraham

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in April 1865: THE REBEL PRISONERS AT ELMIRA. – It is stated that the rebel prisoners at Elmira were keenly affected by the news of Mr. Lincoln’s assassination, and requested permission to make … Continue reading

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not indispensable

Our great leader is dead, but our “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” From The New-York Times April 17, 1865: The Effect of President Lincoln’s Death on National Affairs. The … Continue reading

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investigations

John Wilkes Booth was identified by a hat and a spur he left behind at the crime scene. From The New-York Times April 16, 1865: THE ASSASSINATION.; Additional Details of the Lamentable Event. WASHINGTON, Saturday, April 15. The assassin of … Continue reading

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“the worst blow the confederacy has yet had”

From a Seneca County, New York newspaper in 1865: WASHINGTON, April 15 – 11 A.M. At 20 minutes past 7 o’clock the President breathed his last, closing his eyes as if falling asleep, and his countenance assuming an expression of … Continue reading

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