CHAPTER 19: “FIRE IN THE REAR”

a “general air of doubt”: NYT, December 27, 1862.

“Will Lincoln’s…Nobody knows”: Entry for December 30, 1862, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 284.

As Frederick Douglass…give up ground: Douglass’ Monthly (October 1862).

The final proclamation…“upon this act”: Allen C. Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation: The End of Slavery in America (New York: Simon & Schuster, 2004), pp. 178–81, 254–60 (quotes p. 260); entry for December 31, 1862, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 210–11.

On the morning…fitful sleep: Quarles, Lincoln and the Negro, p. 140; Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, p. 181.

He then met with General Burnside…offered to resign: Conversations with Lincoln, ed. Charles M. Segal (1961; New Brunswick, N.J., and London: Transaction Publishers, 2002), pp. 232–34 (quote p. 232); Donald, Lincoln, pp. 409–11.

he would replace Burnside with “Fighting Joe” Hooker: Entry for January 25, 1863, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 165.

A West Point graduate…at Antietam: “Hooker, Joseph (1814–1879),” in Sifakis, Who Was Who in the Union, pp. 199–200.

Seward returned…for correction: Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, p. 181.

New Year’s reception…“trimming on the waist”: Entry for January 1, 1863, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.

“looking like a fairy queen”: EBL to SPL, January 1, 1863, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 224.

“Oh how pretty she is”: Entry for January 1, 1863, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.

the gates to the White House…shake the president’s hand: Noah Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington: Selections from the Writings of Noah Brooks, Civil War Correspondent, ed. P. J. Staudenraus (South Brunswick, N.J.: Thomas Yoseloff, 1967), pp. 58–60.

“grievously altered…cavernous eyes”: Ibid., p. 29.

“his blessed…People’s Levee”: Ibid., p. 60.

“Oh Mr. French…remain until it ended”: Benjamin B. French, quoted in Randall, Mary Lincoln, p. 320.

At Chase’s mansion…“china, glass, and silver”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 61–62.

“little, aristocratic”…years as a lawyer: Ibid., p. 176.

Stanton’s salary…Ellen’s dreams: Thomas and Hyman, Stanton, p. 392.

At 2 p.m…. soon joined him: Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, p. 182.

he “took a pen”…put the pen down: Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 269.

“I never…signing this paper”: AL quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 151.

“If my name…soul is in it”: Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 269.

“stiff and numb”: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 151.

“If my hand trembles…‘He hesitated’”: Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 269.

“slowly and carefully”…sent out to the press: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 151.

“Has Lincoln played false to humanity?”: Entry for January 1, 1863, in Adam Gurowski, Diary from November 18, 1862 to October 18, 1863. Vol. II. Burt Franklin: Research & Source Works #229 (New York, 1864; New York: Burt Franklin, 1968), p. 61.

At Tremont Temple…Anna Dickinson: Frederick Douglass, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, Written by Himself (1893 edn.), reprinted in Frederick Douglass, Autobiographies. Library of America Series (New York: Literary Classics of the United States, 1994) p. 790 (quote); Boston Journal, January 2, 1863; Boston Transcript, January 2, 1863.

At the nearby Music Hall…Oliver Wendell Holmes: Boston Journal, January 2, 1863; Boston Post, January 2, 1863; Quarles, Lincoln and the Negro, p. 143.

“Every moment…one other chance”: Douglass, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, p. 791.

“had absolutely no foundation…to the quick”: Helm, The True Story of Mary, pp. 208–09.

Mary had rushed…the joyous occasion: MTL to CS, December 30, 1862, in Turner and Turner, Mary Todd Lincoln, p. 144.

“was becoming agony…joy and gladness”: Douglass, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, p. 791.

“It was a sublime…with us, here”: Eliza S. Quincy to MTL, January 2, 1863, Lincoln Papers.

a crowd of serenaders…in securing their freedom: Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, p. 186; NYT, January 3, 1863 (quote).

“Whatever partial…goes backward”: Boston Daily Evening Transcript, January 2, 1863.

“Strange phenomenon…in all future ages”: James A. Garfield to Burke Hinsdale, January 6, 1863, quoted in Theodore Clarke Smith, The Life and Letters of James Abram Garfield. Vol. I: 1831–1877 (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1925), p. 266.

“Fellow-citizens…the latest generation”: AL, “Annual Message to Congress,” December 1, 1862, in CW, V, p. 537.

“had done nothing…will be realized”: AL, paraphrased in Joshua F. Speed to WHH, February 7, 1866, in HI, p. 197.

“discord in the North…spirit of the nation”: Louisville Journal, quoted in Boston Post, January 2, 1863.

“union and harmony…destruction”: WHS to FS, September 1862, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 135.

“It is my conviction…sustained it”: AL, quoted in Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 77.

“slavery and quiet… by tremendous majorities”: Walt Whitman, “Origins of Attempted Secession,” The Complete Prose Works of Walt Whitman, Vol. II (New York: G. P. Putnam’s Sons/The Knickerbocker Press, 1902), p. 155.

“A man watches…strong enough to defeat the purpose”: AL, quoted in Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 77.

Horatio Seymour denounced…inaugural message: Guelzo, Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, p. 187.

James Robinson recommended: NYT, January 10, 1863.

Democratic legislatures…“crusade against Slavery”: Oliver P. Morton to EMS, February 9, 1863, reel 3, Stanton Papers, DLC.

“under the subterfuge…oppose the War”: JGN to TB, January 11, 1863, container 2, Nicolay Papers.

The “fire in the rear”: AL, quoted in CS to Francis Lieber, January 17, 1863, quoted in Edward L. Pierce, Memoir and Letters of Charles Sumner. Vol. IV: 1860–1874 (Boston: Roberts Brothers, 1893), p. 114.

Army of the Potomac into winter quarters…“Valley Forge of the war”: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, pp. 586–88, 590 (quote).

Copperheads: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, pp. 493, 591, 593, 600; John C. Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln: The Battle for the 1864 Presidency (New York: Crown Publishers, 1997), p. 91.

“fearfully changed”…a piercing shriek: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 105–06.

“Ought this war”…then let her go: Clement L. Vallandigham, “The Constitution—Peace—Reunion,” January 14, 1863, Appendix to the Congressional Globe, 37th Cong., 3rd sess. pp. 55, 57–59 (quotes on p. 55).

The time had come…let her go: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 70.

Saulsbury…removed from the Senate floor: Ibid., pp. 87–88.

“baneful…only for the negro”: Andrew H. Foote, paraphrased in entry for January 9, 1863, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 611.

Orville Browning, who considered…“the government”: Entry for January 26, 1863, in ibid., p. 620.

“conversed with…will re enlist”: Entry for January 29, 1863, in ibid., pp. 620–21 (quotes p. 621).

“the alarming condition…a fixed thing”: Entry for January 19, 1863, in ibid., p. 616.

“the democrats would soon…leave them”: Entry for January 26, 1863, in ibid., p. 620.

“The resources…can be maintained”: AL, “To the Workingmen of London,” February 2, 1863, in CW, VI, pp. 88–89.

the people’s representatives had passed: See Curry, Blueprint for Modern America.

“the grandest pledge…means to prevail”: NYT, February 20, 1863.

“largest popular gathering…home of the brave”: NYT, April 21, 1863.

“the greatest popular…in Washington”: Daily Morning Chronicle, Washington, D.C., April 1, 1863.

Lincoln was dressed…of his father’s embrace: Jane Grey Swisshelm, quoted in St. Cloud [Minn.] Democrat, April 9, 1863, in Frank Klement, “Jane Grey Swisshelm and Lincoln: A Feminist Fusses and Frets,” Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 6 (December 1950), pp. 235–36.

Lincoln sent a telegram to Thurlow Weed…“and so I sent for you”: AL, quoted in Barnes, Memoir of Thurlow Weed, pp. 434–35.

The amount needed was $15,000: Ibid., p. 435; AL to TW, February 19, 1862, in CW, VI, pp. 112–13.

“to influence…Connecticut elections”: Entry for February 10, 1863, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 235.

“a stunning blow to the Copperheads”: NYT, April 8, 1863.

“puts the Administration…seas to the end”: NYT, April 9, 1863.

“frightened”…depress voter sentiment: JH to Mrs. Charles Hay, April 23, 1863, in Hay, At Lincoln’s Side, p. 38.

“I rejoiced…the War commenced”: EMS to Isabella Beecher Hooker, May 6, 1863, in Wolcott, “Edwin M. Stanton,” p. 160.

“The feeling of…everywhere manifest”: JGN to TB, March 22, 1863, container 2, Nicolay Papers.

“The glamour…the denunciations”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 138.

when Lincoln engaged…“be crippled”: Entry for January 17, 1863, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.

“Well…not one has got there yet”: AL, quoted in “Personal,” Daily Morning Chronicle, Washington, D.C., May 2, 1863.

“smoking cigars…‘good victuals’”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 175.

At one dinner party…“[had] ever known”: Entry for January 28, 1863, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 292.

welcome diversion in the telegraph office: Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 41–42, 143, 190.

“Abe was in…‘none anywhere else’”: AL, quoted in entry for April 21, 1863, in Dahlgren, Memoir of John A. Dahlgren, p. 390.

“a little after midnight…queer little conceits”: Entry for April 30, 1864, in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 194.

“Only those…heart bleeds”: MTL to Mary Janes Welles, February 21, 1863, reel 35, Welles Papers.

Mary had gamely resumed…“to bear up”: MTL to Benjamin B. French, March 10, 1863, in Thomas F. Schwartz and Kim M. Bauer, “Unpublished Mary Todd Lincoln,” Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Association 17 (Summer 1996), p. 5.

“affable and pleasant…out of sight”: Entry for February 22, 1863, in French, Witness to the Young Republic, p. 417.

“much shorter…his composition”: Entry for February 12, 1863, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers.

In gratitude to Rebecca Pomroy…“look their best”: Boyden, Echoes from Hospital and White House, pp. 131–32.

“brilliantly lighted…children’s children”: Pomroy, quoted in ibid., pp. 132–33.

Swisshelm had initially…“and its cause”: Jane Grey Swisshelm, Half a Century (Chicago: J. G. Swisshelm, 1880), pp. 236–37 (quotes p. 237).

Mary was delighted…Nettie Colburn: Nettie Colburn Maynard, Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?, or Curious Revelations from the Life of a Trance Medium (Philadelphia: Rufus C. Hartranft, 1891), p. 83.

“very choice spirits…agreeable ladies”: Joshua F. Speed to AL, October 26, 1863, Lincoln Papers.

“Welcome, Mr. Lincoln…I was coming”: Mr. Laurie and AL, quoted in Maynard, Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?, p. 83.

The guests settled into…“easy chairs of the day”: S. P. Kase, quoted in J. J. Fitzgerrell, Lincoln Was a Spiritualist (Los Angeles: Austin Publishing Co., 1924), pp. 18–19.

“Well, Miss Nettie…say to me to-night?”: Maynard, Was Abraham Lincoln a Spiritualist?, p. 85.

There is no evidence that Lincoln…“learn the secret”: “Lord Colchester—Spirit Medium,” Lincoln Lore, no. 1497 (November 1962), p. 4.

She spoke for an hour…“not this wonderful?”: S. P. Kase, quoted in Fitzgerrell, Lincoln Was a Spiritualist, pp. 20–21.

“I have neither…I must resume it”: SPC to Horace Greeley, January 28, 1863, reel 24, Chase Papers.

Chase became physically ill…make it through: SPC to Richard C. Parsons, February 16, 1863, reel 25, Chase Papers.

his own handsome face…every dollar bill: SPC, “Going Home to Vote.” Authentic Speeches of S. P. Chase, Secretary of the Treasury, During His Visit to Ohio, with His Speeches at Indianapolis, and at the Mass Meeting in Baltimore, October, 1863 (Washington, D.C.: W. H. Moore, 1863), p. 25; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 176.

his own strained finances…bonds to the public: SPC to Jay Cooke, June 2, 1863, reel 27, Chase Papers.

Charles Benjamin…quickly make amends: Benjamin, “Recollections of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton,” Century (1887), p. 759.

asked why he disliked…“detested it”: Entry for April 25, 1863, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 314.

“nervous irritability”: E. D. Townsend, Anecdotes of the Civil War in the United States (New York: D. Appleton & Co., 1884), p. 136.

his asthma…consent to seek rest: Benjamin, “Recollections of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton,” Century (1887), pp. 759–60.

he enjoyed reading…attitude to the war: Ibid., p. 766; Johnson, “Reminiscences of the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton,” RCHS (1910), p. 80 (quote).

Stanton refused to bring…remained at his post: Wolcott, “Edwin M. Stanton,” p. 161; Thomas and Hyman, Stanton, pp. 165–66.

“would rather make”…ask Stanton for a favor: JH to JGN, November 25, 1863, quoted in Hay, At Lincoln’s Side, p. 69.

Even when Stanton’s own son…an official appointment: Johnson, “Reminiscences of the Hon. Edwin M. Stanton,” RCHS (1910), p. 92.

rarely returned to Steubenville…for the funeral in Ohio: NYT, April 14, 1863; Wolcott, “Edwin M. Stanton,” p. 130a.

Pamphila’s conviction…died from overwork: Wolcott, “Edwin M. Stanton,” p. 159.

the War Department utilize the services…“to Mr. Capen”: AL, “Memorandum Concerning Francis L. Capen’s Weather Forecasts,” April 28, 1863, in CW, VI, pp. 190–91.

warring factions in Missouri…“hold of the case”: AL to Henry T. Blow, Charles D. Drake and Others, May 15, 1863, in ibid., p. 218.

hastily written note to General Franz Sigel…“keep it up”: AL to Franz Sigel, February 5, 1863, in ibid., p. 93.

The story is told: AL, quoted in Pinsker, Lincoln’s Sanctuary, pp. 52–53.

Carl Schurz laid the blame…“We parted as better friends than ever”: Schurz, Reminiscences, Vol. II, pp. 393–96.

excursion to Falmouth: Noah Brooks, “A Boy in the White House,” St. Nicholas: An Illustrated Magazine for Young Folks 10 (November 1882), p. 62; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 147–64.

“one of the purest…in the world”: Anson G. Henry to his wife, April 12, 1863, transcribed in “Another Hooker Letter,” Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 2 (March 1942), pp. 10–11.

Bates agreed…spring battles began: Entry for April 4, 1863, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 288.

weather conditions: Sun, Baltimore, Md., April 6, 1863; entry for April 4, 1863, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 287; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 51.

the steamer Carrie Martin…of George Washington: Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, p. 185; Noah Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, ed. Herbert Mitgang (Chicago: Quadrangle Books, 1971; Athens, Ga., and London: University of Georgia Press, 1989), p. 51.

the escalating storm…to the dinner menu: Brooks, “A Boy in the White House,” St. Nicholas (1882), p. 62.

“the chief magistrate…firing a shot”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 148–49.

“at its height”…a special train: Sun, Baltimore, Md., April 7, 1863 (quote); Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 149.

“snow piled in huge…over the hills”: NYH, April 10, 1863 (quotes); Brooks, Washington, D.C. in Lincoln’s Time, p. 52.

Hooker’s headquarters…133,000 soldiers: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 150–51; Shelby Foote, The Civil War: A Narrative. Vol. II: Fredericksburg to Meridian (New York: Random House, 1963: New York: Vintage Books, 1986), p. 235.

General Hooker and his accommodations: Entry for April 27, 1863, Fanny Seward diary, Seward Papers; NYH, April 10, 1863; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 150.

“I believe you to be…give us victories”: AL to Joseph Hooker, January 26, 1863, in CW, VI, pp. 78–79.

was so moved by…printed in gold letters: Anson G. Henry to his wife, April 12, 1863, transcribed in “Another Hooker Letter,” ALQ 2 (1942), p. 11.

“That is just such…man who wrote it”: Joseph Hooker, quoted in Brooks, Washington, D.C. in Lincoln’s Time, p. 57.

Mary’s curiosity…“pleasant to her”: NYH, April 10, 1863 (quote); Star, April 7, 1863; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 150.

reported badinage between…“‘sort of rebel’”: Brooks, Washington, D.C. in Lincoln’s Time, p. 59.

Stormy weather…“shafts of wit”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 150; NYH, April 10, 1863 (quote).

The roar of artillery…“among them”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 53; NYH, April 11, 1863; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 153 (quote).

his gray cloak…faithfully by his side: Brooks, “A Boy in the White House,” St. Nicholas (1882), p. 62.

“And thereby hangs…folds of the banners”: NYH, April 11, 1863.

At the review of the infantry…“far away”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 154, 158–59 (quote).

he extended his visit: Ibid., p. 161.

“the former stood…turn their backs”: NYH, April 10, 1863.

rebel camps across the river…stars and bars: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, pp. 155–56.

Union pickets…“belonging to friendly armies”: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 162 (first quote); NYH, April 10, 1863 (last quote).

a Confederate officer…“politely and retired”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 156.

“It was a saddening…should arrive”: Ibid., pp. 153–54.

issued one final directive…all your men”: AL, quoted in Couch, “Sumner’s ‘Right Grand Division,’” in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. III, Pt. I, p. 120.

boarded the Carrie Martin…“flags displayed”: NYH, April 12, 1863.

were defending James S. Pleasants…“very bitter”: EBL to SPL, April 16, 1863, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 259 (quotes); Court-martial file of James Snowden Pleasants, file MM-15, entry 15, RG 153, DNA; Sun, Baltimore, Md., April 9, 1863.

sent the Peterhoff…to the Navy Department: Van Deusen, William Henry Seward, pp. 350–51; Monaghan, Diplomat in Carpet Slippers, pp. 303–04.

led to rumors of…“from the real question”: Entries for April 23–28, 1863, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 285–87 (quotes p. 287).

Montgomery Blair also sided…“in the Cabinet”: Entry for April 17, 1863, ibid., pp. 274–75 (quote p. 275).

“I feel that…my present position”: SPC to AL, March 2, 1863, Lincoln Papers.

This squabble was provoked…“my resignation”: SPC to AL, May 11, 1863, Lincoln Papers.

“Chase’s feelings were hurt”: AL to Anson G. Henry, May 13, 1863, in CW, VI, p. 215.

he called at Chase’s…“I finally succeeded”: Field, Memories of Many Men, p. 303.

$45 million in bonds…“as do ours”: NYT, May 3, 1863.

he placed his prickly secretary’s third resignation: Riddle, Recollections of War Times, p. 273.

Blair, meanwhile, resented Chase…“private counsellor”: Entry for May 10, 1863, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, pp. 290–91.

the Battle of Chancellorsville: See Stephen W. Sears, Chancellorsville (Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1996); Stanley S. McGowen, “Chancellorsville, Battle of,” in Encyclopedia of the American Civil War, ed. Heidler and Heidler, pp. 394–98; Foote, The Civil War, Vol. II, p. 263.

“We have been…definite information”: JGN to TB, May 4, 1863, container 2, Nicolay Papers.

Welles joined Lincoln: Entry of May 4, 1863, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), p. 291.

Bates was particularly tense…“dangerous service”: Entry for May 5, 1863, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 289.

Lincoln admitted…what was going on: EBL to SPL, May 4, 1863, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 264.

“no reliable…does not express them”: Entry for May 5, 1863, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 292–93.

“While I am anxious…or discomfort”: AL to Joseph Hooker, April 28, 1863, in CW, VI, pp. 189–90.

“God bless you…with despatches”: AL to Joseph Hooker, 9:40 a.m. telegram, May 6, 1863, in ibid., p. 199.

an unwelcome telegram…the order to retreat: Joseph Hooker to AL, May 6, 1863, Lincoln Papers; Sears, Chancellorsville, p. 492; Darius N. Couch, “The Chancellorsville Campaign,” in Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Vol. III, Pt. I, pp. 164 (first quote), 167, 169–71 (second and third quotes p. 171).

“I shall never forget…of despair”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 60.

“Had a thunderbolt…would again commence”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 179.

“ashen” face…“‘will the country say!’”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 61.

The president informed Senator Sumner…“I know not where”: Entry for May 6, 1863, Welles diary, Vol. I (1960 edn.), pp. 293–94.

“This is the darkest day of the war”: JH paraphrasing EMS, quoted in Lincoln’s Third Secretary: The Memoirs of William O. Stoddard, ed. William O. Stoddard, Jr. (New York: Exposition Press, 1955), p. 173.

At the Willard…bound for Hooker’s headquarters: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 180.

“All accounts agree…back into the fray”: NYT, May 12, 1863.

casualties at Chancellorsville: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 645; Sears, Chancellorsville, pp. 492, 501.

death of Stonewall Jackson: James I. Robertson, Jr., “Jackson, Thomas Jonathan,” in Encyclopedia of the American Civil War, ed. Heidler and Heidler, p. 1065.

“Since the death…death of Jackson”: Richmond Whig, May 12, 1863.

“If possible”…ready to assist Hooker: AL to Joseph Hooker, May 7, 1863, in CW, VI, p. 201.