“Our troops have…but little”: Entry for June 20, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 54–55.
“The immense slaughter…sickens us all”: Entry for June 2, 1864, ibid., p. 44.
“steady courage”: Dispatch of June 6, 1864, in Stoddard, Dispatches from Lincoln’s White House, p. 234.
nearly lost his life at Cold Harbor: Janet W. Seward, “Personal Experiences of the Civil War,” Seward Papers, NRU.
“I cannot yet…a holy cause”: FAS to William H. Seward, Jr., May 20, 1864, reel 115, Seward Papers.
a “righteous” conflict…Mexican War: FAS to Augustus Seward, May 15, 1864, reel 115, Seward Papers.
“so nervous…all night with terror”: EBL to SPL, June 19, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 394.
“grave & anxious”: EBL to SPL, June 21, 1864, in ibid., p. 395.
if Frank were taken…“are politically”: EBL to SPL, June 22, 1864, in note 2 of EBL to SPL, June 21, 1864, in ibid., p. 396.
Welles was pained…“unfit for any labor”: Entry for July 20, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 82.
the Great Central Fair in Philadelphia: William Thompson, “Sanitary Fairs of the Civil War,” Civil War History 4 (March 1958), p. 60; NR, June 16, 1864.
“miracles as many…world of magic”: Unknown observer, quoted in Thompson, “Sanitary Fairs of the Civil War,” CWH 4 (1958), p. 60.
Lincoln, Mary, and Tad left: Entry for June 16, 1864, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 265.
they were escorted…“in Philadelphia”: NR, June 16 and 17, 1864 (quote June 17).
“War, at the best…until that time”: AL, “Speech at Great Central Sanitary Fair, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,” June 16, 1864, in CW, VII, pp. 394, 395.
his own “intense anxiety…his post here”: Entry for June 20, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 55.
Accompanied by Tad…of June 20: Entry for June 20, 1864, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 266.
“came down from…all who met him”: Porter, Campaigning with Grant, pp. 217, 218.
“plain and substantial…hero of Vicksburg”: NYH, June 25, 1864.
Lincoln conversed…“three capital jokes”: Sylvanus Cadwallader, Three Years with Grant: As Recalled by War Correspondent Sylvanus Cadwallader, ed. Benjamin P. Thomas (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1956), p. 232.
Grant suggested a ride…“met him on all sides”: Porter, Campaigning with Grant, p. 218 (quote); NR, June 24, 1864.
“a long and lingering look”: NYH, June 25, 1864.
passed a brigade…“spontaneous outburst”: Cadwallader, Three Years with Grant, p. 233.
“and his voice…if he had inherited it”: Porter, Campaigning with Grant, pp. 222–23.
General Grant took Lincoln aside…“but I will go in”: USG, quoted in entry for June 26, 1864, in Browning, The Diary of Orville Hickman Browning, Vol. I, p. 673.
“sunburnt and…position and good spirits”: “23 June 1864, Thursday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 210.
regular Friday cabinet meeting…“the General and army”: Entry for June 24, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 58.
project his own renewed hope…“as a commander”: NYTrib, June 25, 1864.
“of the condition…terms of confidence”: Philadelphia Inquirer, June 25, 1864.
“Having hope…your goals”: Daniel Goleman, Emotional Intelligence (New York: Bantam Books, 1995), p. 87. Goleman quotes C. R. Snyder in the third quote.
“We are today…within a year”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 343.
John Cisco…own presidential hopes: John G. Nicolay and John Hay, Abraham Lincoln: A History, Vol. IX (New York: Century Co., 1917), p. 91.
Lincoln told Chase…for Maunsell Field: SPC to AL, June 27, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Field was serving…“executive character”: Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln (1901 edn.), pp. 371, 374.
Chase awoke the morning after…to the Ephesians: Entry for June 28, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 465–66.
“Stand therefore…righteousness”: Ephesians 6:14.
“I can not”…on another nominee: AL to SPC, June 28, 1864, in CW, VII, pp. 412–13.
Chase wrote an immediate request: SPC to AL, June 28, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
He telegraphed Cisco…three months: SPC to John J. Cisco, June 28, 1864, reel 34, Chase Papers; entry for June 28, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 467.
“The difficulty…open revolt”: AL to SPC, June 28, 1864, in CW, VII, pp. 413–14.
He began his letter…“my resignation”: John J. Cisco to SPC, June 28, 1864; SPC to AL, June 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“I opened it…I did not long reflect”: AL, quoted in Field, Memories of Many Men, pp. 301–02.
“You have been acting…I will go”: “30 June 1864, Thursday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 213.
“Your resignation…with the public service”: AL to SPC, June 30, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 419.
Lincoln called John Hay…the opening prayer: “30 June 1864, Thursday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 212.
Lincoln’s penitent request…he was needed: Field, Memories of Many Men, p. 303.
After breakfast…it had been accepted: Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 469–70 (quotes p. 470).
spoke of “mutual embarrassment”: AL to SPC, June 30, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 419.
“I had found…fitness of selection”: Entry for June 30, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 470.
“his full armor of noble sentiments”: Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, p. 84.
“The Senators were struck”…vehement protest: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 119.
“Fessenden was frightened…was mad”: AL, quoted in “30 June 1864, Thursday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 213.
Lincoln listened patiently…“meet each other”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, pp. 119–120 (quotes p. 120).
Chase had declined to attend: Entry for June 24, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 58.
“unendurable…the last straw”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, pp. 120, 121.
“very nervous & cut up”: “30 June 1864, Thursday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 214.
Chittenden was equally…“thoroughly miserable”: AL, quoted in Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln (1901 edn.), pp. 377–79 (quotes pp. 378–79).
Lincoln paused…“loftier motives than any man”: Ibid., pp. 379–80.
a similar remark…“of good will”: Entry for June 30, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 471.
“the great magician…financier of his century”: Chicago Tribune, July 3, 1864.
“Mr. Chase is…Webster and Calhoun”: NYTrib, July 1, 1864.
he received a telegram…reasons of health: David Tod to AL, June 30, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“laid awake…public men”: Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, p. 182.
By morning…William Pitt Fessenden: Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln (1901 edn.), p. 381.
“First… of many radicals”: “1 July 1864, Friday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 216.
Lincoln handed Hay…“at once to the Senate”: AL, quoted in “1 July 1864, Friday,” in ibid., p. 215.
Lincoln greeted Fessenden…would kill him: William Pitt Fessenden, quoted in Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, pp. 315–16.
“If you decline…the nomination”: AL, quoted in “1 July 1864, Friday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 216.
“Telegrams came pouring…the most miserable”: William Pitt Fessenden to his cousin, quoted in Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 320.
“Very well…save your country”: EMS, quoted in ibid., p. 321.
As he was driven…“danger to the country”: William Pitt Fessenden to Justice Tenney, quoted in ibid., pp. 317–18.
“He is a man…personal integrity”: Chicago Tribune, July 2, 1864.
“He is honest…Republican Senators”: EBL to SPL, July 2, 1864, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 398.
“I am the most popular man in my country”: William Pitt Fessenden, quoted in Fessenden, Life and Public Services of William Pitt Fessenden, Vol. I, p. 326.
“So my official life closes”: Entry for June 30, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 471.
the oppressive heat of Washington…“are wilting”: Entry for July 31, 1864, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 392.
“laid broad foundations”…was still unfinished: Entry for June 30, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 471.
Blair and Bates called…“as a blessing”: Entry for June 30, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 62–63 (quote p. 63).
“the courage and candor to admit his errors”: Entry for March 23, 1864, ibid., p. 545.
“his jokes are…destitute of wit”: Entry for March 22, 1864, ibid., p. 545.
“a vague feeling…to be cordial”: Entry for June 30, 1864, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 381.
“dropped off…every body else”: FPB to FB, July 4, 1864, quoted in Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, Vol. II, p. 271.
Seward, unlike…“first day of the Administration”: WHS to FAS, [July] 2, 1864, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 230.
he noted sadly…“since my resignation”: Entry for July 13, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 479.
If Chase believed…he was mistaken: SPC to EMS, June 30, 1864, in Warden, Private Life and Public Services, p. 618.
Chase searched for reasons…“hostile to me”: Entry for July 4, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 476.
“The root…a joke out of this war”: SPC to Whitelaw Reid, quoted in Albert Bushnell Hart, Salmon P. Chase. American Statesmen Series (Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1899), p. 318.
To Kate…“cannot finish what I began”: SPC to KCS, July 3, 1864, reel 34, Chase Papers.
whose marriage to William…“the balance of power”: Lamphier, Kate Chase and William Sprague, p. 78.
“Can it be…even with far less material wealth”: Entry for November 4, 1868, KCS diary, Sprague Papers (quotes); Lamphier, Kate Chase and William Sprague, pp. 74, 84–85.
occasionally loathing…“learned to submit”: Entry for November 11, 1868, KCS diary, Sprague Papers.
Chase witnessed a fight…her first child: Entry for September 9, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 501 (quote); Belden and Belden, So Fell the Angels, pp. 135–36, 144.
The Wade-Davis bill: H. R. 244, 38th Cong., 1st sess. (“Wade-Davis Bill”), in The Radical Republicans and Reconstruction, 1861–1870, ed. Harold Hyman. American Heritage Series (Indianapolis and New York: Bobbs-Merrill, 1967), pp. 128–34.
In a written proclamation…single, inflexible system: AL, “Proclamation Concerning Reconstruction,” July 8, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 433.
he likened the Wade-Davis…“fit the bedstead”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, pp. 156–57.
Lincoln understood…“fixed within myself”: “4 July 1864, Monday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 218–19.
Wade and Davis published…manifesto against him: “The Wade-Davis Manifesto, August 5, 1864,” in The Radical Republicans and Reconstruction, 1861–1870, ed. Hyman, pp. 137–47.
He was not surprised by…“that can befall a man”: Brooks, Washington, D.C. in Lincoln’s Time, p. 156.
The rumors alarmed…eager to get started: EBL to SPL, July 6, 1864, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 400.
In a letter to Frank…“a remote future”: FPB to FB, July 4, 1864, quoted in Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, Vol. II, p. 272.
admonitions concerned Monty…the Pennsylvania countryside: EBL to SPL, July 6, 1864, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 400.
tried to convince her mother…“pulled to pieces”: EBL to SPL, July 14, 1864, in ibid., p. 403.
Grant’s decision…General Lew Wallace: John Henry Cramer, Lincoln Under Enemy Fire: The Complete Account of His Experiences During Early’s Attack on Washington (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1948), pp. 2–8.
Wallace understood…prepared itself for attack: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 231.
“The battle lasted…superior numbers”: Seward, 9th N.Y. Artillery speech, 1912, Seward Papers, NRU.
Will’s horse…have been captured: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, pp. 244–45.
Seward spent a tense…he had not been captured: Letter to FAS, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 233 (quote); Lew Wallace to Henry W. Halleck, July 9, 1864, OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXVII, Part II, p. 145.
“God be praised for the safety of our boy”: FAS to WHS, July 11, 1864, reel 114, Seward Papers.
“With the help…rejoining the forces”: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, pp. 231–32.
Falkland mansion…“top to bottom”: Mr. Turton, quoted in National Intelligencer, reprinted from the Daily Morning Chronicle, Washington, D.C., July 16, 1864.
“blackened ruin”: EBL to SPL, August 5, 1864, quoted in note 2 of EBL to SPL, July 16, 1864, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 405.
the soldiers scattered papers…“great frolic” on the lawn: EBL to SPL, July 16 and 31, [1864], in ibid., pp. 404, 413 (quotes).
“perfect saturnalia”: EBL to SPL, July 31, [1864], in ibid., p. 413.
Breckinridge made them…“side of the Mts.”: EBL to SPL, July 16 and 31, [1864], in ibid., pp. 404, 413 (quote).
He explained…“refuge & of rest”: EBL to SPL, July 16, [1864], in ibid., p. 405.
“made more fuss…came back to us”: EBL to SPL, July 16, [1864], in ibid., pp. 404–05.
In his initial panic…during the crisis: Thomas and Hyman, Stanton, pp. 319–20.
“all convalescents…and rifle-pits”: Henry W. Halleck to George Cadwalader, July 9, 1864, OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXVII, Part II, p. 153.
“in a pleasant and confident humor”: “12 July 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 222.
“in the least concerned…force in our front”: “11 July 1864, Monday,” in ibid., p. 221.
“exhibits none…on former occasions”: Entry for July 11, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 72.
drove together…“were not frightened”: Entry for July 11, 1864, Taft diary.
allowing the residents of Washington…“troops to the south”: Seward, Reminiscences of a War-Time Statesman and Diplomat, p. 246.
“Before even the first…direction of Washington”: Jubal A. Early, “The Advance on Washington in 1864. Letter from General J. A. Early,” Southern Historical Society Papers, Vol. IX, January–December 1881 (Richmond, Va.: Southern Historical Society; Wilmington, N.C.: Broadfood Publishing Co., Morningside Bookshop, 1990), p. 306.
“to be exceedingly…impregnable”: Jubal Anderson Early, War Memoirs: Autobiographical Sketch and Narrative of the War Between the States, ed. Frank E. Vandiver. Civil War Centennial Series (Bloomington: Indiana University Press, 1960), p. 390.
at Fort Stevens: Benjamin Franklin Cooling, Jubal Early’s Raid on Washington, 1864 (Baltimore: Nautical & Aviation Publishing Co. of America, 1989), pp. 117–55.
“The President evinced…standing upon it”: Cramer, Lincoln Under Enemy Fire, p. 30.
“Get down”…unusual incident: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., quoted in ibid., p. 22.
“was exciting and wild…to have occurred”: Entry for July 12, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 75–76.
“an egregious blunder”: Charles A. Dana, Recollections of the Civil War (New York: Collier Books, 1963), p. 205.
Welles knew…appeared “contemptible”: Entry for July 13, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 76.
“Mrs. Lincoln…away as they did!”: Carpenter, Six Months at the White House, pp. 301–02 (quote p. 302).
“I am informed…dismissed from the cabinet”: Henry W. Halleck to EMS, July 13, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“Whether the remarks…shall be dismissed”: EMS to AL, July 14, 1864, Lincoln Papers; AL to EMS, July 14, 1864, in CW, VII, pp. 439–40 (quote).
“It would greatly pain…now or hereafter”: AL, “Memorandum Read to Cabinet,” [July 14?], 186[4], in CW, VII, p. 439.
Learning that Ben Butler…“civilians on either side”: MB to Benjamin F. Butler, August 10, 1864, in Private and Official Correspondence of Gen. Benjamin F. Butler During the Period of the Civil War. Vol. V: August 1864–March 1868 (Norwood, Mass.: Plimpton Press, 1917), p. 32 (quote); Cooling, Jubal Early’s Raid on Washington, 1864, pp. 152–53.
“The loss is…is unrelieved[?]”: MB to R. A. Sloane, July 21, 1864, reel 22, Blair Family Papers, DLC.
“The month of August”…throughout the North: Brooks, Lincoln Observed, Civil War Dispatches of Noah Brooks, ed. Michael Burlingame (Baltimore, Md., and London: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998), p. 129.
mid-July call for five hundred thousand additional volunteers: NYT, July 19, 1864.
“dissatisfaction…with the colors flying”: Ibid.
An ingenious attempt: See Dorothy L. Drinkard, “Crater, Battle of the (30 July 1864),” in Encyclopedia of the American Civil War, ed. Heidler and Heidler, p. 517; McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, pp. 758–60.
“Piled on top…frightened sheep”: Brooks, Lincoln Observed, p. 130.
“It was the saddest…again to have”: USG to Henry W. Halleck, August 1, 1864, OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XL, Part I, p. 17.
“less however from the result…of the future”: Entry for August 2, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 92.
he admitted feeling…“of our generals”: Entry for August 1, 1864, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 392.
he met with Grant at Fort Monroe: NYH, August 3, 1864.
dispatched General Philip Sheridan…“troops go also”: USG to Henry W. Halleck, August 1, 1864, OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXVII, Part II, p. 558.
“This, I think, is exactly right”: AL to USG, August 3, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 476.
“a long and very pleasant…both in time”: Benjamin B. French to Henry F. French, August 9, 1864, typescript copy, reel 10, French Family Papers, DLC.
“much wretchedness…in the land”: Entry for August 4, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 93.
“The People are wild for Peace”: TW to WHS, August 22, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“two Ambassadors…for a peace”: William C. Jewett to Horace Greeley, July 5, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Urging the president…“doing great harm”: Horace Greeley to AL, July 7, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
commissioned Horace Greeley…escort them to Washington: AL to Horace Greeley, July 9, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 435.
dispatched John Hay to join Greeley: “[ca. 21 July 1864],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 224–25; “[after 22 July 1864],” in ibid., p. 228; entry for July 18, 1864, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 273.
“To Whom it may concern…collateral points”: AL, “To Whom It May Concern,” July 18, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 451.
the two envoys…to stop the war: “[after 22 July 1864],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 228.
He hoped the failed mission…of freeing the slaves: Eaton, Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen, p. 176; Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, pp. 193–94.
“are told…an impossibility”: TW to WHS, August 22, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Swett felt compelled…situation was hopeless: Leonard Swett to his wife, September 8, 1864, quoted in Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II (—: S. S. McClure Co., 1895; New York Doubleday & McClure Co., 1900), p. 202.
were mystified…“his Cabinet”: Entry of August 17, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 109.
“I am in active…of the Constitution”: Henry J. Raymond to AL, August 22, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“I confess that I…prosperity to the country”: “The Interview between Thad Stevens & Mr. Lincoln as related by Col R. M. Hoe,” compiled by JGN, container 10, Nicolay Papers.
asked all cabinet members…a successful conclusion: “11 November 1864, Friday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 247–48.
“This morning…possibly save it afterwards”: AL, “Memorandum Concerning His Probable Failure of Re-election,” August 23, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 514.
“was considering”…would lend his hand: Eaton, Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen, pp. 173–75 (quotes pp. 173, 175).
Douglass met with…“within our boundaries”: Douglass, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, pp. 796–97.
Douglass promised to confer: Frederick Douglass to AL, August 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Randall had hand-delivered…“Democrats may stand”: Charles D. Robinson to AL, August 7, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Lincoln shared a draft: Frederick Douglass to Theodore Tilton, October 15, 1864, in The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass, Vol. III, ed. Foner, p. 423.
“To me it seems…matter of policy”: AL to Charles D. Robinson, [August] 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“as it seems you would…made the offer supposed”: AL to Charles D. Robinson, August 17, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Douglass saw clearly…“do you serious damage”: Frederick Douglass to Theodore Tilton, October 15, 1864, in The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass, Vol. III, ed. Foner, p. 423.
a messenger informed Lincoln…“my friend Douglass”: AL, quoted in Douglass, “Lincoln and the Colored Troops,” in Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice, p. 320.
“suppress his excitement…men in America”: Eaton, Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen, pp. 175, 176.
“The President was free…reminiscences of the past”: “Interview with Alexander W. Randall and Joseph T. Mills,” August 19, 1864, quoted from the diary of Joseph T. Mills, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, in CW, VII, pp. 506–08 (quotes); Pinsker, Lincoln’s Sanctuary, p. 158.
Lincoln permanently shelved the draft: Note 1 of AL to Charles D. Robinson, August 17, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 501.
Raymond’s suggestion…“by peaceful modes”: AL to Henry J. Raymond, August 24, 1864, in ibid., p. 517.
“slept undisturbed”…biography of Lincoln: Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, p. 221.
“a sort of political Bull Run”: JGN to TB, August 28, 1864, container 3, Nicolay Papers.
“ever present and companionable”: Entry for August 19, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 112.
Mary and Tad…Vermont: AL to MTL, August 31, September 8 and September 11, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 526, 544, 547.
but did not feel he should…“than another arises”: WHS to FAS, August 27, 1864, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 241.
“the signs of discontent…all to disappear”: WHS to home, August 16, 1864, quoted in ibid., p. 240.
“firm and hopeful”: WHS to FAS, August 27, 1864, quoted in ibid., p. 241.
Welles observed…“an understanding”: Entry for August 19, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 112.
the sight of a disabled soldier: Benjamin, “Recollections of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton,” Century (1887), p. 761.
Lincoln invited Raymond…“utter ruination”: JGN to JH, August 25, 1864, in Nicolay, With Lincoln in the White House, p. 152.
chairing a meeting…mobilize the party: Leonard Swett to his wife, September 8, 1864, quoted in Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II (1900 edn.), pp. 202–03.
“the turning-point…we are saved”: JGN to JH, August 25, 1864, in Nicolay, With Lincoln in the White House, p. 152.
Nicolay was relieved…“encouraged and cheered”: JGN memoranda, quoted in Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, p. 221.
Noting that the members…“for the Union party”: NYT, August 27, 1864.
“I happen temporarily…an inestimable jewel”: AL, “Speech to One Hundred Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment,” August 22, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 512.
“giants in the…of the opposition”: JGN to JH, August 25, 1864, in Nicolay, With Lincoln in the White House, p. 152.
“we have had nothing…change all this”: Noah Brooks to JGN, August 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“They have a peace…to rest upon”: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 89.
“It was noticeable”…virtual silence: Noah Brooks to JGN, August 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
“His partisans are united…their own choice”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 368.
“was expected…surrender and abasement”: Entry for September 2, 1864, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 479.
the platform declared…“cessation of hostilities”: “The Democratic National Platform of 1864 (August 29 1864),” in Encyclopedia of the American Civil War, ed. Heidler and Heidler, p. 2375.
Strong predicted…“on such terms”: Entry for September 2, 1864, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 480.
“Atlanta is ours, and fairly won”: William T. Sherman to Henry W. Halleck, September 3, 1864, OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXVIII, Part V, p. 777.
Lincoln to order that one hundred guns: AL, “Order for Celebration of Victories at Atlanta, Georgia, and Mobile, Alabama,” September 3, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 532.
“Atlanta is ours…are ours now”: NYT, September 5, 1864.
the departing Confederates…“of military value”: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 774.
“Glorious news…event of the war”: Entry for September 3, 1864, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, pp. 480–81.
Seward received the news…at his house to celebrate: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 242.
the crowd swelled…“effective speeches”: NYT, September 6, 1864.
the twin victories…“perish and leave no root”: WHS, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, pp. 242–44.
“For a man of not very”…the upcoming campaign: Entry for September 10, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 140.
“This intelligence will…on a peace platform”: Entry for September 3, 1864, ibid., pp. 135–36.
Peace Democrats threatened…“their support”: Clement L. Vallandigham to GBM, September 4, 1864, reel 36, McClellan Papers, DLC.
six drafts…midnight on September 8: Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 588; GBM to MEM, [September 9, 1864], ibid., p. 597.
He began with a nod…“brethren had been in vain”: GBM to the Democratic Nomination Committee, September 8, 1864, in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, pp. 595–96.
“We are going to win…unite on Mr. Lincoln”: Theodore Tilton to JGN, September 6, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
believed that God…“nearly capsized it”: Leonard Swett to his wife, September 8, 1864, quoted in Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II (1900 edn.), p. 203.
“conspiracy against Mr. Lincoln collapsed”: TW to WHS, September 10, [1864], Lincoln Papers.
“to weaken the President…now support Lincoln”: Entry for September 10, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 140–41.
Chase stopped en route…“judgment of history?”: Entry for September 13, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 502.
“Mr. Chase had a long…at the north”: EBL to SPL, September 16, 1864, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 429.
Chase accompanied Stanton…with Lincoln: Entry for September 16, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 503–04.
“I have been…demonstrative”: SPC to KCS, September 17, 1864, reel 35, Chase Papers.
“wronged and hurt…fidelity to his Administration”: Entry for September 17, 1864, in Inside Lincoln’s Cabinet: The Civil War Diaries of Salmon P. Chase, ed. David Donald (New York: Longmans, Green, 1954), p. 255.
“conviction that…in securing it”: SPC to KCS, September 17, 1864, reel 35, Chase Papers.
He traveled…before overflowing crowds: Entries for September 24–November 11, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 507–10.
the state elections…previous year: JGN to TB, September 11, 1864, container 3, Nicolay Papers; NYT, September 13, 1864.
“Three weeks ago…confident of success”: JGN to TB, September 11, 1864, container 3, Nicolay Papers.
Philip Sheridan…of Early’s army: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 777.
“shouting of Clerks”…news became known: Entry for September 20, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 506.
“This will do much…loving men”: Entry for September 20, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 151.
Blair was aware…his resignation to Lincoln: MB to Mary Elizabeth Blair, September 23, 1864, quoted in Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, Vol. II, p. 288.
his father had repeated…“an avowed enemy”: FPB to FB, quoted in EBL to SPL, September 24, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 433.
Henry Wilson warned Lincoln…“account of the Blairs”: Henry Wilson to AL, September 5, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Monty Blair detested Stanton…“a thief”: “26 September 1864, Monday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 233.
“interchanged words for weeks”: Entry for August 11, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 102.
when the opportunity arose…stayed in the race: William Frank Zornow, Lincoln & the Party Divided (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1954), pp. 144–47.
Frémont announced his withdrawal: NYT, September 23, 1864.
“You have generously…connection therewith”: AL to MB, September 23, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 18. For Blair’s resignation letter, see MB to AL, September 23, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
Blair was surprised…“yielded to that”: Entry for September 23, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 156–57.
Blair had been…“irritating bickerings”: Addition to entry for September 23, 1864, ibid., p. 158 n1.
“In parting with Blair…discriminating and correct”: Entry for September 23, 1864, ibid., p. 157.
“the removal of…befallen the Cabinet”: Entry for September 27, 1864, ibid., p. 161.
did not consider…straight-speaking colleague: Entry for August 2, 1864, ibid., p. 93.
“I think Mr. Lincoln…malign influences”: Entry for September 23, 1864, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 413.
“an unnecessary mortification…best all around”: MB to Mary Elizabeth Blair, September 23, 1864, quoted in Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, Vol. II, p. 288.
“In my opinion…the reelection of Lincoln”: FPB to FB, quoted in EBL to SPL, September 24, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 433.
“somewhat mortifying…a penny to make”: FB to FPB, September 30, 1864, Lincoln Papers.
hearing the noble…“fine manly bearing”: EBL to SPL, September 24, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 434.
Monty insisted…“father to the President”: MB, quoted in Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1864.
“very handsomely and is doing his utmost”: “26 September 1864, Monday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 233.
“a grand central rallying point”: “11 October 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 240.
Lincoln made his…chief of the telegraph office: Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 276–77; Charles A. Dana, “Lincoln and the War Department,” Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice, p. 278.
Lincoln took from his pocket…“a new passage”: Dana, “Lincoln and the War Department,” in Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice (1909 edn.), p. 278. “Petroleum Vesuvius Nasby” was the pseudonym of David Ross Locke.
“immensely amusing”: “11 October 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 239.
“I shall never forget…such frivolous jests”: Dana, “Lincoln and the War Department,” in Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice (1909 edn.), pp. 278–79. Dana’s recollection is that this episode occurred while Lincoln was waiting for the results of the November presidential election. Other sources, however, suggest that it probably occurred while a larger crowd waited in the telegraph office for results of the state elections in October. Given that Stanton was ill and remained at home during November elections, Dana has probably confused the two dates.
the news from Ohio…Republican majority: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 335.
In Indiana…congressional seats: AL to USG, October 12, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 45.
Lincoln sent a telegram…“does it stand now?”: AL to Simon Cameron, October 11, 1864, in ibid., p. 43.
No answer was received…“ominous”: “11 October 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 240.
the margin was so close…claim a slight margin: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 336.
“Seward was quite exultant…has ever known”: Entry for October 13, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 176.
Two nights after…117 to 114: Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 277–79, 282.
“the moral effect…greatly impaired”: McClure, Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times, p. 202.
voters in Maryland…making the difference: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 354.
“Most heartily…upon the event”: AL, “Response to a Serenade,” October 19, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 52.
“I had rather have…cleaned up effectually”: AL, quoted in Brooks, Lincoln Observed, p. 138.
“We are as certain…the sun shines”: New York World, October 14, 1864.
“a quarter-million”…deposit in their hometowns: William C. Davis, Lincoln’s Men: How President Lincoln became Father to an Army and a Nation (New York: Free Press, 1999), pp. 214 (quote), 211.
had wired General Sherman…“no sense, an order”: AL to William T. Sherman, September 19, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 11.
Stanton followed up…“re-election of Mr. Lincoln”: Dana, Recollections of the Civil War (1963 edn.), p. 227.
Weed alerted…New Yorkers ready to vote: TW to FWS, October 10, 1864, reel 85, Seward Papers.
Lincoln asked Welles…“to gather votes”: Entry for October 11, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 175.
“I would rather be…elected without it”: Ida M. Tarbell, A Reporter for Lincoln: Story of Henry E. Wing, Soldier and Newspaperman (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1927), p. 70.
“before this morning’s…ceaseless strife”: NYT, November 8, 1864.
“dark and rainy…entirely alone”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 195.
the tenth time…beginning of the country: WHS, “Perseverance in War. Auburn, November 7, 1864,” in Works of William H. Seward, Vol. V, p. 505.
Fessenden was in New York…with a fever: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 195; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 385.
“I am just enough…ofTad’s quick-wittedness”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 196.
As the clock struck…a supper of fried oysters: “8 November 1864, Tuesday” in Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 243–46.
Lincoln’s victory was assured…separated by about 400,000 votes: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 354.
the results were far better…of U.S. senators: Zornow, Lincoln & the Party Divided, p. 198.
It was after 2 a.m…. “tops of their voices”: Pratt, Stanton, p. 391.
“the verdict of the people…no dispute”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 197.
the soldier vote…seven out of every ten soldiers: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 354.
the Confederacy was obviously…Napoleon would win: Davis, Lincoln’s Men, p. 210.
“The men had come…the term implied”: Corporal Leander Stillwell, quoted in ibid., p. 226.