8th Illinois Cavalry Letter

Full Title

8th Illinois Cavalry Letter in Reaction to Lincoln's Death - "The general reaction in this heart of the army is that of revenge."

Description

Letter from Dr. Abner Hard, a doctor in the 8th Illinois Cavalry, describing his reaction to the Lincoln assassination.

Transcription

Fairfax C.H. VA.

April 17th, 1865

Dear Ann,

Our joy is turned into sorrow at the awful and barbarous assassination of President Lincoln. The general reaction in this heart of the army is that of revenge.
He was too good a man to deal with such a set of traitors. They have sown the wind and will reap the whirlwind. I go with this Brigade to attend his funeral. We leave in an hour. I expect to take some of my family along. Love to you all, in health.

Your Rev. A Hard

Source

Milwaukee County Historical Society, Hard Family Collection.

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

Tags

• transcribed

• man

• soldier: Union

• first news

• first reaction

• mourning

Cite this Item

Dr. Abner Hard. "8th Illinois Cavalry Letter in Reaction to Lincoln's Death - "The general reaction in this heart of the army is that of revenge."". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 18, 2024. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/857

Item Type

Letter

Creator

Dr. Abner Hard

Date

April 17, 1865

Region

Confederate states