Full Title

Abraham Lincoln's funeral march

Description

Slow march based on Abraham Lincoln's funeral, associated with the Union side. Composed for solo piano. Part of the Library of Congress Civil War Sheet Music Collection.

Source

Library of Congress Classification M20.C59B

Rights

Public Domain. Suggested credit line: Civil War Sheet Music Collection, Library of Congress, Music Division.

Tags

Cite this Item

Bach, C. H. . "Abraham Lincoln's funeral march". Milwaukee, WI: H. N. Hempsted, 1865. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1022

Creator

Bach, C. H.

Publisher

Milwaukee, WI: H. N. Hempsted, 1865

Date

1865

Material

Sheet Music

Full Title

Lincoln's requiem

Description

Lincoln's requiem was composed for chorus (mixed voices, 4 parts) and piano. Associated with the Union side, the song mourns President Lincoln's death and praises his legacy as an advocate for freedom and liberty. The lyrics consist of five verses and a refrain. Part of the Library of Congress Civil War Sheet Music Collection.

Transcription

Verse:
Dead! dead! how swift the dire news flies,
And wakes a nation's agonies!
From town to town, from mouth to mouth
Swift spreads the dreaded message forth;
In lowly cot, in lordly hall,
This grief enshrouds and covers all.
And on the breast drops ev'ry head,
In sorrow for the noble dead.

Chorus:
Oh, weep for fallen greatness! weep!
Let tears express our woes;
But while our Lincoln's soul doth sleep,
Brave men strike down his foes!

Verse:
Dead! dead! but not as warriors die,
He fell not shouting battle cry--
Not in the open light of heavn'--
Not in his home his soul was risen--
Not on the plain where hand to hand
The brave cross blade with foemen's brand,
But where the waves of pleasure flow,
Death aim'd his shaft thro' secret foe. [Chorus]

Verse:
Dead! dead! and now when hopes were high,
And wars dread curse was passing by,
When traitors had their madness stay'd,
And hero hands sheathed vegeful blade,
When homes and hearthstones gleamd afar,
To manly hearts grown tired of war,
And long wooed peace had left the sky,
It was no time for him to die. [Chorus]

Verse:
Dead! dead! and when the millions free
Sent up their shouts of liberty,
When from the depths of bondage wrung,
Sweet freedoms song, by freedmen sung,
When million hearts their thanks out pour'd
And angel ears in pleasure heard,
When words his hand has trac'd live on
It is not meet to mourn him gone. [Chorus]

Verse:
Dead! dead! and has he died in vain?
Shall we in lethargy remain?
His years of patriot toil forget
Shall unavenged his life sun set?
No! for this blow in treach'ry given,
The smoke of strife shall rise to heav'n,
And 'till our flag in triumph waves
His foes and ours find bloody graves! [Chorus]

Source

Library of Congress Classification M1640.B

Rights

Public Domain. Suggested credit: Civil War Sheet Music Collection, Library of Congress, Music Division.

Tags

Cite this Item

Butterfield, J. A. (composer); Boynton, Irene (lyricist). "Lincoln's requiem". Chicago: H. M. Higgins, 1865. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1021

Creator

Butterfield, J. A. (composer); Boynton, Irene (lyricist)

Publisher

Chicago: H. M. Higgins, 1865

Date

1865

Full Title

In memoriam, A. Lincoln

Description

"In memoriam, A Lincoln" was composed by Gertrude I. Ladd. The ballad is set for voice and piano in English. It contains two verses of lyrics that discuss President Lincoln's assassination as a sacrifice for freedom in the United States. Part of the Library of Congress Civil War Sheet Music Collection.

Transcription

Within the nations heart today,
In honor brightly set,
There lives a cherish'd memory
That buddeth greenly yet
And ever will time cannot change
The love which death has made
Sacred to all, yet to become
The people's heritage.

But words are ever weak for praise,
There is no need to dwell
Upon the strong and tender heart
That all could read so well;
Always for worthy victories won
Is paid a costly price,
Then freedom at her need has had
A worthy sacrafice.

Source

Library of Congress Classification M1640.L

Rights

Public Domain. Suggested credit line: Civil War Sheet Music Collection, Library of Congress, Music Division.

Tags

Cite this Item

Ladd, Gertrude I. . "In memoriam, A. Lincoln". New York: C. M. Tremaine, 1866. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1020

Creator

Ladd, Gertrude I.

Publisher

New York: C. M. Tremaine, 1866

Date

1866

Material

sheet music

Full Title

P.W. Oakley to Norman Henry Ives

Description

P.W. Oakley of St. Louis, Missouri, wrote this letter to Norman Henry Ives in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 22, 1865, a week after John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Oakley and Ives shared the bond of having been injured during the Civil War--Ives, a native of Illinois, had been discharged from the U.S. Army after suffering a leg wound at the Battle of Pea Ridge in 1862. Oakley begins the letter by discussing his injury. He then turns to his thoughts about the assassination of Lincoln, referring to the slain president as "Uncle Abe." Oakley suggests that Lincoln would have shown more lenience to Confederates than his successor, Andrew Johnson, would (speculation that would prove untrue). He also expresses hope that Confederate leadership would "pull hemp"--be hanged--for the assassination. Oakley then goes on to brag about the size of his 10-month-old son. Ives kept this letter and eventually passed it down through his family. His great-great-granddaughter Arlis Groves, a social science teacher at Toby Johnson Middle School in Elk Grove, California, now holds this letter and contributed it to Remembering Lincoln.

Transcription

April 22, 1865
St. Louis Mo
Friend Ives
Dear Sir,
I just got your note of Apr. 10th. I was glad to receive a line from my brother soldier. It has been a long time since I had a line from you. I am glad that you have got around once more. I can get around very well, but my limb discharges yet. It is very sore. I am haveing a peace of bone coming out, & I hope when it gets out that it will close up. We aught to be thankful to god that we came out as well as we did, many a poor man has lost his life since this war began. What a loss we have met with. (Aughful to think of, when we think of Uncle Abe. & to think that it was a Reb. that took his life. The Rebs. have lost a good friend in the death of our Chief Magistrate, for he has gave the Rebs more lenity than Andy Johnson will. I say when they struck at the heart of Mr. Lincoln they struck at the heart of all loyal men in America, & I hope to god that Andy Johnson will make the head men of the south pull hemp. You are aware how I once felt in regard to this war. But, I say today, kill the last traitor to his country. By the way, Ives, I have got the bigist son of his age in the west. 10 months old and his weight is 40 lbs. Have you seen a biger one than that? If so, let me know it. My wife is well. And so is my son. Ives, some day you will get your money that I owe you. I shant forget your kindness nor nether shall I forget that I ow you. I would like to see you & if you should come to St Louis, come and see me. Say what you are at in your next.
Yours &c,
P.W. Oakley

Source

Arlis Groves, great-great-granddaughter of Norman Henry Ives

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

Cite this Item

P.W. Oakley. "P.W. Oakley to Norman Henry Ives". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1016

Creator

P.W. Oakley

Date

April 22, 1865

Full Title

Memorial Address: Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln
By George Bancroft

Description

American historian and statesman, George Bancroft, was chosen by Congress to deliver a special eulogy for President Lincoln on February 12, 1866. Bancroft addressed both Houses and spoke about the "Life and Character" of the President.
This booklet includes a transcription of Bancroft's speech as well as an appendix of Congressional meetings and letters generated after the first news of the President's death in 1865.

Transcription

A full scan of this pamphlet is available through the Internet Archive, www.archive.org.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.009)

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Tags

Cite this Item

George Bancroft . "Memorial Address: Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln
By George Bancroft". Government Printing Office . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1015

Creator

George Bancroft

Publisher

Government Printing Office

Date

February 12, 1866

Material

Ink and Paper

Full Title

Proceedings of the Union League of Philadelphia regarding the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States.

Description

This pamphlet includes the meetings and proceedings of The Union League of Philadelphia after the assassination of President Lincoln. The Board of Directors met on April 15 "immediately after information had been received of the murder of the President..." and a special meeting was held on April 17 for all members. Several members spoke about the impact of the President's death, the evils of slavery and its role in his death, God's Providence, and the best ways to honor and mourn Lincoln. During this meeting on April 17, the League commissioned mourning badges for League members and their families to wear for the month following Lincoln's death.

Transcription

A full scan of this pamphlet is available through the Internet Archive, www.archive.org.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.007 and XI.2.008)

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Tags

Cite this Item

The Union League of Philadelphia. "Proceedings of the Union League of Philadelphia regarding the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States.". Henry B. Ashmead. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1014

Creator

The Union League of Philadelphia

Publisher

Henry B. Ashmead

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

Ink and Paper

Full Title

Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Diary Entry: Lincoln Lying in State at Independence Hall

Description

This photocopy displays two pages from the diary of Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Stewardson, a member of The Union League of Philadelphia, recorded his experience viewing President Lincoln's body while lying in state at Independence Hall.

Transcription

Sunday April 23rd – The Union League was appointed to receive the body of our good President last Eve’g, at Independence Square. As a member of the League I was in a manner obliged to look for a moment upon the face of the honoured dead. I say obliged, because I [should not?], otherwise have made any effort to do so, my impressions of the Man being so pleasant that I feared to disturb my memory with any possible disappointment. But it turned out well. Homely in feature he was, as all the world knows, but a better face and a face which more clearly told of a good man. I never looked upon, even as it lay there lifeless. Gentle and tender, honest, open, pure. I feel, as nearly every man, woman, and child does feel, a personal and warm love for the man as well as an exalted respect for the ruler, [never?] saw him living, though I have had several opportunities to do so – Such universal sorrow never followed any one to his grave in this country, since the days of Washington, and there was another deep feeling (which happily Washington’s death did not demand) which made most intense the emotions of the mourners of Abraham Lincoln. The good and now murdered, martyred Lincoln! Well, so it had to be, but if that stab has not struck Slavery the death blow, through the body of the Great Emancipator, then possibly Lincoln had died in vain, which [it were?] treason against God’s Providence to believe.



He is now lying in Independence Hall, near the famous old Bell with its motto made to speak again “Proclaim Liberty throughout the land, and to all the Inhabitants thereof.”

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.1973.2)

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Tags

Cite this Item

Thomas Stewardson, Jr.. "Thomas Stewardson, Jr. Diary Entry: Lincoln Lying in State at Independence Hall". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1013

Creator

Thomas Stewardson, Jr.

Date

April 23, 1865

Material

Ink and Paper

Full Title

German Eulogy for President Lincoln by Pastor A. Späth

Description

This pamphlet is a transcript of the eulogy given for President Lincoln by Pastor Späth at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Philadelphia on April 19, 1865. The entire pamphlet is printed in German.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.1978.4)

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Tags

Cite this Item

A. Späth . "German Eulogy for President Lincoln by Pastor A. Späth ". C.W. Widmaier . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1012

Creator

A. Späth

Publisher

C.W. Widmaier

Date

April 19, 1865

Material

bound paper with script in ink and type

Full Title

Lincoln Monument Association of Philadelphia Certificate

Description

This certificate from the Lincoln Monument Association of Philadelphia was issued on July 4, 1865, to John A. Brunner. By 1871, the Lincoln Monument Association raised enough funds to erect a bronze sculpture of President Lincoln in Philadelphia's Fairmount Park. The sculpture became one of the first monuments in honor of the President after his assassination.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.006)

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Tags

Cite this Item

Lincoln Monument Association of Philadelphia . "Lincoln Monument Association of Philadelphia Certificate ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1011

Creator

Lincoln Monument Association of Philadelphia

Date

July 4, 1865

Material

ink and paper

Full Title

Philadelphia Funeral Procession Details

Description

This document describes the arrangement of the funeral procession that accompanied Abraham Lincoln's body while in Philadelphia. The text describes the street routes of the procession, the logistics of moving from Independence Hall for the viewing to Christ Church for the religious funeral services, and the order, formation, and conduct of the procession.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.1963.3.1)

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as “Courtesy of The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia.” Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Abraham Lincoln Foundation.

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Philadelphia Funeral Procession Details". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1010

Creator

Unknown

Material

Ink and paper