Full Title

O Captain! My Captain!

Description

Autograph document signed by Walt Whitman, containing stanzas from “O Captain! My Captain!”, Whitman’s elegy to Lincoln. The poet submitted this document to Charles Aldrich for his collection of autographs, which he donated to the State of Iowa in 1884. Aldrich was the first curator of the State Historical Department of Iowa, now the State Historical Society of Iowa. Although Whitman composed the poem in 1865, the date of this autograph is unknown.

Transcription

O Captain! my Captain!

O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,

The ship has weather’d every rack, The prize we sought is won,

The port is near, the bells I hear, The people all exulting,

While follow eyes the steady keel, The venel grim and daring;

But O heart! heart! heart!

O the bleeding drops of red,

Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.



O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;

Rise up ­ for you the flag is flung ­ for you the bugle trills,

For you bouquets and ribbon’d wreaths ­ for you the shores a crowding,

For you they call, The swaying man, Their eager faces turning;

Here Captain! dear father!

This arm beneath your head!

It is some dream that on the deck,

You’ve fallen cold and dead.



My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,

My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,

The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done;

From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

Exult O shores and ring O bells!

But I with mournful tread,

Walk the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.



Walt Whitman

with best wishes prayers & love for the people of Iowa ­- WW



[Transcription team:

Megan O., Laney R., Kiersten T., Alexis W.

New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa]

Source

Charles Aldrich Autograph Collection, State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation, and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. for permission, please contact State Historical Society of Iowa.

Tags

Cite this Item

Whitman, Walt. "O Captain! My Captain!". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/938

Creator

Whitman, Walt

Date

unknown

Full Title

Letter from William H. White to his sister, May 11, 1865

Description

Letter written by William H. White from Camp of the Old Grand, Washington, D.C, to his sister in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, describing the reaction of the soldiers to the assassination of President Lincoln.

Transcription

[Page 1]

Camp of the Old Grand
Washington DC
May 11th 1865

{P.S. This is a perfectly lovely, warm, May day, and the gorse[?] hangs about- 16 ft- high at this writing}

Dear Sister

If I should follow suit, your letter would not be answered for a thousand years hence but as I am not inclined to take pattern from your negligent style in relation to answering letters, perhaps yours dated Apr. 18th & mailed May 8th stands a slim chance to be answered sometime during the present year. Although the job is commenced at this early date, it may not be completed before the year 1901. . . Well I perceive that you & J.G. are into it big as ever, (Dont [sic] know as you are ever out of it) By the way you spoke about J. T. K. & M. L. K.

[Page 2]

now I cant [sic] believe that M. L. K. was married to the one armed Jack, if she married him, ‘tis quite evident that she has got him to support for I very well know that J. T. K. cannot support a fly. However, if she is satisfied, it is all right, it is nothing to me who she marries. Reckon I can find something shaped like a feminine [sic] (or at least something that wears crinolines) in course of time! I dare not venture a letter to charming M. C.— think it would be running too much risk, I have no less than 20 lady correspondents in New England –most of them however are total strangers, cant [sic] tell but what some of them are blacker than the Ace of Hades. I dont [sic] intend to correspond with so many hereafter, 2 or 3 right pretty ones is enough for me.

[Page 3]

The Rebellion is supposed to be (if not quite) played out. Suppose some of the volunteers will be discharged soon, I havet [sic] think that Hancocks rect’s [recruits] will stand much show to get out of the service before their year expires. I have something less than 8 months yet to serve to complete my year. My Reg D left Winchester VA last week Thursday, & marched to Washington via Thoroughfare Gap---(distance 100 miles— took us 5 days to make the trip.—Expect to be to the Grand Reaiew Review which is expected to come off one of these days. . .

Our President has been assassinated yes, & the Nation mouurns the loss of it’s [sic] greatest Statesman & Ruler & the people both North & South mourns loss of their Truest, best friend. President Lincoln was like

[Page 4]

a Father & Brother to us all, & the Nation mournings is sincere, & heartfelt, Booth has been is caught, & has paid with his life, for the foul deed. The South have lost their best friend. They will be likely to find in Johnson a hard master to deal with . . . . Our Country is safe. Freedom shall live in America.

I must now begin to taper off a little else get another sheet—the latter will not pay for I havent much of anything more to pawn this time. You must try & answer this right off. Remember now, right off. Let me know about family affairs, etc. etc.

Address as before

Co. B 1st N.J. Nat.-Vol. Inf
Hancocks Corps
Washington D.C.

Yours in great haste

W. H. White

P.S. Regards to all inquiring friends.

Source

Samuel White Papers, 1862-1865. University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries, Archives Department

Rights

This item is in the public domain. As a service to other researchers, we request that users credit the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Libraries as the source.

Tags

Cite this Item

White, William. "Letter from William H. White to his sister, May 11, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/937

Creator

White, William

Date

May 11, 1865

Full Title

Peace & Joy Turns to Great Tragedy

Description

This article explains how a tree planted to commemorate the end of the war was changed to a memorial for President Lincoln after his assassination.

Transcription

La Crosse Tribune
February. 19, 1928

Tree Planted At McGregor to Commemmorate End of Civil War Became Monument to Abe Lincoln

PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis.— (Special)—At McGregor, Iowa opposite Prairie du Chien, there is a tree commemorative of “the saddest day in American history.”
It rears its great trunk and spreads its branches on Main street beside one of the oldest houses in the town.
In Civil War days John Jarrett, a prominent young merchant of McGregor, lived in the house with his wife. April 9, 1865 had come and gone, making the world glad with its great tidings of the end of the war. Mr. and Mrs. Jarrett, to give expression to their joy decided to plant a peace tree beside their home. An elm sapling was secured and on April 15, Mr. Jarrett set to work with his spade.
There was no telegraph on the west side of the Mississippi in those days, and Prairie du Chien was looked to for early information of news. The ferry “Allamakee” which ran between Prairie du Chien and McGregor, was seen by the people of the Iowa town coming around the island in the Mississippi with her flag at half mast. A crowd gathered at the dock.
When within hailing distance the captain shouted President Lincoln had been shot the night before and was dead. “A groan of horror went up from the crowd, and then too stunned to talk,” as one of the number told the story afterwards, “we slowly separated to realize the awfulness of the calamanity.”
The word spread up Main street and reached John Jarrett just as he was tapping down the last dirt about his tree.
So the elm intended to commemorate peace and joy, became a monument to a great tragedy instead. It is one of the largest, most beautiful trees in McGregor today.



[Transcription by: Ricarda H., Dr. Susan Corbesero’s Class, Ellis School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]

Source

Wisconsin Historical Society

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

La Crosse Tribune. "Peace & Joy Turns to Great Tragedy". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/936

Creator

La Crosse Tribune

Date

February 19, 1928

Full Title

Abraham Lincoln Gefallen durch Mörderhand (Abraham Lincoln Fallen at/by the hand of an Assassin)

Description

This weekly Milwaukee German newspaper’s article recounts the events surrounding Lincoln’s Assassination and reflects on Lincoln’s legacy. The article strongly praises Lincoln saying he was a martyr for his country, equality, and freedom. Written in the folds of the flag above the headline is written Union and freedom forever which is showing of how Germans viewed the war. The article also expresses that people believe that President Johnson will get revenge for Lincoln’s assassination when it says that Johnson would hang Jeff Davis. The article continually comes back to praising Lincoln for his actions as leader of the country saying he was a true servant and leader of the people and portrays Lincoln in a very positive manner. The article is still being fully translated.

Rights

The article is on microfilm at the Milwaukee Public Library 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

Milwaukee Herald. "Abraham Lincoln Gefallen durch Mörderhand (Abraham Lincoln Fallen at/by the hand of an Assassin)". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/935

Creator

Milwaukee Herald

Date

1865

Full Title

Letter Soliciting Donations

Description

Circular letter soliciting funds for Mary Todd Lincoln.

Rights

The Providence Public Library encourages the use of all items in the Providence Public Library digital collections for fair use purposes such as teaching, research, and private study. It is solely the patron's obligation to determine and ensure that use of material fully complies with copyright law and other possible restrictions on use.

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Letter Soliciting Donations". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/934

Creator

Unknown

Date

April 26, 1865

Full Title

Subscription for a Tribute of Respect to the Memory of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States

Description

Circular soliciting funds for Mary Todd Lincoln.

Transcription

SUBSCRIPTION
FOR A
Tribute of Respect to the Memory of
ABRAHAM LINCOLN
LATE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

SUBSCRIPTIONS ONE DOLLAR

We, the undersigned, being desirous of showing our love and respect for the memory of our late noble and martyred President, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, and our sympathy and regard for his bereaved family in their terrible affection, subscribe one dollar towards a fund to be presented to MRS. LINCOLN thought through HIS EXCELLENCY JAMES Y. SMITH, Governor of Rhode Island.

[Transcription by: Hannah A.-B., Dr. Susan Corbesero's class, Ellis School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.]

Source

MSS027_02_03

Rights

The Providence Public Library encourages the use of all items in the Providence Public Library digital collections for fair use purposes such as teaching, research, and private study. It is solely the patron's obligation to determine and ensure that use of material fully complies with copyright law and other possible restrictions on use.

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Subscription for a Tribute of Respect to the Memory of Abraham Lincoln, Late President of the United States". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/933

Creator

Unknown

Date

1865

Full Title

Treason's Masterpiece

Description

Broadside printed with ballad in tribute to Lincoln.

Transcription

Treason's Masterpiece.

To be recited Wed Aug 26th.
Treason’s Masterpiece
Treason has done his worst!
A hand accurst
Has made the Nation orphan by a blow:
Has turned its hymns of joy to wail and woe,
As for a Father lost, a Saviour slain-
And blood, and toil, and anguish spent in vain!
Half his great work was done,
By victory won
O’er recreant chiefs and rebels in the field,
Compelled to bow the knee and homage yield;
And his calm breast, from war and vengeance turned,
With generous pity tow’rds the vanquished yearned.
Deep joy was in his soul
As o’er it roll
Sweet thoughts of peace and magnanimity,
Wounds healed, wrath quelled, his country free,
Foes turned to friends, the bitter past forgiven;
Such thoughts as earthly power make like to heaven.
While all suspicion slept,
The assassin crept
Into the circle where, in guardless state,
The simple chief in friendly converse sate,
And in an instant, ere a hand could rise,
The Nation’s Hope a slaughtered Martyr lies!
In peace, great Martyr, sleep!
Thy people weep,
But stop their tears to swear upon thy grave,
The cause thou died’st for they but live to save;
And the great Bond, cemented by thy blood,
Shall stand unbroken, as it still hath stood!
The traitor’s fiendlike act
By stern compact
Binds us still closer ‘gainst the murderous band
That fain with blood would deluge all the land,
But, vanquished by the sword, for mercy kneel,
And pay it, granted, with the assassin’s steel.
O, for this heelish deed
Thousands shall bleed,
That else had lived to bless thy gentle name
By mercy wreathed with an immortal fame;
And traitors, from a Nation’s wrath, shall learn
That outraged Pity’s tears to drops of vengeance turn.
Geo. Vandenhoff.
New York, 17, April , 1865.

[Transcription by Alicia B., Ford’s Theatre Society.]

Source

MSS027_02_02

Rights

The Providence Public Library encourages the use of all items in the Providence Public Library digital collections for fair use purposes such as teaching, research, and private study. It is solely the patron's obligation to determine and ensure that use of material fully complies with copyright law and other possible restrictions on use.

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Treason's Masterpiece". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/932

Creator

Unknown

Date

1865

Full Title

Lincoln Lies Sleeping

Description

A handwritten ballad in tribute to Lincoln.

Transcription

Lincoln lies Sleeping.

Up, from the homes of the land, a cry
Comes from a nation bewailing;
Lincoln the merciful, doomed to die!
Ah! merciful e'en to a failing.
Chorus
Strike, strike the traitor down!
Cry a sad people, while seeping:
Crown, crown the martyr, crown
Weep o'er the grove where he's sleeping

Lower the flag of the glory of the nation now
Drape the proud banner in sorrow:
Sleeping to-day is that marble brow. -
He'll waken in Heaven to-morrow!
Chorus
Peace, peace, in Heaven peace!
Hos earnest earned. while living;
Peace, peace, in Heave peace!
Never a heart so forgiving!

Tearfully, sadly, gaze on the dead,
While ev'ry bosom is swelling:
Tenderly place him in his last bed.
And shroud in deep ev'ry dwelling.
Chorus
Peace, peace in Heaven peace!
Sing a sad people, while weeping;
Peace, peace, in Heaven peace!
Jesus that while soul is keeping!

Tenderly, sadly, we lay him down,
Mourning his murder so gory -
Heaven will find him a golden crown;
He;s gone from Glory to Glory!
Chorus
Live, live, the Union live!
Sing a firm people, while weeping
Lord! Lord! the crime forgive -
The prayers of him who is sleeping!

Source

MSS027_02_01_AB

Rights

The Providence Public Library encourages the use of all items in the Providence Public Library digital collections for fair use purposes such as teaching, research, and private study. It is solely the patron's obligation to determine and ensure that use of material fully complies with copyright law and other possible restrictions on use.

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Cite this Item

Unknown. "Lincoln Lies Sleeping ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/931

Creator

Unknown

Date

1865

Full Title

Janesville Gazette

Description

On the morning of April 15, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln died from a gunshot wound to the head from the previous night. The City of Janesville, Wisconsin received word that Lincoln was killed the day after he died. This newspaper was printed two days after his death. The paper states that the death of Lincoln caused profound sorrow among all classes. Janesville was in support of Lincoln and his views throughout the war. The entire town participated in the mourning by draping emblems of mourning in front of home and businesses. The town was struck with “paralysis.” The paper finishes with a plea to God that this may never happened again

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.

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Cite this Item

Thomson & Roberts, Prop'rs. "Janesville Gazette". The Janesville Gazette. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/930

Creator

Thomson & Roberts, Prop'rs

Publisher

The Janesville Gazette

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

"The Burial of President Lincoln"

Description

On May 19th, 1865 the Madison Wisconsin State Journal wrote an article “The Burial of President Lincoln”. Half way down the article, the writer starts to shift topics towards the widow Mary Todd Lincoln. The author discusses the reaction of the local postal service do to the numerous amounts of letters addressed to Mary Todd. The company uses words like “chaotic” and “understandable.” This shows that many families in the Madison area wanted to show their respect towards the Lincoln family. Unfortunately the author did not discuss the reaction of Mary Todd on this topic but the article assumes that she was grateful. -Andre Doucette

Source

Newspaper Archive

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

Madison (Wisconsin) State Journal . ""The Burial of President Lincoln"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 3, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/929

Creator

Madison (Wisconsin) State Journal

Date

May 19, 1865