Full Title

"This Flag Must be Upheld"

Description

President Andrew Johnson declared June 1, 1865, to be a “national day of fasting and prayer.” People all over the country collected souvenir memorabilia, like this mourning ribbon, as a way to take part in the observances.

Source

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, FOTH 4275

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

Unknown. ""This Flag Must be Upheld"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/872

Creator

Unknown

Date

1865

Full Title

Charles A. Jewell

Description

Charles Adolphus Jewell II was born September 8, 1839 near East Jaffray, New Hampshire. In 1842, the family migrated to southern Michigan, settling near the town of Lime Creek. Charles later attended the newly formed Michigan Agricultural College, and in 1862, was a member of the second graduating class. Shortly thereafter, he joined the Union Army, serving in the 18th Michigan Volunteer Regiment until July,1865. Jewell describes the public mourning of Lincoln in Huntsville, Alabama, and the sorrow felt by the Union soldiers. He then discusses his involvement in violent retribution exacted upon anyone accused of celebrating the assassination. Jewell recounts an evening when Union soldiers patrolled the streets for "demonstrations of joy" and upon hearing such an act, tracked the supposed perpetrator to the home of a wealthy man. The soldiers broke in and threatened to kill the man, but he convinced them he said nothing against Lincoln. Jewell notes that a feeling of fear is palpable among Confederate sympathizers because they are afraid that African Americans working in their home may turn them in to Union authorities, but he also acknowledges that many southerners express grief over Lincoln's death because he was a relatively moderate politician. Then, Jewell details the funeral procession and his belief that the assassination has reinvigorated morale among overworked, underpaid Union soldiers.

Transcription

[Written sideways across top of page]


letter by the last mail that came through, from Jimmy. He was, and had been well,
We anxiously hope to see
those boys back with us
very soon. Churchill from Medina is here
and assigned to Co.
K. We have one recruit
from Monroe Co.
Those who ran away from
the draft will feel mean
enough now that the
recruiting is stopped.
They ought to be held
in deep disgrace by all,
hereforth. The Col.
Doolittle has not got
his Commission yet.
so Horner Hulburd and
Hinkly cannot muster
Cap Babcock has gone home,

Love to all

Charles

PS I forgot to say that my
money is almost all
gone. And no signs of
Pay-master, if [illegible in original]
is [illegible in original] still, or any body
else, please send me
$25.00 and if you don’t
get another letter
with news from the Pay master
within a week from the time
you get this, and no oppor
tunity offers of sending other
wise, please send the same by mail.

Charles


[End]


Huntsville Ala

April 19th 1865


Dearest Parents:

The mail is finally through
again, after long long days of waiting and
I have got the earnestly looked for letter from
you. The bridges have been on
both roads between here and Nashville
and we have had no news-absolutely
nothing – except the very little by telegraph.
What doleful times! For three days, we
have mourned the death of that great
good man, Abraham Lincoln.
The deep mouthed cannon have boomed
the bells have tolled, the Band has played
his funeral dirge. The soldiers are
heart-broken, I can scarcely repress tears
of grief as I write. We trusted him with
the implicit faith of a father. We knew he
was the soldier’s truest friend. Every thing
seemed confused-lost-bewildered, and the
nation like an orphan child.



[Written upside down on first lines of page]


The Detroit Tribune came this morning and I was very much pleased
to see the article on the Agricultural College. It seemed to be progressing finely.


[End]


Indignation knew no bounds. Men of
great temperament- Christians, -men of no
passionate character- all soldiers, were ready
to sacrifice the life and property of any who
showed by word or deed, any signs of joy.
We would have burned that town I verily believe
I would not have hesitated to shoot any citizens
or burn any dwelling, had I heard murder
and treason, combined, from any lips. I was
never so exasperated. Officers and men paraded
the streets – I might say patroled- armed; on
purpose to spy out any demonstrations of joy.
In the dim twilight- A voice was heard to execrate
his name and express joy at his death. The soldiers
rushed for the man- they thought they tracked him
to a splendid residence! they threw open the doors,
seized a man –who was sitting, reading, by the
hair, brandishing their bayonets, and some
shouting “kill him” ! but they dragged him to
the light – and became convinced he was not the
man. He says he fully expected to die, for a
few moments. The citizens are trembling, They
don’t know but their negroes may have over
heard some word of joy. Most of the really intelligent


citizens are far from joyous, for they see plainly
how the bloody – dastardly act has widened, deepened
the abyss between the Northern masses, and the
Southern fire-eaters. They see that unless peace is
hastily made now – no mercy can be expected.
We will burn, pillage, annihilate if necessary- but
such a red-bloody- dastardly, political party must
not live in these U.S. Should the news reach Sherman
on the eve of a battle with Johnson, what earthly power
could stop them- they would show no mercy!
The procession here yesterday was the most
solemn I ever witnessed! The whole military force
was out marching in open order- with arms
reversed, and with slow and solemn tread,
keeping time to the sweet- tho mournful- deeply
sadly mournful music of the Band, And the
deep-toned cannon-every half-hour thundered
forth something of the fierce-determined, spirit of
vengeance, that filled the hardened breasts of those
who had witnessed many scenes before, that stir
men’s souls. Yet I never saw such terrible feeling.
It was not the noisy, frothy [ebullitious?] that broke forth
when Sumpter fell, nor yet the common sorrow that
all felt at Bull Run. It was like the silent heaving


of the volcano. Men who have been waiting so patient
ly for these expirations of their term of service, whom no money can
hire to reenlist, who spurn the price of a substitute – said in
a subdued tone – low but terrible – between their teeth- “I” am
ready to re-enlist as long as any murderers are left.” and they
would have done it. The feeling is universal. Men who
have not supported the President feel as deeply as we, who do. &
have. It was a foul stab at the Nation’s honor!
We don’t get news from Johnson & Sherman – indeed get no
papers, yet. By telegraph, we learn that Mobile is ours. –and from
the rebels that Forrest is badly defeated. How can the war last?
If we must devastate the whole South, and exterminate the
whole population of fire-eaters give us the word, and we will
form a skirmish line, and burn the country. But who is
to ‘give the word’? – Alas! our Commander in Chief –our
beloved leader is no more and who is left that can so
well, bring peace to us? God grant that this mantle may
fall upon his successor. He has nothing of the natural
ability of Abraham Lincoln.
Andrew has just arrived and has been in to see me. He
left the sugar which is delicious and means much more
to me than the mere gratification of appetite. It assures me
that “they miss me at home.” God bless you all, for your
love, and thoughtfulness of me. I do not know how Will
feels but I think he has given up the Regular Army, and
I do not see any opportunity for myself, tho I am still of
the opinion, that, should an opportunity occur, of joining with
my present rank, it would be the best opening for me.
I should be continually miserable in the neighborhood
of soldiers if I were not with them. The drills, the music,
the marching, the very buttons of the uniform are dear to me,
and I feel such thrills of pride, sometimes, on parade
and marching, and guard-mountings! as I never expect
to feel from any other employment. But I expect to give it
up, and be a farmer. My name has gone forward for
promotion to the 1st Let. I was not consulted – I am not aware
that any influence was exerted with the Col. since the Adju
-nct says he simply stated the facts to him. I am to go in
ahead of Lee-Baron. The prospect of a speedy closing of the war
induced me to let the thing run tho I didn’t know of it till the
recommendation was mailed, to the A.G. of Mich. My com
-mission has not arrived. You are entirely mistaken, my
dearest mother, in regard to my health. – I was never in better health. X
the reason you have not heard from me, is partly because we have
been off on a number of Raids (which I have not had room to recount)
and then because the mail has been stopped by the floods. If the mails
are only regular, I will try to write as often as once each week. I got only
your letter tonight- but it was I wished most to see. I read a


[letter continues to left side Scan 1]

Source

UA.10.3.5 - Charles A. Jewell II Papers

Rights

Educational use only, no other permissions given. Copyright to this resource is held by Michigan State University and is provided here for educational purposes only. It may not be reproduced or distributed in any format without written permission of the University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Tags

Cite this Item

Charles Adolphus Jewell II. "Charles A. Jewell". Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/869

Creator

Charles Adolphus Jewell II

Publisher

Michigan State University Archives & Historical Collections

Date

April 19, 1865

Material

Ink and Paper

Dimensions

8" x 10"

Full Title

O.H. Bronson

Description

O.H. Bronson, a business person located in the Hartford, CT area, mentions the death of Lincoln briefly in excerpts from their diary entry on April 14, 1865. They make further references to the stabbing of Lincoln's Secretary of State Seward and church services being held to mourn and commemorate Lincoln's life in the Hartford area. The diary also notes that businesses would be closed for mourning the following day.

Transcription

Monday, April 1, 1865
Celebration of the Sunday of [[?]] and his day

Tuesday 11
Sent? to capt. Clarke $2,50
Paid
Henry started for the [[?]] the every 7.0 [[?]]

Wednesday 12
Rainy [[?]] [[?]]
played at house last night.

Thursday, April 13, 1865
Offered Frank [[?]]
Stock in ground
For 10 [[?]] at note
3 months

Friday 14
Abraham Lincoln President
Of United States was
assassinated in theater
this evening
Secretary Stewart
was also stabbed in the
neck 3 times but it
hoped not mortally
his son [[?]] [[?]]
were stabbed.

Saturday 15
Johnny Gains
per day 300 meal 300

Sunday, April 16, 1865
Mr Parker redeemed
[[?]] on the death of
President Lincoln this eve.

Monday 17
Sold LB goodmaid 1/4 [[?]]
[[?]], he claimed 40 lb short
weighed the coal 23 1/4 pails
21 1/4 each 21 1/4
___________
23.
466.
5
_________lbs
49.4
[[?]] went to
New York this day
As book keeper in [[?]] bank

Tuesday 18
( scribble)

Wednesday, April 19, 1865
All the offices and many
of business closed from
12 to 3 o'clock on [[?]]
Of funeral of president Lincoln
received in the different
[[?]] at 12 o'clock
most of the [[?]]
in city [[?]] in morning

Thursday 20 [[?]]
Cargo of coal
for 6 B Jammer to go the
[[?]] retreat for sets
[[?]]

Friday 21
Samuel Clark [[?]]
To take [[?]] Made
From first of May
At $10 for each horse
Rcpt. [[?]] at
You'd pay as the as he [[?]]
[[?]]


[Transcription Team: Ryan P., Kenzie B., Brooke B., Madison R.]
[New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa]

Source

Ms 90282

Rights

Use of item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.

Tags

Cite this Item

O.H. Bronson. "O.H. Bronson". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/868

Creator

O.H. Bronson

Date

April 14, 1865

Material

bound paper with script in ink and type

Dimensions

8cm x 17.5cm

Full Title

Circular from Veterans of the National Guard (New York City)

Description

An April 29th, 1865 circular regarding the death of Abraham Lincoln by the National Guard. The National Guard pledges support to the Union and evokes the image of Abraham Lincoln as a martyr to human liberty who fought to uphold the government. Praises Andrew Johnson as the next Executive of State for his attributes of patriotism and loyalty to the Union.

Source

Ms 101035

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproduction.

Tags

Cite this Item

Head quarters of the 7th Regiment Armory, National Guard (New York). "Circular from Veterans of the National Guard (New York City)". Francis & Loutrel (45 Mainden Lane, N.Y.). Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/867

Creator

Head quarters of the 7th Regiment Armory, National Guard (New York)

Publisher

Francis & Loutrel (45 Mainden Lane, N.Y.)

Date

April 29, 1865

Material

type on paper

Dimensions

27cm x 21cm

Full Title

Roland G.Smith to Cousin Nettie

Description

Roland G. Smith, a resident of Burlington, CT, served in the 12th Connecticut Regiment during the Civil War. Over the course of the spring of 1865, Roland wrote several letters to his cousin Nettie from Savannah, Georgia and Summit Point, Virginia. Smith mentions the impact of Lincoln's death on the camp and general public.

Transcription

[Page 1]
Summit Point V.A.
April 17th 1865

Dear Cousin I received your kind letter the 14th and was glad to here from you once more and glad to here that you was well. there has been a good deal of exciting news since I wrote to you before and I have been in quite a martch to of about 80 miles. I sopose you don’t think 80 miles is very far but if you should come to walk it with a Gun and equipment to carry and a napsack on your back you would think it was a long walk. we left here the 4th went up the Valley about 40 miles to stop Genl. Lee from coming down the Valley case he should try to with what troop had left after leaving Richmond but after we

[Page 2]
Had got up the Valley about 40 miles we heard that Lee had surrendered to Grant with his whol Army so we turned back and are now at Summit Point again but I think we will move from here again soon but do not know. from the 2nd of this month up to the evening of the 19th we had Glorious news but the evening of the 14th we had very sad news you know what I mean of corse for you must of heard it and every body els in the United States. the murder of our President and Secretary Seward and Son seriously wounded we have not got the particulars of the news yet here but will tonight when the papers come I sopose you know more about it than I do, but I tell you it makes for sad times here all the Bands playing solemn airs and the flags at half mast and so I hope the scoundrels that done it will be cached and hanged at the first Tree they come too …

I have cached an awful cold and it has settled in to my eyes. and my right eye is swelled so I can not see out of it and I haf to keep it done up so you see I have not got but one eye to see to write with and that one is sore and it makes it ache to write so I guess this wont be a very long letter and it is wrotd so poor I guess you wont care but a short is better than none perhaps I am in hopes this war will soon be over so I can come and see you instead of having to write so much I think I shall be to home by fall if I live until that time every thing looks favorable now I think for a speedy Peace and I guess every body is longing to see it Sitzens as well as Soldiers…

I dont feel so as I could write much more this time pleas write to me after give me best respects to Uncle Chauncy and Aunt Caroline and Frankie and I send my best. Love to you so good bye for this time this from your Affectionate
Cousin
Roland G Smith
PS) pleas direct the same as before

[Page 3]
Savannah G.A.
June 22nd 1865

Dear Cousin I
received your kind ltr [letter] last night, I was glad to here [hear] from you once more and glad to here that you was well. I have not had a letter before since I left Washington 22 days ago until last night I got 3 last night one from you and one from Marie and one from a friend of mine in P.A. I have not heard from home yet since I left W. but I expect I shall soon when I wrote to you before I thought I should soon be home but the heacting of this letter dont look much like it nor

[Page 4]
does it the last day of May we thought we should be home in a few days and the first day of June we got orders to go to Savannah which nocked all our Home thoughts in the head June 1st in the after noon we got orders to pack up and be ready to move we got ready and started left our camp near Brightwood and matched down threw [through] the City to the Steamboat dock when we got Aboard of Steamer A. Harder and went to Alexandria there we got transfered [transferred] to an Ocean Steamer the Matanzas and started from Alexandria at daylight the 2nd got in to the Savannah River in the forenoon of the 5st and there we got transfered from the Mantanzas in to a River Steamer the U.S. Grant the Mantanzas drawing too much water to run up the River after we got on to the U.S. Grant we started go to Savannah at 6 Oclock [o’clock] P.M. the 5th got of [off] from the Steamer and matched threw [through] the City and went in to camp just out side of the City where the Regiment shift gunner’s but I dont remain there with them I am Fasining it the 9th of this month I was detailed as a safe guard out about a mile from camp most in a farmers place to keep the Soldiers from destroying his property he is a real nice man and good to the Soldiers to if they come and ask him to any thing he give it to them so they dont try to steal from him they dont bother me a tall I dont have any thing to do unless I am a ?nnd to any time I wan [want] to go to the City I can take his Horse and buggie [buggy] and go and if I am hungry I can get something to eat and that that is good to they live life tof here I tell you I shoudt [shouldn’t] complain of my duty here while I am in Savannah if I have the same duty all the while that I have got

[Page 5]
nice but still I had rather be discharged and to home than here after all but I dont think we shall get home nor ride away I think we are good for 6 months here in Savannah if not more it is a very prety [pretty] place here by prety sickley [sickly] we can get most any thing we want here Vegetables of all kinds most are in there prime now. and also Blackberry and Whistleberry are ripe now and a plenty of them at that so you see there is a plenty of every thing here now I dont know as I have got much more news to write this time pleas [please] write to me again soon for I like to here from you after I am well and hope this will find you and all your folks the same give my best Love to Uncle Channey and Aunt Caroline and Frankie and all enquiring friends and I send best Love to you so good bye for this time pleas accept these few lines from your affectionate Cousin
Roland G Smith

[Page 6]
Summit Point V.A.
March 25th 1865

Dear Cousin Nettie
I received your kind letter the 14th of this month and I should have answered it before but I have been on duty so much lately that I have not had much time to write. I was glad to here [hear] from you once more and glad to here that you was well and all the rest of your folks. have you heard from Father yet if you have let me know when you write again I have wrote three letters to him but have not got an answer from any of them if you have not

[Page 7]
heard from him lately I will write to his Captain and see what has become of him he may be a Prisoner as you say I guess he is if there aint [ain’t] any body heard from him lately for I am shure he would answer write to some one if he was not you said that you heard that Ida Hough was dead and wanted to know if I knew whether it was so I do not know whether it is or not but one of his Sons tents with me and he has not heard of it and if it was so I should thought he would heard of it. I havent [haven’t] got much news to write this time there is nothing new here the same thing left over and over day after day first Picket then Camp guard the Police and so on but I dont think we will hafto [have to] do a Soldiers duty much longer for I think this war is about over every thing looks like it was any way the South is whiped [whipped] now and they know it all the Private soldiers of the South say so and say there is no use of fighting any longer and they are deserting and coming in to our lines now as fast as they can there is a few leading men in the South that wanto [want to] hold out as long as they can now they know they are whiped but I dont think that can be very long now. but I am afraid that before or by the time that peace is declared between North and South that the United States will be at war with Foreign Naitions but I hope not but if it does we will hafto [have to] take it the best we can I suppose. the Bible says that all Naitions [Nations] shall be at war with each other and I think some times that this is the beginning of that war but I hope and Trust not though I hope the time will soon come when peace is restored

[Page 8]
To our land and that we Soldiers may go home once more and see our Friends and relatives and I trust God it will I dont [don’t] know as I have got much more to write this time please write to me again soon for I like to here from you often give my Love to Uncle Channey and Aunt Caroline and Frankie and all enquiring Friends and I send my best Love to you so good bye for this time this from your
Affectionate Cousin
Roland G Smith
PS) Please started the same as before

[Transcription by McCaela Michas]

Source

Ms 101789

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.

Tags

Cite this Item

Roland G. Smith . "Roland G.Smith to Cousin Nettie ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/866

Creator

Roland G. Smith

Date

March 1865

Material

ink on paper

Dimensions

16.5cm x 10.5cm (folded)

Full Title

Scrapbook of Charles B. Andrus

Description

Excerpt of news-clippings from the scrapbook of Charles B. Andrus (1848-1937); member and commander of quasi-military organization Putnam phalanx in Hartford, CT. Contains descriptions of Abraham Lincoln's assassination along with juxtaposition of Lincoln and James Garfield's assassins. News-clippings attempt to draw conclusions about the motivations of the assassins based-upon a comparison of physical and emotional traits of each assassin.

Source

Ms 86281

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.

Tags

Cite this Item

Charles Andrus. "Scrapbook of Charles B. Andrus ". Daniel Slote & Co, New York (scrapbook). Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/865

Creator

Charles Andrus

Publisher

Daniel Slote & Co, New York (scrapbook)

Date

1889

Material

bound book containing newsprint clippings

Dimensions

28.5cm x 21cm

Full Title

A Sermon Preached in St. John's Church on the Occasion of the National Fast, following upon the Assasination of President Lincoln

Description

This sermon, by Rev. C.S. Leffingwell, remembers Lincoln as a religious man equipped with the mental power and wisdom to hold the United States together during a time of war and strife. The sermon further highlights the importance of a unified nation under God, and the divine role of providence in past civil strife. Leffingwell emphasizes the value of honoring the dead who fought patriotically to maintain the unity of the United States.

Transcription

STRENGTH IN SORROW.

A SERMON,

Preached in St. John’s Church, Canandaigua,

June 1st, 1865,

ON THE OCCASION OF THE NATIONAL FAST, FOLLOWING UPON THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
----------------------------------------------
BY THE
REV. C.S. LEFFINGWELL, M.A.,
RECTOR
----------------------------------------------
CANANDAIGUA:
Printed at C. Jobson’s office, Bemis Block, 2d story. 1865.

STRENGTH IN SORROW.

A SERMON,

Preached in St. John’s Church, Canandaigua,

June 1st, 1865,

ON THE OCCASION OF THE NATIONAL FAST, FOLLOWING UPON THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN.
-------------------------------------------------
BY THE
REV. C.S. LEFFINGWELL, M.A.,
RECTOR
--------------------------------------------------
CANANDAIGUA:
Printed at C. Jobson’s office, Bemis Block, 2d story. 1865.

CANANDAIGUA, }
Thursday, 1st June, 1865.}
Rev. C.S. LEFFINGWELL : --
DEAR SIR :
The undersigned respectfully solicit for publication, a copy of the excellent and interesting sermon delivered by you at St. John’s Church, this morning, on the occasion of the Fast day appointed in consequence of the assassination of President Lincoln
Respectfully yours,
JAMES C. SMITH,
EBENEZER HALE,
CHAS. B. MEEK,
SANDERS IRVING,
E. G. LAPHAM,
WILLIAM H. ADAMS,
W. FITCH CHENEY,
A. G. MURRAY.
-------

Hon. JAMES C. SMITH, EBENEZER HALE, Esq., and others :
GENTLEMEN :--
I have to acknowledge the receipt of your complimentary favor of the 1st inst. ; and in acting upon the subject matter of your note, rely upon your judgement rather than on my own, and so, I place at your disposal the Sermon delivered in St. John’s Church, on the memorable day of our National Fast.
Respectfully yours,
C. S. LEFFINGWELL
St. John’s Rectory,}
June 3, 1865 }

SERMON.
“What hath God wrought !” --(NUMBERS. XXIII : 23)

There is a duty laid upon me to-day from which I would almost willingly shrink ; the task of addressing you upon a subject, concerning which, although our thoughts are all in unison, yet a subject upon which a number of my congregation could speak with fuller justice than myself. And for this reason, I had hoped, that one of our own number would address our citizens this evening, from whose wisdom, and large experience with dealing with legal and national topics, we might have gleaned more valuable lessons than it may be in my power to offer.
But, though I feel myself incompetent to the task of the hour, I shall gladly utter the honest conviction of my heart, and in doing this, I feel assured from the oneness of sentiment among us, that my words will meet a response in the breast of all.
A month and a half has passed by, since the murder of President Lincoln, but that brief period will not suffice to enable us fully to estimate the worth of his character, or rightly to judge of the influence which his official work and untimely death will have upon our national future.
Greater men, intellectually, doubtless our land could boost. There were those of a higher culture and refinement among us; there were men of more gracefulness and elegance of manner, and there may have been men of a deeper toned religious life. But he had that degree of religion which taught him to familiarize himself with the Holy Scriptures—to pray to the God of both princes and people,—to infuse into his writings the spirit of our common Christianity, and to make the rare acknowledgement in those public records and official papers, of our utter dependence, as a nation, upon the Supreme Being.
Had others a native exterior grace which he did not share, or an acquired outward refinement which he did not reach? He had the grace of honesty of purpose and singleness of heart, to do his duty well in that state of life whereunto he had been called.
Had others greater charms of manner, and acceptableness of person? He had that degree of attractiveness which has won for him a higher and more enduring place in the national esteem, — than has been gained by any man, since the noble form of Washington was laid down to is quiet rest in the hallowed shades of Mount Vernon.
Could others be found of stronger intellect or more vivid mental brilliance? He had that degree of mental power which enabled him, under God, to accomplish by his steady, persistent efforts, the great hope of a nation's agonising heart, that degree of mental energy which enabled him, as God’s instrument, to bring a brilliant success, the last the greatest experiment of modern history; as experiment whose momentous issues we shall never fully realize; an undertaking whose results only our children and our children’s children will appreciate; an experiment testing the strength , —and, thanks to our God, —proving the stability of our republican form of government.
The winds of division beat fiercely upon it; the waves of rebellion rolled with gigantic force against it, but it stood, —and stands to-day stronger than it stood before, —more firmly established than ever, by earnest hearts and patriotic hands, upon the great rock of eternal right.
Friends abroad withdrew their sympathy, and foes abroad gave aid to foes at home, but we think they would to-day gladly bury the remembrance of their ill-judged deeds, and join with us in rendering honor to the man who, under God, guided our nation through those perilous times; the man who is remembered and mourned all through the land to-day.
Again, it was an experiment which forged upon our government the final solution of the long vexing question, whether it would continue to nurse, to feed, and fattern, with the life blood of the nation, —that offspring of Satan, Human Slavery, or suffer it to die a suicidal death, its hands imbrued in its own blood.
For long and weary years the wisdom of our sagest counsellors had been baffled in every plan and effort, to lift that evil weight from the bowed head and aching shoulders of American civilization. For long and weary years, that curse had been brooding over the land, its ominous threats growing louder, its intimidating menaces growing wilder and fiercer, alarming the timorous and mocking the most confident and brave.
In an evil hour for itself, it gathered up its great resources, and, snatching every adventitious aid, came rushing with demoniac determination to give to the American Union the fel stroke of death.
And in that sad encounter, our quiet, peaceful nation reeled and tottered! Amazed and bewildered, is it strange that she should have reeled? Is it marvellous that she should have stumbled?
But she only stumbled. She did not fall. In her very stumbling she learned her footing. She planted her feet more firmly. She arose with caution, called in the strength hitherto expended upon her accustomed peaceful acts, and renewed the contest with valiant earnestness, while each successive struggle gave to her the valued power of experience.
She gained by continual victories and even by seeming defeat, until now, at last, before her erect, well-knit frame and stalwart form, the foe which sought her ruin lies lifeless at her feet.
The cloud, the veil is removed. The curse of human Slavery is lifted from the brow of American Freedom, while the world abroad looks on with wonder and amazaement, and we at home are filled with earnest gladness. For here, in the very home of Freedom, has Tyranny received her greatest shock! Here in our own land, in our own time and midst, has the greatest experiment of modern history been made. Tyranny has sought the very life of Liberty and has fallen in the act. Human Slavery has reached its possible limits, and has perished in its own eventuatings.
The reaction of this event, the influence of this great stride of Liberty will be felt upon the world at large from this of grace onward.
The rights of humanity have been asserted, defended and upheld. The privileges of the few have been weighed in the balance with the inalienable rights of the many, and, found wanting, have been condemned, and that condemnation has been sealed, —forever sealed, —on this continent, with the blood of the representative man of his age, —him whom we commemorate to-day.
His position as President, during the fearful ordeal of the Rebellion, drew upon him the steady earnest agze of every nation. He stood the foremost man of his time, the embodiment of the great American idea, —“Popular rights, Freedom for all, Oppression to none.” He caught the clarion echo which has rung through our forests, over our vallies and hills, which has resounded in our cities and hamlets, until it has stamped itself upon the American spirit —“Liberty or Death!” Both were reached. Liberty for the enslaved, Death for him. He fell, but his mission was accomplished, his work was done, —and he has now been laid down to his rest, sharing the long sleep of those other heroes, who poured out their life blood on the battle field, martyrs alike to the sacred work of advancing human civilization.
The first words transmitted over the Magnetic Telegraph, whose electric wires now encircle the land were these: “What hath God wrought!”
Man, then only discovered what God had made from the first. It was God’s doing, and in his own time, he permitted the mind of man to observe and apply the subtle element of Electricity to the purposed and wants of civilized life, and now that mystic cord runs in every direction over the world, and its varied uses have become a recognized, essential element, in the work of human progress.
But that first telegram, —“What hath God wrought!” has no more appropriate application to that one advance, than to any other great step of Civilization. The hand of God is to be recognized every where, and at all times.
Does any one ask, if I see the hand of God in the violent scenes which were lately enacted in the city of Washington? I answer, that I recognize the kind, overruling Providence of God in preserving the lives of our national counsellors in their great extremity, and looking further back, I acknowledge the providence of God’s overruling care, in continuing him, their chief, in life, and effective health, and strength, so long as he did, —in preserving him through all those imminent perils, until his work was done.
His life, to all human appearance, was in far greater danger many times before. He had incurred risks which called forth the fears of the nation.
The memorable night of his inhuman slaughter, was marked by no sign of evil. No danger appeared in view. The great jeopardies, the apparent hazards had all been ventured before, and in and through them a good providence had sheltered him; —and now, when the work assigned him to be accomplished in active life had been done, —the work assigned him to be accomplished in death was permitted to occur.
In that event, God has taught afresh, and with an emphasis never more thrilling, that any human arm, to which nations or individuals may cling for defence or safety, is frail as the bending reed, and fleeting as the passing hour.
That human aid, though given by God’s goodness, and sustained by God’s providence, is only human and is to be given up in God’s own time. That lesson we have been taught anew, which the Psalmist inculcated long centuries ago: “It is better to trust in the Lord that to put any confidence in princes.” Their power is feeble and limited. They are weak and finite. They must perish like ourselves, —for they are subject to the same unhesitating call. The highest form must bend. The strongest arm must yield. The wisest and most prudent, cannot foresee, and prevent, the inevitable lot of all. Death renders no homage to lofty place, or deference to highest worth. All earthly powers are tributary to the King of Terrors. He walks the palace floor,and climbs the very throne. He snatched the sceptre from the hand of power, and tramples on goodness,and mocks at greatness.
The worthiest princes, as was said of David must, after serving their generation for a time, fall asleep. For this reason we are to moderate our confidence in them, and make it subordinate to the trust we should ever repose in God. Theirs, may indeed, be wise designs, and generous purposes for the nation’s good, but when “their breath goeth forth, then all their thoughts perish!
What vain props are these, for nation’s security! What uncertain support, what unsafe reliance, is any thing short of God, upon whose direct guidance we all are freshly taught to lean.
In coming years, men will read the record of our late civil strife, with a truer understanding of God’s Providential guidings, and will be able to trace the steps of his wisdom and goodness and love, in many of the complicated and trying events of the time, which we from our nearer position, may be unable to decipher.
But even now, blind is the eye, and unbelieving the heart, which does not recognize the Providence of the Lord of Hosts, in leading this great people, through broad fields of blood toward the quiet valley of rest, guiding our perilous march, made with agonizing hearts, through the black night of war, and bidding us to celebrate the dawn of peace., while gathered as one great mourning nation, even around the new-made grave of our slaughtered leader.
That death occurred with the fore-knowledge, and permission of the omniscient God, and, as concerning our great gladness in victory and peace, so concerning our great grief in the loss of the President, —we may well exclaim with wondering awe: “What hath God wrought!” How he allied grief unto gladness! How he dashed our growing joy with sudden and weighty sorrow, —and made that unforeseen, abrupt commingling of smiles and tears, a nation’s emblem of human life! How he evidenced to all, that which every christian man should remember in his private individual life, that the hour of victory is the hour of danger!
And even in minor and more personal matters, the providence of God has been plainly apparent. How brief the victim’s suffering! How promptly the foul assassin was brought to bay, and how wisely was his evil disposed of! How quietly our government passed on, in its regular functions! How quickly was the great Rebellion ended! How rapid the events of those few days! Who can forget them!
There is such majesty, such a power in solemn universal grief, that in those dark hours of sorrow we felt within ourselves and in each other, a firm strength and a oneness, which gave to the American nation a presence and a mien approaching the sublime! In solemn quietness we stood, and looked calmly upward to our God, though vivid hopes and startling fears were pulsating in every vein! But God’s arm brought salvation. His providential care, bridged over the danger. And now, as we see those fears removed, and those hopes reaching fruition, is it too soon, in view of all that has been done, —in view of all that has been gained, and of all that has been lost, is it too soon to exclaim with reverence, —“What hath God wrought!”


Brethren, who of us hereafter will reckon upon any certain morrow? A few weeks since, —in that holy season, when we were reviewing the sad scenes of Calvary, —on the last morning of the week, when as it were we watched the holy sepulchre where our Lord was laid—there came sudden tidings! In whispered tones men told them to each other. “Impossible!” we each one cried, —but it was true.
Our President was dead! —dead, while almost countless armies, awaiting his bidding, —dead, while the great world was watching for his next movement.
Who then of us will count with certainty upon any to-morrow!
But while we do live, let us, as we now, led by the hand of God are merging upon better and brighter times, —let us cherish the memory of the patriotic dead, —the heroes who have gone forth in our stead—who have fought our battles for us, and have perished.
Let them still live, Let their names be always fresh, and their memory ever green, that in generations to come our children may cherish their worth, and honor their deeds, —as we have done honor to the heroes of revolutionary fame.
Wherever they lie buried, in prison vault or open field—there is a shrine for patriotic pilgrimage, —“there is a spot, at which, for ages to come, valor shall gain fresh life,and where freedom shall trim her torch.”
They have not died in vain, —their death procures for us a lasting peace, enlarges the area of human freedom, builds up in every corner of our land, a tower of strength impregnable to any foe abroad, and points forever to the bloody doom of treachery at home!
Shall we not then, as Christian Patriots, give unto God the glory due for his providential care, and in view of all that we have gained, as well as in view of all that we have lost, exclaim with reverence, —
“WHAT HATH GOD WROUGHT!”



THE PRAYER FOR UNITY
______

Almighty God, we implore Thy mercy for all the people of this land, and more especially therein for all Christians; beseeching Thee to give us grace, seriously to lay to heart, the great dangers we are in, by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatever else may hinder us from godly union and concord; that, as there is but one body and one Spirit, and one hope of our calling, on Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all; so may we henceforth be all of one heart and one soul, united in one holy bond of truth, of faith and charity, and may with one mind and one month glorify Thee; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.




[Transcription by: Hannah A.B. and Dr. Susan Corbesero, Dr. Susan Corbesero’s Class, Ellis School, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania]

Source

Ms 100912

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society. chs.org/research/digital-reproductions/

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Cite this Item

Rev. C.S. Leffingwell, M.A., Rector. "A Sermon Preached in St. John's Church on the Occasion of the National Fast, following upon the Assasination of President Lincoln". C. Jobson's Office (Canadaigua:Bemis Block, 2d story, 1865). Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/864

Creator

Rev. C.S. Leffingwell, M.A., Rector

Publisher

C. Jobson's Office (Canadaigua:Bemis Block, 2d story, 1865)

Date

June 1st, 1865

Material

type on paper

Dimensions

22.5cm x 14cm

Full Title

Record Book of James H. Sawyer, 1862-1865

Description

Excerpt from the diary of James H. Sawyer (b.1843), a resident of Woodstock, CT and a soldier in the 18th Regiment of Connecticut Infantry. This excerpt describes the somber mood in Sawyer's camp upon learning of Abraham Lincoln's death. It also describes how the camp was alerted of Lincoln's death.

Transcription

Record Book of James H. Sawyer:

About three o’clock in the morning of the 15th
of April I happened to be lying awake in my
tent. Away in the distance towards town I heard
the faint hoof beats of a horse on the hard mae-
adaized road. They gradually sounded louder and
louder. I was [[impeded]] with the thought that the
rider on that horse was bring important news
or [[?]] to our camp. Nearer and nearer came the
rider and the hoof beats suddenly sounded loud-
er as the horse rounded the corner from the main
street and turned towards our camp.

Clatter, clatter they went till they stopped at
the doors of Col. Peales shanty. Then silence a few
seconds, followed by a sharp rap, rap, as the rider
of that horse struck with the same hard substance
on the door. I soon heard the door open, and
a voice spoke in a low quick tone. This was fol-
lowed by an answer in a louder tone. Then silence
as probably our commander was reading the mes-
sage brought to him. Then there was a loud, em-
phatic, surprised tone, followed by quick
footsteps and knockings on other doors as the other
field offices were around. Then there was a new loud,
excited, anxious tones, all speaking together. This was
kept up some minutes when they all retired to their
tents and silence again fell over the camp.

Then Geo. Heath, “my pard,” who has heard
the voices, spoke up.

“What’s that, [[corporal]]?”


“Something’s up,” I answered. “We’ll hear
something surprising in the morning. Marching
orders for home, I guess.”

Little did we think what we would
hear in the morning.

When the companies assembled at the
morning roll-call the news that was brought
by the orderly was read to them. They were ap-
palled by the announcement, and home which
had seemed so near, appeared to fade away
at the war seemed not yet to be ended.
[[end page]]

[[start page]]
Feelings of revenge and sadness took passion
of our minds. The men dispersed to their tents
talking in low tones and the camp was very
silent and funeral like all that day.

The astounding news that was read to us was
that President Lincoln, Gen Grant Secretary Seward
and other numbers of the Cabinet had been murdered
the night before. The real news were exaggerated in
that Gen. Grant-Sec Seward and the other members of
the Cabinet had been killed; it was sad enough
when we knew the real facts that our beloved
President was dead-so fouly murdered by the
assassin J. Wilkes Booth.

It was days before the men regained their
usual cheerfulness and saw that these things were
not going to retard the progress of the closing up of
the affairs of the Great Rebellion.

Our duties now were somewhat relaxed.
Picket duty was kept up but there was nothing
to look out for. A week or so after the surrender
I was on picket at the old brick house on the
Winchester road. All day long the [[?]] rebel
soldiers of [[Lu’s]] army kept coming along on their
way to their homes in this part of the country. They
came in [[?]], squads of half a dozen or so, and one
squad of about 20 came along in the afternoon. They
would stop and chat with us and pass more or
less chaff. They all measurably said that they were
glad the war was ended.

Drilling was suspended but we had to ap-
pear at [[?]] parade. This became to be the event
of the day, and [[?]] from the town came every
evening to witness the parade. We had become
so that we could execute the maneuver in great
style and to see the regiment go through the move-
ments at this parade like clockwork, was really quite
a sight.

[Transcription by: Karsen O'Rourkr, Rachel Engl’s class, Lehigh University.]

Source

Ms 96780

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Connecticut Historical Society. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires permission. For permission, please contact the Connecticut Historical Society at chs.org/research/digital-reproductions.

Cite this Item

James H. Sawyer. "Record Book of James H. Sawyer, 1862-1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/863

Creator

James H. Sawyer

Date

1862-1865

Material

paper, pen on ink

Dimensions

32cm x 21cm