Full Title

Lace curtain fragment and letter of authentication

Description

Said to be a fragment of the curtain hung in the Presidential box at Ford's Theatre on the night of Lincoln's assassination.

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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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Ford's Theatre. "Lace curtain fragment and letter of authentication". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1184

Creator

Ford's Theatre

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

A. Van Rensellaer to Walt Whitman

Description

A letter to Walt Whitman from a friend describing an interaction with Lincoln

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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

A. Van Rensellaer. "A. Van Rensellaer to Walt Whitman". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1183

Creator

A. Van Rensellaer

Date

July 30, 1865

Full Title

Edwin Stanton to William Tecumseh Sherman

Description

A letter from Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, to General William Tecumseh Sherman detailing the assassination of Lincoln and the attack on Seward.

Transcription

^[[$100]]

The following dispatch was received by Gen’l Sherman from Sec’y Sherman. [[?]] is furnished for the information of Brig’d Gen’l E.W. Rice.

“President Lincoln was murdered at 10-o’clock last night in the private box at Ford’s Theatre in this city by an assassin who shot him through the head with a pistol ball. About the same time the Seward’s house was entered by another assassin, who stabbed the secretary ^[[in]] several places, but it is thought he may possibly recover; but his son Fred will probably die of wounds received from the assassin. The assassin of the President, leapt from the box, brandishing a dagger, exclaiming “Sic semper tyrannis” and that “Virginia was revenged”. Mr. Lincoln fell senseless from his seat and continued in that state until 22 after 1’ o clock, at which time he breathed his last. Gen’l Grant was published to be at the theatre, but he did not go. Vice President Johnson now becomes President and will take the oath of office and assume the duties today. I have no time to add more except to say that I find evidence that an assassin is also on your track and I beseech you to be more heedful than Mr. Lincoln was of such knowledge.

(over)

(Sgd.) Edwin Stanton
Sec'y of War

Washington April 17 - 17 D.C.

By order of Brevet Major General Jas. M. Corse
L.H. Everts
Asst. Adjt. Genl.

[transcription by Alli Hartley-Kong]

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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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Edwin Stanton. "Edwin Stanton to William Tecumseh Sherman". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1182

Creator

Edwin Stanton

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

Lincolniana Collection of Katherine Pope

Description

Katherine Pope collected a stories, photographs, and poems from Chicago residents who knew Lincoln.

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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

Katherine Pope. "Lincolniana Collection of Katherine Pope". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1181

Creator

Katherine Pope

Date

April 20, 2018

Full Title

A letter from Robert Todd Lincoln to Dr. Josiah G. Holland

Description

A letter from Robert Todd Lincoln to Dr. Josiah G. Holland, a writer who later wrote a biography of Abraham Lincoln called the Life of Abraham Lincoln in 1866.

Transcription

Chicago June 6th/65

My dear Sir

Your letter received
some days ago & I have unfortunately
mislaid it, so that I have to answer
it from memory.
As I understand your purpose
it is to write a biography which is
to be rather personal than political.
With regard to sources of information
I may be able to guide you a little
One of my father’s old time friends
is Dr. A. G. Henry of Washington
City, D.C. & who may be addressed in
care of Senator Williams at Washington, D.C. He was
very intimate with him after some time
in 1830-35 & will be please to help you
all he can. Another of his friends of

among those to whom you might
apply. I understand that Mr. H
is intending to write a biography
himself & you will judge for yourself
as to whether to write to him.
I have explained at some length
the reasons of the messiness of my
knowledge & I try you will attribute
the little value of this letter to that cause.
With great respect I am
Very sincerely yours
Robert T. Lincoln
Dr. J.E. Holland
&c &c

[*Robert T. Lincoln*]

[Transcription by Henry R.]

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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

Robert Todd Lincoln . "A letter from Robert Todd Lincoln to Dr. Josiah G. Holland". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1180

Creator

Robert Todd Lincoln

Date

June 6, 1865

Full Title

Mary Todd Lincoln to Dr. Josiah G. Holland

Description

A letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Dr. Josiah G. Holland after receiving a copy of Holland's biography of her husband, the Life of Abraham Lincoln.

Transcription

Chicago Dec 4th 1865
Private –
Dr. J. G. Holland
My dear Sir:
The Biography of my deeply lamented husband, which you have so kindly sent me, has been received and read, with very great interest. After a careful perusal of the work, I find the statements, in most instances, so very correct, that I feel quite surprised, as to the extent of your minute information. From the description of my husband, early struggles, which he has, so frequently described to me, to the foolish and uncalled for rencontre, with Gen Shields, all are truthfully portrayed.
It is exceedingly painful to me, now suffering under such an overwhelming bereavement, to recall that happy time my beloved husband had so entirely devoted himself to one, for two years before my marriage, that I doubted trespassed, many times & oft, upon his great tenderness & amiability of character. There never existed a more loving & devoted husband & such a Father, has seldom been bestowed on children. Crushed and bowed to the earth, with our great great sorrow, for the sake of my poor afflicted boys, I have to strive to live on, and comfort them, as well as I can. You are aware that with all the President’s deep feeling, he was not a demonstrative man, when he felt most deeply, he expressed the least. There are some very good persons who are inclined to magnify conversations & incidents, connected with their slight acquaintance with this great & good man. For instance, the purported conversations This last event, occurred about six months before our marriage, when, Mr. Lincoln thought he had some right to assume to be my champion, even on frivolous occasions. The poor Gent, in our little gay circle, was oftentimes, the subject of mirth & even song. And we were then surrounded by several of those, who have since been appreciated by the world. The Gent was very impulsive & on the occasion referred to, had placed himself before us, in so ridiculous a light, that the love of the ludicrous had been excited within me & I pressure, I gave vent to it, in some very silly levies. After the reconciliation between the contending parties Mr L & myself mutually agreed never to refer to it & except in an occasional light manner, between us, it was never mentioned. I am surprised at so distant a day, you should have ever heard of the circumstance.
Between the President & the Hospital nurse, it was not his nature to commit his griefs and religious feelings so fully to words & that with an entire stranger. Even between ourselves, when our deep & touching sorrows were one & the same, his expressions were few – Also the lengthy account of the lady who very wisely persisted in claiming a hospital for her State, my husband never had the time to discuss these matters, so lengthily to any person or persons-- too many of them came daily in review before him – And again, I cannot understand how strangely his temper could be at so complete a variance from what it always was, in the home circle. There he was always so gentle & kind. Before closing this long letter which I fear will weary you, ___ you get through it – allow me again to assure you of the great satisfaction the perusal of your Memoirs have given me.
I remain very truly and gratefully,
Mary Lincoln

[Transcription by Susan Brady Carr]

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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

Mary Todd Lincoln. "Mary Todd Lincoln to Dr. Josiah G. Holland". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1179

Creator

Mary Todd Lincoln

Date

December 4, 1865

Full Title

A Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Mrs. Anson G. Henry

Description

A Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Mrs. Anson G. Henry. Mrs. Henry's husband was a friend of Abraham Lincoln and the Surveyor General of Washington Territory at the time of Lincoln's death. Dr. Henry died on July 30, 1865. Mary Lincoln's letter expresses her sympathy for Mrs. Henry and her own grief for the death Dr. Henry and her husband.

Transcription

Chicago, Aug 31st 1865.
My very dear Mrs. Henry,


Bowed down and broken hearted, and feeling so deeply for you, in your agonizing bereavement, I feel justified in approaching you at this time when we all feel I’ll alike crushed.


We’ve have both been called upon to resign, to our Heavenly Father, two of the best men & the most devoted husbands that too unhappy women ever possessed.


The terrible news that our beloved friend who so sympathized with us in our irreparable loss, is gone, has been received by us, only a day or two since. My sons and myself have been overcome, by the startling and heart rendering intelligence. We consider that we have lost our best & dearest friend. It has been my most ardent wish that Dr. Henry should have received an appointment in Washington, it would have been a great comfort to us, in our own overwhelming sorrow to have had you both near us. In this great trial, it is difficult, to be taught resignation, the only comfort, that remains to us is the blessed consolation, that our beloved ones, are rejoicing in their Heavenly Home, free from all earthly trials & in the holy presence of God & his angels, are singing the praises of the Redeemer. I long, to lay my own weary head, down to rest, by the side of my darling husband. I pray God, to grant me sufficient grace, to await his time, for I long, to be at rest. Without my idolized husband, I do not wish to remain on earth.


Mr. Wm. T. Henry, called a day or two since. I was confined to my bed & did not see him. Robert saw him & he left, your telegram. Robert, immediately, wrote on to Washington, urging & pleading, for the appointment, of your son in law. We pray & trust the appeal, will be granted. You have no one, my dear friend, who could possibly feel for you, as I do, your grief is mine, in it, I am living over my own disconsolate state & the gratitude we feel for the dear Doctor’s recent sympathy, for us, in all things together with the great love, we all bore him, makes your troubles my own. How much, I wish, you lived nearer to us. We could then, weep, together over our dreary lot. The world, without my beloved husband & our best friend, is a sad and lonely place enough.

Our poor little family, would be a gloomy picture, for any one to see, who has a heart to feel. It was a great trial, to me, when Dr. Henry left here in June, that I was unable to have access to some boxes, stored in the warehouse, where was deposited a cane of my husband’s, a large family Bible & some other things design for presentation, to the Dr. So soon as I can get to them, I shall avail myself, of the first opportunity, of sending them to you. I can offer you in conclusion, of this very sad letter, my dear Mrs. Henry, very little consolation, for I am so weary & heavy laden myself, over everything, concerning us both. I trust you will write me to me, for you are very dear to me, now & ever.


With regards to your family, I remain always


Your attached friend,


Mary Lincoln.

[Transcription by Alicia B., Ford's Theatre Society, and Janet Scanlon.]

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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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Mary Todd Lincoln. "A Letter from Mary Todd Lincoln to Mrs. Anson G. Henry". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1178

Creator

Mary Todd Lincoln

Date

August 31, 1865

Full Title

A letter William H. Herndon to an unknown person

Description

A letter written about Lincoln by William H. Herndon, his friend, law partner, and biographer.

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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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William H. Herndon. "A letter William H. Herndon to an unknown person". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1176

Creator

William H. Herndon

Date

1865-1870

Full Title

A Letter from Dr. Anson G. Henry to his wife

Description

Dr. Anson G. Henry was a friend of Abraham Lincoln from Springfield who he had appointed as Surveyor General of Washington Territory during his presidency. He was in Washington following the assassination and wrote his wife about his grief and that of Mary Lincoln

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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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Anson G. Henry . "A Letter from Dr. Anson G. Henry to his wife". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1175

Creator

Anson G. Henry

Date

April 19, 1865

Full Title

Letter from Francis Bicknell Carpenter to Sanford Thayer

Description

The portrait painter Francis Bicknell Carpenter lived in the White House with the Lincolns while working on "First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln." Over a month after Lincoln's death he wrote a letter to fellow painter, Sanford Thayer, reflecting on his work in the White House and his relationship with and respect for Lincoln.

Transcription

653 Broadway N.Y
June 1st 1865

My Dear Thayer,

It is so long since you and I have written each other that I am in some doubt if you will recognize either the hand or the signature?

I have thought of my duty to you a great many times – but as you perhaps know I have had a great deal upon my hands during the last year and half and have had so many business letters to write that my old friends have been neglected.

I was in Washington six months, I worked so incessantly upon my large canvas, that the result was a sickness after I got the picture on exhibition which came near ending my work in this world. I was attacked with dropsy of the chest about 12 days after I opened the picture to the public. I was so sick that I have not until quite recently felt like painting in earnest. I am now hard at work again however

My extensive undertaking is likely to turn out well though the picture is full of faults. It has been very popular & is now in Chicago. It may get around to Syracuse, one of these days.

With the knowledge I have acquired, in studying and painting it, I feel that I could now take up such a subject and do much better. It was no “childs play” I assure you.

I wish you could have known Mr. Lincoln. – I remember you had a great contempt for him when I last visited you, _ but if you could have seen him as I did and realized how simple he was in his great position, how little he was affected by what people thought and said, how earnest he was to do his best for the country, how perfectly true to himself under all circumstances – never affecting a dignity he did not possess, or assuming to be anything but homely, plain, common sense, “Mr. Lincoln, of Springfield Ill.” I believe if you could have seen all this, you would have come to have a sincere respect for him. As Tennyson says, “In his simplicity he was sublime.” Now that he is gone, people begun to appreciate, not only his great tenderness of heart and real goodness of nature, but his sagacity and wisdom.

The exhibition this year is crowded with visitors as it has never been. The galleries are too narrow but on the whole the building presents a fine appearance. The pictures so-so. I have spent but little time there, as yet, and had no time to go through the catalogue carefully for you as of old but I send you a catalogue nevertheless. Can’t you come down and see for yourself.

We are living in our own house #96 West 45th st. and would be very glad to see you and Mrs. Thayer at any time.

With regard to her, as of old yours – Frank Carpenter

[Transcription by Kristina Kynaston]

Source

Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library

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

Francis Bicknell Carpenter. "Letter from Francis Bicknell Carpenter to Sanford Thayer". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 2, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1174

Creator

Francis Bicknell Carpenter

Date

June 1, 1865