from Apr. 18, 1865

Eulogy – Handwritten Eulogy on Lincoln N Milton Wood Pt. 1

  • Full Title

    Eulogy – Handwritten Eulogy on Lincoln N Milton Wood Pt. 1

  • Description

    A eulogy on Abraham Lincoln, written on April 18, 1865 discussing Lincoln’s efforts in his life and during the war, and highlighting his honesty and wisdom.

  • Transcription

    Lewiston April 18, 1865
    N. Milton Wood

    Eulogy on Abraham Lincoln

    Among the many striking providences of God toward this nation, none seem to me more marked than the elevation to the Chief Magistracy, at this great crisis of our history, of the two men, Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. Both have their origin from that despised race of the South, known as poor whites, a race depressed and held in ignorance and degradation by the inevitable influence of slavery. And when the haughty lords of this most accursed system, seeking to spread the evils of human bondage over all our land, and to extend and perpetuate those influences that must increase the degradation of the more humble classes, were met with determined resistance, in the name of liberty and human rights, till maddened by opposition and defeat, they rose in rebellion against the Constitution and laws, with the fell purpose to overthrow our free institutions and accomplish by fire rapine bloodshed and a reign of terror, what they could not do by agreements on ballots, was it not a most

    [Transcription by: Evan Laugen, Chandra Manning's class, Georgetown University].

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

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    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    N Milton Wood. "Eulogy – Handwritten Eulogy on Lincoln N Milton Wood Pt. 1 ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/444

from May. 1, 1865

John Wilkes Booth standing with coat

  • Full Title

    Card- Picture of John Wilkes Booth standing with coat (front)

  • Description

    Photo of John Wilkes Booth with information on the back identifying him as the assassin of Abraham Lincoln.

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    Unknown. "Card- Picture of John Wilkes Booth standing with coat (front) ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/443

from May. 1, 1865

John Wilkes Booth sitting

  • Full Title

    Card – photo of John Wilkes Booth sitting (front)

  • Description

    Photo of John Wilkes Booth, identified on the back as being the assassin of Abraham Lincoln.

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    Unknown. "Card – photo of John Wilkes Booth sitting (front)". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/442

from Apr. 17, 1865

Le National

  • Full Title

    Newspaper – Le National pt 1

  • Description

    A paper in French, from San Francisco, discusses the assassination of President Lincoln.

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    Le National. "Newspaper – Le National pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/441

from May. 27, 1865

Il Giornale Illustrato

  • Full Title

    Newspaper – Il Giornale Illustrato pg 1

  • Description

    Italian periodical discussing the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The front image illustrates Booth and Lincoln in the balcony at Ford’s Theatre.

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    Il Giornale Illustrato . "Newspaper – Il Giornale Illustrato pg 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/440

from Jun. 4, 1865

Correo Del Domingo

  • Full Title

    Newspaper – Correo Del Domingo pg 1

  • Description

    Buenos Aires periodical that features the life and death of Abraham Lincoln.

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    Correo Del Domingo . "Newspaper – Correo Del Domingo pg 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/439

from Apr. 17, 1865

John to Mary

  • Full Title

    Letter – To Mary from John, Burkesville Junction April 17 pt 1

  • Description

    A commander of a regiment discussing his location and what is currently going on. The author discusses how they received the news the night before of the assassination of the President. He talks about what a best friend Lincoln was to the soldiers and how much sorrow they are feeling in the wake of his death.

  • Transcription

    Head Quarters 9th

    Near Burksville Junction Ver.

    April 17th 1865.


    My own dear Mary.

    Good afternoon: Yes it is a beautiful afternoon just such an one as I should enjoy to spend in New Hampshire with those I love. I hope it will not be very long before I shall be able to do that same thing. For it really looks as though they would not want any of us much longer. Well all I have to say about it is the quicker Uncle Samuel turns me off the better it will suit me. But if he should conclude to keep me till my time is out it will not be but with short time now less than four months. So short a time will pass by quickly. Then I will go home. Settle down and be a steady journey man once more. And then won't we enjoy ourselves: I guess we will don't you?


    We are now (this is our regiment) very presently location. In a splendid grove of hard wood. The trees are pretty well leaved our making is very pleasant.

    Our houses are not quite equal to those that we occupied all winter, but it is getting to be quite warm so we get along very comfortably.

    I expect I shall be relieved of the command of the regiment now in a few days. By our Major for he is on his way now I expect to join us. Well I am really glad of it for I had neither command my own company alone than to command both the regiment and my Co. I expect Captain Allen will be here this evening if nothing happens to delay him.

    We received the very sad news last night of the assassination of the President. It fills the heart of every soldier with – sorrow. For they considered him an honest man, and the soldiers best friend. If he was assassinated at the instagation of the rebel leaders, I think they have made a great mistake. For I think he was their best friend. I hope it will turn out for the best, but it seems mighty hard.

    What do the people of the North think of it? I suppose the copperheads feel mighty good over it don't they. Well let them feel good when they can for things are working mighty bad, just now, for their Southern brethren.

    It is rumored here this afternoon that Genl Johnson has surrendered his army to General Sherman. I hardly think it is so, but still I don't see what he can hope to do by holding on, for his is the only army of any account this side of the Mississippi river. And I should think the sooner he gave up the better it would be for himself and men. I have just now received a dispatch saying that Secretary Seward and his son were improving and that there was hopes that both would recover.

    I suppose Lieut Nessleton has arrived at the front, but his regiment is stationed about thirty miles from here,so I have not seen him yet. I reckon as how he will cut a big swath among small folks, but let him go in.

    I wish you would send me fifty cents worth of postage stamps besides those I sent for a few days ago. If you can I wish you would send me by mail about half a dozen pairs white Colton gloves, I forget to send by Allen for them, if he has not started you can send them by him. I don't know whether there is any in either my trunks or not. Have them rolled up in as small a compress as possible and when you direct them leave of the Captain. I will close please write often and accept this from

    Your affectionate husband

    John .
    [

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    John. "Letter – To Mary from John, Burkesville Junction April 17 pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/438

from Apr. 23, 1865

Letter to Frank

  • Full Title

    Letter – To Frank Sunday April 23 1865 pt 1

  • Description

    Personal letter discussing the happenings in the author’s life at the time of Lincoln's assassination. The letter discusses news of Abraham Lincoln’s death reaching large towns and the reaction to the news.

  • Transcription

    1865
    Sunday April 23

    Dear Frank
    This evening finds me seated in the house of Tom Curt of Cass Co Ill
    I left Mothers April the 7 came to Edinburg.
    Staid [stayed] Saturday night at phillipses
    went to your Fathers Sunday
    Staid till Tuesday the 18 had a very fine time
    the two boys and Miriam enjoyed themselves the best I ever saw
    Childre Amity Miriam and me went to Joes
    they sent the horse and buggy for us
    we staid all night
    went home in the buggy
    kept the horse and John went with us to Edinburg
    I asked Father to go with us to youngstown
    he said he would if he had money to pay his pasage [passage] their [there] and back as his feet are so sore he could not walk
    I toald [told] him I would give him the money if he would go and help us to the cars
    we started from Edinburg at nine tuesday night
    staid on the street till morning
    the cars left at six in the morning
    got to Cleavland [Cleveland] at ten
    Staid till four
    got to toledo at ten at night
    left at four in the morning
    got to Jacksonvill at nine at night
    went to the manchion house
    had to wait till friday evening
    came to Ashland found two letters from you
    was glad to hear you are well
    Mr Hunter said we could not get across the prairie on foot and that their [there] was wagons sticking in the mud that could not be got out untill the mud would dry up
    I did not know what to do
    John Jackson was at the store
    he said he would take me to auld Samey St Clairs
    then he said I would be two miles from Toms
    I told him to get my trunk and of we started
    it was raining and very cold
    it soon comenced [commenced] to snow
    we had a great time
    the horses could hardley make the trip
    the mud is truley awfull
    they tell me this is the wettest Spring that ever was
    we staid all night at Sameys
    in the morning he got his mules hiched [hitched] to the wagon
    we came as far as we could by the roads
    got in to the field
    came as far as we could for the post fence
    unloaded the trunk
    set it over the fence
    he went home
    we walked to toms [Tom's] which was half a mile then Tom and his hand went and carried the trunk here
    So you see we have made the trip at last
    we had a very gloomey journey
    it was more like Sunday than aneything else
    no buisness [business] going on
    Everything your eyes would rest on wore the Emblems of a nations grief
    when the word came to the large towns that the president was dead the n---s droped [dropped] on their faces in the streets crying
    we have lost our best friend
    well it is allmost [almost] dark and I have not got this letter finished
    I wrote to Father and to mother to let them know I have got home
    Mr tubs was here a short time ago
    he is well
    Monday morning before breakfast I have a chance to send this and I will do so
    I will rite [write] to you shortley and tell you the rest
    have to go
    good by
    I will send you one dollar this time
    write soon
    S B H F Brian No of letters 1 of

    [Transcription by: Mary Cotterman]

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    SBHF Brian. "Letter – To Frank Sunday April 23 1865 pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/437

from Apr. 15, 1865

Letter To Brother David from Rufus

  • Full Title

    Letter To Brother David from Rufus

  • Description

    A personal letter, recounting the illumination of the city the night before the assassination of Lincoln. The letter goes on to detail that the author heard that “President Lincoln, Seward, Capt Robert Lincoln, and Secretary Seward’s son were all murdered last night”. The author states they can “hardly believe it but still it may be so”.

  • Transcription

    Martinsburg Va

    Apr 14th 1865
    Brother David
    I received your leter [letter] last night and was going to answer it but had to go to town on a grand review
    I tell you you ought to have sean [seen] us
    we went through all of the principal streets of the town.
    the was a grand illumination last night
    the whole force was out on review.
    first came our Regt [Regiment] then the first Vet. [Veteran] Md. Infantry then a batery of 32 lb parot [Parrott] guns.
    then a brigade of cavalry.
    it all passed of in good order
    after the perade [parade] was over we went to camp
    left our arms and went back to town to have a good time with the rest
    I went to call on an aquaintance [acquaintance] of mine.
    found him at home and his niece was there
    his wife wanted him to go out on the street to the speakers stand with her and the house was all of a blaze with spermacitie candles
    so it was not proper to leave it alone.
    so you see that someone must be be left in charge and after a while I was prevailed on to stay with the niece and keep everything strate [straight] and in place.
    wel by the way the lady was young and hansom [handsome]
    her name is Ann Snyder.
    she is nineteen years of age and can and does help her mother do the housework
    she can get as good meal of victuals as any of our New England girls and can play Yankey doodle Star Spangled baner Hail Columbia and any other tune to perfection.
    Apr 15th we herd [heard] this morning that President Lincoln Seward Capt Robert Lincoln and Secretary Sewards son was all murdered last night
    we dont [don't] hardly believe it but still it may be so.
    we shall hear for sertin [certain] this afternoon.
    well now about the cymbols we dont want any
    Anderson the man that wanted them herd that a n----r had som that he stowl [stole] from a rebel band so he went to see them and bought them for five dolars [dollars]
    they ar [are] the best ones I ever saw
    they are 14 inch and cost not less than fifty dolars.
    wel [well] cant [can't] think of anything more so I will close
    write soon
    from your Brother
    Rufus Merryan

    [Transcription by: Mary Cotterman]

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    Rufus Merryan. "Letter To Brother David from Rufus". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/436

from Apr. 20, 1865

C. Roades to brother and sister

  • Full Title

    Letter – Roades April 20 pt 1

  • Description

    Personal letter from C. Roades to their brother and sister discussing the assassination of the President and his subsequent death.

  • Transcription

    Birksill Stations
    Va Apr the 20th 65
    Dear Brother & Sister

    with much pleasure I seat myself in ans [answer] to yours of the 9th which I received last night
    was glad to hear from you and that you was well
    I am well as could be expected under the presant [present] circumstances
    we have had a hard march
    we left the Point the 10th
    since that I have lost 20 or 25 lbs of flesh

    we are encamped in the woods near the station
    we are fixing up the camp ground and drilling some.
    the boys are all well that you know
    yesterday we did not doe [do] ennything [anything]
    we had a day of rest on the acount [account] of the death of our President
    the most of the Regt lament his loss
    some think it all for the best
    But there is some that always has been opposed to him and the administration but I dont [don't] think we can get a man that will fill his place as well as he did.
    it is the greatest outrage that ever I heard of
    Booth is the assassinater
    you have perhapse [perhaps] red [read] the particulars before this

    Bill you wrote that you had bought another farm.
    is it a good time to buy land now
    you said you wanted some help in haying and harvesting
    I should like varry much to work on a farm this summer but that depends on whether Unkle [Uncle] sam gets throug [through] with me or not
    some think we will have to stay over time and others think we will go home within 6 weeks but I dont pretend to know ennything about it
    at least a soldier is not supposed to know ennything
    when they say go I am ready to go or if I am needed hear I am there [their] man

    Bill I have not got the box you sent me yet but hope to get it soon
    I got a letter Adel yesterday
    they wer all well
    I was glad to hear from her as it is the first time since she left home

    Bill acording [according] to all acounts that we get the war is over and if so we wont [won't] be needed unless it is to gather up the tools that is scatterd [scattered] about the Country
    some think this is what we will doe but I see that Grant is in favor of lessening the expences [expenses] of the Government by disposing a part of the army that is not needed.
    I must close for want of time
    yours in hast from your affectionate Brother

    C Roades

    [transcription by: Mary Cotterman]

  • Source

    Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

  • Rights

    Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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    C. Roades. "Letter – Roades April 20 pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 4, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/435

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