Full Title

Abigail M. Brook's Diary

Description

Abigail Brook, a teacher in Tennessee, recorded the events of her life from 1865 to 1870, including the end of the Civil War and the Lincoln assassination.

Transcription

Abigail M. Brook’s Diary
Friday, April 14, 1865
The morning is clean and cool. The air feels a little like fall but it is growing warm and I think it will rain. School and all its’ duties went on very well today. All work and sunshine without storms or squalls. The girls studying Botany together with myself took a walk in Mr. Johnson’s lot after school where we found some wild flowers to amuse ourselves and contribute to our knowledge of plants. The imitable works of the Creator are seen in all things. The delicate limits of the flowers which deck our fields and crown our land with beauty, proclaiming The Hand that made them is Divine.

Saturday, April 15, 1865
The day has been bright and pleasant, with the air coolish but no rain. I have not been well as usual. After dinner went by ** Bishop Soude’s** to see Mr. ? a little while. The startling news has been received that Abraham Lincoln died this morning, by the hands of an assassin who shot him in the Theatre. Their act—evidence? The terrible condition in which our country is placed. The deed was done no doubt by a person who had suffered from injustice in some way and the memory of our wrongs goaded him to desperation. “** may be controlled, when they pass the bounds of reason **.”

Sunday, April 16, 1865
The day is bright and beautiful. I have spent most of it in writing to my father. I am thinking only of Lincoln’s death. Yesterday they were in the midst of celebrating the surrender of Lee’s army and when in the heighth of their **mirth** there came a shock equal to **Belshazzar’s impious feast when the **hand** writing appeared on the wall. The joy was turned into mourning. The merriment into sadness. **A*ash? and heartless people is politically short-lived: where is the magnanimity which should characterize a great and mighty nation, to be preparing celebrations at the public expense, to exault over a fallen foe.

Monday, April 17, 1865
My scholars are all here with the addition of a new one. I am not discouraged in regard to my school, but I feel that the South is the subjects of a relentless foe from whose magnanimity or clemency they may expect-but-little. I fear plans and schemes replete with bitterness, tyranny, and resurpation, will be laid by that deep, dark, scheming man Andy Johnson which will reduce all his foes to the condition of vassals to be governed by the might of conquest and not the laws of humanity.
Perhaps he may profit by the example of his predecessor, who has characterized his ** -end- by constant acts of tyranny.

Tuesday, April 18, 1865
The was is nominally over in the exclamation upon all sides. A hasty peace will be patched up, with a tottering foundation, and war will again deluge our land in blood. If Andy would repeal all these obnoxious acts passed by Lincoln, reversing those Abolition measures on granting to the South her inalienable rights, then would he be received as a benefactor. The dismemberment of the Southern army has not changed the materials of which it is co**pored** and the rebellion yet lives although its prorations are feeble. The task** martens** had better be lenient in their moves.
Wednesday, April 19, 1865
The condition of our country is all I have to trouble me now. I think the death of Lincoln at this time is a retributive rebuke to those who were felicitating over the misfortunes of a people whose love of country amounted to enthusiasm, personified who recovered submission to a man who was not their choice and whose name since has election has been a synonym of resurpation, except a short-time time before his death a slight-streak of magnanimity displaced itself after the surrender of Lee’s army, together with terms of capitulation, stipulated by him.

[Transcription by Isabel H., Larinda Agee's class, Berea Community Middle School]

Source

Abbie M. Brooks Diaries and Church Invitation. Atlanta History Center, Atlanta, GA

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.

Tags

Cite this Item

Abigail M. Brook. "Abigail M. Brook's Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/918

Creator

Abigail M. Brook

Date

May 1, 1865

Full Title

“The Great Crime in Washington- Proclamation by the Mayor”

Description

Editorial published in the Daily Wisconsin News on April 15, 1865, discussing the recommended stopping of all city activities by Major of Milwaukee, Abner Kirby. His proclamation states that “all the dwellings and business places of our city forthwith be clad with mourning, as a token of the deep and common sorrow that prevails...”

Transcription

The Great Crime at Washington-- Proclamation by the Mayor.
MAYOR’S OFFICE,
Saturday Morning, April 15th
The joy of the nation is turned to mourning! The Chief Magistrate of our Country is reported to have been villainously slain at the hands of an assassin, and the life of our Secretary of State taken by a still more infamous hand.
Therefore, I, Abner Kirby, Mayor of Milwaukee, do hereby recommend that all the dwellings and business places of our city forthwith be clad in mourning, as a token of the deep and common sorrow that prevails; and that the people, abstaining from all excitement improper for such solemn occasion, postpone their ordinary business duties today, and that in all the churches tomorrow such services be performed as will duly express the great and general grief.
Abner Kirby, Mayor.



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

Source

Milwaukee Public 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

Daily Wisconsin News. "“The Great Crime in Washington- Proclamation by the Mayor”". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/917

Creator

Daily Wisconsin News

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

LaRue Funeral Carriage Tassel and Reins

Description

These reins were worn by the horses that pulled President Lincoln's funeral car through Philadelphia during the funeral procession in April 1865. The train carrying the President's body arrived in Philadelphia on April 22 and the body was open to for public viewing in Independence Hall on April 23. The reins were owned by Albert LaRue, who drove the horses pulling the Lincoln's casket throughout the city.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 1979.35.1A-D)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "LaRue Funeral Carriage Tassel and Reins". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/916

Creator

Unknown

Date

April 1865

Material

Leather, metal, silk

Dimensions

The reins were not uncoiled for measurement. The tassel measures nine inches long.

Full Title

Broadcloth Fragment from Lincoln's Casket Covering

Description

This cloth fragment may have been cut from the black broadcloth that covered President Lincoln's casket during the funeral procession through Philadelphia in 1865. The train carrying Lincoln's body arrived in Philadelphia on April 22 and the body was open for public viewing at Independence Hall on April 23.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2001.34.1)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Broadcloth Fragment from Lincoln's Casket Covering". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/915

Creator

Unknown

Date

April 22-23 1865

Material

Cloth

Dimensions

5.0 x 8.0

Full Title

Dried Flower From Lincoln's Tomb

Description

This pressed flower was taken from President Lincoln's tomb in Springfield, Illinois. Text written on the envelope included with the flower reads: "FLOWERS OFF THE TOMB OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN APRIL 1865."

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2002.10.1)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Dried Flower From Lincoln's Tomb". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/914

Creator

Unknown

Date

April 22-23 1865

Dimensions

5.25 x 1.0

Full Title

Alfred R. Potter Union League Mouring Ribbon

Description

After Lincoln’s assassination, the Union League of Philadelphia issued mourning ribbons for its members to wear and grieve the fallen President. The ribbons were worn during Lincoln’s funeral procession in Philadelphia, where the President’s body was open for public viewing at Independence Hall. This ribbon is a blue, white, and red silk ribbon with metal “U” and “L” letters and a black gauze flower in the center. A black button is attached to the back. This ribbon was worn by Union League member Alfred R. Potter.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 1968.1.1)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

The Union League of Philadelphia. "Alfred R. Potter Union League Mouring Ribbon". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/913

Creator

The Union League of Philadelphia

Date

April 22-23 1865

Material

Silk, metal, gauze

Dimensions

3.5 x 1.0

Full Title

Lewis Ralston Union League Mourning Ribbon

Description

After Lincoln’s assassination, the Union League of Philadelphia issued mourning ribbons for its members to wear and grieve the fallen President. The ribbons were worn during Lincoln’s funeral procession in Philadelphia, where the President’s body was open for public viewing at Independence Hall on April 23, 1865. The ribbon is a blue, white, and red silk ribbon with metal “U” and “L” letters and a black gauze flower in the center. This ribbon was worn by Union League member Lewis Ralston.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2014.108.1)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

The Union League of Philadelphia. "Lewis Ralston Union League Mourning Ribbon". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/912

Creator

The Union League of Philadelphia

Date

April 22-23 1865

Material

Silk, metal, gauze

Dimensions

3.625 x 1.0

Full Title

"We Mourn a Father Slain" Mourning Ribbon

Description

This mourning ribbon, owned by Union League member John C. Browne, was worn during President Lincoln's funeral procession in Philadelphia on April 22-23, 1865. The white silk ribbon includes a printed oval picture of Lincoln. Notice the incorrect birth year listed on the ribbon.

Transcription

WE MOURN

Abraham Lincoln,

Born February 12, 1808 Died April 15, 1865

A FATHER SLAIN.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2008.22.3)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. ""We Mourn a Father Slain" Mourning Ribbon". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/911

Creator

Unknown

Date

April 22-23 1865

Material

Silk

Dimensions

8.5 x 3.5

Full Title

John C. Browne Union League Mourning Ribbon

Description

After Lincoln’s assassination, the Union League of Philadelphia issued mourning ribbons for its members to wear and grieve the fallen President. The ribbons were worn during Lincoln’s funeral procession in Philadelphia, where the President’s body was open for public viewing at Independence Hall. This ribbon is a blue, white, and red silk ribbon with metal “U” and “L” letters and a black gauze flower in the center. This ribbon was worn by Union League Member John C. Browne.

Transcription

This badge was worn

by John C Browne

a member of the

Union League

at the funeral

of

Abraham Lincoln

Philadelphia

April 22 1865

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2008.22.1)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

Union League of Philadelphia. "John C. Browne Union League Mourning Ribbon". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/910

Creator

Union League of Philadelphia

Date

April 22-23 1865

Material

Silk, metal, gauze

Dimensions

3.75 x 1.00

Full Title

Pratt Straight Pin Mourning Button

Description

This pin belonged to Phineas Pratt, who attended President Lincoln's funeral in Philadelphia in April 1865. The metal button depicts a black and white drawing of Abraham Lincoln; a straight pin is attached to the head of the button.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 1988.81.2)

Rights

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

Tags

Cite this Item

Unknown. "Pratt Straight Pin Mourning Button". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/909

Creator

Unknown

Date

April 1865

Material

Metal

Dimensions

2.25 x 0.875