Full Title

Letter to Abraham Lincoln from Joseph Medill

Description

Chicago Tribune newspaper editor and owner Joseph Medill's handwritten letter to Abraham Lincoln the day of Lincoln's assassination, April 14, 1865. With Union victory in sight, Medill advises Lincoln to "not deal too leniently" with the Confederate leaders. Lincoln would never receive this letter.

Transcription

Page one

Chicago, April 14, 1865

President Lincoln

Dr Sir. I am confident that the vast majority of the Republican party will sustain the views laid down in your recent speech now that the rebellion is in the condition of that fellow’s dog which swallowed the cake containing powder and punk. The people will feel desirous of admitting the seceded States as fast as it can safely be done. Your illustration of the egg and the fowl I think was very happy. If you have time to run your eye over the enclosed slip

Page two

you will perceive that we back you up stoutly. But while we all feel resolved to give you a hearty support we do hope that you will not deal too leniently with the cruel, vindictive millions who starved to death with devilish malice 25,000 of our brave patriotic sons and brothers. There can be no forgiveness for them on this side of the grave. At their head is the miscreant Jeff Davis. If it be deemed best not to hang many of the ringleaders, some at least ought to be executed and no seceder from congress should be allowed

Page three

to set foot in the halls of congress again. No West Pointer who resigned federal service to take up arms against his country should ever be allowed to hold a commission in our army again. It may not be advisable to confiscate the property of rebels or to hang many of them, but surely the leaders should all be disenfranchised and forbidden to hold office. I think this much of the loyal people will strenuously insist upon. The ignorant masses we can forgive. They have been well punished for their folly already, but the guilty leaders should be taught that there is just punishment often death.

Page four

We hope to have you here at the opening of our Great Fair – accompanied by Mrs. Lincoln. Our people count on it. You have staid (sic) in Washington long enough without a furlough and should now take one. The weather will be delightful, and everything will conspire to make your visit pleasant and agreeable. We will agree not to shake you to death but will not pledge to refrain from pretty loud cheering.

Yours Truly,

J. Medill

Source

Robert R. McCormick Research Center, VI-5 Eleanor Medill Patterson Papers

Rights

This item 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

Medill, Joseph, 1823-1899. "Letter to Abraham Lincoln from Joseph Medill ". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/267

Creator

Medill, Joseph, 1823-1899

Date

April 14, 1865

Material

Letter

Full Title

Abraham Lincoln funeral car

Description

Carte de visite of the train car that carried the body of Abraham Lincoln from Washington, D.C., to Springfield, Illinois, in April 1865. The funeral train generally followed the route that Lincoln took when he traveled to Washington as President-elect in 1861. On Saturday, April 29, 1865, Lincoln's funeral train arrived in Columbus at 7:30 A.M. Lincoln's casket was taken to the Ohio Statehouse where he laid in state in the rotunda. The Statehouse was draped in black crepe for the occasion. Thousands of visitors came throughout the day to honor the fallen President.

Source

Ohio History Connection

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching, and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as Courtesy of the Ohio History Connection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Collection . Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please see this web page.

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Baldwin, A. S. . "Abraham Lincoln funeral car". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/266

Creator

Baldwin, A. S.

Date

April 29, 1865

Full Title

President Lincoln's Funeral March

Description

Sheet music of a funeral march composed in honor of Abraham Lincoln by F. Mack.

Source

DCPL Artificial Collection, Box 11, Music

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact DC Public Library, Special Collections.

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Cite this Item

Mack, Edward, 1826-1882 (Composer) . "President Lincoln's Funeral March". Lee & Walker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/265

Creator

Mack, Edward, 1826-1882 (Composer)

Publisher

Lee & Walker, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Date

1865

Full Title

A nation mourns her martyr'd son

Description

Created to mourn the death of Abraham Lincoln. Apparently the music is based upon "An Honest Man's the Noblest Work of God."

Source

80.0390

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN.

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words by Alice Hawthorne, lyrics by Sep. Winner. "A nation mourns her martyr'd son". printed by Auner's Printing Officer, N.E. Corner of Eleventh and Market, Philadelphia, PA. Distributed by Sep. Winner's Music Store, No. 933, Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA. . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/255

Creator

words by Alice Hawthorne, lyrics by Sep. Winner

Publisher

printed by Auner's Printing Officer, N.E. Corner of Eleventh and Market, Philadelphia, PA. Distributed by Sep. Winner's Music Store, No. 933, Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia, PA.

Date

1865

Full Title

Farewell Father, Friend and Guardian

Description

Memorial sheet music

Source

Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN.

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Words by LM Dawn; Music by Geo. F Root . "Farewell Father, Friend and Guardian ". Root & Cody . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/254

Creator

Words by LM Dawn; Music by Geo. F Root

Publisher

Root & Cody

Date

1865

Full Title

Song on the death of President Abraham Lincoln

Description

These 2 broadsides are of the same song; one is in color and the other in black & white. Note the tell-tale mark of a memorial piece by the black bars at the edge of the page.

Source

Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN.

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By Silas S Steele . "Song on the death of President Abraham Lincoln ". J Magee, Philadelphia . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/253

Creator

By Silas S Steele

Publisher

J Magee, Philadelphia

Date

1865

Full Title

Detroit Tribune, Vol. XXIX, No. 234

Description

Front page of the Saturday, April 15, 1865 evening edition of the Detroit Tribune mounted to a linen backing. The page is dominated by the news of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, and the attempted assassination of Secretary of State William H. Seward, the latter of which it initially falsely reports as succeeding. The paper also includes a message from Detroit mayor Kirkland C. Barker, who requested that businesses be closed, all bells in the city be tolled for the hour between noon and one o'clock, and that the citizens gather for a meeting at City Hall at three o'clock.

Source

2014.002.500

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Detroit Historical Society.

Tags

Cite this Item

Detroit Tribune. "Detroit Tribune, Vol. XXIX, No. 234". Detroit Tribune. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/252

Creator

Detroit Tribune

Publisher

Detroit Tribune

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

Newspaper

Full Title

Abraham Lincoln, the Nation's Martyr

Description

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln. Based on a photograph taken by Anthony Berger of Brady's Gallery in Washington on Febuary 9, 1864.

Source

80.2028

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN.

Tags

Cite this Item

Currier & Ives. "Abraham Lincoln, the Nation's Martyr". Currier and Ives . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/249

Creator

Currier & Ives

Publisher

Currier and Ives

Date

1865

Full Title

Abraham Lincoln Carte-de-Visite

Description

This carte-de-visite memorial card shows Lincoln in an oval portrait surrounded by a flowered wreath with a plain, two-lined border

Source

Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN.

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Munson, Skinner, & Co. Chicago. . "Abraham Lincoln Carte-de-Visite". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/247

Creator

Munson, Skinner, & Co. Chicago.

Date

1865

Full Title

In Memoriam

Description

This carte-de-visite memorial card shows Lincoln in an oval portrait with the words "Abraham Lincoln." Over the portrait appears "In Memoriam," and underneath is the caption, "Born February 12th, 1809 Died April 15th 1865." Handwritten on the back is the legend, "Card sold for 5c in NY [illegible] at the time Lincoln lay in state in City Hall N.Y.C." This would place the time of sale around April 24, 1865. This is one of many similar cards produced to commemorate Lincoln's death.

Source

Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution, as defined here. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact the Abraham Lincoln Library and Museum of Lincoln Memorial University, Harrogate, TN.

Tags

Cite this Item

anonymous. "In Memoriam". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/243

Creator

anonymous

Date

1865