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 5, 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 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/917

Creator

Daily Wisconsin News

Date

April 15, 1865

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 5, 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 5, 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

Laudenslager National Union Club Mourning Ribbon (Version 2 of 2)

Description

A note included with this object reads: “Badge worn at the funeral of / President Abraham Lincoln / by National Union Club / property of Jacob Laudenslager / one of the organizers and a Captain of / the First Regiment National Guards of Pennsylvania / that was equipped by the Union League / presented by his grandson Jacob Laudenslager Read.” The National Union Club, unrelated to the Union League, was headquartered at 1105 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. These silk ribbons were printed for members to wear during President Lincoln’s funeral procession. The silk ribbon is embellished with black metal stars and black, white, and blue ribbons. There is a second silk ribbon in the collection that was donated by the same individual.

Transcription

National

Union

Club.

Abraham Lincoln

Born February 12th, 1809

Assassinated April 14th, 1865

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2001.238.2)

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

National Union Club. "Laudenslager National Union Club Mourning Ribbon (Version 2 of 2)". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/904

Creator

National Union Club

Date

April 22-23 1865

Material

Silk, metal

Dimensions

6.5 x 3.125

Full Title

Laudenslager National Union Club Mourning Ribbon (Version 1 of 2)

Description

A note included with this object reads: “Badge worn at the funeral of / President Abraham Lincoln / by National Union Club / property of Jacob Laudenslager / one of the organizers and a Captain of / the First Regiment National Guards of Pennsylvania / that was equipped by the Union League / presented by his grandson Jacob Laudenslager Read.” The National Union Club, unrelated to the Union League, was headquartered at 1105 Chestnut Street in Philadelphia. These silk ribbons were printed for members to wear during President Lincoln’s funeral procession in Philadelphia. The silk ribbon is embellished with black metal stars and black, red, white, and blue ribbons. There is a second silk ribbon in the collection that was donated by the same individual.

Transcription

National

Union

Club.

Abraham Lincoln

Born February 12th, 1809

Assassinated April 14th, 1865

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2001.238.1)

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

National Union Club. "Laudenslager National Union Club Mourning Ribbon (Version 1 of 2)". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/903

Creator

National Union Club

Date

April 22-23

Material

Silk, metal

Dimensions

8.125 x 2.875

Full Title

The James Tanner Manuscript

Description

In 1865 Corporal James Tanner was a disabled Civil War veteran working as a clerk in the Ordnance Bureau of the War Department and living in an apartment next to the Petersen House in Washington, D.C. On April 14th, President Abraham Lincoln was shot during a theatre performance at Ford’s Theatre. The mortally wounded President was taken to the Petersen House. Because he had stenography skills, Tanner was called into the Petersen House. While Lincoln lay dying in the bedroom, Tanner sat in the parlor and recorded eyewitness testimony as given to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and David Kellogg Cartter, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the District of Columbia. The interrogation of the witnesses took place between midnight and 1:30 A.M. "In fifteen minutes I had testimony enough to hang Wilkes Booth, the assassin, higher than ever Haman hung" noted Tanner. While still in the parlor, Tanner transcribed his shorthand notes into longhand, finishing his task at 6:45 A.M. Tanner returned to his apartment and, dissatisfied with the quality of the first transcription, began a second copy which he left with an aide of Stanton's at his office in the War Department. Tanner retained the original testimony. The copy deposited at the War Department was lost. In 1905, Tanner’s son took his father’s first transcription and mounted each sheet on linen and bound them. In November 1917, as the Union League prepared to celebrate its 55th anniversary and dedicate the Lincoln Memorial Room, Corporal James Tanner wrote to UL President John Gribbell to offer his bound volume of testimony to the League’s collection: "believing that they are of considerable interest to the general public owing to the circumstances surrounding their creation and believing they will become more so as the years pass, I write to say that if you care to give the volume a place among the treasures you may now possess or may naturally gather in the future regarding President Lincoln, I shall be glad to present them to you in perpetuity, limited only to the life of the Union League." Digitization courtesy of the Schoenberg Center for Electronic Text and Image, University of Pennsylvania Libraries.

Transcription

Scroll down to "Related Resources" for a downloadable transcription with page breaks that match the original manuscript.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: XI.2.1917.2)

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

James Tanner. "The James Tanner Manuscript". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/892

Creator

James Tanner

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

Paper, board, cloth

Dimensions

11" H x 9.5" W

Full Title

Philadelphia Police Mourning Ribbon

Description

This mourning badge was worn by Mr. Godfrey Stringer when President Lincoln’s body lay in state in Philadelphia, PA. Lincoln’s body was brought to Philadelphia on April 22, 1865. The object includes a cardboard police badge covered in black gauze and black silk ribbon. Below the black cinched ribbon, there is a white silk ribbon that reads, “We Mourn Our Nation’s Loss. Born February 12th, 1809, Died April 17th 1865.” Notice the incorrect date listed for the President's death.

Transcription

We Mourn Our Nation’s Loss.

Born February 12th, 1809

Died April 17th 1865.

Source

The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (Object ID: 2001.240.1)

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. "Philadelphia Police Mourning Ribbon". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/891

Creator

Unknown

Material

Cardboard, gauze, silk, paper

Dimensions

9.25 x 3.75

Full Title

City Inspector's Office Certificate

Description

This card grants permission to the state of New York to move Lincoln’s body to Springfield, Illinois for interment. The card notes that Lincoln died of a “pistol shot wound.”

Transcription

City Inspector’s Office.
New - York, April 21 1805
Permission is hereby given to Peter Relyea
to remove the remains of Abraham Lincoln
Died of pistol shot wound
Now in the city
Springfield Ill for Interment.
H.J. A. Bools
City inspector
RY Bailey Van Clerks

[Transcription Team: Zoe W., Addi S., Brianna J.]
[New Hampton Middle School]

Source

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, FOTH 3375

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. "City Inspector's Office Certificate". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/885

Creator

unknown

Date

1865

Full Title

Invitation to Lincoln's Funeral

Description

Ticket to Lincoln’s funeral in the Green Room at the White House.

Transcription

Green Room.
Admit the Bearer to the
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
On WEDNESDAY, the
19th of April, 1865.




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

Source

Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, FOTH 3369

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. "Invitation to Lincoln's Funeral". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed May 5, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/880

Creator

unknown

Date

1865