Full Title

"Oh Captain, My Captain"

Description

The noted poet Walt Whitman composed this poem in memory of Lincoln shortly after his assassination.

Transcription

I.
O CAPTAIN! my captain! our fearful trip is done;
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won;
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people are exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring:
But O heart! heart! heart!
Leave you not the little spot,
Where on the deck my captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

II.
O captain! my captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up—for you the flag is flung—for you the bugle trills;
For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths—for you the shores a-crowding;
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
O captain! dear father!
This arm I push beneath you;
It is some dream that on the deck,
You've fallen cold and dead.

III.
My captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still;
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will:
But the ship, the ship is anchor'd safe, its voyage closed and done;
From fearful trip, the victor ship, comes in with object won:
Exult, O shores, and ring, O bells!
But I, with silent tread,
Walk the spot my captain lies,
Fallen cold and dead.

Source

Walt Whitman Archive

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Whitman, Walt. ""Oh Captain, My Captain"". New-York Saturday Press. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/517

Creator

Whitman, Walt

Publisher

New-York Saturday Press

Date

November 4, 1865

Full Title

Letter from Danson C. Tolman 8th Infantry to his sister April 24, 1865

Description

This is a letter from Danson C. Tolman (8th Infantry) of Watsonville, California to his sister, Miss Minott Johnan of West Camden, Maine, written on April 24, 1865. He wrote from San Francisco about mourning the death of the President, getting letters from home and his pay and bounty.

Transcription

Danson C. Tolman of Watsonville enlisted in Company 8, 8th Infantry, C.V. on November 17, 1865. He wrote from San Francisco on April 24, 1865 to his sister and brother-in-law, Mrs. Minott Johnan, West Camden, Maine.

Dear Brother & Sister:

I take a few moments to let you know that I am well and have not forgotten my friends at home. I hear [brother] John [also of Company A] is well. I leave here tomorrow noon [on the steamer Oregon] to join my company [at Cape Disappointment, W.T.] and when I get there, I will write again.

Everybody has been busy the past week mourning our great loss [The public funeral was Wednesday, April 19] & I don’t feel like writing yet. People here seem to think the war will be prolonged on the account of the death of the President, but do not know yet.

Lizzie did not answer our letters because I was coming home in a few days, and she waited for me to answer it. I wrote to Father a few days ago, and also I wrote soon after or enlistment, but I think the letters I sent then were lost in the indian troubles on the plains.

Our company is stationed at Cape Disappointment, W.T., which is at the mouth of the Columbia river on the north side.

If you have not got my letters I will again state that my company is A Co. 8th C.V. Inf. [Captain Clarence C. Smith], but letters sent to Watsonville will be forwarded by my wife.

In addition to the pay of the U.S., the State of California pays five dollars a month in gold coin to each soldier & a bounty in gold coin of $160 to three years men, So you see, soldiering is good business here where there is no war.

Give my love to all, your affectionate Br[other],

D.C. TOLMAN

Source

Private collection

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Danson C. Tolman. "Letter from Danson C. Tolman 8th Infantry to his sister April 24, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/514

Creator

Danson C. Tolman

Date

April 24, 1865

Material

Paper

Full Title

El Pájaro Verde

Description

Newspaper article with details about the assassination of President Lincoln. Wires from Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War to Major General Dix informing him about the assassination of President Lincoln and injuries suffered by Mr. Seward, his son Frederick Seward and a house servant. News printed in the Diario de la Marina: description of the incident at Mr. Seward’s house (the attack and type of injuries suffered). J. Wilkes Booth is identified as President Lincoln’s killer. Description of the shock felt throughout; customs and businesses closed (banks, stores, and warehouses) in a sign of mourning. It also mentions that gold speculators suspended their operations as a sign of "modesty" (mourning).

Source

Independent Mexico in newspapers, the 19th century; reel 182

Rights

This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with the proper citation and attribution. Citation: Independent Mexico in newspapers, the 19th-century (microfilm set). LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, the University of Texas at Austin.

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El Pájaro Verde. "El Pájaro Verde". México : Imp. de M. Villanueva. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/511

Creator

El Pájaro Verde

Publisher

México : Imp. de M. Villanueva

Date

May 1, 1865

Full Title

L'Ere Nouvelle: Journal des idees et des interets Franco-Mexicains

Description

Newspaper article describes the shock people felt upon learning President Lincoln was assassinated and uncertainty about the future of the U.S.

Source

Independent Mexico in newspapers, the 19th century; reel 77

Rights

This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with the proper citation and attribution. Citation: Independent Mexico in newspapers, the 19th-century (microfilm set). LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, the University of Texas at Austin.

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Cite this Item

L'Ere Nouvelle. "L'Ere Nouvelle: Journal des idees et des interets Franco-Mexicains". México : E. Masseras. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/505

Creator

L'Ere Nouvelle

Publisher

México : E. Masseras

Date

April 29, 1865

Full Title

Letter to Mexican diplomat Matias Romero from G. Barrios

Description

Barrios expresses shock at learning of Lincoln’s assassination at the theater. Description of Lincoln as “the personification of US unity and faithful representative of the Monroe Doctrine”. Hope that the assassination won’t influence policy toward Mexico negatively, though it’s likely nothing could lead the Americans to change their stance on European intervention in the hemisphere.

Source

Matias Romero: An Inventory of Microfilm of His Papers at the Benson Latin American Collection

Rights

This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with the proper citation and attribution. Citation: Matías Romero: An Inventory of Microfilm of His Papers at the Benson Latin American Collection. LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, the University of Texas at Austin.

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Cite this Item

Barrios, G.. "Letter to Mexican diplomat Matias Romero from G. Barrios". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/501

Creator

Barrios, G.

Date

May 3, 1865

Full Title

"Death of the president"

Description

Article in the Second Edition of the Daily Morning Chronicle announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln and commenting on the intensity of the nation's mourning.

Transcription

ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS DEAD!
If tears had audible language, a shriek would go up from these States which would startle the world from its propriety.
Strong men use the impressive language of women - TEARS. Women bow their heads in the dust. Children sleep troubledly.
Words are at this time weak and vain. Let us all, with heart and voice, say that
"This grave shall have a LIVING MONUMENT!"

Source

Washingtoniana Microfilm Collection

Rights

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Cite this Item

Daily Morning Chronicle. ""Death of the president"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/499

Creator

Daily Morning Chronicle

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

newspaper

Full Title

"Removal of the body of the President to the executive mansion"

Description

Article describing the procession accompanying President Abraham Lincoln's body from the Peterson house to the White House. The article describes the procession as escorted by Union Light Guard calvary and military officers, as well as a large crowd, which descended on the Peterson house once the President's body was removed.

Transcription

Removal of the body of the president to the executive mansion.
Shortly after nine o'clock this morning the remains were placed in a temporary coffin, under the direction of Mr. Frank Sands, and removed to the Whtie House, six young men of the Quartermaster's Department carrying the body the house.
An escort of cavalry, (Union Light Guard,) under the command of Lieut. Jamison, accompanied the remains, which were followed by General Augur, commanding the Department of Washington; General Rucker, Depot Quartermaster; Colonel Pelouze, of the War Department; Captain Finley Anderson, A. A. G.; Hancock's corps; Captain D. G. Thomas, Clothing Depot; Captain J. H. Crowell, and Captain C. Baker.
The solemn procession moved slowly up Tenth street to G, and thence to the White House, the large crowd present along the route standing uncovered. Immediately on the guard being removed, a rush was made towards the house occupied during the night by the President, remaining about the entrance for some time.

Source

Washingtoniana Microfilm Collection

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.

Tags

Cite this Item

Daily Constitutional Union. ""Removal of the body of the President to the executive mansion"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/498

Creator

Daily Constitutional Union

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

newspaper

Full Title

"Meeting of colored citizens in honor of the emancipation in the District of Columbia - The death of our late president"

Description

Resolutions of a meeting of colored citizens of the District of Columbia, which met on April 16, 1865, the third anniversary of emancipation in Washington, D.C. The group resolved to mourn the recent assassination of Abraham Lincoln and pay tribute to his role as emancipator. The resolution states that they believed Lincoln's should be seen as discipline for the nation's departure from the principles of equality present in the founding documents, including the Declaration of Independence. The group also sends its condolences to the Lincoln family and Willard H. Seward and his household, which were also attacked the night of the president's assassination.

Transcription

Meeting of colored citizens in honor of the emancipation in the District of Columbia - The death of our late president
Persuant to the notice that appeared in The Chronicle, the colored citizens of Washington met in the Fifteenth street Presbyterian church on the anniversary of the emancipation in the District of Columbia.
The meeting was organized by electing Mr. C. A. Stewart chairman, and Mr. W. H. Wormley secretary. Remarks were then made by several speakers, relative to the death of the late President of the United States.
The Chair appointed the following gentlemen a committee on resolutions:
Samuel J. Datcher, William Syphax, D. G. Muse, William A. Hughes, and John F. Cook
The committee, after a brief withdrawal reported the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted, as expressive of the feelings of the meeting.
Whereas on the 14th of April, 1865, our late President, Abraham Lincoln, was foully assassinated; and, whereas, in him we, the colored people of the District of Columbia have lost an emancipator, benefactor, friend and leader: therefore be it
Resolved, That we, in common with all other loyal citizens of the Republic, have cause to mourn the sudden loss of one whose faithfulness to convictions of duty, and earnest execution of his realizations of the truth whose warm-heartedness, magnanimity, frankness, and honesty have endeared him to our hearts,
Resolved, That we devoutly feel this lamentable event to be a part of the chastening discipline to which the nation is being subjected for its departure from the original principles on which the Government was founded, the self-evident and unyielding truths of the Declaration of Independence, "that all men are born free and equal and endowed with the inalienable gift of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
Resolved, that we condole with his sorrowing wife and bereaved children in the terrible bereavement; and our sincree prayers shall be to Almighty God to sustain them in their hour of saddening trial.
Resolved, that we sincerely sympathize with the Hon. Secretary of State, and his son the able assistant Secretary, and their families, in their great suffering and aggravated injuries, and pray God for their speedy recovery to health.
Resolved, that the foregoing resolutions be published in the city papers, and a copy be transmitted to the family of our late president.

Source

Washingtoniana Microfilm Collection

Rights

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Cite this Item

Daily Morning Chronicle. ""Meeting of colored citizens in honor of the emancipation in the District of Columbia - The death of our late president"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/494

Creator

Daily Morning Chronicle

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

newspaper

Full Title

"Mourning Badge"

Description

Excerpt from the Daily Morning Chronicle stating that Barnet & Co., located at 262 Pennsylvania Avenue, are selling mourning badges which feature the face of President Abraham Lincoln.

Transcription

Mourning badge - Our citizens will thank us for calling their attention to the fact that Barnet & Co., No. 262 Pa. Av., have some excellent portraits of our late President done up in mourning ribbon, making a neat badge to wear on the breast. We shall all show, in some manner, our esteem for one who so pre-eminently had the good of his country at heart and manifested it in his every act. What more simple, yet impressive, than wearing his honest face draped in mourning next our heart? We understand the firm above named will be prepared to fill orders this morning.

Source

Washingtoniana Microfilm Collection

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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Daily Morning Chronicle. ""Mourning Badge"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/493

Creator

Daily Morning Chronicle

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

newspaper

Full Title

"Important order by A. C. Richards, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police"

Description

Reprinting of an official order from Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department Superintendent Almarin C. Richards issued at 3 a.m. on April 15, 1865, the day after the shooting of President Abraham Lincoln's and the day of his death. The order requires all places in the city that sell liquor to be closed that day and night.

Transcription

Important order by A. C. Richards, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police. The following was issued by Superintendent Richards at 3 o'clock this morning: In view of the melancholy events of last evening, I am directed to cause all places where liquor is sold to be closed during this day and night. The sergeants of he several precincts will see that this order is enforced. A. C. Richards, Superintendent.

Source

Washingtoniana Microfilm Collection

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.

Tags

Cite this Item

Daily Morning Chronicle. ""Important order by A. C. Richards, Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/489

Creator

Daily Morning Chronicle

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

newspaper