Results 27 entries found

Sunday, February 1, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President explains to Gov. Morton (Ind.): "I think it would not do for me to meet you at Harrisburg." [Peace Democrats were advocating a Northwest Confederacy. Secret societies were being formed for purpose of sabotaging Union.] Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 1 February 1863, CW, 6:87-88.

Monday, February 2, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Mrs. Elbridge G. Spaulding and Col. Adrian R. Root, accompanied by Sen. Doolittle (Wis.), call on President to ask that Eliphalet N. Chester be sent to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of Eliphalet N. Chester, 2 February 1863, CW, 6:88.

President acknowledges New Year's address from workingmen of London. Abraham Lincoln to the Workingmen of London, 2 February 1863, CW, 6:88-89.

Tuesday, February 3, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Cabinet discusses wisdom of shooting deserter as example to army. Welles, Diary.

Sen. Foot (Vt.) asks Lincoln to send William H. Hodges, nephew of Mrs. Foot, to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of William H. Hodges, 3 February 1863, CW, 6:89-90.

White House requests copy of "Horacaii Opera" from Library of Congress. Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 114, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

[Source indicates German edition, possibly one published in Leipzig, 1856, edited by Carl Wilhelm Nauch, and Georg Theodor Krüger.] President addresses note to Sec. Stanton: "Sec. of War, please see Mr. Conkling, a good man, who comes as successor of Mr. Campbell, now deceased, as agent to settle accounts for Illinois." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 3 February 1863, CW, 6:90.

Wednesday, February 4, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President receives from Crafts J. Wright of Cincinnati offer to raise, discipline, and command brigade of Negro troops. DNA—WR 107, Off. Sec. War, Register of Letters Received, EB3, Entry 22.

Sends report on present conditions in Mexico to House of Representatives. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 4 February 1863, CW, 6:90.

Telegraphs Gen. Robert C. Schenck: "I hear of some difficulty in the streets of Baltimore yesterday. What is the amount of it?" [Probably group of convalescents from Philadelphia showing their antipathy toward Negroes employed at Solders' Rest.] Abraham Lincoln to Robert C. Schenck, 4 February 1863, CW, 6:90.

Sends to Senate nomination of Comdr. Worden to be captain. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 4 February 1863, CW, 6:91.

Thursday, February 5, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President congratulates Francisco Solano Lopez upon his election as President of Republic of Paraguay. Abraham Lincoln to Francisco S. Lopez, 5 February 1863, CW, 6:91-92.

Transmits to Senate two conventions between U.S. and Peru for settlement of claims. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 5 February 1863, CW, 6:92; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 5 February 1863, CW, 6:92-93.

Receives three gentlemen from Boston interested in Navy and directs them to Sec. Seward. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 5 February 1863, CW, 6:93.

Recognizes David Stackfold as consul of Argentine Republic at Boston. Washington Star, 9 February 1863.

9 P.M. President and Mrs. Lincoln have Gen. and Mrs. Marcy as guests. Invitation, 5 February 1863, George B. McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln receives January salary warrant for $2,022.33. Pratt, Personal Finances, 182.

President Lincoln writes to Major General Franz Sigel about the tone of an earlier letter he wrote to Sigel. Lincoln reveals that Brigadier General Carl Schurz "thinks I was a little cross in my late note to you." Lincoln apologizes and explains, "If I do get up a little temper I have no sufficient time to keep it up." Sigel recently complained that the President had slighted Sigel's comrade Brigadier General Julius Stahel. Abraham Lincoln to Franz Sigel, 5 February 1863, CW, 6:93.

Friday, February 6, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

"Nothing of special importance at the Cabinet." Welles, Diary.

President congratulates Bartolomé Mitre on election to presidency of Argentine Republic. Abraham Lincoln to Bartolomé Mitre, 6 February 1863, CW, 6:94-95.

Sends to Senate documentation regarding ships and guns constructed for Japan. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 6 February 1863, CW, 6:95-96.

"I observe that the President never tells a joke now." Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cong. James K. Moorhead (Pa.) interviews Lincoln relative to Charles Heintzelman and West Point, but gets no promise. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President sends information to Senate regarding death of Gen. Frederick T. Ward, U.S. citizen in military service of Chinese government. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 6 February 1863, CW, 6:96.

Saturday, February 7, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Afternoon reception of President and Mrs. Lincoln attracts many distinguished guests, partly because evening affairs are in abeyance. N.Y. Herald, 8 February 1863.

[Irwin withdraws $24.25 from Springfield Marine Bank to pay insurance on Lincoln's Springfield house. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Monday, February 9, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President spends typical administrative day: 1. directing sec. of war in military transfer, in project for raising Illinois regiments, and in selecting paymaster; 2. directing commissioner of general land office to hold hearing on 2 per cent fund associated with sale of public lands; 3. directing surgeon general to complete physical examination of Pvt. Henry Williams. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 9 February 1863, CW, 6:97; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 9 February 1863, CW, 6:97; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 9 February 1863, CW, 6:98; Abraham Lincoln to James M. Edmunds, 9 February 1863, CW, 6:96-97; Abraham Lincoln to William A. Hammond, 9 February 1863, CW, 6:97.

Tuesday, February 10, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President designates Gens. Hunter and Saxton together with three civilians as persons authorized to select lands for government use within state of South Carolina. Abraham Lincoln to David Hunter and Others, 10 February 1863, CW, 6:98-99.

Sends to Senate report from secretary of state regarding visit of H. Mercier to Richmond last April. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 10 February 1863, CW, 6:99.

Gen. Butler calls and asks President to send Philip Reade to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of Philip Reade, 10 February 1863, CW, 6:99.

Sec. Welles presents to President name of Col. William Hawley for brigadier general. Welles, Diary.

White House personnel, probably Mrs. Lincoln, borrows book, "Cunningham Nell Gwynn," from Library of Congress. [Peter Cunningham, Story of Nell Gwynn; and the Sayings of Charles II, London, 1852.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 348, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Mrs. Lincoln entertains Gen. and Mrs. Heintzelman in evening. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Wednesday, February 11, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President prepares document to "Whom it may concern. Major General Butler, bearer of this, visits the Mississippi River, and localities thereon, at my request, for observation." [Not used by Butler.] Abraham Lincoln to Whom It May Concern, 11 February 1863, CW, 6:100.

Thursday, February 12, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Gen. Thomas F. Meagher interviews President on behalf of Cols. Robert Nugent and Patrick Kelly. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 12 February 1863, CW, 6:101.

Lincoln holds conference with Secs. Stanton and Welles and Gen. Halleck on task of patrolling rivers. Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 12 February 1863, CW, 6:101.

Summons Asst. Sec. Fox to White House for information on Charleston expedition. Gustavus V. Fox, Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, 2 vols. (New York: n.p., 1918), 1:178.

Transmits to Senate: 1. report and documentation relating to mediation, arbitration, and similar measures looking to termination of existing civil war; 2. nomination of former Comdr. Preble to be commander on active list; 3. nomination of former Comdr. Roger Perry (USN, commission expired) to be commander. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 12 February 1863, CW, 6:101-2; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 12 February 1863, CW, 6:102; Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 12 February 1863, CW, 6:102-3.

Friday, February 13, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

On invitation of Gen. John G. Barnard, President and Sec. Stanton drive across Potomac to Fort Dekalb, Va., for demonstration of George W. Beardslee's electric detonating system or blasting apparatus. Bruce, Tools of War, 226.

Congressman George H. Yeaman (Ky.) confers with Lincoln about transfer of General Richard W. Johnson. Memorandum Concerning Transfer of Richard W. Johnson, 13 February 1863, CW, 6:104.

President communicates to House of Representatives all information in Department of Interior respecting causes of recent outbreaks of Indian tribes in Northwest. Abraham Lincoln to Galusha A. Grow, 13 February 1863, CW, 6:104.

Forwards to Senate report concerning employment by French Emperor of African troops in Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 13 February 1863, CW, 6:105.

General Cassius M. Clay is in Washington awaiting President's decision on appointment of minister to Russia. Lincoln to Cameron, 13 February 1863, Simon Cameron Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 8:00 P.M., President and Mrs. Lincoln give small evening reception for fifty guests in honor of "General Tom Thumb" (Charles S. Stratton) and bride (Lavinia Warren). Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 February 1863, 2d ed., 2:1-2; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 February 1863, 2d ed., 3:1; Washington Chronicle, 14 February 1863; Nicolay to Bates, 15 February 1863, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Saturday, February 14, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, and party travel across Potomac to watch "Col. Alexander set off a forigarre." Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Rear Admiral John A. Dahlgren goes to White House to check report that ironclads at Charleston need ammunition. Later President calls him back for conference with General Halleck and Assistant Secretary Fox. Lincoln "is restless about Charleston." Extracts from Dahlgren Diary, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

"Reception at White House to-day unusually largely attended. For two hours the throng of visitors pressed in a steady current." N. Y. Herald, 15 February 1863; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 February 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

Mrs. Fox calls on Mrs. Lincoln and finds her in high spirits. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Sunday, February 15, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Gen. Andrew J. Hamilton recommends to President that separate department be created for Texas. Hamilton to Lincoln, 16 February 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President studies plan to attack Charleston with Gens. Halleck and John G. Foster and with Sec. Stanton and Asst. Sec. Fox. Gustavus V. Fox, Confidential Correspondence of Gustavus Vasa Fox, 2 vols. (New York: n.p., 1918), 1:179-80.

6 P.M. Gen. Butler is guest at informal White House dinner. Butler, Correspondence, 3:13.

Monday, February 16, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President requests secretaries of war and navy to appoint an officer from each department to test incendiary shell and fluid of Alfred Berney, chemist at Jersey City. Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton and Gideon Welles, 16 February 1863, CW, 6:107.

Confers with Sec. Welles on sending Asst. Sec. Fox to advise Rear Adm. Samuel F. Du Pont at Charleston. Welles, Diary.

Consults with Rear Adm. Dahlgren about "some inflammable humbug" and plan of attack on Charleston. Bruce, Tools of War, 229.

Inquires of Atty. Gen. Bates if it is lawful for President to return fine of $40 to Nathan Darling, captain of Capitol police. Abraham Lincoln to Edward Bates, 16 February 1863, CW, 6:106-7.

Tuesday, February 17, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President transmits to Senate treaty with Potawatomi Nation in Kansas. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 February 1863, CW, 6:109.

Reads to cabinet letters between himself and Cong.-elect Fernando Wood, former mayor of New York. Welles, Diary.

Consults with General Benjamin F. Butler regarding Butler's next command. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 17 February 1863, 2d ed., 2:4.

Interviews Thurlow Weed who asks that Charles Heintzelman be sent to West Point. Journal, 18 February 1863, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 7 P.M. receives W. H. Tyler, chairman, and members of New York committee bearing resolutions concerning colonization of Florida with "armed free labor colonies." Memorandum Concerning Interview with W. H. Tyler and Committee, 17 February 1863, CW, 6:108.

Lincoln writes to Major General William S. Rosecrans and reveals a strategy to offset Confederate "raids of rapidly moving small bodies of troops [that are] . . . harrassing, and discouraging loyal residents, supplying themselves with provisions, clothing, horses . . . surprising and capturing small detachments of our forces, and breaking our communications." Lincoln concludes, "I think we should organize proper forces, and make counter-raids." He asks, "What think you of trying to get up such a corps in your army?" Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 17 February 1863, CW, 6:108-9.

Wednesday, February 18, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Cong. Arnold (Ill.) accompanies Col. Joseph H. Tucker of Chicago to interview President on probability of getting Henry R. Tucker, not yet 16 years old, into West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of Henry R. Tucker, 18 February 1863, CW, 6:110.

President transmits to Senate additional article to treaty with Great Britain regarding suppression of African slave trade. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 18 February 1863, CW, 6:110.

Instructs Sec. Seward to convene cabinet at 10 A.M. tomorrow. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 18 February 1863, CW, 6:110-11.

Thursday, February 19, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

At special cabinet meeting President presents question of extra session of Senate and brevetting of regular officers. Welles, Diary; Bates, Diary.

Lincoln requests copy of letter from Asst. Sec. Fox to Rear Adm. Du Pont and hopes that Fox will go to Charleston before attack. Fox, Diary, Gist-Blair Family Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Receives request from Senate for copy of letter written by Gen. Scott to secretary of war relative to insubordination of Gen. McClellan. Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 7 March 1863.

Writes W. H. Herndon: "Would you accept a job of about a month's duration at St. Louis, five dollars a day & mileage? Answer." [Herndon declined the assignment.] Abraham Lincoln to William H. Herndon, 19 February 1863, CW, 6:111.

Sends following nominations to Senate: 1. Commodore Charles H. Davis to be rear admiral; 2. Capt. John A. Dahlgren to be rear admiral; 3. Capt. Stephen C. Rowan to be commodore; 4. Comdr. David D. Porter to be captain. [Davis and Dahlgren were appointed retroactively rear admirals as of February 7, 1863, and Rowan a commodore as of July 16, 1862.] Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 19 February 1863, CW, 6:111-12.

Writes Thurlow Weed: "The matters I spoke to you about are important; I hope you will not neglect them." [In this connection approximately fifteen New York merchants pledge $1,000 each. Probably raised to finance party machinery.] Abraham Lincoln to Thurlow Weed, 19 February 1863, CW, 6:112-13.

Friday, February 20, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President in long morning conversation with chiefs of Chippewa Indians. Washington Chronicle, 21 February 1863.

Borrows for White House, "Richter Werke, vol. 14 to 17 incl." [Johann Paul Freidrich Richter, Jean Paul's Sammtliche Werke, Berlin, 1826-28.] Borrowers' Ledger 1861-63, 348, Archives of the Library of Congress, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Saturday, February 21, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Cong. John S. Watts (New Mexico Terr.) and friends interview President on behalf of John Wilson for surveyor general of Arizona Territory. Memoranda: Appointment of John Wilson, 21 February 1863, CW, 6:113.

"Public reception at White House to-day was very numerously attended. . . . The President was cordial in his greetings, and Mrs. Lincoln manifested towards all visitors the affability for which she is distinguished." N.Y. Herald, 22 February 1863; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 21 February 1863, 2:4.

"President looks haggard and careworn . . . yet he preserves his good nature." Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper, 28 February 1863.

Dr. Anson G. Henry, old family friend, is dinner guest. CW, 8:511.

Sunday, February 22, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President declines to preside at meeting of U.S. Christian Commission in House of Representatives. CW, 8:511; Abraham Lincoln to Alexander Reed, 22 February 1863, CW, 6:114-15.

Sen. Doolittle (Wis.) and Gen. Heintzelman confer with Lincoln about changing date of Gen. C. S. Hamilton's commission. Journal, Samuel P. Heintzelman Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Monday, February 23, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President receives resignation of Simon Cameron as U.S. minister to Court of St. Petersburg. Cameron to Lincoln, 23 February 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Requests interview: "Will Senator Wilson please call and see me." [Directed to either Sen. Wilson (Mass.) or Sen. Robert Wilson (Mo.).] Abraham Lincoln to Senator Wilson, 23 February 1863, CW, 6:115.

Tuesday, February 24, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

Cabinet discusses propriety of sending letter of Gen. Scott, written just before his retirement, to Senate, and rumor of loss of U.S.S. "Queen of the West." Welles, Diary; Bates, Diary.

Delegation from West Virginia calls on President and asks for greater military protection against increasing guerrilla warfare. Abraham Lincoln to Henry W. Halleck, 24 February 1863, CW, 6:115-16.

Lincoln converses with Judge William H. Robertson of New York on current political problems. Robertson to Lincoln, 25 February 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Occupies private box at Grover's Theatre, E St., bet. 13th and 14th Sts. NW., for performance by Barney Williams, blackface minstrel and Irish comedian. N.Y. Herald, 26 February 1863.

[Irwin withdraws $25.13 from Springfield Marine Bank. Pratt, Personal Finances, 177.]

Wednesday, February 25, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President approves act establishing system of national banks. J. Duane Squires, "Some Enduring Achievements of the Lincoln Administration, 1861-65," Abraham Lincoln Quarterly 5 (December 1848):198-99.

Sends nominations to Senate for "Passed Midshipman Samuel Pearce and Nathaniel T. West, now on the retired list, to be ensigns in the Navy on the retired list." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 25 February 1863, CW, 6:116-17.

Thursday, February 26, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President interviews William W. Danenhower, Chicago attorney who wants to be fourth auditor of treasury. Memorandum: Appointment of William W. Danenhower, 26 February 1863, CW, 6:118.

Receives request from Gen. Cassius M. Clay to push his nomination to Court of St. Petersburg in spite of congressional objection. Albert A. Woldman, Lincoln and the Russians (Cleveland: World Publishing Co., 1952), 121-22.

Atty. Gen. Bates consults with Lincoln at War Dept. about antidraft riots in Missouri. Bates, Diary.

Friday, February 27, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President and Sec. Chase discuss appointment of collectors for Hartford district in Connecticut. Chase to Lincoln, 2 March 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cong. Elijah Babbitt (Pa.) urges President to appoint son of Judge Garrick Mallery to West Point. Memorandum: Appointment of John C. Mallery, 27 February 1863, CW, 6:119.

Several senators and representatives call on President concerning report on California trade. Memorandum Concerning Report on California Trade, 27 February 1863, CW, 6:119.

Lincoln writes B. Williams, who seeks appointment for nephew: "I really wish to oblige you; but the best I can do is to keep the papers, and try to find a place before long." Abraham Lincoln to Barney Williams, 27 February 1863, CW, 6:120.

Saturday, February 28, 1863.+-

Washington, DC.

President calls special session of Senate for March 4, 1863 to handle backlog of appointments and promotions. Proclamation Convening the Senate, 28 February 1863, CW, 6:120-21.

Transmits to Senate correspondence with workingmen in England. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 28 February 1863, CW, 6:121.

Sends to Congress documentation regarding "distressed operatives of Blackburn," England. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate and House of Representatives, 28 February 1863, CW, 6:121-22.

Arthur M. Eastman, arms manufacturer of Massachusetts, confers with Lincoln about guns as directed by Sec. Stanton . Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 28 February 1863, CW, 6:122.

Following customary practice at the close of a Congressional session, Lincoln occupies President's Room at Capitol to facilitate public business by saving the Committee on Enrolled Bills from traveling the length of Pennsylvania Avenue for his signature. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 February 1863, 2d ed., 2:4; N.Y. Herald, 1 March 1863.

Does not attend usual Saturday afternoon reception at White House. Mrs. Lincoln and Private Secretary William O. Stoddard greet guests. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 28 February 1863, 2d ed., 2:4; Washington Chronicle, 2 March 1863.