[Thomas Lincoln signs marriage bond of Caleb Hazel, his nearest neighbor and Abraham's schoolteacher. Marriage Bonds, 1816, Hardin Circuit Court; Warren, Parentage and Childhood, 119-20.]

Defendants file pleas in three cases: Buckmaster v. Garrett, Rupert & Lindenberger v. Garrett, and Rupert & Lindenberger v. Garrett & Co.. Stuart & Lincoln, representing the plaintiffs, seek damages of $500 in first case and $200 each in the remaining two cases.Record.

Evidence is concluded in People v. Truett, and arguments continue through day. David M. Woodson, new prosecuting attorney, is sworn in, and assists Douglas. Defense is conducted by Lincoln, Logan, Baker, and Cyrus Walker.Record; Peoria Register, 20 October 1838.

[Livingston Circuit Court convenes at Pontiac.]

Stuart & Lincoln withdraw $5.00 cash from their account with a Springfield merchant. Account (copy), 12 October 1840, Irwin & Corneau, 185, microfilm, IHi, Springfield, IL.

[Eighteenth issue of The Old Soldier is published.Old Soldier (Springfield, IL), Issue 18, 12 October 1840.]

In the Champaign County Circuit Court case of Brownfield et al. v. Brownfield et al., Lincoln completes a form directing the county sheriff to notify the defendants to appear in court "on the second Monday in...May next." Lincoln represents the plaintiffs, including Mary Brownfield, the widow of James Brownfield, who died without a will. The family is in court to settle the estate. Summons, 12 October 1841, Brownfield et al. v. Brownfield et al.; Commissioner's Report, 17 February 1842, Brownfield et al. v. Brownfield et al., both in Illinois State Archives, Springfield, IL.

Lincoln pays Obed Lewis $1.25 for carriage repairs.Obed Lewis Account Books.

[Moultrie Circuit Court convenes at Sullivan.]

Lincoln writes and signs plea for summons in Fithian v. Cunningham. Case continued.Record.

Mrs. Lincoln buys $2 in groceries and pair of kid slippers, $1.25.Irwin Ledger and Journal.

Lincoln writes and files answer of Alexander Argo in Allsop v. Argo, petition for mechanics lien, and writes decree of court. Photocopy.

Lincoln writes second affidavit for Moses Thorpe, plaintiff in Rice v. Thorpe. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Eight of Lincoln's cases are called. Only one is concluded, Hamilton v. Haines et al., before court May 10, 1854. Defendants default, and court decrees that they pay to Lincoln's client amount of their mortgage debt and interest, $2,412.33. After motions are made in several of other cases, all are continued, and court adjourns. Record.

[Lincoln's name and that of C. R. Hume, candidate for legislature, appear in Randolph Hotel room book under date of October 13, 1858. Probably they spend night.]

Lincoln sits as judge on nine assumpsit cases in DeWitt Circuit Court. Judge's Docket; IHi—Journal, XLVIII, 38-39.

Lincoln writes to William H. Seward about Seward's recent speeches. "It now really looks as if the Government is about to fall into our hands. Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Indiana have surpassed all expectation." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 12 October 1860, CW, 4:126-27.

Someone, perhaps Lincoln, purchases several items, including powder and a hair tonic known as cocoaine, from a Springfield store. Account, 12 October 1860, Corneau and Diller Account Book, 570, Abraham Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; Daily Illinois State Register (Springfield), 11 October 1860, 1:2; Harry E. Pratt, The Personal Finances of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, IL: Abraham Lincoln Association, 1943), 153; Tara McClellan McAndrew, Stories of Springfield: Life in Lincoln's Town (Charleston, SC: History Press, 2010), 55.

President receives dispatches from Gen. McClellan at Camp Advance, Va., that enemy will not attack for day or two. McClellan to Lincoln, 12 October 1861, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Inspects work at Navy Yard in afternoon. National Republican (Washington, DC), 14 October 1861, 3:2; Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 October 1861, 2:1.

Holds evening conference at Sec. Seward's house with Asst. Secs. Thomas A. Scott (War) and Fox (Navy). Hay, Letters and Diary.

President inquires of Gen. Curtis at St. Louis: "Would the completion of the railroad some distance further in the direction of Springfield, Mo, be of any military advantage to you? Please answer." Abraham Lincoln to Samuel R. Curtis, 12 October 1862, CW, 5:459-60.

Prods Gen. Boyle: "We are very anxious to hear from Gen. Buell's Army. We have had nothing since day-before yesterday. Have you anything?" Abraham Lincoln to Jeremiah T. Boyle, 12 October 1862, CW, 5:458-59.

Lincoln telegraphs Gen. Meade at 9 A.M.: "What news this morning? A despatch from Rosecrans, leaving him at 7/30 PM. yesterday, says 'Rebel rumors that head of Ewells column reached Dalton yesterday' I send this for what it is worth." Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 12 October 1863, CW, 6:510.

Describes military situation to Gen. Rosecrans at Chattanooga: "You and Burnside now have him [enemy] by the throat, and he must break your hold, or perish." Abraham Lincoln to William S. Rosecrans, 12 October 1863, CW, 6:510-11.

Interviews Mrs. Bowers of New Jersey, who has note of introduction from Secretary of the Navy Welles. Welles to Lincoln, 12 October 1863, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes to Mrs. Alice C. Smith, of Boston, Massachusetts. He notes, "I shall have to acknowledge very briefly your letter informing me of the prosperity of your little boy whom you so kindly named after me. You may rest assured that my little namesake has my best wishes that he may grow to be a good man and a good citizen." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Alice C. Smith, 12 October 1863, CW, 6:511.

In evening, plans to attend performance of Shakespeare's Macbeth at Grover's Theatre. Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 12 October 1863, 2:1.

President receives notice that cost of his substitute recruit [J. S. Staples] is $750. [See September 30, 1864.] Larner to Fry, 8 October 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Suspends clearance of gunboat "Fusigama," built in New York for Japanese government. Order Concerning the Fusigama, 12 October 1864, CW, 8:45.

Answers Gen. Grant's inquiry about election and adds: "Send us what you may know of your army vote." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 12 October 1864, CW, 8:45.