Description:

Lincoln Abraham 1809 - 1865 Extraordinary Robert Todd Lincoln letter and archive about his father at the centennial of his birth - "Evidences of the esteem in which my father's memory is held by his countrymen Š... none has given me greater satisfaction than the expressions which have come to me from those who, like yourself, bore a conspicuous part in those troublesome years. I have been especially interested in the reminiscence of your first visit to my fatherŠ—..."

Comprises:

(1) Robert Todd Lincoln. Extraordinary Typed Letter Signed "Robert T. Lincoln," 1 page, 7.75" x 9.75". Pullman Building, Chicago, February 26, 1909. To Union General William H. Wherry. With original 5" x 4" stamped postmarked envelope addressed in another hand to "Gen. William M. Wherry, U.S.A. / St, Augustine, / Florida." The envelope has been affixed to the inside cover of the pamphlet.

In full, "I received this morning the pamphlet which you were good enough to send me, containing your address at St. Augustine on February 12th, and I thank you for it. Evidences of the esteem in which my father's memory is held by his countrymen have come to me in great numbers during the centennial season. They have been most gratefully received, and none has given me greater satisfaction than the expressions which have come to me from those who, like yourself, bore a conspicuous part in those troublesome years. I have been especially interested in the reminiscence of your first visit to my father, and I can quite understand how much pleasure you get from such recollections. Again thanking youŠ—..."

(2) Pamphlet, 6 page address (12 pages in all), 7" x 10", two staples in center, pages loose. "Abraham Lincoln / An Address delivered by Brigadier-General / William M. Wherry, U.S. Army, / at St. Augustine, Florida. / February 12, 2909." Typed Letter Signed, 1p, 5.25" x 8.5", affixed inside front cover, to Gen. Wherry, informing him that his "admirable address on your personal recollections of Abraham Lincoln, and as requested by you, have forwarded the same to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania for its collections Š—... before giving Captain John P. Green an opportunity to read it. Captain Green was until recently First Vice-President of this company, served as a staff officer during the Civil War in the Army of the PotomacŠ—..." On "Broad Street Station / Philadelphia" letterhead, the corporate headquarters of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company.

In the letter above, Robert Todd Lincoln wrote Gen. Wherry he was "especially interested in the reminiscence of your first visit to my fatherŠ—..."

From Wherry's address about that visit. In part, "In October I went to Washington, on advice of friends, to seek an appointment in the regular Army Š—... called on Mr. Edward Bates, the Attorney-General, who had been a friend of my father's, and I made known to him my wishes. Mr. Bates said it was Cabinet Day, and if I would come to him about 11:30, we would go together to the White House Š—_ Mr. Lincoln was seated at the table about which the Cabinet was to gather, but he rose to greet Mr. Bates and I was presented, with some flattering allusion to my association with Lyon, my participation in his last battle and my aspirations. I was struck by Mr. Lincoln's ready sympathy, his naturalness and freedom from pose. I was struck by his stature, and surprised to find his face lighted up with interest and geniality, was not homely, as I had been led to expect. He moved to a fireplace in the room, pointed to a chair near the chimney corner for Mr. Bates, to one near the center of the fireplace for me, and seated himself in the corner opposite Mr. Bates. He stretched his legs across the fireplace, and I thought of a telescope being pushed out as he did so. He leaned his head back on the chair and placed his hands locked behind it, and then said to me quite gently and thoughtfully, 'And you were in the bloody battle of Wilson's Creek? Tell us about it."Š—..."

(3) "Abraham Lincoln." Typed SpeechUnsigned, 5 pages, 8.5" x 11", separate sheets, with four ink cross-outs and 11 ink additions plus 26 word Ralph Waldo Emerson quote in ink by Gen. Wherry: "It was said of Mr Lincoln by Emerson, - 'His heart was as great as the world but without room to retain the memory of a wrong.'" St. Augustine, Florida, February 15th, 1912. Tied together at top with red ribbon. Vertical folds at left edges. Mounting remnants on blank verso of fifth page. Noted in pencil at conclusion by Gen. Wherry: "Delivered before G.A.R. at St. Augustine, Florida."

We have been unable to find any Robert Todd Lincoln letter ever offered for sale referring to how his father's memory is held by Americans. This letter, written during the centennial month of Abraham Lincoln's birth, also mentions his son's special interest in a Civil War general's first impression upon meeting President Lincoln in The White House (present).

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November 10, 2016 10:30 AM EST
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