Description:

Reactions to Lincoln's Assassination in 4 ALS, Just Days After Murder

A fascinating group of four letters with reactions to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Dating from April 16 to June 4, 1865, depicting the feelings of those in Michigan, Illinois, and New York. Two of the letters are written by the same individual. Along with descriptions of sadness over the death of the president, there are opinions on how others have reacted, on the work before Andrew Johnson, and on anger towards John Wilkes Booth, Jefferson Davis, and the Confederacy. One letter has retained its transmittal envelope. All with flattened mail folds and varying degrees of toning, soiling, dampstaining, etc. One letter has a large hole through the center, obscuring some of the text. Overall, very good. Please refer to the photographs for further condition information.

Highlights from each letter:
1. April 16, 1865, Detroit, Lillie to her mother: "…This being Easter Sunday service was held at six o'clock in the church, this morning…The font & pulpit masses of beautiful flowers, while the galleries are draped in black for the President, Lincoln, and the others murdered. The news of the assassination of the President excited Papa very much, he wanted to start right off for Washington, but has thought differently since. The whole city presents a somber and sad aspect, there is scarcely a building to be seen, but what is festooned with black goods of some description…Every soldier you meet has crepe upon his arm. The aspect of today presents a striking contrast to the jubilant one of Monday last, when the news reached us of the capture of Lee's army. I believe our citizens came very near having a war with the people of Windsor yesterday for over the river they, some of the brave refugees, assembled to fire volleys in celebration of Lincoln's decease. They say hundreds of infuriated men were gathered upon this side, waiting for the first shot to make an assault upon the Canadians…"

2. April 17, 1865, Bloomington, Amos to Cousin Hattie: "…I feel very sad and gloomy tonight for I have just been reading the particulars of the sad calamity that has befallen us as a nation, the atrocious murder of President Lincoln. The blow was so unexpected so unlooked for, coming as it did when we were so highly elated over the glorious news of our military successes & the prospect of a speedy termination of the war. The whole nation was rejoicing, and now as one man and friend they mourn and deplore the irreparable loss "Honest Old Abe" is no more. He has fallen a martyr to the cause of his country of which for four years he has been the master spirit and leader…by his work he has showed that, in a remarkable degree, he possessed all the attributes of a great and noble man; a patriot and statesman…There has been a good deal of excitement here today over what one of the preachers said in his pulpit this morning. The people here feel very sensitive on political matters now and a man could not live here in the city an hour who would in the least disparage the character or conduct of the lamented Abraham Lincoln. The preacher, I hear has been notified to leave town within 24 hours…'they say' he was exonerating Booth by Lincolns deserving punishment…"

3. April 26, 1865, Kingston, M. B. Peters to his brother Warren: "…My soldier business has not come to a head yet I wait for a call to arms…when the order was given out to hold on a little I felt easier and then right on the feels of that the shooting of Lincoln set things a little squally again yet maybe it will all come out right after all I can't help think of it was a bad thing to have him killed just now for things have to look bright and as though the war was going to cave in. hope it will yet if Old Andy does the thing up right I say amen Andy. But if it don’t we will have to grin and bear it…It is quiet now as the people are all mourning for Lincoln and will be till he is buried - and I think it will be dull all summer…"

4. June 4, 1865, Bloomington, Amos to Cousin Hattie: "…Well Hattie the war is now fairly over and people begin to talk of 'the late rebellion' as of something of no great consequence. Anyhow I don't mean the old returned soldiers, they will never forget the trying scenes through which they have passed and even after this distance of time cannot look back over what I have witnessed without a shudder of horror. What shall be done with the great leading rebel Jeff Davis is now a subject that engrosses the attention of almost everybody. To be sure he has been the leading spirit but I don’t know as he has been or is much more responsible for what is past than many others. Some of their leading civil as well as military officers are nearly as deep in guilt and I believe I would have them all swing off together. I say let them die they are not fit to live in a nation which they have so long sought to destroy…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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