I was watching a play...

America,

I am deeply confused at this moment. I was enjoying this wonderful play at Ford’s Theater. It was during the third act when everything went black…

Do not mourn for me.
America will live on, through “the universal liberty of mankind.”

~The Ghost of Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln by Benjamin P. Thomas pg 546, 547, 549

Surrender at Appomattox: the War is over!

My fellow countrymen,

The Confederates have surrenderd!

Earlier I received a message from General Grant talking about Lee's position: "If the thing is pressed, I think that Lee will surrender."

I sent a message back: "Let the thing be pressed."

I went back to the White House to find Secretary Seward. Poor man fell from his carriage. He said to me, "You are back from Richmond."
I said "Yes, and I think we are near the end at last."

General Grant had captured Petersburg and Richmond from General Robert E. Lee. After a series of messages I will not disclose at this moment were transacted between Grant and Lee, talks of surrender were inevitable. Lee agreed to meet Grant at the Appomattox Court House in Virginia April 9th, 1865.

I have received a telegram from General Grant: "General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia this morning on terms proposed by myself. The accompanying additional correspondence will show the conditions full."

Before I depart, I will like to express some words to the south. Secession should no longer be an issue. I ask that all people forgive and reconcile their differences and come back as one; although, in a sense, I can say the Union has always been intact.

~Honest Abe

The Civil War Battlefield Guide pg 282-285
Abraham Lincoln by Thomas, Benjamin P. pg 540 & 542

Surrender at Vicksburg!!!

American Citizens,

Vicksburg, in Mississippi has been captured!

I was in the White House analyzing a map to locate Grant’s whereabouts. Mr. Well’s received a telegram from Admiral Porter and quickly gave me the message. It was astounding. I hugged Well’s and exclaimed:

“What can we do for the Secretary of the Navy for this glorious intelligence? He is always giving us good news. I cannot in words tell you of my joy over this result. It is great, Mr. Welles! It is great!”

General Ulysses S Grant directed 20,000 Union troops to Vicksburg. Along the way, they seized the Mississippi capital at Jackson. On May 22, 1863, Grant’s troops surrounded Gen John Pemberton Confederate troops. Gen Pemberton surrendered July 4th 1863. A decisive win for the Union, Confederates have no choice but to end the war here and now. The Union is now in possession of Mississippi from Cairo to the Gulf.

“The Father of Waters again goes unvexed to the sea.”

~President Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln by Benjamin P. Thomas p. 409,
The Civil War Battlefield Guide pg 135
American Journey pg 437

Gettysburg: Turning point Battle

Countrymen,

I had a feeling battle was coming, so I canceled the cabinet meeting for June 30.
On July 1-3, 1863, Union and Confederate forces engaged in the bloody battle near Gettysburg. The 1st day of battle caused Union troops to retreat; however, on the 3rd day Confederate troops under Robert E. Lee where shot down after Confederate troops tried to attack Union soldiers at Cemetery Ridge. I was in the War Department that day, July 3rd, when I received a message from Chief Quartermaster Rufus Ingalls stating:

“at this moment the battle is raging as fiercely as ever. … The loss has been great on both sides. All our forces have been, and still are in action, and we shall be compelled to stand and fight it out.”

Unfortunately, The Battle of Gettysburg left thousands of men dead. 50,000 out of 170,000 men died: 23,000 Union men and 28,000 Confederates. Victory went to the Union.

I would like to take a moment of silence to remember these honorable men…

“But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground [Gettysburg]. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

~Father Abraham

The Civil War Battlefield Guide pg 117
American Journey pg 436
Abraham Lincoln by Benjamin P. Thomas pp. 405, 406, http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/gettysburg.htm

Battle of Chancellorsville

Fellow Citizens of the United States,

I am depressed to say that after the Battle of Fredericksburg, Union forces faced another defeat at the Battle of Chancellorsville. I assigned Hooker to command the Army of Potomac. I previously wrote him a letter saying that our goal is to capture Lee. Although Union forces under Hooker surpassed Confederate troops 2:1, (130,000: 60,000) Confederate troops (Army of Northern Virginia) led by Stonewall and Lee defeated Union Forces in the beginning of May 1863. I ordered the Union Army of Potomac to capture Lee; however Hooker disappointed me again. I received a letter from him during the battle. It was said as follows:

We have had a desperate fight yesterday & today which has resulted in no success to us having lost a position of two lines which had been selected for our defence.

It is now 1.30 & there is still some firing of artillery. We may have another turn at it this P. M. I do not despair of success. If Sedgwick could have gotten up there could have been but one result. As it is impossible for me to know the exact position of Sedgwick as regards his ability to advance & take part in the engagement, I cannot tell when it will End.

We will endeavor to do our best. My troops are in good spirits,

We have fought desperately today. No General ever Commanded a more devoted army,

Jos Hooker

I met him at Falmouth on May 7th after the battle. I am replacing Hooker with George Gordon Meade. He, I pray, will be more reliable.
This is not the end of the war my fellow Americans. The Union will prevail. These setbacks in battles have not hindered the Union cause. Keep strong and may God be with us all.

~Abe

American Journey pg 434
The Civil War Battlefield Guide pg 108, Editor Frances H. Kennedy
http://www.cincinnaticwrt.org/data/Summaries_recent%20talks/Billings_Lincoln%20at%20the%20Civil%20War%20Battlefields.html
http://www.historynet.com/battle-of-chancellorsville-day-one.htm
http://www.usa-civil-war.com/Chancellorsville/chancellor_8.html

Freedom!! The Emancipation begins!

January 1, 1863

My fellow countrymen,

Although I expressed in my Inaugural speech that I will not intervene with slavery where it already exists, the time has come. After victory from the Battle of Antietam, I feel that I owe God that I take steps toward emancipation. I am supported by Congress, Union soldiers, and northern civilians to go forth with this act. Congress first ordered the Confiscation Act which called for southern land and the emancipation of their slaves.

I feel it is in the right of the American citizen to know the importance of this emancipation:

The freedom of slaves will give the United States further moral support from other nations especially Britain.This proclamation will also impair the Confederacy and will hopefully bring an end to the war.

“Now, therefore I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, by virtue of the power in me vested as Commander-in-Chief, of the Army and Navy of the United States …That on the first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, all persons held as slaves within any State or designated part of a State, the people whereof shall then be in rebellion against the United States, shall be then, thenceforward, and forever free…”

Slavery in the border states will, however, remain in order to keep those states neutral. I also declare that our freed slaves can join the Army and Navy. This, I beleive can only invigorate the Union cause “… giving freedom to the slave, we assure freedom to the free.”

“Done at the City of Washington, this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty three, and of the Independence of the United States of America the eighty-seventh.”

~President Abraham Lincoln

American Journey pg 431 & 432
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/
http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/featured_documents/emancipation_proclamation/transcript.html

Bloody Battle at Antietam

Americans Citizens,

I would like to inform you today of the recent Battle at Antietam Wednesday September 17, 1862. I am happy to say victory went to Union Forces! A paper that revealed information about Lee’s army was retrieved. Lee was planning an invasion on the North. The battle took place at Sharpsburg, Maryland, near Antietam Creek, where McClellan’s army of 75,000 men fought with Lee’s forces of only 39,000. I gravely say that causualties accounted for 12, 400 Union men along with 10,320 Confederates. Both sides have lost many men and now realize the seriousness of the civil war; this was a bloody battle.
I am also aware that France and Britain are no longer going to recognize the Confederacy as a separate nation. With this victory I am confident to abolish slavery; the time has come. I am confident to say the fate of the Confederacy is in our hands.

~Mr. President

American Journey pg 430
http://www.nps.gov/archive/anti/battle.htm
http://www.nps.gov/anti/historyculture/casualties.htm

Battle of First Bull Run: announcing a prolonged war

Fellow Citizens of the United States,

Being pressured by the press is one thing I hate. I need time, but now time is out of my hands. The volunteer recruitment I requested have reached their designated time limit on service. Although my troops were not prepared as much as I would have wanted them too, I devised a plan with General Irvin McDowell. He was to attack Confederate troops at Manassas. Our real target, moreover, will be to capture Richmond.

At Manassas (south from Washington), Gen. Beauregard’s and Gen. McDowell’s forces fought on July 21, 1861, at the Battle of First Bull Run; unfortunately Gen. Irvin’s forces were unable to suppress the Confederates. In the morning we were able to push the Confederates back, but after that, the Confederates bounced back and the Union forces had to retreat to Washington. I would like to re-establish my claim I made before: I now sadly say this war will not be over shortly. To renew the attack on Richmond, I assign General George B. McClellan to command the Army of Potomac.

~President Lincoln

http://www.eyewitnesstohistory.com/bullrun.htm
American Journey pg 426, 429

Attack on Fort Sumter! Call for troops!

Countrymen,

I stand my ground. I will do whatever necessary to preserve the Union. States who have recently seceded from the Union creating the so called Confederacy of America are as follows:
South Carolina December 20, 1860; Mississippi January 9, 1861; Florida January 10, 1861; Alabama January 11, 1861; Georgia January 19, 1861; Louisiana January 26, 1861; Texas February 1, 1861

I am here today to inform the American people of the Civil War in the U.S.:
On April12, 1861 Confederates under General Beauregard fired upon Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina after Anderson was unwilling to surrender the fort. Just recently I was informed of the need of provisions at Fort Sumter for General Anderson. Anderson was waiting on my order for evacuation before they were attacked. I however needed more time… Anderson surrendered of the Fort April 13. The firing of Fort Sumter will not be tolerated. I hereby build an army and bring together state militias to protect the United States of America. I declare for about 75,000 volunteers. Virginia, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Tennessee, however, declined this request and seceded from the union. Despite these recent circumstances, and the dividing of our dear country, I assume this war will be over shortly. I assure you my fellow countrymen, the United States of America will not be torn apart under my command.

~Father Abe

http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln77.html
http://www.us-civilwar.com/sumter.htm
http://americanhistory.about.com/library/charts/blchartsecession.htm
American Journey pp. 411 & 421

My Election! Victory to Abe!

November 6, 1860

Fellow countrymen,

I am here today as your new President of the United States. I would like to begin by acknowledging the Vice President, Hannibal Hamlin. I will also like to acknowledge my opponents Douglas, John Bell, and John C. Breckinridge.

I received the majority of my votes from the North and received a substantial amount of opposition throughout the South. Though I receive some opposition, I will do whatever means necessary to preserve the Union. I stand here today to establish my position on these issues once again. I am not an abolitionist but I indeed am against slavery. I realize the position I am in, and I recognize the existing tensions between North and South. Regardless of threats I will not acknowledge nor accept the succession of any state. As President, it is my duty to preserve the Union, and hear me country men: I will honor that duty to the fullest! We the People will not divide! We the People of the United States of America will stand together!

Monday, March 4, 1861

Fellow Citizens of the United States,…It has been seventy-two years since the first inauguration of a President under our National Constitution.… Though some believe slavery is right and should be expanded others believe it is wrong and should not be expanded…We cannot separate, though, I will not interfere where slavery already exists. …We are not enemies. We are friends. Think very carefully on what is happening to the Union. Matters of civil war are at hand. I refuse to be the aggressor but I will do what I can to preserve, protect, and defend the Union.

~Honest Abe

http://home.att.net/~rjnorton/Lincoln77.html
Abraham Lincoln’s 1st Inaugural Speech

Welcome America

My fellow countrymen,

I am running for President of the United States and I hereby humbly request for your support.

~Honest Abe