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A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION

VOLUME 11, NUMBER 3 FALL 2009 SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS

David Herbert Donald: A Life Remembered 1920-2009

Photograph by Clive Russ.

and brimming with insights and ideas. demic credited with professionalizing the By Thomas F. Schwartz The recipient of two Pulitzer Prizes, one study of Abraham Lincoln. David indi- in 1960 for Charles Sumner and the Com- cated that he selected the University of My first encounter with David ing of the Civil War and the other in 1987 Illinois not because of Randall but be- Herbert Donald came as a graduate stu- for Look Homeward: A Life of Thomas cause the school was on the Illinois Cen- dent setting up the Lincoln Room at the Wolfe, Donald was more concerned in tral rail line that would easily facilitate his University of Illinois at Urbana- writing for an informed general public travel home to Mississippi. Champaign. I became intrigued with the than a narrow academic audience. He compilation of James Jay Monaghan‘s wanted his books to be read by many, not Randall and his wife Ruth took Lincoln Bibliography, and my research simply admired by a few. In the end, his an immediate liking to Donald. Childless quickly led me to the James Garfield Ran- books were both widely read and also themselves, the Randalls treated David as dall papers at the University Archives. I admired by his academic peers. a surrogate son. Later, David would name was told that David Donald was the liter- his son Bruce Randall Donald in memory ary executor, and that the papers required David Herbert Donald was born of the Randalls. As a research assistant to his permission before use. I wrote a letter in Goodman, Mississippi and grew up Randall, Donald greatly benefited from to Professor Donald explaining my project witnessing southern segregation firsthand. his time at the University of Illinois. His and what I planned to use from Randall‘s He attended Millsaps College in Jackson, resulting dissertation on William Herndon archive. Much to my surprise, I received Mississippi, and interviewed for a job as a was published as a book and remains the a very quick and gracious reply granting high school band teacher, a position he definitive study of Lincoln‘s third law me permission to examine whatever I re- declined after being told that he needed to partner. As Donald neared graduation, quired. wear a hat in order to teach at the school. Paul Angle inquired if Donald had any He was accepted into the graduate pro- interest in serving as his replacement as Later, I would have an opportu- gram at the University of Illinois. I asked director of the Illinois State Historical nity to read most of David Donald‘s stud- Donald in later years if he selected the Library. Angle had accepted an offer to ies on Lincoln, Herndon, Sumner, and the University of Illinois in order to study (Continued on page 2) Civil War era. All were elegantly written with James Garfield Randall, the aca-

2 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

(Continued from page 1) ald was charming and gracious even when Foundation wanted to honor him during he disagreed with you. the opening events for the Abraham Lin- take over the Chicago Historical Society coln Presidential Museum for his lifetime and was looking for another Lincoln ex- During his time in Springfield, I achievement in the field of Lincoln stud- pert to continue running the library. Don- had the good fortune to have several din- ies. A $25,000 prize was awarded at a ald politely declined. When I asked him ners with David and took him out to New sumptuous dinner that was based upon about it, David indicated that he had no Salem to see their outdoor theatre presen- Lincoln era cuisine. After his acceptance aptitude for running a library or a histori- tations. At the time, the Great American remarks, it was announced that the prize cal society, which was also part of the People Show offered a trilogy that pre- would hereafter be known as The David director duties at the time. His interest sented the Lincoln story from his birth up Herbert Donald Prize. was in teaching and research, two tasks in to the bombing of Hiroshima. We saw which he excelled and left an imprint that the first play in the trilogy, ―Your Obdt. David Herbert Donald remained remains unmatched. Servant, A. Lincoln‖ which was an over- a loyal member of the Abraham Lincoln view of his life. Donald thoroughly en- Association and an avid reader of the After a series of teaching posi- joyed the production as well as its lovely Journal of the Abraham Lincoln Associa- tions at Columbia University, Smith Col- setting in Kelso Hollow at Lincoln‘s New tion. ―The Journal of the Abraham Lin- lege, Princeton University, and Johns Salem State Historic Site. coln Association,‖ Donald stated, ―is the Hopkins University, Donald joined the most important periodical in the field of faculty at Harvard University in 1973 and It was during this time in Spring- Lincoln studies. As a Lincoln biographer, remained until his retirement in 1991. field that we talked about the Lincoln I rely on it heavily for both ideas and in- Upon retirement, he began work on a new biography and some of the problems in- formation.‖ large-scale biographical treatment of herent in any biographical endeavor as Abraham Lincoln. I got to know a num- well as those peculiar to Lincoln. Donald In spite of various health prob- ber of his graduate students, many of was fortunate to have a son who was com- lems, Donald remained engaged in public whom have distinguished themselves in puter savvy and who created a database speaking and was always awarded new the Lincoln field. from which to navigate the massive honors and accolades. He was awaiting amount of information on Lincoln and his heart surgery when he died on May 17 at One day a letter appeared. It was times compiled for the biography. Every the age of 88. At the time of his death, from David Donald, indicating that he day, Donald would be the first to arrive Donald was deeply engaged in another intended to spend several weeks conduct- and last to leave the library. When the biographical study of the post-presidency ing research at the library, and identifying biography was published in 1995, it be- of John Quincy Adams. the collections and materials he was inter- came an immediate best seller and re- ested in using. The courtesy of providing mains the preferred starting place for most He is survived by Aida DiPace this information in advance is but one historians and Lincoln buffs. Donald, former editor in chief of Harvard example of Donald‘s strong sense of so- University Press, a son, Bruce Randall cial manners and professional conduct. In 2005, he was informed that Donald of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, Always a gentleman and a scholar, Don- the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and two grandchildren.

STEFAN DJORDJEVIC WINS ALA STUDENT AWARD

Stefan Djordjevic, a student at Niles West dent Award recognizes the best Abraham High School, Skokie, Illinois, was hon- Lincoln research paper and media project ored as the winner of The Abraham Lin- submitted at the Illinois History Exposi- coln Association Student Award during tion. More than 1,400 junior and senior the annual Illinois History Exposition held high school students from across the state on May 7 in Springfield. Stefan‘s win- participated in this year‘s Exposition. The ning paper was titled Rough and Tumble: students were winners selected during Chicago’s Wigwam of 1860. His teacher regional history fairs held in early 2009. is Janet Kelsey. The regional fairs and the Illinois History Stefan also was awarded a $5,000 scholar- Exposition are coordinated by the Illinois ship to Illinois College in Jacksonville. Historic Preservation Agency‘s Education Illinois. The College awards the scholar- Services Program, which also publishes ship each year to the student submitting the online student history magazine Illi- the best essay on the theme Illinois In The nois History and Illinois History Teacher. Stefan Djordjevic was presented with The Abraham Lincoln Association Student Civil War Era. The Agency sponsors the Exposition in Award at the Illinois History Exposition cooperation with the Chicago Metro His- held in Springfield on May 7, 2009. The Abraham Lincoln Association Stu- tory Education Center. Photograph by David Blanchette.

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 3

MICHAEL BURLINGAME SPEAKS AT BICENTENNIAL DINNER

Lincoln and to explain why I find him who can face death and dangers, but such an inspirational figure. have not the moral courage to contradict a prejudice or face ridicule. In daring to NEW INFORMATION admit, nay in daring to invite a Negro to an audience at the White house, Mr. Lin- Earlier this evening we heard coln did that which he knew would be how the foremost African American pub- offensive to the crowd and excite their lic figure of the 21st century regards Lin- ribaldry. It was saying to the country, coln. Perhaps it would not be inappropri- I am President of the black people as ate to consider what the foremost African well as the white, and I mean to respect American public figure of the 19th cen- their rights and feelings as men and as Michael Burlingame tury thought of him. In the papers of citizens.‖) Photograph by Susan Northrup Scott. Frederick Douglass at the Library of

The following remarks of Michael Burlin- Congress, I stumbled across two When Douglass was admitted to game were presented on the occasion of speeches that Douglass delivered in the President‘s office, he found Lincoln the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln 1865, neither of which appears in the five easy to converse with: ―He set me at per- celebrated at a banquet at the Crowne -volume edition of Douglass‘s public fect liberty to state where I differed from Plaza Hotel in Springfield, Illinois, on the utterances that the Yale University Press him as freely as where I agreed with evening of February 12, 2009. Professor published recently. him. From the first five minutes I Burlingame is a member of the Board of seemed to myself to have been ac- Directors of The Abraham Lincoln Asso- Before a large audience at quainted with [him] during all my life. . . ciation and holds the Chancellor Naomi Manhattan‘s Cooper Union on June 1, [H]e was one of the very few white B. Lynn Distinguished Chair in Lincoln 1865, Douglass said: ―No people or class Americans who could converse with a Studies at the University of Illinois of people in the country, have a better negro without anything like condescen- Springfield. reason for lamenting the death of Abra- sion, and without in anywise reminding ham Lincoln, and for desiring to honor him of the unpopularity of his color.‖ Upon departing Springfield for and perpetuate his memory, than have the Washington to take office as the 16th colored people.‖ The record of the mar- Douglass recalled one episode president of the U.S., Lincoln told his tyred president, when compared ―with the in particular that demonstrated Lin- fellow townsmen: ―To this place, and to long line of his predecessors, many of coln‘s ―kindly disposition towards col- the kindness of these people, I owe eve- whom were merely the facile and servile ored people.‖ While Douglass was talk- rything.‖ As a Lincoln scholar who had instruments of the slave power,‖ was im- ing with the president, a White House spent much time here over the past 25 pressive. Lincoln was ―in a sense hitherto aide on two occasions announced that the years, I too feel a strong sense of grati- without example, emphatically the black governor of Connecticut sat in an adja- tude to this place and to the kindness of man‘s President: the first to show any cent room, eager for an interview. ―Tell its people. Many of them have extended respect for their rights as men .... He the Governor to wait,‖ said the President. to me the most gracious hospitality and was the first American President who. . . ―I want to have a long talk with my have assisted me enormously as I con- rose above the prejudice of his times, and friend Douglass.‖ Their conversation ducted my research, first in the bowels of country.‖ If during the early stages of continued for another hour. Douglass the Old State Capitol and more recently the Civil War the president had favored later speculated that ―[t]his was probably in the splendid new Abraham Lincoln colonizing the freedmen abroad, Douglass the first time in the history of the country Presidential Library, whose staff has asserted, ―Lincoln soon outgrew his colo- when the Governor of a State was re- been unfailingly helpful. If I were to nization ideas and schemes and came to quired to wait for an interview, because thank all of the Springfielders to whom I look upon the Black man as an American the President of the United States was feel grateful, I would exhaust my allotted citizen.‖ To illustrate this point, Douglass engaged in conversation with a negro.‖ 15 minutes. But I cannot refrain from cited his personal experience: ―It was my tendering my especial thanks to Dick and privilege to know Abraham Lincoln and According to Douglass, millions Ann Hart and to Sarah Thomas, who to know him well. I saw and conversed of blacks ―from first to last, and through over the years have not only generously with him at different times during his all, whether through good or through evil put me up but have patiently put up with administration.‖ Douglass found Lin- report, fully believed in Abraham Lin- me. coln‘s willingness to receive him remark- coln.‖ Despite his initial tardiness in at- able in itself: ―He knew that he could do tacking slavery, Douglass said, they I am deeply honored to be asked nothing which would call down upon ―firmly trusted in him‖ with a faith that to speak on this very special occasion. I him more fiercely the ribaldry of the constituted ―no blind trust unsupported would like to share with you some of the vulgar than by showing any respect to a by reason.‖ Blacks had ―early caught a new information I have uncovered about colored man.‖ (In a draft of this speech, Douglass said: ―Some men there are (Continued on page 4)

4 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

(Continued from page 3) thick part of the wedge in 1865 by en- Beethoven‘s sonatas. When rehearsing dorsing the Thirteenth Amendment. Even and performing those works, he declared, glimpse of the man, and from the evi- before March 1862, Lincoln had worked he felt compelled to try to be a better dence of their senses, they believed in behind the scenes to persuade Delaware musician and a better human being. I him. They viewed him not in the light to emancipate its slaves. So it was with feel the same way about Lincoln. As I of separate individual acts, but in the black suffrage. In 1864, Lincoln had conduct research on him and write about light of his mission, in his manifest rela- privately urged Louisiana Governor Mi- him, I feel compelled to try to be a better tion to events and in the philosophy of his chael Hahn to enfranchise at least some historian and a better human being. I try, statesmanship. Viewing him thus they blacks in Louisiana: ―Now you are about and I will continue to try. trusted him as men are seldom trusted.‖ to have a Convention which, among other things, will probably define the One of the ways I try to be a elective franchise. I barely suggest for better human being is to follow the ad- your private consideration, whether some vice that President Lincoln gave a young of the colored people may not be let in – Union captain who was squabbling with as, for instance, the very intelligent, and his superior officers. Quoting from especially those who have fought gal- ―Hamlet,‖ the president wrote that a fa- lantly in our ranks. They would probably ther‘s admonition to his son—―Beware help, in some trying time to come, to of entrance to a quarrel, but being in, keep the jewel of liberty within the fam- bear it that the opposed may beware of ily of freedom.‖ In 1865, he publicly thee‖—was good counsel ―and yet not endorsed the same policy. the best.‖ Instead, Lincoln enjoined the captain: ―Quarrel not al all.‖ One member of Lincoln‘s audi- ence on April 11, 1865, did not underes- The reasons Lincoln gave were Frederick Douglass timate the importance of the president‘s practical: ―No man resolved to make the call for limited black suffrage. Upon most of himself, can spare time for per- Several months later, Douglass hearing that passage, a handsome, popu- sonal contention. Still less can he afford prepared a speech in which he discussed lar, impulsive, twenty-six-year-old actor to take all the consequences, including Lincoln‘s final public address, which was named John Wilkes Booth turned to a the vitiating of his temper, and the loss of delivered on April 11, 1865. In it the friend and declared: ―That means nigger self-control. Yield larger things to which president endorsed black voting rights: citizenship. Now by God I‘ll put him you can show no more than equal right Alluding to the new constitution of the through!‖ Booth added: ―That is the last and yield lesser ones, though clearly your state of Louisiana, Lincoln said: ―It is . . . speech he will ever make.‖ own. Better give your path to a dog, than unsatisfactory to some that the elective be bitten by him in contesting for the franchise is not given to the colored man. Lincoln was murdered because right. Even killing the dog would not I would myself prefer that it were now he endorsed the enfranchisement of cure the bite.‖ conferred on the very intelligent, and on blacks, not because he issued the emanci- those who serve our cause as soldiers.‖ pation proclamation or supported the Let me close by sharing with When Douglass heard that April 11 13th amendment. Thus he was as much a you the final paragraph of Abraham Lin- speech, he thought Lincoln‘s call for martyr to black citizenship rights as Mar- coln: A Life: ―Lincoln speaks to us not black suffrage ―seemed to mean but lit- tin Luther King, or Medgar Evers, or only as a champion of freedom, democ- tle,‖ for its scope was too limited. But in Viola Liuzo, or James Reeb, or Michael racy, and national unity but also as a time Douglass came to acknowledge that Schwerner, or James Cheney, or Andrew source of inspiration. Few will achieve the speech actually ―meant a great deal. Goodman, or any of the other civil rights his world historical importance, but It was just like Abraham Lincoln. He activists killed during the 1960s. many can profit from his personal exam- never shocked prejudices unnecessarily. ple, encouraged by the knowledge that Having learned statesmanship while INSPIRATION despite a childhood of emotional malnu- splitting rails, he always used the thin trition and grinding poverty, despite a edge of the wedge first – and the fact that The distinguished biographer of lack of formal education, despite a series he used it at all meant that he would if Woodrow Wilson, Arthur S. Link, as- of career failures, despite a miserable need be, use the thick as well as the serted that he was glad he had spent his marriage, despite a tendency to depres- thin.‖ Douglass could cite Lincoln‘s academic career studying the life of a sion, despite a painful midlife crisis, de- dealings with slavery. The president had man whom he liked and admired. Schol- spite the early death of his mother and inserted the thin edge of the wedge in ars who specialized in Hitler or Stalin, his siblings as well as of his sweetheart March 1862 when he recommended that Link said, seemed to him to be de- and two of his four children, he became a Congress compensate any Border State pressed. model of psychological maturity, moral adopting gradual emancipation. Lincoln clarity, and unimpeachable integrity. His then drove the wedge in deeper in 1863 Similarly, a rising young pianist presence and his leadership inspired his with the Emancipation Proclamation. recently wrote that he regarded it as a contemporaries; his life story can do the And in 1864 he fully drove home the privilege and a responsibility to play same for generations to come.‖

For The People (ISSN 1527-2710) is published four times a year and is a benefit of membership of The Abraham Lincoln Association. FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 5

DARWIN, LINCOLN, STANTON AND APES, ANGELS, AND AGES

By Thomas F. Schwartz Lincoln portrayals as an ape or gorilla place, Lincoln might never have left the followed the issuing of the Emancipation earthbound ages for the heavens above. With much of the fanfare now Proclamation. David Strother‘s January behind, the public was reminded that 14, 1863 image of Lincoln as a monkey Jay Winik, in his best selling famed British naturalist Charles Darwin holding a copy of the Emancipation book April 1865: The Month That Saved and America‘s Sixteenth President Abra- Proclamation reinforces the Southern America (HarperCollins, 2001), claims ham Lincoln share a common birthday of notion that blacks were not human be- that Stanton later changed his words February 12, 1809. This year marked the ings. A Phunny Phellow cartoon from ―Now, he belongs to the angels‖ to the bicentennial celebration for both. David May 1864 shows Lincoln as a monkey more widely quoted ―Now, he belongs to R. Contosta, a professor of history at holding the George B. McClellan cat by the ages.‖ Winik argues ―that Stanton Chestnut Hill College, provided the first the tail. In Lincoln‘s other hand is a did revise his words for history— dual biography with Rebel Giants: The dead mouse representing the White something that in his time Lincoln did Revolutionary Lives of Abraham Lincoln House, 1865. Clearly a reference to the not do—is fascinating in itself. The and Charles Darwin (Prometheus Books, upcoming presidential contest, the cap- quote I use is from the attending stenog- 2008). This was followed by The New tion reads, ―Don‘t You Wish You May rapher, James Tanner (see Bak, Day Lin- Yorker columnist Adam Gopnik‘s An- Get It?‖ That McClellan frequently re- coln was Shot, 98), which strikes me as gels and Ages: A Short Book about Dar- ferred to Lincoln as ―the original go- most accurate.‖ Two claims are ad- win, Lincoln, and Modern Life (Knopf, rilla‖ was based upon a mistaken belief vanced, both dubious: 1) that Lincoln 2009). that primates were not intelligent crea- never revised his publically uttered tures or, anyway, lower than man. words and 2) James Tanner claimed that Victorians were appalled by Stanton originally said, ―Now, he be- Darwin‘s ideas of evolution: the popular Lincoln‘s comparison to or por- longs to the angels.‖ notion that apes evolved into men. Lin- trayal with apes was not only a nine- coln had an interest in natural science but teenth century phenomenon. Many mod- Many of the recent books on there is nothing to suggest that he read ern artistic endeavors have the undesired Lincoln as a writer have convincingly Darwin‘s seminal On the Origin of the result of creating Lincoln‘s visage with shown that Lincoln was never reluctant Species, published in 1859. Ironically, simian features. The 2001 Tim Burton to rewrite or polish his prose. This is Lincoln often devolved to simian propor- remake of the Charlton Heston classic evident in his Farewell Address to tions at the hands his critics. Character- Planet of the Apes substitutes the Lincoln Springfield which exists in three differ- istic of the era‘s racism, many of these Memorial for the Statue of Liberty at the ent versions. It is also more starkly evi- film‘s end. Lincoln is not found sitting dent in the five different versions of the in the chair; rather, the evil leader of the Gettysburg Address. apes, General Thade, is shown. The real issue is whether James Recent efforts by several schol- Tanner ever stated that Stanton‘s words ars have sought to elevate Lincoln from upon Lincoln‘s death were ―Now he be- his sometime simian status and give him longs to the angels.‖ Richard Bak‘s a harp, wings, and a halo, just like Cla- book, The Day Lincoln Was Shot: An rence in Frank Capra‘s It’s A Wonderful Illustrated Chronicle (Taylor, 1998), Life. Beginning with Jay Winik and sec- contains no footnotes so it is impossible onded by James Swanson and Adam to know his sources. Otto Eisenschiml, Gopnik, these writers claim that Edwin in Why Was Lincoln Murdered?, also Stanton, Lincoln‘s Secretary of War, cited by Winik, concedes: ―One report, really said: ―Now he belongs to the an- also difficult to authenticate, was that gels.‖ From ape to angel, one wonders Stanton said, ‗And now he belongs to the whatever happened in the intervening Angels.‘‖ Dorothy Meserve Kunhardt ages? A simple answer to this question and Philip B. Kunhardt, Jr., probably are is that, in efforts to reduce costs, publish- the likely source of much of the recent ers no longer fact check most authors. confusion. In Twenty Days, the Kun- Every author makes mistakes, but there hardts provide a description of Lincoln‘s is no longer the safety net in the editing death by quoting James Tanner, the ste- process to rigorously eliminate them. nographer who was present in the room. Had there been such a mechanism in Charles Darwin (Continued on page 6)

6 A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION FOR THE PEOPLE

(Continued from page 5) Heritage Museum received a collection of had been in that death group and materials from one of its supporters, John the reporters would come for an Tanner admits that his pencil point broke Gehlbach. Among the items is a January interview, and generally, they trying to remove it from his pocket to 11, 1909, letter from David Homer Bates, would mangle what I gave them, record Reverend Gurley‘s prayer. But telegraph operator in the War Department plenty of misstatements, and what- Tanner recalled ―…Mr. Stanton raised his during the Civil War, to James Tanner ever they got they would cut it to head, the tears streaming down his face. thanking him for sending his account of suit their cloth…even after I wrote A more agonized expression I never saw Lincoln‘s death as published in the Wash- this article some years ago, I would on a human countenance as he sobbed out ington Post, April 16, 1905, p.12. In- take a copy or two along to the the words: ‗He belongs to the angels deed, Tanner received so many requests national encampment, and when now.‘‖ The Kunhardts continued to ex- for his recollection that he composed a they would come at me about this plain ―Later, others in the room recalled standard account that he provided to re- matter, hand them this statement, Stanton‘s remarks as loftier—‘Now he porters and other interested parties. Both they would take it, but they would belongs to the ages.‘‖ Once again, there Tanner‘s signed typescript and the Wash- measure what space they had in is no source cited for Tanner‘s remarks or ington Post article have Stanton saying: their paper and invariably cut it, who the ―others‖ were that changed the ―He belongs to the ages now.‖ In 1926 and never once gave it in full, and I phrasing. And because the Kunhardts Tanner gave a copy of his recollections to never felt more like hitting a man in appear to be quoting Tanner directly, Congressman James A. Frear of Wiscon- cold blood… others who have used their work assume sin, who entered it the Congressional that they are quoting Tanner correctly. Record. This entry was later published as A lengthy study identifying and But are they? a separate pamphlet. comparing all of the textual changes made by newspaper accounts using Tanner‘s In every instance where an au- Tanner was frustrated that, even printed recollection would be a project unto thor has argued that Stanton used the after providing reporters with printed itself. One wonders how Tanner‘s repeated word ―angels‖ instead of ―ages,‖ no pri- copies of Lincoln‘s last hours, the final claim that Stanton uttered, ―He belongs to mary source is provided. If Tanner really published newspaper articles usually mis- the ages now,‖ was transposed to the more made this claim, there should be some quoted him and otherwise distorted the popular ―Now he belongs to the ages.‖ primary source to cite. What one gets event. In a cover letter to Congressman Undoubtedly, it has an explanation just as instead is a series of secondary sources Frear in 1926, Tanner wrote: this modest exercise has shown how recent that never lead to a primary source. The historians garbled Tanner‘s words. Mod- simple exercise of finding a primary …for 50 years I have attended ern historians may want Lincoln to soar source in which Tanner recalls that fate- the annual encampments of the among the angels, but James Tanner‘s bro- ful night consistently results with Tanner Grand Army of the Republic; never ken pencil point may also have clipped use of the word ―ages,‖ and never missed one since I began in 1876. Lincoln‘s wings in the process, keeping ―angels.‖ In Lincoln, Illinois, the Lincoln Well, it was generally known that I him earthbound for the ages.

WHO WAS CORPORAL JAMES TANNER?

James Tanner was born at Richmond- On the evening of April 14, 1865, hear- ville, New York, on April 4, 1844. He ing that President Lincoln had been shot, was a teacher when the Civil War began he hurried to Ford’s Theater and re- and he enlisted in September 1861 in the mained there throughout the night with

87th New York Volunteer Infantry. He Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. He served as a Corporal with that unit took complete shorthand notes as the through the Peninsula Campaign, April- search for the assassin was planned and

July 1862, and at the Battle of Second carried out. His record of events that

Bull Run (Manassas), August 29-30, re- evening at the Peterson House remain ceiving wounds which required the am- the most comprehensive record of the putation of both legs just below the events that followed the President’s knees. shooting.

Tanner was fitted with two wooden pros- At the end of the Civil War, Tanner stud- theses and learned how to walk with his ied law in New York and in 1869 was artificial legs. In 1863, he was appointed admitted to the Bar. From 1869 to 1877 Under-Doorkeeper of the New York State he held posts in the New York Customs Legislature. He studied stenography and House and from 1877 to 1885 was Tax in 1864 he obtained a clerkship in the Collector in Brooklyn, New York. He James Tanner, circa 1866 War Department in Washington. Collection of Michael Robert Patterson (Continued on page 7)

FOR THE PEOPLE A NEWSLETTER OF THE ABRAHAM LINCOLN ASSOCIATION 7

(Continued from page 6) his office’s budget. At length, Secretary of the Interior John W. Noble, of whose Depart- later founded a Veteran’s organization and ment the Pension Office was a part, was

spoke at the dedication of the Confederate forced to step in, and Tanner resigned in Sep- The Abraham Lincoln Association Memorial in Arlington National Cemetery. tember 1889. Richard E. Hart President Tanner was quite active in the Grand Army of From then until 1904, he was a private pen- the Republic. As New York State GAR Com- sion attorney engaged in prosecuting various Barbara Hughett Robert J. Lenz mander in 1876, he organized a letter-writing claims against the government. In April 1904, Robert Willard campaign that moved the legislature to estab- President Theodore Roosevelt appointed him Vice Presidents

lish a soldiers’ home. He was frequently a Register of Wills for the District of Colum- Thomas F. Schwartz called on to lobby Congress on behalf of vet- bia. In 1905-06 he was the National Com- Secretary

erans. mander of the Grand Army of the Republic. Robert A. Stuart, Jr. Treasurer

Tanner was also very active in the Republi- James Tanner died at Washington, D.C. on Roger D. Bridges can Party. Between 1886 and 1888, he made October 2, 1927 and was buried in Arlington Immediate Past-President

several national campaign tours speaking for National Cemetery. His wife, Mero T. Tanner Mary Shepherd presidential candidate Benjamin Harrison’. (1844-1906), is buried with him. Executive Manager

In March 1889 as a reward for these activi-

ties, Tanner was appointed Commissioner of The above information was obtained Board of Directors Pensions. Declaring his intention to secure from the Arlington National Cemetery Kenneth L. Anderson maximum possible benefits to "every old com- w e b s i t e : h t t p : / / Molly M. Becker www.arlingtoncemetery.net/jtanner.htm Michael Burlingame rade that needs it" Tanner proceeded to Nancy Chapin make hash of administrative procedures and Brooks Davis Robert J. Davis Rodney O. Davis Robert S. Eckley Guy Fraker Allen C. Guelzo YOU ARE INVITED TO BECOME A MEMBER Kathryn M. Harris Earl W. Henderson, Jr. Fred B. Hoffmann Please join the over 800 members of The Abraham Lincoln Association whose David Joens memberships make possible the Association’s activities. As a member, you will Ron J. Keller Lee McTurnan receive the Association’s semi-annual Journal and quarterly newsletter, For The Richard W. Maroc Myron Marty People. Become one of this generation’s patrons of the greatest American story— Richard Mills the story of Abraham Lincoln. Susan Mogerman James W. Patton, III Student………….…..…$25 Mail this application (or a photocopy) Mark Plummer and a check to: William G. Shepherd Railsplitter……………..$50 Brooks D. Simpson The Abraham Lincoln Association Daniel Stowell Postmaster………..…..$100 Nicky Stratton Lawyer………….…….$250 1 Old State Capitol Plaza Louise Taper Springfield, Illinois 62701 Timothy P. Townsend Congressman…….…...$500 Donald R. Tracy President……….…...$1,000 Name: ______Andy Van Meter Daniel R. Weinberg

Address: ______Stewart L. Winger You may join through our website at: Kenneth J. Winkle

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Call toll free for more information: Honorary Directors Zip: ______President Barack Obama (866) 865-8500 Governor Pat Quinn Senator Richard Durbin N EW M EMBERS W ELCOMED Senator Roland Burris Congressman Aaron Schock Edward Bradley Anita Hollen Jean Richards Ralph & Sara Schwartz Congressman John Shimkus Silver Spring, Maryland Caro, Michigan Springfield, Illinois Hackensack, New Jersey Justice Rita Garman Mayor Timothy J. Davlin Joseph Cobetto Russell Lewis Ray Warren Robison Robert Shaw

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FOR THE PEOPLE Non-Profit Organization

The Abraham Lincoln Association U.S. Postage 1 Old State Capitol Plaza PAID Springfield, Illinois 62701-1512 Springfield, Illinois

Permit No. 263

DAY BY DAY

CALENDAR OF COMING ALA EVENTS

Lincoln in Illinois Exhibit of photographs of Abraham Lincoln statues in Illinois. Through September 30, 2009 Ron Schramm, Photographer. Atrium of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. The exhibit is free and open to the public.

October 1 and 2, 2009 11th Conference on Illinois History, Springfield October 2, 2009 Noon Luncheon—Myron Marty will discuss his book Communities of Frank Lloyd Wright: Taliesin and Beyond. More information at: http://www.illinoishistory.gov/conference09.pdf

October 2, 2009 2:00 ALA Board of Directors Meeting, Springfield 4:00 Dedication: Christopher Smith German Grave Marker, Oak Ridge Cemetery 5:30 Dinner at Gillett Farm, Elkhart Hill

October 2, 2009 3-4:00 Lincoln Press Conference: University of Illinois, Tryon Festival Theatre, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, 500 South Goodwin Avenue, Urbana Free and open to the public. Featuring Lincoln presenter George Buss.

October 15-18, 2009 24th Annual Lincoln Colloquium, Springfield Environmental and Lincoln historians participate in conference on nature‘s impact on Lincoln and his generation, and their impact on the environment. Advance registration required. For information call 217-492-4241. Includes 7th Annual Lincoln Legacy Lecture at the University of Illinois Springfield, October 15, 2009, 7:00 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium. Information (217) 206-7094.

February 11-12, 2010 1-4:00 Lincoln Symposium Details to be announced. Hall of Representatives, Old State Capitol, Springfield

February 11, 2010 5:00 Investiture Ceremony: Michael Burlingame to Chancellor Naomi B. Lynn Distin- guished Chair in Lincoln Studies at the University of Illinois Springfield, House of Representatives, Old State Capitol, Springfield

February 12, 2010 10:00 ALA Board of Directors Meeting, Springfield 6:00 Lincoln Day Banquet, 201st Anniversary of Lincoln‘s Birth Crowne Plaza Hotel, Springfield