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Mrs Bixby who lived in the state of Massachusetts at the time this letter was written had lost all of her sons on the field of battle. Lincoln would show a little side of his humanity when he personally addressed this lady who had sacrificed so much for the cause. The last portion of this letter would be used anytime a soldier would fall and notice was given to their family. The image below is of a copy of that letter in Lincoln’s handwriting.

By the time 1863 arrived, the war had been going on for over two years with mixed results for the North. But after the battle of Gettysburg, they would begin the plans for a national cemetery and it would be organized by state and there would be many who are unknown. Once the cemetery was complete, there would be many delegates as well as President Lincoln would be invited to deliver remarks at the dedication ceremonies. President Lincoln’s remarks would last for less than 5 minutes. It would be remarked that what he said in those few minutes would accomplish more than the other orators. On the 19th of November in the year 1863, he would deliver a speech that would reach beyond the times that he was in and would still be one of the most famous addresses that many even still know over 162 years later.

By the time late 1862 had rolled around, the north had been beaten back by an army that had less resources (men, supplies, etc) and the tide of public opinion had begun to change. Lincoln had decided to issue an emancipation proclamation after he obtained a military victory. The Battle of Antietam which was the bloodiest single day battle was supposed to be that victory which he wanted, however it was a draw in the tactical sense. But sensing the tide of public opinion, Lincoln issued his now famous Emancipation Proclamation to turn the tide of public opinion and this is why so many have the erroneous opinion that the civil war was fought over slavery. Read below the emancipation and decide for yourself if it was a political tool or something legitimate:

January 1, 1863

A Transcription

By the President of the United States of America:

A Proclamation.

Whereas, on the twenty-second day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, a proclamation was issued by the President of the United States, containing, among other things, the following, to wit:

“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; and the Executive Government of the United States, including the military and naval authority thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of such persons, and will do no act or acts to repress such persons, or any of them, in any efforts they may make for their actual freedom.

“That the Executive will, on the first day of January aforesaid, by proclamation, designate the States and parts of States, if any, in which the people thereof, respectively, shall then be in rebellion against the United States; and the fact that any State, or the people thereof, shall on that day be, in good faith, represented in the Congress of the United States by members chosen thereto at elections wherein a majority of the qualified voters of such State shall have participated, shall, in the absence of strong countervailing testimony, be deemed conclusive evidence that such State, and the people thereof, are not then in rebellion against the United States.”

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 in time of actual armed rebellion against the authority and government of the United States, and as a fit and necessary war measure for suppressing said rebellion, do, on this first day of January, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-three, and in accordance with my purpose so to do publicly proclaimed for the full period of one hundred days, from the day first above mentioned, order and designate as the States and parts of States wherein the people thereof respectively, are this day in rebellion against the United States, the following, to wit:

Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana, (except the Parishes of St. Bernard, Plaquemines, Jefferson, St. John, St. Charles, St. James Ascension, Assumption, Terrebonne, Lafourche, St. Mary, St. Martin, and Orleans, including the City of New Orleans) Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia, (except the forty-eight counties designated as West Virginia, and also the counties of Berkley, Accomac, Northampton, Elizabeth City, York, Princess Ann, and Norfolk, including the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth[)], and which excepted parts, are for the present, left precisely as if this proclamation were not issued.

And by virtue of the power, and for the purpose aforesaid, I do order and declare that all persons held as slaves within said designated States, and parts of States, are, and henceforward shall be free; and that the Executive government of the United States, including the military and naval authorities thereof, will recognize and maintain the freedom of said persons.

And I hereby enjoin upon the people so declared to be free to abstain from all violence, unless in necessary self-defence; and I recommend to them that, in all cases when allowed, they labor faithfully for reasonable wages.

And I further declare and make known, that such persons of suitable condition, will be received into the armed service of the United States to garrison forts, positions, stations, and other places, and to man vessels of all sorts in said service.

And upon this act, sincerely believed to be an act of justice, warranted by the Constitution, upon military necessity, I invoke the considerate judgment of mankind, and the gracious favor of Almighty God.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed.

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.

By the President: ABRAHAM LINCOLN
WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.

I hope you have a passion for history like I do. On this particular blog, we will share facts, info and other trivia regarding the Civil War. We will also have a facebook page and youtube page with all things related to American History.