LOT Early American History Auctions, Inc.  /  Autographs-Currency-Political-Americana  / 

32

APRIL 10, 1865 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Signed Document, FOUR DAYS PRIOR to Assassination

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:3,000.00 USD Estimated At:6,000.00 - 8,000.00 USD
APRIL 10, 1865 ABRAHAM LINCOLN Signed Document, FOUR DAYS PRIOR to Assassination
Autographs
APRIL 10, 1865 Dated Historic Manuscript Note Signed “A. Lincoln” as President, Just Four Days Prior to Lincoln’s Assassination by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater
ABRAHAM LINCOLN (1809-April 15, 1865). Abraham Lincoln was an American lawyer and statesman who served as the 16th President of the United States, throughout the American Civil War from 1861 until his Assassination in 1865. From: A “Lincoln Lore” article further stating: “This endorsement was signed, it was observed, on April 10, four days before Lincoln’s assassination and the day after he was notified of General Lee’s surrender. It might be called a jubilant signature.”
APRIL 10, 1865-Dated Civil War Period, Manuscript Note Signed, “A. Lincoln” as president, Choice Extremely Fine. This note written and signed on one of the most important highpoint days in Abe Lincoln’s Civil War history as president, if not his lifetime. Here, the president takes the time from his busy schedule to sign this well known prisoner’s release “Oath” note, reading in full:

“Let Lieut. McLeran be released on taking the oath of Dec. 8. 1863. - (Signed) A. Lincoln - April 10, 1865”.

Identified as: John C. McLeran, Confederate States of America, Enlisted on 5/1/1862 as a 1st Lieutenant, commissioned into "G" Co. Alabama 45th Infantry. This regiment was organized at Auburn, in May 1862 and saw extensive action. See: Unit History at end of our online information. Accompanied with PASS-CO Certificate of Authenticity.

President Lincoln’s vivid signature on this John Hay handwritten note is bright and bold in rich brown ink on white wove period paper. It measures about 2” tall x 3.25” wide (by sight), his bold signature “A Lincoln” measuring about 1.5” long and has the eye appeal of10 out of 10 in quality. The note itself was expertly identified as being written in the hand John Hay, Lincoln’s personal secretary. This example is one of the finest in quality we have offered, clean and bold in appearance. There is one slight crease, away from the signature at far right, and the paper has a trivial bend from when professionally framed. Presented in a handsome modern custom matted and framed display, shown under protective glass. At top is a 6.5” tall x 4.5” wide (by sight) photographic image, actually taken of Lincoln on April 10, 1865 by Alexander Gardner, the image noted as being “Courtesy of Frederick Hill Meserve” with legend below, Choice Extremely Fine.

On either side of the central written note by Lincoln, are seen two authenic period portrait images of the president. One at left is an oval Albumen Photograph, apparently taken that same day, housed in an ornate gold-gilt frame measuring 1” x .75”. On the right side is a Choice Gilt 1864 Presidential Campaign ferrotype, the surround reading: “FOR PRESIDENT - 1864” his tintype portrait at cente, then: “A LINCOLN”. Professionally crafted display is matted and framed to overall 14” tall x 9.75 wide.

Of historical note: On Monday, April 10, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was back at work in Washington, D.C. feeling very relieved at the news of General Robert E. Lee's surrender the previous day. He had breakfast at the White House with his friend, Sacramento journalist Noah Brooks, and he then paid a visit to the Navy Yard that morning, where he made a brief speech that was reported in the Washington Star later that day. He also caught up with the news in Washington from his friend, former Illinois Senator Orville Browning. Also on April 10, 1865, Confederate General Robert E. Lee, just one day after Surrendering the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House, said his famous “farewell” to his men, praising them for their “unsurpassed courage and fortitude.” At about 6 p.m., a delegation of 15 men came to the White House and met with President Lincoln. According to an article in Harper's Monthly magazine, a spokesman for the group gave a speech and presented Lincoln with a picture of Lincoln housed in a fine silver frame. Lincoln had other photos taken of himself that same day by photographers; Alexander Gardner, Frederick H. Meserve, and Carl Sandburg.

President Lincoln wanted to implement a lenient policy for reconstruction for the South. A key part of this plan was put into place on December 8, 1863, when he issued a proclamation that provided guidelines for the systematic reestablishment of loyal state governments in that region. It also contained a means of repatriating those who had “participated in the existing rebellion” and now wanted to resume their allegiance: stating he would issue a full pardon if they took a prescribed Oath of Loyalty.

Significantly, the pardon provided for restoration of all rights of property except as to Slaves. This was the required oath: “I do solemnly swear, in presence of Almighty God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, and the union of the States thereunder; and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all Acts of Congress passed during the existing rebellion with reference to Slaves… and that I will, in like manner, abide by and faithfully support all proclamations of the President made during the existing rebellion having reference to slaves… So help me God.”

Many persons in southern areas under Union control, as well as Confederate soldiers held as prisoners of war in the North (including those who had been reluctantly drafted into the Southern service or gotten themselves involved in something that they really did not have their heart in) thought the war as good as lost and sought to take Lincoln up on his offer. They or their friends wrote the President explaining their situations and sincerity, and asking for the pardon. He would write his order on the back of the letter or on a separate note card and send it on to the appropriate department. This is one of those pardon offers. On December 8, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln offers his conciliatory plan for reunification of the United States with his “Proclamation of Amnesty and Reconstruction”.

Provenance Ex: Collection of Alexander “Sandy” Gaston.

For further Information Please See the PBS episode: https://www.pbs.org/opb/historydetectives/investigation/lincoln-oath/
APRIL 10, 1865: Throughout the day, the news of Robert E. Lee's surrender led to celebrations and a number of crowds gathered to parade and celebrate. At some of these, Lincoln spoke extemporaneously. Here is an account of one such procession (complete with Lincoln's remarks) as reported in the Washington Intelligencer:

The procession proceeded along Pennsylvania avenue gaining accessions at every step, despite the mud and rain, and when it turned up Fifteenth street it is estimated that there were over three thousand persons in the crowd. The procession proper---that is, those who had come from the Navy Yard---and a portion of the crowd proceeded to the residence of Secretary Welles, while the other portion kept along Pennsylvania avenue to the White House and the War Department. At the latter place the band of the Quartermaster's regiment, Capt. Tompkins, under the leadership of Prof. Blish, and the band of the Fourteenth regiment V.R.C., were stationed, and their excellent music attracted an immense concourse of people, who called again loudly for Secretary Stanton, but failing to get him out, the crowd, preceded by the Quartermaster's band, moved toward the White House, and in a few moments an immense number of people were assembled, and completely filled the portico, the carriageway, and pavements on either side, while many were forced to content themselves with a stand-up place in the mud. The bands played, the howitzers belched forth their thunder, and the people cheered. Call after call was made for the President, and his failure to appear only made the people cry out the louder. Master Tad Lincoln, who was at the window, appeared to hugely enjoy the shouting, cheering, and swaying to and fro of the crowd, who evinced a determination not to depart until the Chief Magistrate acknowledged their greeting by his presence. At length, after persistent effort, the presence of Mr. Lincoln was secured. Three loud and hearty cheers were given, after which the President said:

"FELLOW CITIZENS: I am very greatly rejoiced to find that an occasion has occurred so pleasurable that the people cannot restrain themselves. [Cheers.] I suppose that arrangements are being made for some sort of a formal demonstration, this, or perhaps, to-morrow night. [Cries of 'We can't wait,' 'We want it now,' &c.] If there should be such a demonstration, I, of course, will be called upon to respond, and I shall have nothing to say if you dribble it all out of me before. [Laughter and applause.] I see you have a band of music with you. [Vocies, 'We have two or three.'] I propose closing up this interview by the band performing a particular tune which I will name. Before this is done, however, I wish to mention one or two little circumstances connected with it. I have always thought 'Dixie' one of the best tunes I have ever heard. Our adversaries over the way attempted to appropriate it, but I insisted yesterday that we fairly captured it. [Applause.] I presented the question to the Attorney General, and he gave it as his legal opinion that it is our lawful prize. [Laughter and applause.] I now request the band to favor me with its performance."

In accordance with the president’s request, the band struck up `Dixie,’ and at its conclusion played `Yankee Doodle,’ the President remaining at the window mean-while. The President then said: `Now give three good hearty cheers for General Grant and all under his command.’ These were given with a will, after which Mr. Lincoln requested `three more cheers for our gallant Navy,’ which request was also readily granted. The President then disappeared from the window, amid the cheers of those below. The crowd then moved back to the War Department, and loud calls were again made for Secretary Stanton.

Another such gathering occurred at around 5:00 p.m. that day. Lincoln's remarks to that crowd were printed in the Washington Daily National Republican as follows:

MY FRIENDS: I am informed that you have assembled here this afternoon under the impression that I had made an appointment to speak at this time. This is a mistake. I have made no such appointment. More or less persons have been gathering here at different times during the day, and in the exuberance of their feeling, and for all of which they are greatly justified, calling upon me to say something; and I have, from time to time, been sending out what I supposed was proper to disperse them for the present. [Laughter and applause.]

I said to a larger audience this morning what I desire now to repeat. It is this: That I supposed in consequence of the glorious news we have been receiving lately, there is to be some general demonstration, either on this or to-morrow evening, when I will be expected, I presume, to say something. Just here I will remark that I would much prefer having this demonstration take place to-morrow evening, as I would then be much better prepared to say what I have to say than I am now or can be this evening. [A voice--- 'And we will then have heard from Johnston.']

I therefore say to you that I shall be quite willing, and I hope ready, to say something then; whereas just now I am not ready to say anything that one in my position ought to say. Everything I say, you know, goes into print. [Laughter and applause.] If I make a mistake it doesn't merely affect me nor you but the country. I, therefore, ought at least try not to make mistakes. [Voices--- 'You have made no mistakes yet.']

If, then, a general demonstration be made to-morrow evening, and it is agreeable, I will endeavor to say something, and not make a mistake, without at least trying carefully to avoid it. [Laughter and applause.] Thanking you for the compliment of this call, I bid you good evening.

An hour or so later, at about 6 p.m., a delegation of 15 men came to the White House and met with the President. According to an article in Harper's Monthly magazine, a spokesman for the group gave a speech and presented Lincoln with a picture of himself in silver frame. Lincoln had other photos taken of himself that day by photographers Alexander Gardner. Frederick H. Meserve and Carl Sandburg. The Gardner photo is shown below.

Lincoln wrote a note to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, stating: "[Lincoln' son] Tad wants some flags. Can he be accommodated?" He also sent a note to Navy Secretary Gideon Welles which read: "Let Master Tad have a Navy sword."

Less than a week later, on the evening of April 14th, 1865 at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, President Abraham Lincoln was shot dead by the actor/assassin John Wilkes Booth.

_______

Forty-Fifth Alabama Infantry Regiment:

This regiment was organized at Auburn, in May 1862 and proceeded at once to Corinth. At Tupelo it lost many men by disease, but in the autumn moved into Kentucky in Patton Anderson's brigade. It charged a battery at Perryville, and suffered very severely in casualties. The regiment came out of Kentucky with the army, and was soon after engaged in the battle of Murfreesboro, where its casualties were numerous.

Placed in the brigade of Gen. Wood of Lauderdale, Cleburne's division, (with the Sixteenth, Twenty-sixth-Fiftieth, and Thirty-third Alabama), the Forty-fifth remained on duty with the Army of Tennessee, passing the first half of the year 1863 at Tullahoma. It fought under the eye of Cleburne at Chicamauga, and its mutilated ranks told the eloquent story of its services.

Gen. Mark Lowery of Mississippi succeeded to the command of the brigade, and the Forty-fifth was present at Mission Ridge and Ringgold Gap with slight loss. The Winter was passed at Dalton, and the regiment took a full share in the Dalton-Atlanta Campaign, especially at Resaca, and at New Hope, where Cleburne's division grappled with Logan's corps.

On the 22d of July, at Atlanta, Death reveled in its ranks, and half the regiment went down on the hard-fought field. Six weeks later it again fought " where Cleburne crossed the line" at Jonesboro, with considerable loss. Then followed the long and disastrous march into Tennessee.

The Forty-fifth opened the battle at Franklin the evening before by a brilliant fight at Springhill, and the next day was in the bloody and desperate assault of Cleburne's division on the enemy's works, and was almost annihilated around the corpse of its heroic division commander.

Its colors floated before Nashville, and a remnant of the Fort-fifth moved into North Carolina. It was there consolidated with other Alabama regiments, and surrendered with Gen Johnston's forces.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot