Team of Rivals

  Urging the president…“doing great harm”: Horace Greeley to AL, July 7, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  commissioned Horace Greeley…escort them to Washington: AL to Horace Greeley, July 9, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 435.

  dispatched John Hay to join Greeley: “[ca. 21 July 1864],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 224–25; “[after 22 July 1864],” in ibid., p. 228; entry for July 18, 1864, in Lincoln Day by Day, Vol. III, p. 273.

  “To Whom it may concern…collateral points”: AL, “To Whom It May Concern,” July 18, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 451.

  the two envoys…to stop the war: “[after 22 July 1864],” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 228.

  He hoped the failed mission…of freeing the slaves: Eaton, Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen, p. 176; Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, pp. 193–94.

  “are told…an impossibility”: TW to WHS, August 22, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  Swett felt compelled…situation was hopeless: Leonard Swett to his wife, September 8, 1864, quoted in Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II (—: S. S. McClure Co., 1895; New York Doubleday & McClure Co., 1900), p. 202.

  were mystified…“his Cabinet”: Entry of August 17, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 109.

  “I am in active…of the Constitution”: Henry J. Raymond to AL, August 22, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  “I confess that I…prosperity to the country”: “The Interview between Thad Stevens & Mr. Lincoln as related by Col R. M. Hoe,” compiled by JGN, container 10, Nicolay Papers.

  asked all cabinet members…a successful conclusion: “11 November 1864, Friday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 247–48.

  “This morning…possibly save it afterwards”: AL, “Memorandum Concerning His Probable Failure of Re-election,” August 23, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 514.

  “was considering”…would lend his hand: Eaton, Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen, pp. 173–75 (quotes pp. 173, 175).

  Douglass met with…“within our boundaries”: Douglass, Life and Times of Frederick Douglass, pp. 796–97.

  Douglass promised to confer: Frederick Douglass to AL, August 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  Randall had hand-delivered…“Democrats may stand”: Charles D. Robinson to AL, August 7, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  Lincoln shared a draft: Frederick Douglass to Theodore Tilton, October 15, 1864, in The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass, Vol. III, ed. Foner, p. 423.

  “To me it seems…matter of policy”: AL to Charles D. Robinson, [August] 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  “as it seems you would…made the offer supposed”: AL to Charles D. Robinson, August 17, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  Douglass saw clearly…“do you serious damage”: Frederick Douglass to Theodore Tilton, October 15, 1864, in The Life and Writings of Frederick Douglass, Vol. III, ed. Foner, p. 423.

  a messenger informed Lincoln…“my friend Douglass”: AL, quoted in Douglass, “Lincoln and the Colored Troops,” in Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice, p. 320.

  “suppress his excitement…men in America”: Eaton, Grant, Lincoln and the Freedmen, pp. 175, 176.

  “The President was free…reminiscences of the past”: “Interview with Alexander W. Randall and Joseph T. Mills,” August 19, 1864, quoted from the diary of Joseph T. Mills, State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison, in CW, VII, pp. 506–08 (quotes); Pinsker, Lincoln’s Sanctuary, p. 158.

  Lincoln permanently shelved the draft: Note 1 of AL to Charles D. Robinson, August 17, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 501.

  Raymond’s suggestion…“by peaceful modes”: AL to Henry J. Raymond, August 24, 1864, in ibid., p. 517.

  “slept undisturbed”…biography of Lincoln: Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, p. 221.

  “a sort of political Bull Run”: JGN to TB, August 28, 1864, container 3, Nicolay Papers.

  “ever present and companionable”: Entry for August 19, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 112.

  Mary and Tad…Vermont: AL to MTL, August 31, September 8 and September 11, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 526, 544, 547.

  but did not feel he should…“than another arises”: WHS to FAS, August 27, 1864, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 241.

  “the signs of discontent…all to disappear”: WHS to home, August 16, 1864, quoted in ibid., p. 240.

  “firm and hopeful”: WHS to FAS, August 27, 1864, quoted in ibid., p. 241.

  Welles observed…“an understanding”: Entry for August 19, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 112.

  the sight of a disabled soldier: Benjamin, “Recollections of Secretary Edwin M. Stanton,” Century (1887), p. 761.

  Lincoln invited Raymond…“utter ruination”: JGN to JH, August 25, 1864, in Nicolay, With Lincoln in the White House, p. 152.

  chairing a meeting…mobilize the party: Leonard Swett to his wife, September 8, 1864, quoted in Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II (1900 edn.), pp. 202–03.

  “the turning-point…we are saved”: JGN to JH, August 25, 1864, in Nicolay, With Lincoln in the White House, p. 152.

  Nicolay was relieved…“encouraged and cheered”: JGN memoranda, quoted in Nicolay and Hay, Abraham Lincoln, Vol. IX, p. 221.

  Noting that the members…“for the Union party”: NYT, August 27, 1864.

  “I happen temporarily…an inestimable jewel”: AL, “Speech to One Hundred Sixty-sixth Ohio Regiment,” August 22, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 512.

  “giants in the…of the opposition”: JGN to JH, August 25, 1864, in Nicolay, With Lincoln in the White House, p. 152.

  “we have had nothing…change all this”: Noah Brooks to JGN, August 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  “They have a peace…to rest upon”: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 89.

  “It was noticeable”…virtual silence: Noah Brooks to JGN, August 29, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  “His partisans are united…their own choice”: Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 368.

  “was expected…surrender and abasement”: Entry for September 2, 1864, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 479.

  the platform declared…“cessation of hostilities”: “The Democratic National Platform of 1864 (August 29 1864),” in Encyclopedia of the American Civil War, ed. Heidler and Heidler, p. 2375.

  Strong predicted…“on such terms”: Entry for September 2, 1864, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, p. 480.

  “Atlanta is ours, and fairly won”: William T. Sherman to Henry W. Halleck, September 3, 1864, OR, Ser. 1, Vol. XXXVIII, Part V, p. 777.

  Lincoln to order that one hundred guns: AL, “Order for Celebration of Victories at Atlanta, Georgia, and Mobile, Alabama,” September 3, 1864, in CW, VII, p. 532.

  “Atlanta is ours…are ours now”: NYT, September 5, 1864.

  the departing Confederates…“of military value”: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 774.

  “Glorious news…event of the war”: Entry for September 3, 1864, Diary of George Templeton Strong, Vol. III, pp. 480–81.

  Seward received the news…at his house to celebrate: Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, p. 242.

  the crowd swelled…“effective speeches”: NYT, September 6, 1864.

  the twin victories…“perish and leave no root”: WHS, quoted in Seward, Seward at Washington…1861–1872, pp. 242–44.

  “For a man of not very”…the upcoming campaign: Entry for September 10, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 140.

  “This intelligence will…on a peace platform”: Entry for September 3, 1864, ibid., pp. 135–36.

  Peace Democrats threatened…“their support”: Clement L. Vallandigham to GBM, September 4, 1864, reel 36, McClellan Papers, DLC.

  six drafts…midnight on September 8: Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, p. 588; GBM to MEM, [September 9, 1864], ibid., p. 597.

  He began with a nod…“brethren had been in vain”: GBM to the Democratic Nomination Committee, September 8, 1864, in Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan, pp. 595–96.

&nb
sp; “We are going to win…unite on Mr. Lincoln”: Theodore Tilton to JGN, September 6, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  believed that God…“nearly capsized it”: Leonard Swett to his wife, September 8, 1864, quoted in Tarbell, The Life of Abraham Lincoln, Vol. II (1900 edn.), p. 203.

  “conspiracy against Mr. Lincoln collapsed”: TW to WHS, September 10, [1864], Lincoln Papers.

  “to weaken the President…now support Lincoln”: Entry for September 10, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 140–41.

  Chase stopped en route…“judgment of history?”: Entry for September 13, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 502.

  “Mr. Chase had a long…at the north”: EBL to SPL, September 16, 1864, in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 429.

  Chase accompanied Stanton…with Lincoln: Entry for September 16, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 503–04.

  “I have been…demonstrative”: SPC to KCS, September 17, 1864, reel 35, Chase Papers.

  “wronged and hurt…fidelity to his Administration”: Entry for September 17, 1864, in Inside Lincoln’s Cabinet: The Civil War Diaries of Salmon P. Chase, ed. David Donald (New York: Longmans, Green, 1954), p. 255.

  “conviction that…in securing it”: SPC to KCS, September 17, 1864, reel 35, Chase Papers.

  He traveled…before overflowing crowds: Entries for September 24–November 11, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, pp. 507–10.

  the state elections…previous year: JGN to TB, September 11, 1864, container 3, Nicolay Papers; NYT, September 13, 1864.

  “Three weeks ago…confident of success”: JGN to TB, September 11, 1864, container 3, Nicolay Papers.

  Philip Sheridan…of Early’s army: McPherson, Battle Cry of Freedom, p. 777.

  “shouting of Clerks”…news became known: Entry for September 20, 1864, in Chase Papers, Vol. I, p. 506.

  “This will do much…loving men”: Entry for September 20, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 151.

  Blair was aware…his resignation to Lincoln: MB to Mary Elizabeth Blair, September 23, 1864, quoted in Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, Vol. II, p. 288.

  his father had repeated…“an avowed enemy”: FPB to FB, quoted in EBL to SPL, September 24, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 433.

  Henry Wilson warned Lincoln…“account of the Blairs”: Henry Wilson to AL, September 5, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  Monty Blair detested Stanton…“a thief”: “26 September 1864, Monday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 233.

  “interchanged words for weeks”: Entry for August 11, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 102.

  when the opportunity arose…stayed in the race: William Frank Zornow, Lincoln & the Party Divided (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1954), pp. 144–47.

  Frémont announced his withdrawal: NYT, September 23, 1864.

  “You have generously…connection therewith”: AL to MB, September 23, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 18. For Blair’s resignation letter, see MB to AL, September 23, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  Blair was surprised…“yielded to that”: Entry for September 23, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, pp. 156–57.

  Blair had been…“irritating bickerings”: Addition to entry for September 23, 1864, ibid., p. 158 n1.

  “In parting with Blair…discriminating and correct”: Entry for September 23, 1864, ibid., p. 157.

  “the removal of…befallen the Cabinet”: Entry for September 27, 1864, ibid., p. 161.

  did not consider…straight-speaking colleague: Entry for August 2, 1864, ibid., p. 93.

  “I think Mr. Lincoln…malign influences”: Entry for September 23, 1864, in The Diary of Edward Bates, 1859–1866, p. 413.

  “an unnecessary mortification…best all around”: MB to Mary Elizabeth Blair, September 23, 1864, quoted in Smith, The Francis Preston Blair Family in Politics, Vol. II, p. 288.

  “In my opinion…the reelection of Lincoln”: FPB to FB, quoted in EBL to SPL, September 24, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 433.

  “somewhat mortifying…a penny to make”: FB to FPB, September 30, 1864, Lincoln Papers.

  hearing the noble…“fine manly bearing”: EBL to SPL, September 24, [1864], in Wartime Washington, ed. Laas, p. 434.

  Monty insisted…“father to the President”: MB, quoted in Chicago Tribune, October 1, 1864.

  “very handsomely and is doing his utmost”: “26 September 1864, Monday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 233.

  “a grand central rallying point”: “11 October 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 240.

  Lincoln made his…chief of the telegraph office: Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 276–77; Charles A. Dana, “Lincoln and the War Department,” Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice, p. 278.

  Lincoln took from his pocket…“a new passage”: Dana, “Lincoln and the War Department,” in Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice (1909 edn.), p. 278. “Petroleum Vesuvius Nasby” was the pseudonym of David Ross Locke.

  “immensely amusing”: “11 October 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 239.

  “I shall never forget…such frivolous jests”: Dana, “Lincoln and the War Department,” in Reminiscences of Abraham Lincoln, ed. Rice (1909 edn.), pp. 278–79. Dana’s recollection is that this episode occurred while Lincoln was waiting for the results of the November presidential election. Other sources, however, suggest that it probably occurred while a larger crowd waited in the telegraph office for results of the state elections in October. Given that Stanton was ill and remained at home during November elections, Dana has probably confused the two dates.

  the news from Ohio…Republican majority: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 335.

  In Indiana…congressional seats: AL to USG, October 12, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 45.

  Lincoln sent a telegram…“does it stand now?”: AL to Simon Cameron, October 11, 1864, in ibid., p. 43.

  No answer was received…“ominous”: “11 October 1864, Tuesday,” in Hay, Inside Lincoln’s White House, p. 240.

  the margin was so close…claim a slight margin: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 336.

  “Seward was quite exultant…has ever known”: Entry for October 13, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 176.

  Two nights after…117 to 114: Bates, Lincoln in the Telegraph Office, pp. 277–79, 282.

  “the moral effect…greatly impaired”: McClure, Abraham Lincoln and Men of War-Times, p. 202.

  voters in Maryland…making the difference: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 354.

  “Most heartily…upon the event”: AL, “Response to a Serenade,” October 19, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 52.

  “I had rather have…cleaned up effectually”: AL, quoted in Brooks, Lincoln Observed, p. 138.

  “We are as certain…the sun shines”: New York World, October 14, 1864.

  “a quarter-million”…deposit in their hometowns: William C. Davis, Lincoln’s Men: How President Lincoln became Father to an Army and a Nation (New York: Free Press, 1999), pp. 214 (quote), 211.

  had wired General Sherman…“no sense, an order”: AL to William T. Sherman, September 19, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 11.

  Stanton followed up…“re-election of Mr. Lincoln”: Dana, Recollections of the Civil War (1963 edn.), p. 227.

  Weed alerted…New Yorkers ready to vote: TW to FWS, October 10, 1864, reel 85, Seward Papers.

  Lincoln asked Welles…“to gather votes”: Entry for October 11, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 175.

  “I would rather be…elected without it”: Ida M. Tarbell, A Reporter for Lincoln: Story of Henry E. Wing, Soldier and Newspaperman (New York: The Macmillan Company, 1927), p. 70.

  “before this morning’s…ceaseless strife”: NYT, November 8, 1864.

  “dark and rainy…entirely alone”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 195.

  the tenth time…beginning of the country: WHS, “Perseverance in War. Auburn, November 7, 1864,” in Works of William H. Seward, Vol. V, p. 505
.

  Fessenden was in New York…with a fever: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 195; Brooks, Mr. Lincoln’s Washington, p. 385.

  “I am just enough…ofTad’s quick-wittedness”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 196.

  As the clock struck…a supper of fried oysters: “8 November 1864, Tuesday” in Inside Lincoln’s White House, pp. 243–46.

  Lincoln’s victory was assured…separated by about 400,000 votes: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 354.

  the results were far better…of U.S. senators: Zornow, Lincoln & the Party Divided, p. 198.

  It was after 2 a.m…. “tops of their voices”: Pratt, Stanton, p. 391.

  “the verdict of the people…no dispute”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 197.

  the soldier vote…seven out of every ten soldiers: Waugh, Reelecting Lincoln, p. 354.

  the Confederacy was obviously…Napoleon would win: Davis, Lincoln’s Men, p. 210.

  “The men had come…the term implied”: Corporal Leander Stillwell, quoted in ibid., p. 226.

  CHAPTER 25: “A SACRED EFFORT”

  immense crowd…second-floor window: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 200.

  “undesirable strife…a possibility”: AL, “Response to a Serenade,” November 10, 1864, in CW, VIII, p. 101.

  “in an exceedingly…frame of mind”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, p. 200.

  “we will all come…United States”: WHS, “The Assurance of Victory,” November 10, 1864, Works of William H. Seward, Vol. V, pp. 513–14.

  “I advise you…my foreign relations”: Brooks, Washington, D.C., in Lincoln’s Time, pp. 200–01.

  symbolized the animosity…the cabinet: William C. Harris, Lincoln’s Last Months (Cambridge, Mass., and London: Belknap Press of Harvard University Press, 2004), p. 83.

  Welles even acknowledged…“amicable”: Entry for November 26, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 185.

  Stanton was sounding…Reconstruction: Entry for November 25, 1864, ibid., p. 179.

  asserted that Seward…had outlived: NYT, November 29, 1864.

  “His confidence in Seward is great”: Entry for September 27, 1864, Welles diary, Vol. II, p. 160.

  “spends more or less…the President”: Entry for October 1, 1864, ibid., p. 166.