Mr. Lincoln and New Yorkers House Speaker Galusha Grow visited President Lincoln in the White House one night. Seeing the initials W and W on one of the pigeonholes on President Lincoln’s desk, Grow said: “Pardon my curiosity, but I cannot help wondering what W. And W. Stands for.” Smiling, President Lincoln said, “W and […]

The Funeral Train The grieving in New York City for President Lincoln began immediately on the day of his death, April 15, 1865. Crepe sprung from windows all across the city. Citizens gathered on Wall and Broad Streets in downtown. There was… Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Mrs. Lincoln’s Shopping Mary Todd Lincoln’s shopping trip to New York City in December 1860 was her second visit to the city. It was “her first excursion as a public figure with her own entourage,” wrote biographer Jennifer Fleischner. “The to-do made over Mary Lincoln by solicitous merchants, who were…” Abraham Lincoln and New York […]

Visit to West Point President Lincoln briefly visited New York in late June 1862 when he visited General Winfield Scott at West Point to discuss the military strategy of General George B. McClellan. “The president sought his counsel on the important question of whether to risk weakening…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

New York City, February 19-20, 1861 The New York Herald editorialized before President-elect Lincoln’s arrival in New York City: “What will Mr. Lincoln do when he arrives? What will he say to the citizens of this great metropolis? Will he kiss our girls, and give a twirl to the whiskers which he has…” Abraham Lincoln […]

Albany to New York City, February 19, 1861 At Troy, President-elect Lincoln said: “I am here to thank you for this noble demonstration of the citizens of Troy, and I accept this flattering reception with feelings of profound gratefulness. Since having left home, I confess, sir, having seen…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Albany, February 18, 1861 Journalist Villard wrote: “At last the soldiers arrived and clubbed muskets soon cleared a way to the carriages and made a space upon the platform large enough to stand upon. Then Mr. Lincoln, who had passed all this time in the…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Buffalo to Albany, February 18, 1861 Along the eight and a half hour route from Buffalo to Albany on February 18, the Lincoln train stopped briefly at Batavia, Rochester, Clyde, Syracuse, Utica, Little Falls, Fonda and Schenectady. The early departure was intended to avoid… Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Buffalo, February 16, 1861 Henry Villard complained: “The reception in this place was the most ill conducted affair witnessed since the departure from Springfield. A thick crowd had been allowed to await the arrival of the train in the depot so that but a narrow passage could be…” Abraham Lincoln and New York >

Dunkirk and Westfield, February 16, 1861 After turning north from Pennsylvania into New York, the President’s party made a stop at Dunkirk, where, according to John Hay: “at the conclusion of a brief speech, Mr. Lincoln, placing his hand upon a flag staff from which the stars and stripes waved, said…” Abraham Lincoln and New […]