John A. Dix (1798-1879) In August 1861, Dix took charge of the Baltimore District and visited President Lincoln for instructions. The meeting was held at Secretary of State William H. Seward’s house. According to aide William O. Stoddard: “The conference was…” Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Chevalier Henry Wikoff (1813-1884) Chevalier Henry Wikoff was a cosmopolitan, globe-trotting rogue, professional gossip and amateur undercover reporter for the New York Herald. Wikoff arrived from Europe during the Buchanan administration and befriended Congressman… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Matthew Simpson (1811-1884) Matthew Simpson was a Methodist Bishop of Philadelphia who gave many lectures and sermons around the country during the Civil War. He was a supporter of the Union, emancipation and President Lincoln. The Lincoln Administration placed particular importance on… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Fourth Presbyterian Church Fourth Presbysterian Church was the preferred church of President Lincoln’s two youngest sons. According to Julia Taft, “The President and Mrs. Lincoln attended the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, but it was not long before Willie and Tad formed the habit of going with…” Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Second Inaugural Mr. Lincoln’s Second Inauguration on March 4, 1865 was drizzling at first, but a burst of sun during his oath of office was interpreted by Mr. Lincoln as a good omen. Lincoln aide John Nicolay later wrote in a letter to his fiancée: “The ceremonies passed off yesterday in as…” Abraham Lincoln’s White […]

Telegraph Office In March 1862 Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton insisted in centralizing all telegraph communication for the war at the War Department’s old library next to his office. The President therefore had to go to the… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Mrs. Lincoln’s Bedroom Mrs. Lincoln’s bedroom was the scene of both happy and intensely sad events, many of which were recorded by Elizabeth Keckley, who was hired as Mrs. Lincoln’s dressmaker after she had interviewed several others. Mrs. Keckley remembered… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Last Public Address Mr. Lincoln delivered few formal speeches as President. Besides the occasional “serenade” after a political or military victory or remarks to a visiting group, almost none were actually made at the White House. A notable exception occurred on… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

Reception Room All manner of Americans occupied the reception room while they waited to see the President. One day when the reception room was crowded with folks waiting to see Mr. Lincoln, Senator Henry Wilson protested: “Mr. President, you are too…” Abraham Lincoln’s White House >

John Sherman (1823-1900) John Sherman took an active interest in military mobilization at the beginning of the Civil War – even serving as a military aide to General Robert Patterson and personally raising two regiments in Ohio. Sherman and his brother William T. Sherman had a… Abraham Lincoln’s White House >