Lincoln; An Account of his Personal Life, Especially of its Springs of Action as Revealed and Deepened by the Ordeal of War   By: Nathaniel W. Stephenson (1867-1935)

An Account of His Personal Life, Especially of Its Springs of Action as Revealed and Deepened by the Ordeal of War

By Nathaniel Wright Stephenson

Authority for all important statements of facts in the following pages may be found in the notes; the condensed references are expanded in the bibliography. A few controversial matters are discussed in the notes.

I am very grateful to Mr. William Roscoe Thayer for enabling me to use the manuscript diary of John Hay. Miss Helen Nicolay has graciously confirmed some of the implications of the official biography. Lincoln's only surviving secretary, Colonel W. O. Stoddard, has given considerate aid. The curious incident of Lincoln as counsel in an action to recover slaves was mentioned to me by Professor Henry Johnson, through whose good offices it was confirmed and amplified by Judge John H. Marshall. Mr. Henry W. Raymond has been very tolerant of a stranger's inquiries with regard to his distinguished father. A futile attempt to discover documentary remains of the Republican National Committee of 1864 has made it possible, through the courtesy of Mr. Clarence B. Miller, at least to assert that there is nothing of importance in possession of the present Committee. A search for new light on Chandler drew forth generous assistance from Professor Ulrich B. Phillips, Mr. Floyd B. Streeter and Mr. G. B. Krum. The latter caused to be examined, for this particular purpose, the Blair manuscripts in the Burton Historical Collection. Much illumination arose out of a systematic resurvey of the Congressional Globe, for the war period, in which I had the stimulating companionship of Professor John L. Hill, reinforced by many conversations with Professor Dixon Ryan Fox and Professor David Saville Muzzey. At the heart of the matter is the resolute criticism of Mrs. Stephenson and of a long enduring friend, President Harrison Randolph. The temper of the historical fraternity is such that any worker in any field is always under a host of incidental obligations. There is especial propriety in my acknowledging the kindness of Professor Albert Bushnell Hart, Professor James A. Woodburn, Professor Herman V. Ames, Professor St. George L. Sioussat and Professor Allen Johnson.

CONTENTS

FOUNDATIONS I THE CHILD OF THE FOREST II THE MYSTERIOUS YOUTH III A VILLAGE LEADER IV REVELATIONS V PROSPERITY VI UNSATISFYING RECOGNITION

PROMISES VII THE SECOND START VIII A RETURN TO POLITICS IX THE LITERARY STATESMAN X THE DARK HORSE XI SECESSION XII THE CRISIS XIII ECLIPSE

CONFUSIONS XIV THE STRANGE NEW MAN XV PRESIDENT AND PREMIER XVI "ON TO RICHMOND!" XVII DEFINING THE ISSUE XVIII THE JACOBIN CLUB XIX THE JACOBINS BECOME INQUISITORS XX IS CONGRESS THE PRESIDENT'S MASTER? XXI THE STRUGGLE TO CONTROL THE ARMY XXII LINCOLN EMERGES

AUDACITIES XXIII THE MYSTICAL STATESMAN XXIV GAMBLING IN GENERALS XXV A WAR BEHIND THE SCENES XXVI THE DICTATOR, THE MARPLOT, AND THE LITTLE MEN XXVII THE TRIBUNE OF THE PEOPLE XXVIII APPARENT ASCENDENCY XXIX CATASTROPHE XXX THE PRESIDENT VERSUS THE VINDICTIVES

VICTORY XXXI A MENACING PAUSE XXXII THE AUGUST CONSPIRACY XXXIII THE RALLY TO THE PRESIDENT XXXIV "FATHER ABRAHAM" XXXV THE MASTER OF THE MOMENT XXXVI PREPARING A DIFFERENT WAR XXXVII FATE INTERPOSES

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NOTES

ACKNOWLEDGMENT