edition was included in the Preface. Since then there have appeared, among the more formal biographies, the comprehensive and authoritative work by Nicolay and Hay, the subsequent work by Miss Ida Tarbell, and that by Herndon and Weik, besides many more or less fragmentary publications. Some additions, but not many, have been made to the present edition from these sources. The recently-published Diary of Gideon Welles, one of the most xi valuable commentaries on the Civil War period now available, has provided some material of exceptional interest concerning Lincoln's relations with the members of his Cabinet. In rewriting the present work, it has been compressed into about two-thirds of its former compass, to render it more popular both in form and in price, and to give it in some places a greater measure of coherency and continuity as an outline narrative of the Civil War. But its chief appeal to the interest of its readers will remain substantially what it was in the beginning, as set forth in its title, "The Every-day Life of Abraham Lincoln, by Those Who Knew Him." F.F.B. SANTA BARBARA, CAL., April, 1913. xiii PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION This book aims to give a view, clearer and more complete than has been given before, of the personality of Abraham Lincoln. A life so full of incident and a character so many-sided as his can be understood only with the lapse of time. A sense of the exhaustless interest of that life and character, and the inadequacy of the ordinarily constructed biography to portray his many-sidedness, suggested the preparation of a work upon the novel plan here represented. Begun several years ago, the undertaking proved of such magnitude that its completion has been delayed beyond the anticipated time. The extensive correspondence, the exploration of available sources of information in the books, pamphlets, magazines, and newspapers of a quarter of a century, and in the scraps and papers of historical collections, became an almost interminable task. The examination and sifting of this mass of material, its verification amidst often conflicting testimony, and its final molding into shape, involved time and labor that can be estimated only by those who have had similar experience. To the many who have kindly furnished original contributions, to others who have aided the work by valuable suggestions and information, to earlier biographies of Lincoln--those of Raymond, Holland, Barrett, Lamon, Carpenter, and (the best and latest of all) that of Hon. I.N. Arnold--hearty acknowledgment is made. Much that was offered could not be used. In the choice of material, from whatever source, the purpose has been to avoid mere opinions and eulogies of Lincoln and to give xivabundantly those actual experiences, incidents, anecdotes, and reminiscences which reveal the phases of his unique and striking personality. It scarcely need be pointed out that this work does not attempt to give a connected history of the Civil War, but only to sketch briefly those episodes with which Lincoln is personally identified and of which some knowledge is essential to an understanding of his acts and character. Others are brought into prominence only as they are associated with the chief actor in the great drama. Many of them are disappearing,--fading into the smoky and lurid background. But that colossal central figure, playing one of the grandest 3 roles ever set upon the stage of human life, becomes more impressive as the scenes recede. F.F.B. CHICAGO, October, 1886. xv CONTENTS CHAPTER I Ancestry--The Lincolns in Kentucky--Death of Lincoln's Grandfather--Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks--Mordecai Lincoln-- Birth of Abraham Lincoln--Removal to Indiana--Early Years--Dennis Hanks--Lincoln's Boyhood--Death of Nancy Hanks-- Early School Days--Lincoln's First Dollar--Presentiments of Future Greatness--Down the Mississippi--Removal to Illinois--Lincoln's Father--Lincoln the Storekeeper--First Official Act--Lincoln's Short Sketch of His Own Life CHAPTER II A Turn in Affairs--The Black Hawk War--A Remarkable Military Manoeuvre--Lincoln Protects an Indian--Lincoln and Stu-art--Lincoln's Military Record--Nominated for the Legislature--Lincoln a Merchant--Postmaster at New Salem--Lincoln Studies Law--Elected to the Legislature--Personal Characteristics--Lincoln's Love for Anne Rutledge--Close of Lincoln's Youth CHAPTER III Lincoln's Beginning as a Lawyer--His Early Taste for Politics--Lincoln and the Lightning-Rod Man--Not an Aristocrat--Reply to Dr. Early--A Manly Letter--Again in the Illinois Legislature--The "Long Nine"--Lincoln on His Way to the Capital--His Ambition in 1836--First Meeting with Douglas--Removal of the Illinois Capital--One of Lincoln's Early Speeches--Pro-Slavery Sentiment in Illinois--Lincoln's Opposition to Slavery--Contest with General Ewing--Lincoln Lays out a Town--The Title "Hon-est Abe" CHAPTER IV Lincoln's Removal to Springfield--A Lawyer without Clients or Money--Early Discouragements--Proposes to become a Carpenter--"Stuart & Lincoln, Attorneys at Law"--"Riding the Circuit"--Incidents of a Trip Round the Circuit--Pen Pictures of Lincoln--Humane Traits--Kindness to Animals--Defending Fugitive Slaves--Incidents in Lincoln's Life as a Lawyer--His Fondness for Jokes and Stories xvi CHAPTER V Lincoln in the Legislature--Eight Consecutive Years of Service--His Influence in the House--Leader of the Whig Party in Illinois--Takes a Hand in National Politics--Presidential Election in 1840--A "Log Cabin" Reminiscence--Some Memorable Political Encounters--A Tilt with Douglas--Lincoln Facing a Mob--His Physical Courage--Lincoln as Duellist--The Affair with General Shields--An Eye-Witness' Account of the Duel--Courtship and Marriage CHAPTER VI Lincoln in National Politics--His Congressional Aspirations--Law-Partnership of Lincoln and Herndon--The Presidential Campaign of 1844--Visit to Henry Clay--Lincoln Elected to Congress--Congressional Reputation--Acquaintance with Distinguished Men--First Speech in Congress--"Getting the Hang" of the House--Lincoln's Course on the Mexican War--Notable Speech in Congress--Ridicule of General Cass--Bill for the Abolition of Slavery--Delegate to the Whig National Convention of 1848-- Stumping the Country for Taylor--Advice to Young Politicians--"Old Abe"--A Political Disappointment--Lincoln's Appearance as an Officer Seeker in Washington--"A Divinity that Shapes Our Ends" 4 CHAPTER VII Lincoln again in Springfield--Back to the Circuit--His Personal Manners and Appearance--Glimpses of Home-Life--His Fam-ily--His Absent-Mindedness--A Painful Subject--Lincoln a Man of Sorrows--Familiar Appearance on the Streets of Springfield--Scenes in the Law-Office--Forebodings of a "Great of Miserable End"--An Evening Whit Lincoln in Chicago--Lincoln's Tenderness to His Relatives--Death of His Father--A Sensible Adviser--Care of His Step-Mother--Tribute From Her CHAPTER VIII Lincoln as a Lawyer--His Appearance in Court--Reminiscences of a Law-Student in Lincoln's Office--An "Office Copy" of Byron--Novel Way of Keeping Partnership Accounts--Charges for Legal Services--Trial of Bill Armstrong--Lincoln before a Jury--Kindness toward Unfortunate Clients--Refusing to Defend Guilty Men--Courtroom Anecdotes--Anecdotes of Lincoln at the Bar--Some Striking Opinions of Lincoln as a Lawyer xvii CHAPTER IX Lincoln and Slavery--The Issue Becoming More Sharply Defined--Resistance to the Spread of Slavery--Views Expressed by Lincoln in 1850--His Mind Made Up--Lincoln as a Party Leader--The Kansas Struggle--Crossing Swords with Douglas--A Notable Speech by Lincoln--Advice to Kansas Belligerents--Honor in Politics--Anecdote of Lincoln and Yates--Contest for the U.S. Sen-ate in 1855--Lincoln's Defeat--Sketched by Members of the Legislature CHAPTER X Birth of the Republican Party--Lincoln One of Its Fathers--Takes His Stand with the Abolitionists--The Bloomington Convention--Lincoln's Great Anti-Slavery Speech--A Ratification Meeting of Three--The First National Republican Convention--Lincoln's Name Presented for the Vice-Presidency--Nomination of Fremont and Dayton--Lincoln in the Campaign of 1856--His Appearance and Influence on the Stump--Regarded as a Dangerous Man--His Views on the Politics of the Future--First Visit to Cincinnati--Meeting with Edwin M. Stanton--Stanton's First Impressions of Lincoln--Regards Him as a "Giraffe"--A Visit to Cincinnati CHAPTER XI The Great Lincoln-Douglas Debate--Rivals for the U.S. Senate--Lincoln's "House-Divided-against-Itself " Speech--An Inspired Oration--Alarming His Friends--Challenges Douglas to a Joint Discussion--The Champions Contrasted--Their Opinions of Each Other--Lincoln and Douglas on the Stump--Slavery the Leading Issue--Scenes and Anecdotes of the Great Debate--Pen-Picture of Lincoln on the Stump--Humors of the Campaign--Some Sharp Rejoinders--Words of Soberness--Close of the Conflict CHAPTER XII A Year of Waiting and Trial--Again Defeated for the Senate--Depression and Neglect--Lincoln Enlarging His Boundaries--On the Stump in Ohio--A Speech to Kentuckians--Second Visit to Cincinnati--A Short Trip to Kansas--Lincoln in New York City-- The Famous Cooper Institute Speech--A Strong and Favorable Impression--Visits New England--Secret of Lincoln's Success as an Orator--Back to Springfield--Disposing of a Campaign Slander--Lincoln's Account of His Visit to a Five Points Sunday School xviii CHAPTER XIII Looking towards the Presidency--The Illinois Republican Convention of 1860--A "Send-Off " for Lincoln--The National Repub- 5 lican Convention at Chicago--Contract of the Leading Candidates--Lincoln Nominated--Scenes at the Convention--Sketches by Eye-Witnesses--Lincoln Hearing the News--The Scene at Springfield--A Visit to Lincoln at His Home--Recollections of a Distinguished Sculptor--Receiving the Committee of the Convention--Nomination of Douglas--Campaign of 1860--Various Campaign Reminiscences--Lincoln and
