Lincoln and the Wartime Press:

Abraham Lincoln

George B. McClellan

Abraham Lincoln and General George B. McClellan, "Little Mac", had multiple disagreements throughout the war. McClellan saw Lincoln has a meddling amateur who's only real military experience, in Lincoln's own word was “a good many bloody struggles with the mosquitoes” in the Black Hawk war. [4] At first Lincoln had the utmost confidence in McClellan had promoted him to General-in-Chief while still commanding the Army of the Potomac. As time passed Lincoln became more pragmatic about the General’s abilities. This relationship between the two can be seen in three historical snapshots -

• The issuance of General War Order No. 1
• The conclusion of the Peninsula Campaign
• Lee’s ‘escape’ after the Battle of Antietam

Joseph Hooker

Abraham Lincoln

• General Joseph Hooker,also known as 'Fighting Joe', was appointed to command the Army of the Potomac after General Ambrose showed his incompetence in commanding the Army of the Potomac at the Battle of Fredericksburg. Joseph Hooker had a reputation for aggressive fighting and hard drinking at camp. Lincoln hoped Hooker would be the general that would take and keep the initiative and conquer the Confederacy. The relationship between the two can be seen in two snapshots.

• Promotion of General Hooker to command of the Army of the Potomac
• General Hooker relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac

Lincoln and the Press

Abraham Lincoln’s relationships with his generals and his role as Commander-in-chief was both private and public. Lincoln privately wrote numerous letters to each of his generals, praising, prodding, or reprimanding them depending on the situation. The press examined and commented on his decisions and events surrounding the war in detail. After the debacle at Fredericksburg by General Ambrose Burnside The National Intelligencer wrote,

"Those who appointed him [Burnside] must bear the responsibility of the mistake they have made, whether that mistake be found in his appointment or in his removal". [1]

Lincoln did keep abreast of the writings in the press and was known to keep articles; the day Lincoln was killed he had clippings in his pocket, some favorable to the President. Some of the editors of the papers were pro-Lincoln Republicans, while others were Democrats that were overly critical of the President. According to Burlingame, Lincoln was “thin-skinned” and rarely read newspapers. [2] In contrast, Francis B. Carpenter argued that “violent criticism, attacks, and denunciations, coming either from radicals or conservatives, rarely ruffled the President, if they reached his ears”. [3] Regardless of which opinion is true, Lincoln’s contemporaries in the media are an important source to examine during pivotal points in Lincoln’s time as Commander-in-Chief.

General War Order No. 1 - January 27, 1862

Abraham Lincoln first brought McClellan to Washington so he could train and organize the Army of the Potomac. With the retirement of Winfield Scott, McClellan assumed the dual role of General-in-Chief and General of the Army of the Potomac. After this initial training time, Lincoln, his Cabinet, the press, and even Congress members became impatient with McClellan's lack of progress in attacking the Confederate forces in Manassas southwest of Washington. Lincoln issued an unprecedented order that commanded all of the armies to attack in a coordinated effort on February 22nd, 1861.

Lincoln to McClellan October 13, 1862

Post-Antietam - October 1862

Post - Peninsula Campaign - July, 1862

General Lee invaded Maryland after his victory at the 2nd Battle of Bull Run. He hoped to supply his troops by foraging and force the Army of the Potomac to attack. He hoped by drawing the army out of the defensive works at Washington he could defeat it on Northern soil which could end the war. Fortunately for McClellan, Lee’s Special Orders No. 191 were discovered and McClellan had “the plans of the Rebels and will catch them in their own trap…” [5]. McClellan did seize the initiative four days later but Stephen Sears writes “every decision he made that September 17 was dominated by his fear of counterattack by phantom Confederate battalions”. [7] The Battle of Antietam was a ‘victory’ for the Union, but Lee escaped across the Potomac with his full baggage train, to the great consternation of Lincoln. Lincoln would express his displeasure with McClellan in a letter on October 13th, 1862.

Animated map of the Battle of Antietam

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam/maps/antietam-animated-map.html

Hooker is relieved of command of the Army of the Potomac

The Appointment of General Hooker to command of the Army of the Potomac

At Chancellorsville Lee used a smaller force to "outgeneral" Joseph Hooker. Lincoln, among others, started to lose confidence in his general. [9] This however did not stop Lincoln from sending Hooker a telegram stating, “What next? If possible I would be very glad of another movement early enough to give us some benefit from the fact of the enemies communications being broken”. [10] Lincoln had dealt with defeats before and wanted Hooker to reinvigorate himself and the Army of the Potomac in another movement against the Southern Armies. According to the Cleveland Morning Leader in a story printed on June 1st 1863 -

“The President’s answer to the frank address was equally frank: ‘I am satisfied with your [Joseph Hooker] conduct. I tried McClellan twenty time; and I see no reason why I can’t try you at least twice.’ It is on authority of one of the two men who must know better than any living about it, that I say that before the next movement begins General Hooker is to have command… of all the forces in Virginia”. [11]

General Hooker was still the General of the Army of Potomac with the support of the Lincoln. This support would be taken away for two reasons: General Hooker began to exhibit signs of apprehension in taking the fight to Lee again and he had a different plan than Lincoln and General-in-Chief Henry Halleck, whose antagonistic relationship with Hooker worsened after Lee's invasion of the North. After Lee's invasion in late June of 1863, Lincoln sent a telegram to Hooker on June 10th.

“I think Lee's Army, and not Richmond, is your true objective point. If he comes towards the Upper Potomac, follow on his flank, and on the inside track, shortening your lines, whilst he lengthens his”. [12]

Joseph Hooker was relieved of command in late June after tendering his resignation over a disagreement with Halleck about taking troops from Harper’s Ferry.

Click for a short video on Chancellorsville

http://www.civilwar.org/video/battle-of-chancellorsville-overview.html

McClellan’s original plan of landing at Urbana was foiled by General Joseph E. Johnston, the lead commander of Confederate forces. Johnston’s withdrawal of his forces from Manassas to behind the Rappahannock River forced McClellan to land and embark his ground forces at Fort Monroe, his last choice. [5] McClellan slowly advanced up the Peninsula, believing he faced an entrenched force equal or larger than his own. After a vicious attack by the Confederates at the Battle of Seven Pines, McClellan lost his initiative and failed to advance for a month. During the battle, Johnston was wounded and eventually Jefferson Davis, the President of the Confederacy promoted his military adviser, General Robert E. Lee to Commander of the Army of Virginia. General Lee took the lull in fighting to reinforce Richmond and counterattack McClellan in late June which was called the Seven Days Battle. McClellan eventually retreated to Harrison’s Landing where he wrote a few scathing letters such as the one to Edwin M. Stanton the Secretary of War.

“After commencing the present campaign your concurrence in the withholding of a large portion of my force, so essential to the success of my plans, led me to believe that your mind was warped by a bitter personal prejudice against me”. [6]

Furious, McClellan took it personally that McDowell’s troops, which he claimed to be integral to his success, were stationed protecting Washington in case the Confederates turned north. McClellan thought he faced 200,000 Confederates, not the 85,000 he actually faced, and cautiously planned his defensive tactics based on that information.

General Joseph Hooker was promoted to commander of the Army of the Potomac after the disaster at Fredericksburg. General Hooker was known for his outspoken criticism of his General Burnsides, especially after the defeat at Fredericksburg. Lincoln sent a letter to General Hooker which stated the reasons for promoting him, but it also mentioned the reservations Lincoln had as well.

Animated Battle of Fredericksburg

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/fredericksburg/maps/fredericksburg-animated-map/

Close Reading - General War Orders #1

Lincoln to General Hooker June 10, 1863

The Appointment of Robert Lincoln to General Grant's Staff

On January 19th, Lincoln wrote a letter asking General Ulysses Grant to allow Robert Lincoln to join his “military family”. [13] Robert Lincoln had finished his studies at Harvard and wanted to enlist. Lincoln wanted to balance the concerns of his wife, who feared losing another son, his son’s wishes to enlist, and the invariably bad press from Robert not enlisting.Grant wrote Lincoln back two days later suggesting that Robert join his staff as a captain.

Close Reading - Lincoln to McClellan October 13th, 1862

By Susan Segal

Green Mountain Freeman, March 13th, 1862

Chicago Tribune February 1st, 1862

Close Reading - Lincoln to Hooker, January 26, 1863

By Dr. Matthew Pinsker

The Goodhue Volunteer (Minn) November 19, 1862

The Goodhue Volunteer (Minn) September 17, 1862

"General Halleck and the Department of the Mississippi were prepared in advance of the time named, and before the date “moved on the enemy’s works” and gained victories that will illustrate our history… But the execution of this order seems to have been delayed along the Potomac in front of Washington two or three weeks later than the time fixed by the President. The reason of this exceptional delay does not appear, though the consequences of it is quite apparent in the immediate escape of the entire rebel army...to form another base of operations and prolong the war."

"There has been a wonderful change in the public mind here within a few days as to where the responsible head of the army is to be found. A new set of ideas has grown up and it is now boldly asserted that Gen. McClellan’s superiors have a right to know something about army movements and to put in a word here and there."

"When the rebel army was allowed to cross the Potomac after the battle of Antietam… the whole country became amazed and disgusted at what was so plainly a lack of energy and good military management."

"The reports by telegraph last night are, that in a general engagement McClellan has whipped and completely routed Stonewall Jackson and Longstreet; that the enemy’s loss is 15,000 men, and they are retreating in great confusion - that McClellan was crowding their rear, and in all probability would annihilate the army."

The Memphis Daily Appeal July 16, 1862

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper November 15, 1862

Civil War Harper's Weekly

July 19, 1862

Chicago Tribune January 30, 1863

The National Intelligencer

January 21, 1863

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Paper July 18, 1863

Cleveland Morning Leader July 2, 1863

The Daily Green Mountain Freeman July 3, 1863

The Green Mountain Freeman September 26, 1862

"General Hooker deserves the reputation which he enjoys, of being a most excellent fighting General - brave to rashness, gallant and expert in handling troops upon the field of battle. Whether he has military capacity for a great command, like that of the Army of the Potomac is yet to be tested. He should have loyal support of the country and the army."

Close Reading - Lincoln to Grant, January 19th, 1865

By Dr. Matthew Pinsker

"We have all along regretted that Gen. Hooker had not been immediately called to fill the place vacated by Gen. McClellan, we have had to say of Gen. Burnside’s fitness for the head of the army no more than the estimate which he has made of himself in his own testimony. With the jealousies of officers, and the divided responsibilities of campaign, we shall be lucky if the war gives us another general who unites so much military capacity with so much moral heroism."

“General Meade has been assigned to command the army of the Potomac in place of General Hooker, relieved at his own request. The quarrel is said to date back to the battle of Chancellorsville…”

"Military gossips say that the substitution of Meade for Hooker was occasioned by a misunderstanding between Gens. Halleck and Hooker, the latter of whom ordered Gen. French to withdraw his forces from Harper’s Ferry, and join the main army under him. Halleck hearing of this order, telegraphed to French that he was to take no notice of what Hooker told him. This unseemly dispute was cut short by Gen. Hooker tendering his resignation, which Mr. Lincoln accepted."

"On the whole, then, we have gained more than we have lost, and the rebels have lost more than they have gained, by the series of battles ending on 1st July. And now, if McClellan is promptly reinforced…. we shall soon see how absurd and wretched it was to talk of McClellan's movement as a reverse. Never was there a moment when it was more opportune to renew the cry, On to Richmond!"

Daily Intelligencer September 24, 1862

The Emporia News (Kansas) October 18, 1862

"On the other hand, there are well-founded apprehensions that the unaccountable and criminal delay in the movement of our army will enable the rebel Generals to combine their forces, as they did while McClellan wasted away the summer in the swamps before Richmond, and then make an attack in 'superior numbers'."

"We complain of our Generals, of their inefficiency, and incapacity, and in some cases no doubt, with much reason, but still the fact remains that more men are needed, -- all the more needed if our chieftains are not the generals we wish they were.. At Antietam...we had not enough men to follow up vigorously the advantages gained…"

“I have hear other reasons about town… that Hooker had allowed Lee to outgeneral him; that Hooker’s rashness would endanger Washington; but I believe…It was simply whether Gen. Hooker or General Halleck should fight the battle. After Longstreet and Ewell had left Fredericksburg, Hooker was about to cross the Rappahannock and attack A.P. Hill, believing that he could annihilate him, and then be in front of Washington before Longstreet could march thro the Shenandoah.”

"It is known here beyond controversy, that the circuitous and protracted route of approach to Richmond via Yorktown was wholly Gen. McClellan’s own. It was disapproved by at least four of ablest generals of division - by the majority of military men - by the Secretary of War, and by most of the Cabinet. But he was sustained by the President, who insisted that he should have his way, and a chance for a fair trial. Now that he has failed, it is attempt to throw all the responsibility upon the failure of the government to reinforce him… Who consumed the nine weeks of precious time and the thousands of yet more precious lives in getting the army of the Union in sight of the rebel stronghold? Who caused the long delay that enabled the rebels to concentrate three armies at their seat of power, thus far outnumbering any force that we had there to oppose them."

"After the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg, and Malvern Hills… General McClellan failed each time to follow up and annihilate the enemy. The same policy was pursued by McClellan at the battle of Antietam. "

"Reconnaissance was sent and made the discovery that path to the rebel rear was unobstructed. But we have no information that any advantage was taken of this discover, or that any force was started over the route disclosed. Gen. McClellan has it in his power, however to inflict upon the rebels a very serious injury, if he is in condition to follow them rapidly, and if engagements with their rear guard to delay him too long.

But he [McClellan] did his duty in defeating them; the responsibility of cutting of their retreat rested with others."

Dayton Daily Empire

March 17th, 1865

"Metrical Version"

Dayton Daily Empire February 7th, 1865

“Robert Lincoln, son of the President, it is said, intends entering the army soon as aid on the staff of General Grant - Ex.

Yes: He will probably do so when peace is concluded, and the last battle fought."

And so he went

On fame intent

The son of our great President

Men far and near

Felt sure they'd hear

Brave news from the young chevalier!

And news soon came

of Robert's fame,

Worthy the race of which he came

To wit: that he

on bended knee

Had made this piteous prayer and plea?

"To fight I can't.

Dear General Grant! -

Pray let me go and see my Aunt!"

"Robert T.

Lincoln, he

An aid to Grant did get to be

He soon was drest

In soldiers best -

And loftily he bore his crest!

His straps were on,

His buttons shone

His sword too bright to gaze upon

Men marked his tread

Then asked with dread -

"Who'll number Captain Lincoln's dead?"

But non could say,

What Losts some day

Might fall before them in a fray!

Citations

YouTube Videos

Lincoln Letter to McClellan (October 13, 1862), Susan Segal https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2f_mmebUxx8zdLLqm9YJLQ

Letter to Joseph Hooker (January 26, 1863), Matthew Pinsker http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/lincoln/letter-to-joseph-hooker-january-26-1863/

Letter to Ulysses S Grant (January 19, 1865), Matthew Pinsker http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/sites/lincoln/letter-to-ulysses-s-grant-january-19-1865/

Photo Credits

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Online Catalog

Library of Congress Map Collection

Housedivided.Dicknison.edu

Newspapers

Library of Congress, Chronicling America Historic American Newspapers - http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

Green Mountain Freeman, March 13th, 1862

The Memphis Daily Appeal July 16th, 1862

Daily Intelligencer, September 24th, 1862

The Goodhue Volunteer (Minn), September 17th, 1862

Richmond Dispatch, September 30th, 1862

The Emporia News (Emporia, Kansas) October 18, 1862

The Green Mountain Freeman September 26th, 1862

The Goodhue Volunteer (Minn), November 19th, 1862

National Intelligencer January 21st, 1863

Cleveland Morning Leader July 2nd, 1863

The Daily Green Mountain Freeman July 3rd, 1863

Dayton Daily Empire February 7th, 1865

Dayton Daily Empire March 17th, 1865

Envoy.dickinson.edu

Chicago Tribune February 1, 1862

Chicago Tribune January 30th, 1863

Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper November 15, 1862

Frank Leslie's Illustrated Paper July 18th, 1863

www.sonofthesouth.net

Harper's Weekly, July 19,1862

In Text Citations

[1] National Intelligencer. “Washington” January 28th, 1863, 2. Accessed July 25, 2014. http://http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

[2] Burlingame, Michael. Abraham Lincoln: A Life. Baltimore: (Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008) 2812.

[3] The Lincoln Institute and The Lehrman Institute. "Abraham Lincoln and Journalists." Abraham Lincoln's Classroom. Accessed July 25, 2014. http://abrahamlincolnsclassroom.org/abraham-lincolns-contemporaries/ abraham-lincoln-and-journalists

[4] Browne, Francis Fisher. The Every Day Life of Abraham Lincoln. ( Kessinger Publishing, 2006).

[5] McClellan, George Brinton, and Stephen W. Sears. The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865. (New York: Da Capo Press,1992) 162 .

[6] McClellan, George Brinton, and Stephen W. Sears. The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865. (New York: Da Capo Press,1992) 348 .

[7] McClellan, George Brinton, and Stephen W. Sears. The Civil War Papers of George B. McClellan: Selected Correspondence, 1860-1865. (New York: Da Capo Press,1992) 453 .

[8] Sears, Stephen W. "McClellan at Antietam Maryland Campaign." Civil War Trust. Accessed July 22, 2014. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/antietam/history/mcclellan-at-antietam.html.

[9] Goodwin, Doris Kearns. Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln. (New York: Simon, 2005), 520.

[10] Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, May 7, 1863 , in Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln (8 vols., New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), 6: 250-251., http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/.

[11] Cleveland Morning Leader. June 1st 1863 2. Accessed July 25, 2014. http://http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/

[12] Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Hooker, June 10, 1863 , in Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln (8 vols., New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), 6: 257-258., http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/.

[13] Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, Washington, DC, January 19, 1865 in Roy P. Basler, ed., The Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln (8 vols., New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1953), 8: 223-224, http://quod.lib.umich.edu/l/lincoln/

Wind Ralston

Understanding Lincoln

a Gilder Lehrman Course (August, 2014)

Special Thanks to

http://housedivided.dickinson.edu/