Survivors of Stillman's brush with Indians arrive at Dixon's Ferry in early morning with news of "terrible slaughter." Mad scramble of returning soldiers disheartens those encamped at Dixon's Ferry. Before daybreak, governor issues call for 2,000 volunteers to rendezvous at Hennepin June 10, 1832.Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL.

At 7 A.M. Whiteside's army, including Capt. Lincoln's company, starts for site of Stillman's engagement. They arrive before sunset and find bodies scalped and mangled.Whiteside to Atkinson, 18 May 1832, Black Hawk War Collection, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL; John H. Wakefield, Wakefield's History of the Black Hawk War (Chicago: Caxton Club, 1908), 52; IHi—William Orr to John York Sawyer, 1 July 1832.

The court appoints Lincoln guardian ad litem for the infant heirs of John Lowry, deceased, in Ex parte Lowry. Lowry, the administrator of the estate of John Lowry, has filed a petition for the sale of real estate. The court rules against Lincoln's client, Little Berry Noe, in Noe v. Cunningham and awards the defendant $22 in damages.Record.

In Clark & Clark v. Nancy Hinthorn et al., Lincoln is appointed guardian ad litem. Record.

[Eighth issue of The Old Soldier is published. Old Soldier (Springfield, IL), Issue 8, 15 May 1840.]

[Coles County Circuit Court convenes, and Shelby Circuit Court opens for four-day term.]

Lincoln writes schedule of debt in Alexander, administrator of John H. McClelland v. Affleck and Rutherford. Herndon-Weik Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

House passes bill amending charter of Washington. Lincoln votes to reconsider, but motion is tabled.Globe.

Lincoln is much disturbed by receipt of letters from Washington informing him that Justin Butterfield will probably be appointed commissioner of General Land Office. Abraham Lincoln to William B. Preston, 16 May 1849, CW, 2:48-49.

Lincoln pays $4 cash at Bunn's store, amount he owes for two kegs paint. Bunn Journal.

In the retrial of the Edgar County Circuit Court case of Albin v. Bodine, Lincoln and Usher F. Linder are defending Thomas Bodine. Bodine claimed that plaintiff George W. Albin was "a damned little horsethief." Albin is suing Bodine for slander and he seeks $3,000, in damages. The jury in the first trial found Bodine not guilty, and on this day, once again, a jury finds Bodine not guilty. Narratio, filed 12 November 1848, Albin v. Bodine; Jury Verdict, May 1849 Term, Albin v. Bodine; Motion for New Trial, filed 19 May 1849, Albin v. Bodine, all in Edgar County Circuit Court, Department of Special Collections, University of Chicago Library, Chicago, IL; Order, 15 May 1850, Albin v. Bodine, Order Book 3, 100, Edgar County Circuit Court, Edgar County Courthouse, Paris, IL.

Lincoln writes and files pleas in Joseph Matkin v. Jacob and Joseph Brown, and writes Brown's answer. Photocopy.

Two more of Lincoln's cases are continued. Record.

In the Vermilion County Circuit Court, the court orders Joseph Wilson and James J. Wilson to file a bond for cost in the case of Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et al. Lincoln and John H. Murphy represent Joseph Wilson, James J. Wilson, and William Wilson's conservator James Parmer. The Wilsons are suing their former guardian Enoch Kingsbury and several others over the estate of Edward M. Wilson. Lincoln submits an affidavit supporting his request from the previous day for a continuance in the case of People v. Vest. Answer of Enoch Kingsbury, filed 16 January 1852, Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et al., case file, box 67-9; Decree, 15 May 1852, Wilson et al. v. Kingsbury et al., Circuit Court Record D, 452, both in Vermilion County Circuit Court, Vermilion County Courthouse, Danville, IL; Affidavit, 15 May 1852, People v. Vest, Stern Collection, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Charles L. Pate, one of the defendants in the case of People v. Pate and Pate, signs a contingency fee agreement, written by Lincoln, promising to pay Lincoln and fellow attorney Oliver L. Davis $80 "whenever the five suits brought in the Vermillion county circuit court, by the People of the State of Illinois, against me, on five several Recognizances of bail, shall be finally decided in my favor, and not before." Contingent Fee Agreement, 15 May 1852, People v. Pate and Pate, Private Collection.

DeWitt Circuit Court commences, with Lincoln in attendance. Among other cases occupying his attention are several against Illinois Central, in which he appears for railroad. On first day of term, motions are entered in three trespass suits. Record; Abraham Lincoln to Mason Brayman, 23 September 1854, CW, 2:233-34.

Williams v. Clearwater is tried by jury, which finds defendant guilty. Record.

Stout v. Stout, divorce case in which Lincoln appears for the petitioner, is called and continued. (Divorce granted October 20, 1855; alimony is yet to be settled.) Record.

To Washburne Lincoln writes: "I think our prospects gradually, and steadily, grow better; though we are not yet clear out of the woods by a great deal. There is still some effort to make trouble out of 'Americanism.' " Abraham Lincoln to Elihu B. Washburne, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:447.

Lincoln writes to newspaper publisher Jediah F. Alexander, of Greenville, Illinois, with regrets that he will be unable to speak at an upcoming Republican convention. Alexander hoped Lincoln's presence might persuade former Whigs to side with the Republicans. He noted Lincoln's "well-known . . . reputation here." Lincoln explains, "It is too early, considering that when I once begin making political speeches I shall have no respite till November. The labor of that I might endure, but I really can not spare the time from my business." Abraham Lincoln to Jediah F. Alexander, 15 May 1858, CW, 2:446-447.

During morning select men from Union Defense Committee interview Lincoln to arrange for reception of New York regiments. N.Y. Times, 16 May 1861.

About 5:30 P.M. President reviews 4,000 troops from New York, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania regiments. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 16 May 1861, 3:2.

Gen. Butler confers with President and gets commission as major general. Butler, Correspondence, 1:64.

[Mrs. Lincoln purchases an open barouche carriage in New York for $900. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 18 May 1861, 3:3; National Republican (Washington, DC), 20 May 1861, 3:1.]

President approves establishment of Dept. of Agriculture without cabinet status. Stat. L., XII, 387.

Writes Gen. McClellan: "Have done, and shall do, all I could and can to sustain you—hoped that the opening of James River, and putting Wool and Burnside in communication, with an open road to Richmond, or to you, had effected something in that direction. I am still unwilling to take all our force off the direct line between Richmond and here." Abraham Lincoln to George B. McClellan, 15 May 1862, CW, 5:216.

Refers to Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon and Cooper Shop, Philadelphia establishments, in letter to Sen. Wilson (Mass.): "I know nothing of the facts myself, and could only say hypothetically, that if they have dealt so generously with our volunteers, as I have frequently heard, and believe, they are indeed worthy of all praise." Abraham Lincoln to Henry Wilson, 15 May 1862, CW, 5:217-18.

President visits Sec. Welles to discuss Lord Lyons' dispatch concerning confiscated mails. Welles, Diary.

Announces renewal of Saturday concerts of Marine band on White House grounds. Washington Chronicle, 15 May 1863.

"The President has been closeted for two hours today with Gen. Sickles, Commander of the Third army corps." N.Y. Herald, 16 May 1863.

Receives deputation from Union League of Philadelphia and accepts invitation to attend exercises commemorating anniversary of American Independence on July 4, 1863. Washington Chronicle, 18 May 1863.

[Irwin deposits $75 in Springfield Marine Bank, interest on Cline note. Pratt, Personal Finances, 165.]

President addresses letter to H. T. Blow, Charles D. Drake, and others at St. Louis: "It is very painful to me that you in Missouri can not, or will not, settle your factional quarrel among yourselves. I have been tormented with it beyond endurance for months, by both sides. Neither side pays the least respect to my appeals to your reason. I am now compelled to take hold of the case." Abraham Lincoln to Henry T. Blow, Charles D. Drake and Others, 15 May 1863, CW, 6:218.

"The President is cheerful and hopeful—not unduly elated, but seeming confident." Nicolay to Bates, 15 May 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln endorses request of Allison C. Poorman, of Illinois, for permit to trade within lines of "Western Army": "The writer of the within is a family connection of mine, & a worthy man; and I shall be obliged if he be allowed what he requests, so far as the rules and exigencies of the public service will permit." Endorsement Concerning Allison C. Poorman, 15 May 1864, CW, 7:342.

Endorses request of William F. Shriver, of Illinois, for permit to trade within lines of "Armies of the Cumberland, Mississippi and Arkansas." Endorsement Concerning William F. Shriver, 15 May 1864, CW, 7:342.