In afternoon President takes Cong. Francis W. Kellogg (Mich.) and Gov. Blair (Mich.) for drive. Abraham Lincoln to Francis W. Kellogg, 1 May 1864, CW, 7:326.

President sends to House of Representatives documentation relative to military status of Gen. Blair. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 2 May 1864, CW, 7:326-27.

Confers with Cong. John F. Farnsworth (Ill.), former general of volunteers, regarding court of inquiry requested by Gen. Hurlbut, recently transferred by order of Gen. Grant. Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Hurlbut, 2 May 1864, CW, 7:327-28.

President directs Sec. Seward: "Please invite all members of the Cabinet to be [present at the meeting today]." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 3 May 1864, CW, 7:330.

During a cabinet meeting , President Lincoln asks each member to "prepare, and give me in writing your opinion as to what course, the government should take" regarding the Confederates' "recent capture" of Ft. Pillow, located in Tennessee. Preliminary reports indicate that "a large number of our colored soldiers, with their white officers, were . . . massacred after they had surrendered." Lincoln awaits the report of a congressional committee that is investigating the April 12 incident. Abraham Lincoln to Cabinet Members, 3 May 1864, CW, 7:328-29; Howard K. Beale, ed., Diary of Gideon Welles, 3 vols. (New York: W. W. Norton & Company, 1960), 2:23-25.

Instructs L. E. Chittenden to proceed to Annapolis, Md., and investigate condition of exchanged war prisoners. Lucius E. Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and his Administration (New York: Harper, 1891), 323.

Richard H. Dana, U.S. district attorney in Massachusetts, calls on Lincoln again after one year and finds him "sober, wise, thoughtful, good decisions but having constant failures in administration." Don C. Seitz, Lincoln the Politician: How the Rail-Splitter and Flatboatman Played the Great American Game (New York: Coward-McCann, 1931), 414.

L. E. Chittenden reports to President at 7 P.M. on terrible condition of exchanged prisoners. Lucius E. Chittenden, Recollections of President Lincoln and his Administration (New York: Harper, 1891), 323-38.

Lincoln writes Gen. Sherman at Chattanooga to do anything he can consistently with military operations for suffering people in Nashville area. Abraham Lincoln to William T. Sherman, 4 May 1864, CW, 7:330-31.

Writes check for $2.50 to Franklin and Co., opticians, 244 Penn. Av. NW. CW, 8:541.

In evening Lincoln interviews Congs. Smith (Ky.) and Ashley (Ohio). Hay, Letters and Diary.

Receives April salary warrant for $2,022.33. Pratt, Personal Finances, 183.

Lincoln writes to octogenarian Mrs. Abner (Sarah) Bartlett, of Medford, Massachusetts, and thanks her for the "very excellent pair of socks of your own knitting, which you did me the honor to send." Lincoln adds, "I accept them as a very comfortable article to wear; but more gratefully as an evidence, of the patriotic devotion which, at your advanced age, you bear to our great and just cause. May God give you yet many happy days." Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Abner Bartlett, 5 May 1864, CW, 7:331.

Authorizes and requires Secs. Chase and Stanton to allow exportation of horses bought for personal use of French Emperor and of Captain General of Cuba. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase and Edwin M. Stanton, 5 May 1864, CW, 7:331.

Lincoln receives request of George E. Perine, New York engraver, for favorite photograph, to be engraved on steel. Perine to Lincoln, 6 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Cabinet meets. Each member reads opinion on Fort Pillow, Tenn., incident. [Massacre of colored troops, April 12, 1864.] Welles, Diary.

President in conference with Sec. Stanton at War Dept. asks Charles A. Dana, assistant secretary of war, to investigate and report position of Gen. Grant. Charles A. Dana, Recollections of the Civil War. With the Leaders at Washington and in the Field in the Sixties (New York: Appleton, 1902), 188.

Grants permission to Henry E. Wing, correspondent, New York "Tribune," to send 100-word story of fighting in Wilderness to his papers. Harper, Press, 137-38.

Interrupts Secretary of War Stanton and calls him from conference with Cornelius R. Agnew, surgeon general of New York, and G. T. Strong. George Templeton Strong, Diary, 4 vols., edited by Allen Nevins and Milton Halsey Thomas (New York: Macmillan, 1952).

President receives first-hand report on Wilderness campaign from H. E. Wing, who arrives about 2 A.M. on special locomotive. Bates, Telegraph Office, 246.

Recognizes Carlos E. Leland as consul and Jose H. Snyder as vice consul of Oriental Republic of Uruguay at New York. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 1:6.

Marine band, after long intermission, inaugurates series of concerts in White House grounds. President appears on portico and remarks: "In lieu of a speech, I propose that we give three cheers for Major General Grant and all the armies under his command." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 9 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 2:1; Remarks at Marine Band Concert, 7 May 1864, CW, 7:332.

Transmits to Senate opinion by attorney general on "rights of colored persons in the army or volunteer service." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 7 May 1864, CW, 7:332.

Cong. Colfax (Ind.) with Lincoln in White House after Battle of Wilderness, watches him pace "up and down in the Executive chamber." An hour afterward sees Lincoln receiving congressional visitors and telling story after story to hide his saddened heart. Rice, 337-38.

At request of Congressman James A. Garfield (Ohio), President interviews Lt. Harrison Millard (resigned) relative to civil appointment. Abraham Lincoln to Hiram Barney, 9 May 1864, CW, 7:332-33.

Recommends to friends of Union and liberty to unite in common thanksgiving and prayer of gratitude for military success. Abraham Lincoln to the Friends of Union and Liberty, 9 May 1864, CW, 7:333.

Recognizes Frederick Klumpp as consul of Würtemburg at New Orleans and August Widemann at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 14 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 1:6.

Receives news of failure of General Banks's Red River expedition from Gwinn H. Heap, clerk to Rear Admiral David D. Porter, accompanied by Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles. Welles, Diary.

Highly pleased by dispatches reporting advances of General Ulysses S. Grant. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Responds to serenade by crowd at White House led by band from 27th Michigan Volunteers. Response to Serenade, 9 May 1864, CW, 7:334; Daily National Republican (Washington, DC), 10 May 1864, 2d ed. 2:1.

Cabinet meets. President reads dispatches from Gens. Grant, Butler, Sherman, and others. Welles, Diary.

L. Montgomery Bond, on behalf of Sanitary Commission of Philadelphia, requests letter of President to be sold at Great Central Fair in June. Bond to Lincoln, 10 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln asks Gen. Wallace at Baltimore what trouble is with Dr. Francis L. Hawks, rector of Christ Church, ordered to take oath of allegiance or leave city within 24 hours. Order supported by Bishop William R. Whittingham. Abraham Lincoln to Lewis Wallace, 10 May 1864, CW, 7:335-36.

President offers condolences to Christian IX, King of Denmark, on death of "Madam the Landgrave Louise Charlotte of Hesse." Abraham Lincoln to Christian IX, 11 May 1864, CW, 7:336-37.

9 P.M. Sec. Welles visits War Dept. and finds President waiting for reports from battlefront. Welles, Diary.

President forwards to Senate correspondence relative to controversy between Republic of Chile and Bolivia. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338-39.

Declines offer of Francis B. Loomis of New London, Conn., to replace present garrison of Fort Trumbull, Conn., with volunteers. Abraham Lincoln to F. B. Loomis, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338.

Grants interview to sixteen-year-old Miss Susannah Evans, who is lecturing on temperance at Dr. Channing's Unitarian Church. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 12 May 1864, 3d ed., Extra, 3:1.

President Lincoln writes to shipbuilder John Birely, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to thank him for a cane. Birely explained that the cane was made from "wood . . . taken from the wreck of the United States ship Alliance, (now laying in the River Delaware.)" Birely added, "It is a relic of the olden times and you would do me honor by accepting it. It comes from an old soldier, and officer in the War of 1812." Lincoln responds, "I beg that you will accept the assurance of my cordial gratitude for your kindness." John Birely to Abraham Lincoln, 11 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to John Birely, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:337.

President Lincoln writes to U.S. Senator Samuel C. Pomeroy, of Kansas, regarding Pomeroy's conflict with fellow Kansan and U.S. Senator James H. Lane. The two senators back different candidates seeking to fill a vacancy in the "Office of Assessor for the District of Kansas." Lincoln writes, "I wish you and Lane would make a sincere effort to get out of the mood you are in. I[t] does neither of you any good—it gives you the means of tormenting my life out of me, and nothing else." Salmon P. Chase to Abraham Lincoln, 11 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to Samuel C. Pomeroy, 12 May 1864, CW, 7:338.

Early morning. President and Sec. Seward are reading telegrams when Sen. Nesmith (Oreg.) brings newspaper accounts of Gen. Grant's activities. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Lincoln receives notice that Seward has made appointment for him to interview W. Aime Humbert, envoy extraordinary of Swiss Confederation to Japan, at 11 A.M. tomorrow. Seward to Lincoln, 13 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Repeats endorsement concerning church in Memphis, Tenn.: "I say again, if there be no military need for the building, leave it alone, neither putting anyone in or out, of it, except on finding some one preaching or practicing treason." Endorsement Concerning a Church at Memphis, Tennessee, 13 May 1864, CW, 7:339.

President receives request for his photograph and autograph, to be auctioned off at Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair. McClurg to Lincoln, 14 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Deeply affected by death of Gen. Wadsworth. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Replies to offer of Gov. Carney (Kans.) to furnish 2,000 troops: "I shall neither accept or reject it, until, with reference to the public interest, I shall feel that I am ready." Abraham Lincoln to Thomas Carney, 14 May 1864, CW, 7:340-41.

Transmits to Senate report of secretary of interior and documentation relative to refugee Indians in Kansas. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 14 May 1864, CW, 7:341-42.

"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.

President sends to Mrs. Augustus C. French, wife of former governor of Illinois, autograph to be used at Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair. Lincoln to French, 16 May 1864, in possession of Cyrus French Wicker, Miami, Fla.

Holds financial conference relative to converting existing 5 percent loan to 6 percent. Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 18 May 1864, CW, 7:347.

President lays before Senate treaty with certain bands of Chippewa Indians. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:344-45.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Lincoln prepares order for draft of 300,000 men, "to increase the active and reserved force of the Army, Navy, & Marine Corps of the United States." [Order seems not to have been issued.] Order for Draft of 300,000 Men, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:344.

Instructs Sec. Stanton : "Please notify the insurgents, . . . that the government of the United States has satisfactory proof of the massacre, . . . at Fort-Pillow," and outlines action government proposes to take. [Presumably these instructions to Sec. Stanton were never signed and sent.] Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 17 May 1864, CW, 7:345-46.

President orders arrest of editors and publishers of New York "World" and "Journal of Commerce" for printing spurious proclamation purporting to be signed by President. Publication of newspapers suspended. Abraham Lincoln to John A. Dix, 18 May 1864, CW, 7:347-50.

Interviews Dr. Winston, who knows topography of Virginia, bears letters of recommendation, and asks to be allowed to join Gen. Grant. Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 18 May 1864, CW, 7:350.

11 A.M. Responds to address presented by delegation from General Conference of Methodist Episcopal Church: "God bless the Methodist Church—bless all the churches—and blessed be God, Who, in this our great trial, giveth us the churches." Response to Methodists, 18 May 1864, CW, 7:350-51.

Confers with Secs. Seward and Stanton at War Dept. regarding fraudulent proclamation published in two New York newspapers. Rescinds order for arrest of editors and publishers. Harper, Press, 293, 295.

Attends lecture on Battle of Gettysburg by Dr. J. R. Warner in hall of House of Representatives. Randall, Lincoln, 3:17.

Suggests to Sec. Chase: "Suppose you change your five per cent loan to six, allowing the holders of the fives already out to convert them into sixes, upon taking each an equal additional amount at six." Abraham Lincoln to Salmon P. Chase, 18 May 1864, CW, 7:347.

President declares null and void exequatur heretofore given Charles Hunt as consul of Belgium at St. Louis. Washington Star, 20 May 1864; Proclamation Revoking Recognition of Charles Hunt, 19 May 1864, CW, 7:352.

Lincoln writes to staunch abolitionist U.S. Senator Charles Sumner, of Massachusetts. Lincoln introduces Mary Elizabeth Booth, whose husband, Major Lionel Booth, a black officer, was killed in battle on April 12, at Fort Pillow, Tennessee. Lincoln writes, "She makes a point . . . very worthy of consideration which is, widows and children infact, of colored soldiers who fall in our service, be placed in law, the same as if their marriages were legal, so that they can have the benefit of the provisions made the widows & orphans of white soldiers. Please see & hear Mrs. Booth." Abraham Lincoln to Charles Sumner, 19 May 1864, CW, 10:243-44; Roy P. Basler, "And for His Widow and His Orphan," Quarterly Journal of the Library of Congress 27, no. 4 (October 1970): 291-94.

President declines invitation to visit Mississippi Valley Sanitary Fair in St. Louis. Abraham Lincoln to Felix Schmedding, 20 May 1864, CW, 7:354.

Interviews Thomas E. Morris, of New Jersey, who asks that his son be appointed cadet. Memorandum: Appointment of Josiah W. Morris, 20 May 1864, CW, 7:353-54.

Recognizes Constantine P. Ralli as vice consul of Greece at St. Louis. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 25 May 1864, 2d ed., 1:6.

[Irwin deposits in Springfield Marine Bank $350, rent from L. A. Tilton. Pratt, Personal Finances, 166.]

President writes order that no person engaged in trade following published regulations of Treasury Dept. shall be hindered by Army or Navy. Order Concerning Trade, 20 May 1864, CW, 7:354.

President decides to lift publication ban on New York newspapers "World" and "Journal of Commerce." Harper, Press, 297.

Recognizes Carl C. Finkler as consul for Duchy of Nassau for California. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 25 May 1864, 2d ed., 1:6.

Act to provide temporary government for territory of Montana having been passed, Lincoln instructs Atty. Gen. Bates and Sec. Seward to brief applications for offices in so far as they relate to their departments. Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 21 May 1864, CW, 7:356-57.

Sends identical letters to Govs. Morton (Ind.), Yates (Ill.), William M. Stone (Iowa), and James T. Lewis (Wis.): "The getting forward of hundred day troops to sustain Gen. Sherman's lengthening lines promises much good. Please put your best efforts into the work." Abraham Lincoln to Oliver P. Morton, 21 May 1864, CW, 7:355-56.

Replies to request of Christiana A. Sack, of Baltimore: "I can not postpone the execution of a convicted spy, on a mere telegraphic despatch signed with a name I never heard before. Gen. Wallace may give you a pass to see him, if he chooses." Abraham Lincoln to Christiana A. Sack, 21 May 1864, CW, 7:356.

President busy with minor appointments and military arrests. Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Holt, 23 May 1864, CW, 7:357; Abraham Lincoln to Joseph Roberts, 23 May 1864, CW, 7:358; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 23 May 1864, CW, 7:358; Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 23 May 1864, CW, 7:358.

President cheers Gov. Brough (Ohio) by quoting Gen. Grant: "'Everything looks exceedingly favorable for us.'" Abraham Lincoln to John Brough, 24 May 1864, CW, 7:359.

Transmits to House of Representatives information relative to joint resolution concerning French monarchy in Mexico. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 24 May 1864, CW, 7:359.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Sec. Seward and Simon Cameron spend evening with President. Hay, Letters and Diary.

President recommends to Senate for promotion Lt. Comdr. Francis A. Roe (USN) and 1st Asst. Eng. James M. Hobby (USN) for distinguished conduct in battle between U.S.S. "Sassacus" and rebel ironclad ram "Albermarle." Abraham Lincoln to William H. Seward, 3 May 1864, CW, 7:360.

Writes note to Sec. Stanton on letter of E. A. Paul, New York "Times" correspondent, enclosing pass to Army of Potomac not approved by Stanton : "The Times I believe is always true to the Union, and therefore should be treated at least as well as any." Abraham Lincoln to Edwin M. Stanton, 24 May 1864, CW, 7:360-61.

President asks Gen. Meade if permit to pick up cast-off clothing of Army should be granted. Abraham Lincoln to George G. Meade, 25 May 1864, CW, 7:361-62.

Officials of Pittsburgh Fair for benefit of U.S. Sanitary Commission request President's autograph, to be sold at Fair. O'Connor to Lincoln, 25 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln writes Cong. Arnold (Ill.) letter for use in canvass for reelection: "I take it that your devotion to the Union and the Administration can not be questioned by any sincere man." Abraham Lincoln to Isaac N. Arnold, 25 May 1864, CW, 7:361.

President discusses pay of Negro chaplains with Attorney General Edward Bates and Senator Charles Sumner (Mass.). Bates, Diary.

Secretary of State William H. Seward arranges 11:30 A.M. appointment for Baron von Gerolt with President. Seward to Lincoln, 24 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

President recognizes John Hitz as consul general of Swiss Confederation at Washington. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 30 May 1864, 2d ed., 1:5-6.

Cong. John F. Driggs (Mich.) sends his son with gentleman and two ladies from Connecticut to shake hands with President. Driggs to Lincoln, 27 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Augustus N. Dickens of Chicago, brother of English novelist Charles Dickens, requests President's autograph as keepsake. Dickens to Lincoln, 27 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

At 11:00 A.M. Lincoln replies briefly to resolutions presented by delegation from American Baptist Home Missionary Society. Evening Star (Washington, DC), 28 May 1864, 2d ed., 2:5; Reply to Delegation of Baptists, 28 May 1864, CW, 7:365.

Transmits to Senate partial report of secretary of state and documentation relative to Mexican affairs. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 28 May 1864, CW, 7:365.

Answers inquiry of Cornelius A. Walborn, postmaster at Philadelphia, regarding visit to Great Central Fair: "Whether I can during it's continuance must depend on circumstances." Abraham Lincoln to Cornelius A. Walborn, 28 May 1864, CW, 7:365-66.

[Sometime during this week Mrs. Lincoln visits Armory Square Hospital in capital and gives flower seeds. Gazette comments: "We have been under obligations to this excellent woman, for contributions of flowers to place in the Coffins of our deceased Soldiers, sent home for burial." Armory Square Hospital Gazette (Washington, DC), 28 May 1864, 2:4.]

Lincoln welcomes small son of Sen. Hicks (Md.), while father waits in carriage. Abraham Lincoln to Thomas H. Hicks, 30 May 1864, CW, 7:367.

President Lincoln writes to John H. Bryant, of Princeton, Illinois, and regrets that he is unable to attend a meeting to discuss plans for a monument to honor fellow Illinoisan and U.S. Representative, Owen Lovejoy, who recently died. Lovejoy was a staunch abolitionist and Lincoln's "most generous friend." He notes, "My personal acquaintance with him commenced only about ten years ago, since when it has been quite intimate; and every step in it has been one of increasing respect and esteem, ending, with his life, in no less than affection on my part. . . . [Lovejoy] bravely endured the obscurity which the unpopularity of his principles imposed . . . Let him have the marble monument, along with the well-assured and more enduring one in the hearts of those who love liberty, unselfishly, for all men." John H. Bryant et al. to Abraham Lincoln, 10 May 1864; John H. Bryant to Abraham Lincoln, 14 May 1864, both in Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC; Abraham Lincoln to John H. Bryant, 30 May 1864, CW, 7:366-67.

Writes committee from American Baptist Home Mission Society in response to resolutions presented by them. When those professedly holy men of South, in semblance of prayer, appealed to Christian world "to aid them in doing to a whole race of men, as they would have no man do unto themselves," they contemned and insulted God. "But let me forbear, remembering it is also written 'Judge not, lest ye be judged.'" Abraham Lincoln to George B. Ide, James R. Doolittle, and A. Hubbell, 30 May 1864, CW, 7:368.

In the morning, President Lincoln observes as groups of children, who are participating in the "Sunday School Celebration," parade past the White House. A newspaper reports, "President Lincoln was cheered by the children, and he, being at one of the front windows, acknowledged the compliment with a bow." Evening Star (Washington, DC), 31 May 1864, 3:1.

Receives report from Cleveland, Ohio, convention of Republicans that Gen. Fremont has been nominated for President. Monaghan, Diplomat, 363; Josiah G. Holland, The Life of Abraham Lincoln (Springfield, MA: G. Bill, 1866), 469-72.

Gen. Cochrane, resigned, attorney general of New York, consults with President about Cleveland convention of Republicans. Hay, Letters and Diary.

Cabinet meets. Welles, Diary.

Sen. Wade (Ohio) and Capt. Herbert have interviews with President. Butler, Correspondence, 4:292.

Cong. Francis Thomas (Md.) sends autograph album to White House with request that President write in it. Thomas to Nicolay, 31 May 1864, John G. Nicolay Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Lincoln receives $883.30 in coin, being interest due him on $16,200 in 7 3/10 bonds in custody of U.S. treasurer. Tuttle to Underwood, 31 May 1864, Abraham Lincoln Papers, Library of Congress, Washington, DC.

Contributes autograph to be sold along with those of other Presidents at Sanitary Fair in Philadelphia. Abraham Lincoln to Mrs. Field, 31 May 1864, CW, 7:369.

Telegraphs Gen. Hurlbut permission to visit Washington and Baltimore. Abraham Lincoln to Stephen A. Hurlbut, 31 May 1864, CW, 7:370.

Transmits to Senate report from secretary of state and documents relative to case of José A. Arguëlles, Spanish officer in Cuba, who seized cargo of over 1,000 Negroes landed on coast from slaver and was accused of fraudulently selling 141 of them. Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 31 May 1864, CW, 7:370.