Author D R Hann: August 2017

My Other Books You can read this Book for Only .99 cents

My Interview with Mary Todd Lincoln

PDH Publishing

Copyrights

My Copyrights and Notices

No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted

in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

Some names, characters, places and or incidents are fictitious and are of the author’s imagination.

I would like to thank Google Search, Wikipedia, History.org and my wife, Phyllis. Without her hard and diligent work, this book would not have been possible. Thank you Phyllis

Some of my other books:

Satan’s Authorized Biography

My Interviews with Famous Dead People

Dead Presidents, America on Trial

Introduction

This is the fourth book in the Writer Don series and his interviews with those who have passed on.

This book is a fictionalized account of my interview with Mary Todd Lincoln; her family, before being married to Abraham, her years in the white house and after.

The knowledge she found out, about who really murdered her husband; the sixtieth President of these United States and why.

I have used both actual and fictionalized information to write this book.

From rumors that Mary Todd Lincoln was sympathetic to the southern cause, to her bouts with mental depression, to her difficulty negotiating White House social responsibilities.

You may find out things about Mary Todd Lincoln and the President that you never knew. I know I did, such as Mary’s four brothers fought for the southern cause, two dying in major battles of the Civil War; Samuel at Shiloh and Alexander at Baton Rouge and that Mary never publicly mourned for her dead brothers.

That President Lincoln’s other brother-in- law, Benjamin Hardin Helm, who graduated from West Point, and served in the United States Army, up until the war, became a Confederate general, who died at the battle of Chickamauga, which greatly saddened the president, and the events surrounding Lincoln’s assassination and the cover up.

After the assassination of her beloved husband, Abraham, which Mary called a murder, Mary Todd Lincoln traveled to Europe. When she returned to America, in 1871, the death of her son, Tad, was too much for her to bear and, three years later, her only son, Robert, would have her committed to a mental institution in Batavia, Illinois, gaining her own freedom four months later.

With facts, rumors and my imagination, I have written my interview with Mary Todd Lincoln.

Speaking With the Dead Again

It has been a few years since I was last contacted by anyone who had passed.

This ability was both a blessing and a burden; to be awakened at two in the morning by William Shakespeare wanting me to pen his latest play. In a strange way, I sort of miss speaking to those who have passed and the valuable information and insights into those people and their lives, which we can only read about now.

On several occasions, I have called on those who have passed but without any results, even William Shakespeare did not answer. I was sure if anyone would answer it would have been Will, as he liked to be called.

Looks like another thunderstorm coming in, as is the normal pattern for summer afternoons in Florida.

Did that lightning bolt just hit the floor and why am I dizzy?

“Writer Don, can you hear me? It is Will, William Shakespeare.

Writer Don, are you okay, you don’t look good at all, for you are like a wilted flower in a dried garden.”

“Will, William Shakespeare?”

“Yes, I do stand before thine eyes, it is I, William Shakespeare, or for you, good friend, as always, Will.”

“I believe that a thunder bolt came through the window and hit the floor. There Will, a mark on the floor.”

“Ah yes, as my own eyes would never deceive me or my soul.”

“The first time this happened I was struck by lightning, giving me the capability of being able to speak to those who had passed, now this, a close call by another lightning strike and once more I can speak to those who have passed.”

“Yes indeed, my good man, never a closer call has done thee no harm and now will you pen my latest and greatest play?”

“Maybe……. sure.”

“Writer Don, did you just say yes? May a friend as you never fade but be as the sun, which will surely rise every day.”

“Sure Will, I will pen your latest and greatest play.”

“Then, before the cock shall call in the morning, we shall commence.

The title shall be known as, “The Rose in My Life.” By William Shakespeare and pen by D. R, Hann.”

“Will, we have a problem.”

“There are only opportunities and never shall a problem appear.”

“Will, if I write that this play was written by William Shakespeare they may take me to a rubber room.”

“Ah, yes, I believe we had discussed that problem before.

Okay, as the wise man sayeth, “I always have the answer, which comes from my very soul.”

Try this one on Writer Don. Penned by D. R. Hann, inspired by William Shakespeare.”

“Yes, you’ve got it Will.”

“No wind, water, or foul weather shall keep my greatest play from being born from thy sweat of thy brow.

Shall we now commence?”

“I call upon you Writer Don; for this is Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of the sixteenth President of these United States, the Honorable Mr. Abraham Lincoln.

I call upon you to write my truth so that all Americans shall know the truth about the dirty scoundrels who murdered my Abraham.”

“My good woman, this is William Shakespeare and I am truly sorry to say that Writer Don is not available, for he is penning my greatest play for which society can no longer wait, nor should it have to wait so much as an ounce in time longer to be given my chosen words once more.”

“William Shakespeare, would you deny a woman the chance to tell what transpired one hundred and fifty years ago, and that I, on my death bed, did pledge with my heart and soul that after that milestone of one hundred and fifty years past the murder of my Abraham, I would once more walk the earth to find someone who could hear me crying out from the grave and would set the truth down so that all may see it.

Would you, William Shakespeare, deny a woman that?”

“Your heart and soul pricks my heart and soul Mary Todd Lincoln and so as a man of truth I will yield to you.

Writer Don, with great burden of having my greatest plays yet still denied, I yield to Mary Todd Lincoln.”

“Mary Todd Lincoln, this is Writer Don, I will listen to you and I hope what I write for you will give you peace and justice.”

“Writer Don, I only will tell the truth about those scoundrels who murdered my Abraham.

To you, Sir William Shakespeare, a heartfelt thank you.”

“Writer Don, this is Nikola, Nikola Tesla.”

“Oh no, you shall not cut the line, as they say today, for as I am William Shakespeare. I stand firm, for this deep torture that I feel is as my hell and I will not be denied, I am after Mary Todd Lincoln.”

“As the young ones say, cool your jets William, for I did not come to cut the line, for I came to let Writer Don know if his powers to talk to us who have passed, fail, then he must get close to a lightning strike and to make it safe for him, the best place would be in his car.”

“Crabbed age and youth cannot live together, in action. You are like an angel Nikola Tesla; I bow before you and take my leave.”

“Nikola, it is good to hear from you my friend.”

“And so very good to hear from you my good friend, Writer Don.

Do you understand what I have said Writer Don?”

“Yes Nikola, if I should lose the ability to talk to those who have passed, I should get into my car and look for a thunderstorm until lightning strikes and hits near, which should, once more, give me the ability to speak to those who have passed.”

“Yes, very good, please let me know if you need my help Writer Don, I will try and keep William occupied.”

“Thank you Nikola.

Mary Todd Lincoln, it is my honor to meet you, please start.”

(Note to reader: When Mary Todd Lincoln speaks; it will be noted as MTL)

MTL: “Thank you Writer Don. Surely if my Abraham knew what I was doing he would become so very distraught with me as he has said, let history keep secrets, but as I told my Abraham it is now time America knows that dirty little secret which has been buried for far too long.

I must first tell about one of the worst times in my life, 1874; it was shortly after Tad had passed and ten years after my Abraham had passed.

Those in power, who did not want what I had done or the knowledge I had, come to the light of day, had my son, Robert, believe that I should be placed in that hell hole, called Bellevue, in Batavia, Illinois.

Bellevue, in plain simple language, was known as the crazy house, where the simpletons of the public were placed or so was the thinking back then. So little did society know about mental illness or depression, if only they knew what they know now, for sure, I would have had a much better life.

I had enlisted my good friend, Myra Bradwell, a very fine woman and attorney, who believed that I was not insane, and stated that she would remain committed to my release, lest I remain committed.

I was in there when my sweet son, Tad, had passed.

It was at this time my very own son, Robert, said I may be insane; he thought that he knew the real truth.

There are those who said that I tried to commit suicide, which I did, twice on the same damn day, but that was after losing my dear Abraham and my three precious sons and so many of those souls to that damn war, then finding out that my only living son was going to have me committed to Bellevue. I believe that was much more than most normal humans could bear.

After all of the heartache that befell upon me, first the death of my precious sons; Edward at age four, Willie at age eleven, and then my dear husband, Abraham, and then Tad, and to have my remaining son commit me to a place I did not even belong, I do not believe there are many sane mothers who would at least not contemplate doing themselves in.

So what crime did I commit and what knowledge do I possess that those in power did not want to see the light of the day?

I will tell all, every small and large detail, so that history may be rewritten and recorded as to what I, Mary Todd Lincoln, did and what knowledge I had during my time in that gracious house, the White House, which I would like to state here and now was a glorious southern plantation mansion, built with loving care while using antebellum architecture.”

Writer Don: “Mary Todd Lincoln, please tell me about the first time you went into the White House?”

MTL: “It made me proud, a southern lady to live in such a refined place, even if my detractors made false statements that I could no more negotiate the White House social responsibilities than a turtle could actually beat a rabbit in a race.”

Writer Don: “Please tell me about some of the early memories of the war.”

MTL: “Privately I had hoped to stay true to the south while publicly staying true to the north. Many times the newspapers stated I was baiting them.

I was always believing, hoping and praying that the great war between the states played out

to a draw, that after years and years of war and many deaths and so much precious blood spilled, that my husband Abraham and the whole damn Union would capitulate and, therefore, it would be the United States of America, alongside the Confederate States of America, which to me made much sense as two Americas must be better than just one.

After years and years of that damn war, I grew tired because I watched my sweet dear husband, Abraham, turn from a young viral man, when we first arrived in Washington, to a man who looked old, troubled, and beaten down at the time of his senseless murder.”

Writer Don: “Please tell me about your feelings of seeing your husband, Abraham Lincoln, as he looked at the time of his death and after so many years of war.”

MTL: “I must state early on that when I looked upon my Abraham and what that damn war had done to him, I would break down and cry. I felt as though I had a heavy, heavy weight on my shoulders and an emptiness in my heart for the fact that I, Mary Todd Lincoln, may have had an unknowing hand in the murder of my Abraham. That is why after one hundred and fifty years I believe it is time to tell my truth, which others tried to cover, at any and all cost.”

Writer Don: “Please continue.”

MTL: “My brothers and half brothers fought and died for the south, we were southern first, Americans second.

Now I know what you may be thinking, but unless you are from the south then you cannot imagine what it means to be a proud southern lady or gentleman.

The other thing I must state early on is slavery, which was a vile thing, and that is the only good thing which came out of that damn war, the end of slavery.”

Writer Don: “I had heard that Abraham had a plan for the newly freed slaves. Would you tell us a little about his plan?”

MTL: “My Abraham had a plan, a damn good plan, which was not to just let those newly freed slaves go without means to support themselves. My Abraham wanted to give each former slave a plot of free land, a mule, some money, and seeds for planting and for those who did not want to farm, there was to be a sound education, and placement into a job, but that damn Johnson and those in power did not want this and that is just one of the reasons why my Abraham was murdered.

I hope I do not miss any facts but if I do, I hope and pray that they are small and insignificant.

I must state that I would have given up my time at the White House, my time of being the president’s wife if it would have meant that my dear Abraham was never murdered.

Oh Abraham, you would call me mother and I would call you father in those good and gracious days.

In some strange and very human way I do, at times, miss those early years, the good years, but I am glad that we are once more together for all eternity.

I must speak of good and fond memories of my brother George R. C. Todd, a well respected doctor who lived in Lexington, Kentucky.

My dear brother George always made sure I was fine.

I remember in 1852 I backed him in blocking father’s will. We were a power to be reckoned with, we were victorious as I was victorious in procuring a pension in 1871. You may have thought those rats in Washington were paying my pension out of their own pockets. All that my husband had done for the United States and those scoundrels did not want to give me a pension because I was from the south, and implications of my part in the murder of my Abraham.”

Writer Don: “Wait, you said that you were implicated in your husband’s death?”

MTL: “Yes, but I knew nothing of the plot to murder my husband and I will explain what happened later on.”

Writer Don: “Please continue.”

MTL: “There are those who will condemn me and say I had a hand in my Abraham’s death and there are those who would tell you what I am about to tell you is not the truth, that I have made up my story, but as God is my witness it is my truth.”

Writer Don: “Please tell me about your early years.”

MTL: “My family, my younger years, what a good time it was.

I will start where it may be the most appropriate with my life before I ever met my precious Abraham.

I was born the fourth child of my father, Robert Smith Todd, a very well respected and powerful banker and Elizabeth Parker Todd on December 13^th 1818 in Lexington, Kentucky.

I was lucky enough to have been born into a very proud and prominent family in Lexington, yes, we were very proud to be Kentuckians and very proud to be southern. At the time of my birth, there was a belief that the south was the place to be, a place to prosper, a place that exemplified America.

Yes, we owned slaves but that is the way things were back then, why even northerners owned slaves, why even the first President of the United States, George Washington, himself owned slaves, and Thomas Jefferson, was it right? No! I believe and now know that slavery is against God’s law.

As far as I can remember, we treated our slaves very well.

Father was a banker so none of us children, there were seven of us, wanted for anything.

Sadly, mother passed over when I was six years of age. It became a very dreadful time and two years later father married another woman, named Elizabeth, but was better known as Betsy.

Father actually starting seeing Betsy a few months after Mother had passed over, and I believe Betsy was with child when father married her. It was to save his good name from scandal.

My siblings are as followed by their birth order, my half brother, Jonathan Todd, my sisters, Elizabeth Todd Edwards, Frances Fanny Jane Todd, my brother, Levi Oldham Todd, then I was born, my brother Robert Parker Todd, my sister, Ann Marie Todd, my other half brother, Robert Humphreys Todd, my half sister, Margaret Todd Kellogg and my other two half brothers, Samuel Brown Todd and David Humphreys Todd, and five other half siblings, Martha, Emilie, Alexander, Dedee and Kitty.

We did not all get along, plus when some of my half siblings were born, I was an adult. As you can see, we always had babies or young children in our home.

When I was thirteen……. no, I was fourteen, the family moved into a most grand and elegant, very large house right on Main Street in the heart of Lexington.

It was not a very good relationship between Betsy and I and I was so very glad to have been sent off to Madame Mantelle's finishing school.

It was at this time I became educated and a very refined southern lady.

I concentrated on what I loved, which was literature and French, which I can speak fluently.”

Before Washington and the White House

Writer Don: “Tell me about your time before Washington and the White house.”

MTL: “When I was twenty one, knowing that my stepmother and I did not get along, I decided to go live with my sister, Elisabeth and her husband, Ninian Edward, who resided in Springfield, Illinois.

I was considered a refined southern lady, with social graces, wit, and with a firm grasp of politics. I was a proud member of the Whig Party, which became the Republican Party.

My very first suitor was a young successful lawyer, named Stephen A. Douglas, who was a Democrat. I believe if Mr. Douglas was a Whig I may have become Mrs. Mary Todd Douglas and Stephen A. Douglas would have become the sixteenth President of these United States of America.

The rivalry began for my hand between my Abraham and Mr. Douglas, I believe this is where their political rivalry also began, and I believe this is around the same time in which my terrible headaches began and lasted for the remainder of my life.

My Abraham had served with distinction as a Captain in the Illinois Militia during the Blackhawk Wars; my Abraham was also a member and leader of the Whig party and a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

I felt politically more comfortable with Abraham but, to be honest, more romantically connected with Mr. Douglas.

After two years of courting me and some prodding from his law partner, Mr. Ward Lamon, Abraham finally asked me for my hand in marriage, but there was another reason, which I will tell you very soon.

Sad, I must say, my Abraham was not very romantic and when he did finally ask me for my hand in marriage, I was not totally sure if Abraham was the right man for me. Abraham was thirty three years old and I was only twenty three when he asked me for my hand in marriage, so there was a very large age difference.

To be honest, I did question myself if I was doing the right thing by marrying Abraham. Even after we were married, I questioned myself, not sure I did the right thing.

We were married on November 4^th 1842 at my sister, Elizabeth’s, home and two years later we purchased a lovely home in Springfield, Illinois, which was located at Jackson and Eighth streets.

Robert Todd Lincoln, my son, who was largely responsible for sending me to Bellevue, was born August 1^st 1843, and since this is my truth, I believed that I was already with child by about two weeks when we married because Abraham and I did not use protection, and so as not to have a scandal, we married.

After the birth of Robert, Abraham and I were very careful, so I did not bear Abraham another son until March 10^th 1846.

Our precious little Eddy; he was a most kind hearted little boy if there ever was one.

In 1846, the voters thought that a lot of Abraham’s ideas were wrong, especially his opposition to the war between Mexico and America, so my Abraham left politics vowing to me that he never wanted to be a politician again.

Abraham said that he believed being a politician was the closest thing to making a deal with the devil.

1850 was, I believed, when I first went down the road of depression; for we lost our lovely little Eddy in February, he died of consumption.
This was such a great burden for Abraham and me. It almost split Abraham and me in our marriage, as I did stay with my sister on several occasions.

But I will admit we could not bring back little Eddy from the dead, so for whatever purpose, we knew it was God’s will.

I became pregnant with our third son, Willie, who was born on December 21^st 1850. This brought joy at Christmas time; much needed joy.

Thomas was born on April 4^th 1853. He was Tad to us. It was my Abraham who called him his little tadpole when he saw Thomas right after birth wiggling just like a tadpole.

Since our Tad had physical problems with the way he spoke, I believe Tad only attended school for a very short time because, in plain English, Tad disliked school as much as eating vegetables and as Abraham was a self educated man, he felt no sense in making any of our sons do something that they did not want to do.

Yes, it is true, after we lost our precious little Eddy; our boys could do no wrong, so hell raisers they were.

I remember on several occasions after my Abraham brought Willie and Tad to his law office, Abraham would come home stating that Mr. Herndon, his law partner, must have no heart and that he must not like children, at least that is what we believed, but the truth be told, they were hell raisers.

For those eight years, Abraham was a very successful lawyer,”

Writer Don: “Please tell me about Abraham’s return to politics.”

MTL: “Once a politician, always a politician. Abraham told me in 1854, “I guess if I am going to be a politician and make a deal with the devil, at least it will be an honest deal.”

My Abraham took the political world by storm and became head of the newly formed Republican Party which had absorbed the Whig Party.

The election of 1858 for the United States Senate, between my Abraham and my former beau Mr. Douglas was close but my Abraham would not yield on the issue of the expansion of slavery.

We did have many discussions on the slave issue; yes they were heated at times.

I was trying to be the voice of reason, telling my Abraham that if he would just tell the people what they wanted to hear during the election, then after he was elected, he would have his chance to change things, but my Abraham would not hear of that and told me that he never wanted to deceive the voters, and so my former beau, Mr. Douglas, won that election.

I thought once more my Abraham was finished with politics, but because of the slavery issue my Abraham became more adamant about changing the course America.

My Abraham said the slave issue now burned into his heart, mind and very soul and that he would even lay down his life if it meant a change in the slave issue for America.

I believe this was the first time my Abraham somehow knew that this issue would cause the death of him.

As time went on, my Abraham had more visions and dreams of his own death and I cannot recount the number of times that my Abraham had dreamed of seeing himself in a coffin.

It was my Abraham’s staunch stand on slavery, and what he believed in, that made me start to rethink my own views. By the time I reached the White House I, too, was a very staunch supporter to do away with slavery.

When 1859 ended, my Abraham was at the top of the Republican Party and being my Abraham was a moderate from a swing state, my Abraham was going to be the nomination for the President of these United States for the Republican Party.

The south had the farm lands with a sparse population while the north had the industrial base with the majority of the population of America; we knew in our hearts that Abraham Lincoln would become the sixteenth President of these United States.

My Abraham would work far into the night planning his presidency and laying out his plan to end slavery, which he knew would not come overnight, as he wanted to take a slow approach as not to upset the southern states.

Slow and steady was my Abraham’s plan, he believed that within ten years he could end slavery and without any war, without the countless lives that were lost in that damn war.

In 1860, my Abraham and former beau, Mr. Douglas, were politically at each other again.

My Abraham spent most of his time away from home, away from the children and me, but it was for a very great cause, for my Abraham was doing this so that he could become the next President of these United States and change the course of America.

It helped my Abraham’s campaign that those who were behind him to become president embellished Abraham’s frontier days, especially those stories about my Abraham clearing the land with his axe, so much so, that he became known as the rail splitter, or the rail candidate.

Election night, November 6^th 1860, the votes came in slow and we went to bed not sure who would be elected president and for the next several days we did not know. Why we even had thoughts that Mr. John C. Breckinridge, a southern democrat from Kentucky, had won enough electoral votes to become the next president.

Mr. Douglas did so poorly he came in fourth with only twelve electoral votes.

It took three electoral votes to come to the conclusion that my Abraham would be the next President of these United States.

As soon as it was known that my Abraham was going to be President of these United States, and by February, seven southern states succeeded from the union and formed the Confederate States of America, they did not even give my Abraham a chance.

Why they even voted for their own President, Jefferson Davis.

My Abraham was sure that after he took office in March he could bring reconciliation and, once more, it would be the United States of America.”

The White House Years

Writer Don: “Please tell me about your first few months in White House.”

MTL: “I remember my Abraham leaving for Washington on February 9^th. He was going to take the train and, along the way, make frequent stops and give his speech about his plan to end slavery.

When the Crittenden Compromise, named after Kentucky Senator, Mr. John J. Crittenden, a bill trying to resolve the grievances held by the slave states failed, we all knew that war was inevitable.

I was so worried for my Abraham’s safety, as it was widely known there were many who would like to end my Abraham’s presidency before it even began.

While en route to Washington, that brave and intelligent man, Mr. Allen Pinkerton, had discovered a plot in Baltimore to murder my Abraham.

I thought; what is this country coming to, to even think of murdering the President of these United States?

Well, all ended well and my Abraham arrived in Washington safely, only because of Mr. Allen Pinkerton and God in heaven.

During my Abraham’s inaugural speech, he reached out to the southern states, even saying that for now he would not abolish slavery.

My Abraham tried his very best not to upset the apple cart, so to speak.

I remember my first day in that White House, such a splendid house it was, and I marveled at the size and the amount of servants, but I was dismayed by how old and outdated it looked.

The children; how they loved that house in its size and the many rooms to play hide and seek. Never had that house been brought to so much life because of our children.

It was March when I arrived, and winter was still hanging on. I had thought; if this continues, then nothing shall bloom until May.

The rooms seemed always cold and I could never seem to become warm.

Sitting by the fire at night I would always have a shawl on and a cup of hot tea and, yes, from time to time, I would add a spoonful of good Kentucky bourbon, which I only used for medicinal purposes.

The children seemed impervious to the cold, but my Abraham was always cold, even in late spring. To touch my Abraham, he seemed very cold. Even when he sat by the window with the sun beaming in, Abraham was cold to the touch, maybe this was a premonition of the things that would come.

I knew when I first moved in I wanted to set the White House right, for it was in need of many new items. After the war began, I was compelled, more than ever, to upgrade the White House to show the nation and other countries, such as England and France, that all was fine.

If given the chance, England would have once more tried to take over America.

My Abraham sent some Pinkertons to England to gather information.

The Pinkertons were a grand bunch, why they even protected me. Two Pinkertons were assigned to protect me, a Mr. John Kelly and a Mr. William Sotheby and since this is my truth, I was very fond of Mr. John Kelly and I believe he was very fond of me. All now shall know my truth.

Mr. Kelly alone would take me places. Mr. Kelly told Mr. Sotheby that having two men with Mrs. Lincoln might arouse suspicions, which may even cause someone to try to do harm to me.

Only after vowing to Mr. Sotheby that he would give up his very own life for my safety, did Mr. Sotheby relent, and he mainly would stand guard and watch over our children.

We would sit sometimes under a tree by the White House and just talk for hours; it made me feel good.

I remember the time that they had reassigned Mr. Kelly and I went to my Abraham with a very loud and strong complaint. The very next day Mr. Kelly was once again protecting me.

I do believe maybe my next book should be, “Mr. Kelly and I.” But could you imagine what the public would say, besides calling me a traitor, they would probably call me that dirty little southern whore. Let them call me what they like as we all have or will meet our maker.

Mr. Kelly was a strong, silent, intelligent and very sweet man.

From the time that my Abraham took the Office of the President, he surely tried with every ounce of his very soul to prevent the war that was inevitable.

I remember a meeting that he had with General Lee just before the war and how my Abraham tried to convince General Lee that if he stayed true to the Union that my Abraham would give him the whole Union Army to command, but General Lee said that even

though it saddened him greatly, he must remain loyal to Virginia.

Abraham believed if he could have just retained General Lee to command the Union Army that there would have been few other generals in the south willing to risk going against a fine leader and southern gentleman like General Lee.

I will say this, towards the end of the war and when all was basically lost for the south, General Lee did send my Abraham coded messages to once and for all end the bloodshed.

Not many known how noble a man General Lee was but I hope that my truth will set the record straight.”

Writer Don: “So who do you blame for continuing the war when all was lost for the south?”

MTL: “It was rich and powerful men of the south like Jefferson Davis, who wanted the lost cause to continue, hoping for a miracle.

I can only say they were very selfish men, for it was average people who fought and died for the south. It was the privileged, the powerful and the rich who created the war where thousands died and, in the end, left the south so very weak, so very poor.

I went to my grave knowing that a onetime glorious bastion of the south and southern ways died with that damn war and only because of a few greedy, rich and powerful men.”

1861

Writer Don: “Let us start with 1861.”

MTL: “If given the chance, my Abraham would have donned a Union uniform and directly commanded the Union Army in the early years of the war, for he was so frustrated with his useless generals.

I remember the day that damn war began; my Abraham signed an executive order to resupply Fort Sumter and the south took that as an act of war.

Mr. Davis and his damn cronies were just looking for any excuse to declare war on the Union.

And so that damn war began with shots being fired and the surrender of Fort Sumter on April 12^th.”

Writer Don: “With the start of the war, how did that affect President Lincoln?”

MTL: “From the time that damn war started, I seriously doubt that my Abraham slept more than just a few hours per night.”

Writer Don: “How did the war affect your children?”

MTL: “I remember little Tad, so much he wanted to join the army, stating that he himself could defeat the whole Confederate Army.

Why he was only eight years old and went behind our backs and asked the White House seamstress if she would make a Union uniform for him, and being the president’s son, she did.

One morning my Abraham went into his office and there was Tad, all decked out in his Union’s officer’s uniform, why he even had a sword which was a gift from General Winfield Scott.

We did get a bellyful of laughter at the sight of our little Tad in his uniform so Abraham made Tad his White House general. Tad was known as the little general.”

Writer Don: “I am intrigued about Mr. Kelly; would you please tell me more?”

MTL: “1861 was the first time my eyes set upon Mr. John Kelly and as this is my truth, I shall not lie, but my heart did a very small flutter.

I loved my Abraham, but at the same time, I felt forgotten, I felt lonely in a house so very large and at times so very empty.

Just because I was the first lady of Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President, I was still a woman, with needs and feelings.

With that damn war heating up, that was the only thing people wanted to talk about so it was a very pleasant time to have Mr. Kelly listen to me about my younger days, my children, my family, the weather and the gardens within the White House grounds.

At times, I believe I must have sounded like a young school girl, but Mr. Kelly, being a southern gentleman would listen and he seemed as though he heard every word.

I remember a conversation Mr. Kelly and I had in the summer of 1861, a conversation about the war, we both felt that cooler heads would prevail and, by Christmas time, the war would be over and our great nation would then proceed to becoming one great nation once more.

I remember the bloodshed even before the very first battle, so much bloodshed and this was not done by the armies of the north and south, this was done by the civilian population.

It was done by those sympathetic to the northern or southern cause, against those who had opposing views.

In every town and city across our great nation, there was bloodshed, friend harming friend, neighbor harming neighbor, even family member harming family member.”

Writer Don: “What is the first battle that you do remember?”

MTL: “It was the battle of Sewell’s Point on May 18^th, as the newspapers reported it, heavy firing on both sides but in the end both sides thought it prudent and ended the battle. By the grace of God, there were no fatalities; only one poor Confederate soldier was slightly wounded.

Everything drastically changed after the battle of Fairfax Court House, which was another draw.

I guess to the entire south it was a call to arms.

That is when my brothers and half brothers enlisted to help the southern cause.

My dear sweet brother, George R.C. Todd, sent me a message stating that all in my family thought it would be prudent if I once more travel to the south as I should be a true southern lady and I belong there.

Being here in Washington, and with the President of the Union, they felt I was a traitor.

This was also the start of whispers in Washington and most of the north that I, being a southern lady, would probably pass secret information about troop movements to the south.

As I must be honest, I did do this on several occasions in hopes that it would bring an end to that damn war.

In June, there was a victory by our men in uniform at the battle of Philippi, West Virginia. The Union Army was led by that very fine general, George B. McClellan, and two weeks later General George B. McClellan claimed victory once more at Harpers Ferry.

The newspapers called it an epic triumph and the Confederates raced in retreat from Philippi.

At that time, I was so sure that this damn war would be over by Christmas.

I believed, shortly, there would be peace, surely, Mr. Jefferson Davis would capitulate and all of this damn bloodshed would end.

Mr. Kelly was a man of no nonsense, who saved me on several occasions. The first time from a man who was going to do me harm; this man who tried to stab me and would have succeeded if it were not for the bravery of Mr. Kelly. This incident so rattled me that I believe I would have fainted if it were not for Mr. Kelly, who held me in his comforting arms.

Mr. Kelly thought it was wise if no one knew about this story and it was never printed in the newspapers, which Mr. Kelly felt could bring others who would try to do me harm.

After this man’s arrest, Mr. Kelly reported that he saved this man from trying to kill himself. I believe they sent that man to a place like Batavia, which was for those with diminished mental stability.”

Writer Don: “Tell me what the newspapers wrote about you?”

MTL: “They wrote mainly that I was from the south so I must have some sympathy for the Confederacy, that I had trouble navigating the social graces of being the first lady and did not know how to be refined.

I remember a very funny newspaper story about me that was featured in the Pittsburg Daily Gazette. The reporter wrote that he was quite surprised that I was not like a frontier woman, nor did I dress like a frontier woman, chewed snuff, did not use profane language and that I was no frontier hick. After this article, father, whom I called Abraham, at times, jokingly called me a frontier hick.”

Writer Don: “Do you remember any other news of the day besides the war?”

MTL: “Yes I do. In July, the Pony Express started to deliver letters from New York all the way to San Francisco, but with the advent of the railroad the Express ended service in October.”

Writer Don: “Can you remember any other news stories?”

MTL: “With so many battles and all of those daily war stories that damn war would pull you back in and with it my depression would seem to become, at times, unbearable. That is why I thank God above for sending me Mr. Kelly.

Mr. Kelly somehow found a way for me to escape that damn war, those rumors about me, and gave me a little bit of sunshine in a very dark world.”

Writer Don: “I know it may be hard for you but please tell me of the first major battle that you remember?”

MTL: “When I was alive, I disliked when that is all the newspapers would asked me about, that damn war, but since I have crossed over, I really do not mind retelling the war stories I do remember.

My mind drifts to that damn first battle of Bull Run, also known as the Battle of First Manassas. So bloody, so many losses on both sides, like a bucket of cold water thrown in the face of the north, it was a tragic defeat for the north. I believe there were at least five thousand total causalities.

My depression grew so very bad that I felt like just gathering my children and travel all the way to San Francisco. I believe I would have if it were not for Mr. Kelly.

When the war dispatches were read about the battle of Manassas, I left the White House and walked in the garden, tears in my eyes, my heart heavy.

Mr. Kelly was always close by, as he was my guardian. I started to sob uncontrollably; I was just standing there in the garden, sobbing uncontrollably. It was the comfort of Mr. Kelly’s arms, which was a soothing, calming effect.

With the Union Army in retreat, and an unorganized retreat it was, there were thoughts that we may have to leave the White House, leave the Capital, it was already decided that Philadelphia or New York would become the new Capital until Washington could be retaken.

Mr. Kelly assured me that he would always keep me and my children safe.

There were other countries who lined up on the side of the Confederacy, such a turmoil time in the history of the United States of America, such a turmoil time.”

Writer Don: “What about the aftermath of that battle?”

MTL: “After the Battle of Manassas, my Abraham did not want to ask for the resignation of the popular General Winfield Scott so the General, being a good soldier, retired and the sword of the Union forces was passed to General George McClellan.”

I remember a letter from my brother, George. I shall read it to you.”

My dearest sister Mary,

I do hope this letter finds you well.

As others in the south say such terrible things about you, I shall never say one bad word about you, for I believe this matter is out of your control, but at times I pray that you will come back home as you are a true southern lady.

I know your heart breaks, for this war may be the death of us all.

So far nothing has changed here in the south and we, as southerners, have vowed to stand strong together to see this war to a complete and sound victory.

I do hope that your Abraham may find it in his heart to capitulate so we may start to build a peaceful co-existence of both nations.

How I miss you Mary and will say a prayer for your children and you.

Your brother,

George R. C. Todd

“Shortly after I received that letter from my brother George, he was arrested in Richmond because he was my brother and the brother in law of the President of the Union. They thought that maybe he was a sympathizer for the Union cause.

Later he was released as they realized that he had traveled to Richmond to help in the southern cause. To use his skill as a very good surgeon to help those who would be wounded in any and all battles.

I do remember a news story not to do with that damn war, but it did have to do with a battle, fighting and bloodshed, just another American tragedy.

By year’s end, we received a dispatch from Fort Fauntleroy that the Navajos were aggressive and that the commanding officer, Colonel Canby, put this uprising down, but as we found out much, much later, the Colonel’s report was all a lie, for the Navajos felt cheated by the soldiers during a horse race. The soldiers did what they did best with the American Aboriginals; they slaughtered men, women and children.

If only there was no Civil War, I believe my Abraham would have found out the truth, so occupied on that damn war that innocent people died; men, women and precious children.

Years later, that event affected me so very much that I would have nightmares and see dead Navajos; men, women and children, they would walk right by me, never speaking or even looking at me, just that blank stare of death on their faces, so haunting, so very haunting.

I always felt that to really understand the American natives then one must be an American native.

In my last days, my heart truly felt for them, for they, like I, had been cheated, hurt, and broken.”

Writer Don: “Yes, the native Americans, those true Americans have always been cheated and hurt.

Would you please tell me about your first Christmas in the White House?”

MTL: “Our first Christmas at the White House, so wonderful, so refined and newly redecorated.

If I remember correctly, we had three Christmas trees and I was very busy with so many social parties and gatherings.

As usual, the children were full of the Christmas spirit.

You find yourself in the Christmas glow only to be pulled back into the cold reality by that damn war and my thoughts of the mothers, from the north and the south, who had already lost their sons to the war, and those mothers whose sons were far away fighting this war, knowing and fearing that by next Christmas their own sons could be lost to that damn war.

I guess we all knew that the war could not end by Christmas and now knew it probably would not be over by next Christmas.

As Mr. Kelly was my personnel guardian, who had already risked his very own life to save mine, I had decided to bake him a whole tin of sugar cookies, which being the gentleman that he truly was, shared them with me.

Mr. Kelly wrote me a lovely note, which I have kept since the day I received it.”

To Mary Todd Lincoln,

You are a true southern lady, whom I hope and pray only finds happiness, for you are as refined, intelligent and good looking as the southern cities of Savannah and Charleston.

May you only have sun filled days, never to feel the loneliness and cold darkness that you now feel.

Mr. John Kelly, Pinkerton Detective

“At first I felt Mr. Kelly was a little too bold, but as I did like the attention that Mr. Kelly showed me, I decided that Mr. Kelly’s letter would be my secret.”

Writer Don: “So you had feelings for Mr. Kelly?”

MTL: “Yes I did, I cannot explain the confusion in my brain with being married to Abraham, but feeling very lonely and Mr. Kelly was as my secret garden, where I could escape that damn war, I could escape the whole world.

There was an odd incident that happened during that first Christmas in the White House.

It was Christmas morning and Abraham was at a cabinet meeting, I believe it had something to do with two captured British envoys onboard a Confederate ship.

I was full of the Christmas spirit and as Mr. Kelly came to me to wish me a Merry Christmas, I noticed Mr. Kelly was directly under the mistletoe. To have some Christmas fun, I pointed this out to him and so befuddled Mr. Kelly became that his face turned a Christmas red.

Maybe I carried this Christmas fun too far as I closed my eyes and puckered my lips, which gave Mr. Kelly only one gentlemanly choice, which was to kiss me.

It did make me feel wonderful, dizzy and light hearted and it seemed we were both silent for such a prolonged time.

After the kiss, Mr. Kelly said that he would tender his resignation, he apologized, turned and started to walk away, but I could not stand the mere thought of losing Mr. Kelly, so I said,

“Mr. Kelly, is it wrong that good friends, when they find themselves under the Christmas mistletoe, kiss?”

“Mr. Kelly turned and still with a Christmas red face nodded.

For a week I feared that Mr. Kelly would tender his resignation, but thank the Lord he never did.

On New Year’s Eve, my Abraham was at another cabinet meeting and I was standing by a window looking at the bitter cold and snow which had blanketed the White House grounds.

Mr. Kelly came to me wanting to wish me a happy New Year and after finishing, he turned to leave when, once more and not knowing why, I kissed Mr. Kelly on his cheek and once more told him, “Is it wrong that good friends kiss as to wish a well and good New Year?”

“I was looking forward to 1862, hoping and praying for peace, feeling deep down that by next year this time that damn war would be over.”

1862

Writer Don: “With the New Year, I guess you felt a sense of renewal?”

MTL: “Yes, I certainly did. For in the New Year, I had so much hope that even by chance or even a mistake that damn war would end.

It was at this time Mr. Kelly and I learned so much about each other.

Mr. Kelly was born in Ireland in 1823, five years after I was born. He immigrated to America and spent his years between those fine cities of Charleston and Savannah, spending his time on riverboats, gambling, before joining the Pinkertons in 1859.

At that time, I had my suspicions that Mr. Kelly may have had loyalties to the southern cause.

When I asked Mr. Kelly if he could have a letter to my brother George safely delivered, he stated that it may be possible.

I shall read that letter.

To my brother George R. C. Todd, MD,

Surgeon, Confederate forces Richmond

To my dear brother George,

I wish you and Ann a happy and prosperous New Year.

My hope and prayers are that this year will once again find peace to all of America, both north and south, the Union and Confederacy.

My dear brother George, I had read a letter that you wrote to the Richmond Dispatch newspaper, stating that my Abraham was one of the greatest scoundrels un-hung.

My dearest brother, if not for my Abraham then someone else would be leading the charge against the south.

My Abraham would surely give up a great deal if he himself could end the bloodshed which has been spilled upon our nation.

For you to have made such a statement surely does not sound like the brother I once knew and loved.

We are still family and no matter how this damn war ends; I will always be your loving

sister.

Yours sincerely,

Mary Todd Lincoln

The next two months my depression mounted to an almost breakable point.

First Tad and Willie became sick with the fever; I could not prepare myself for what was to follow so I denied that my two sons were as sick as they were.

It was the end of January when I read a dispatch that Confederate General James Longstreet had lost all three of his children to the fever. This brought me to tears and I believe my Abraham would have written a letter of condolence to General Longstreet if it were not for those who would have condemned such action.

Next there was the infighting in my Abraham’s own cabinet. My Abraham even issued an order to General McClellan to advance on the south but the General did not believe it was prudent at the time and outright disobeyed this order, which brought about many heated and yelling arguments. Why you would have thought that the war had brought a battle into the White House itself.”

Writer Don: “So it was a divided house, not only as a nation between the states, but a divided house within the government of the Union?”

MTL: “Yes, so very much, but it was also a divided house in the Confederacy also.

Washington whispered that I was pro slavery and my troubles came to a head when the Senate members of the committee, on the conduct of the war, considered treason charges against me.”

Writer Don: “This I did not know.”

MTL: “There were times when I felt I could no longer continue living my life as it was, and maybe, just maybe, I should jump into the Potomac river to end it all and I believe I would have done this if it were not for Mr. Kelly who told me that he would risk limb and life itself to see me and my children safely out of the city and the country, and have us travel to Canada to live out our lives there, if such action were taken against me.”

Writer Don: “What was the outcome?”

MTL: “As this committee was preparing to vote, my Abraham made a surprise appearance, reading just a brief statement denying any fact that I was sympathetic to the southern cause. The vote was canceled, but I do wonder how my life would have turned out if they had voted against me.

I do remember the start of February very well as Mrs. Julia Howe published that wonderful song for the Union, “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” Why after a short time, I believe everyone was singing, humming or whistling that song, even my Abraham would hum that song.

The middle of February had a grand victory for General Grant. I must state he did not start to smoke those terrible cigars until people started to send him lots of them because of that famous tintype by Matthew Brady.

General Grant smoked a lot of those terrible, smelly things and as we all know died from that very poor habit.

Now I can say with certainty General Grant did like the drink and I did see him attend one war meeting where I swear he was feeling no pain and had to be helped along by a captain, but a good general he was and his victory at Fort Donelson in the middle of February set in motion his own history.

Now with much emotion I must continue with my account, and that brings me to that terrible truly heart breaking day when we lost our precious little Willie, on February 20^th.

With Tad becoming well, I had truly thought that our precious little Willie would follow but he did not and the good Lord took him home to, once more, be with precious little Eddy and to wait for Abraham, Tad, myself, and finally Robert to be joyfully reunited again.”

Writer Don: “It was truly a very sad time in your life, how did you cope?”

MTL: “I almost did not and as before I was at another breaking point, my Abraham did comfort me as much as possible, but he was the president with a war on his hands; his plate was very full.

It was Mr. Kelly who would hold me for hours, wipe my tears from my eyes and comfort me and that is the only reason why I did not go down to the Potomac River and jump in.

I actually thought after the death of our precious little Willie that this was the end of my misery, my heartache, my depression, but as I must have been traveling down the wrong road of life, it was not.”

Writer Don: “I believe most people do not know about all of the losses in your life and when they think of you they only remember the loss of your husband, President Lincoln.”

MTL: “Yes, you are most likely correct.

So much did my heart ache, at that time I had thought, will there be any rest, any peace for me, when will the Lord lift my heavy burden from me and once more I shall rest in the solitude of peace.

Even from time to time now, I am without peace, without rest as a restless spirit condemned to walk this earth for all eternity with this most miserable feeling, which I believe will only leave me when I have finally let the past go.”

Writer Don: “A very turbulent time after the death of your very young Willie?”

MTL: “Yes it was, March, let me stop to see if I can even remember what happened after the death of my Willie. Yes, I believe the middle of March was when the United States began printing and using paper money, they were called greenbacks because of the green inks that were used on the back of the money or postage currency, because it looked just like a postage stamp.

There were those who said the use of paper money was a sign that the Union was weak and broke, that the Union was only printing money because, in reality, it could not actually pay for the war so it would print as much paper money as is needed.

I remember that because on this new paper money there was hoarding of coin money and for a time I did not see any coins. Why it became so bad that my Abraham passed a law which made it legal to use postage stamps in transactions for change as no one had any coins.

I also remember that my Abraham removed General McClellan from the General-in-Chief and demoted him to Commander of the

Army of the Potomac, why that blew so much stink because he was well liked by soldiers and politicians who did not like my Abraham or me, but he disobeyed a direct order back in February from my Abraham, the President and Commander of the Army.”

Writer Don: “So who did your husband appoint as General McClellan’s replacement?”

MTL: “My Abraham appointed Henry Halleck as General-in-Chief, an odd little man. I remember the first time I met General Halleck. I asked him how his wife Elizabeth was and he stood there for what seemed like the longest time just staring at me with his bulging eyes and rubbing his elbows before he said, “Fine, very fine, Mrs. Lincoln.” His nickname was the cold and calculating owl. He had a bad temper and was not a well liked commander.

I truly wonder why my Abraham appointed General Halleck to General-in-Chief, as there were rumors that the general may have been sympathetic to the south, my Abraham called him little more than a clerk. I believe the only reason why my Abraham did promote him is because he was next in line for the promotion.

As time and the war went on, my Abraham and I barely saw each other, there were nights when Abraham did not even sleep in his own bed and slept in his chair in his office.

On several occasions, I had to remind my Abraham that he should bathe and change his clothes because he began to smell like an old dog.

I should not have, but I felt neglected, unwanted, unloved, wanting so much to feel a loving touch, a tender hug.

There were times when I would just start to cry and Mr. Kelly would hold me and wipe my tears away and, yes, I did on several occasions pretend to be crying as I was in much need of a tender loving touch. Everyone regrets things we do in our lives.”

Writer Don: “What are you holding in your hand?”

MTL: “It is a dispatch, a piece of history,

which I shall read.

War dispatch, April 9^th, 1862

To President Lincoln

Western Theater of the war

Southwest Tennessee

April 6^th to April 8^th

Battle for Shiloh, Pittsburg Landing

After fierce fighting, our army has subdued the enemy, the Confederate Army, and has gained control of this vital area and, more importantly, the Mississippi river.

Reports are confirmed that Confederate General Albert Johnson has been killed.

Also confirmed killed, which has been reported by the 31^st Ohio group, a one Mr. Samuel B. Todd belonging to the 24^th Louisiana, Crescent Regiment.

Respectfully,

Major General Grant

My heart broke once more, as more sorrow entered my life, for Samuel was my half brother. At thirty two years of life, he was a good and Godly man, a good husband to Clelie Cecile Todd, and father to his four wonderful children.

In his youth, I remember Samuel was such a happy child, with so many aspirations for life itself.

As my inner peace and heart was shattered once more. Publicly, I did not want to give those who would like to see me in prison or even dead an excuse so publicly I stated that if they joined the Confederate cause and died in battle then they received their just end.

Even though General Grant had secured a great victory, you might have thought that he had lost the entire war by the way the news papers complained about the general.

People who would write about the war who were not even present at the battle slandered General Grant’s good name and honor.

As always, there are those who speak and write as to judge those who do go into battle, with themselves never donning a uniform and seeing the horrors of war.

After a while, the outcry became like a hoard of locust growing and wanting the blood of General Grant, this reached a breaking point when the General wanted to resign. It was General Sherman who sat down with Grant and after sharing a half bottle of whiskey, Grant decided to stay.

My Abraham made a personal statement to the public about General Grant saying, “I can’t spare this man; he fights.”

I do believe for the most part newspapers may be a scourge on our society.”

Writer Don: “So how did you escape from this constant barrage of verbal and written words?”

MTL: “It was Mr. Kelly who always knew when I was at my breaking point and did sneak me away from the White House for several hours, for a picnic in a secluded spot, far from the public, far from the chaos of the war. For those several hours, it was a wonderful piece of tranquility, which I desperately needed.

It was one of those times in one’s life that you remember and treasure.

Mr. Kelly had thought of everything, a blanket, food, wine and a book of poetry.

Together we lay on the blanket, listening to the birds, with a light wind, which blew through the trees, while Mr. Kelly read from the book of poetry.

On one occasion, upon our return to the White House, there was such excitement we both thought the war was over. No, it was not to be but it was something good for a change, for a law had passed which abolished slavery in the capital city. This was truly one of the better days for the White House.”

Write Don: “When this happened, how did

the Confederacy react?”

MTL: “On that same day, the Confederate States passed the Conscription Act for all white males-eighteen to thirty five years of age. I guess they felt with Washington being just across the river they needed to send a reply.”

Writer Don: “I had heard that you liked the theater?”

MTL: “No, I did not like the theater, I loved the theater.

I truly believe if I had not followed the path I took, I believe I could have been an actress in the theater.

In Boston, Mrs. Ellen Price Wood’s book, “East Lynne,” premiered on the stage. Oh how I so missed the theater, but being who I was, made it almost impossible for me to go to the theater.

I longed to go to the theater and as soon as I told Mr. Kelly how I yearned for the theater, he made it possible for me to attend secretly.

Mr. Kelly was good with disguises. So good that we sat near generals, politicians and newspaper men and not a one recognized me.

One time we sat right next to General Halleck and his wife, Elizabeth, and neither recognized me.

My Abraham knew of Mr. Kelly’s ruse. He knew that the theater would be good for me and received such a kick by those who sat so close to me and did not recognize me.

When I returned home, he wanted names of those who sat close to me and made it a joyful game by asking that person if he had not recognized Mrs. Lincoln when they attended the theater.”

The summer of 1862, The Homestead Act, The Westward Movement, and General Lee taking command of the Confederate Armies

“There were many lost battles for the Confederacy; it surely looked bleak for the south.

I remember August of that year which was to me a very bad year. First we lost our precious son, Willie. Then I was labeled a traitor, and then if that were not enough, I lost my half-brother, Samuel. More heartache was brought upon me when I received another war dispatch that my other half-brother, Alexander, was killed at a battle near Baton Rouge.

Alexander, my dear young brother, was only twenty three when he was killed. That is certainly not enough time to live.

With brave soldiers dying on both sides, I believe humanity died with them.

The first group of colored folks met with my Abraham in the White House and I bet they were rolling over in their graves down south.

My Abraham wanted for more patience, but the colored folks were tired of being patient and I guess if I were a colored folk, I would no longer want for more patience.

My Abraham did authorize and order the forming of the first color regiment.

August ended in a very bad way for the Union as General Lee gave a great victory to the Confederacy at the second Battle at Bull Run.

The beginning of September brought General Lee invading the north and, once more, we at the White house were on notice that we may have to leave at any moment. Mr. Kelly, again, pledged that he would give his own life for the safety of my children and me.

It was not until the latter part of September when General McClellan pushed General Lee back and, again, Mr. Kelly took me away from the White House. Away from that damn war for another fine picnic, Oh, how I miss those little trips of complete joy during September.

It was on the same day as my first picnic in the month of September that my Abraham’s Emancipation Proclamation was published in all northern newspapers and with my Abraham’s statement so went any chance of peace, any chance of reconciliation.”

Writer Don: “How did this affect the war?”

MTL: “It meant the only way that damn war was going to end was a total and complete surrender by either the Union or Confederacy.

On the battlefield, it was kill or be killed all the way to the end of that bitter, bitter war.

It seemed for every time that my Abraham made a statement or passed a law, the Confederate States would also make a statement or pass a law.

After the northern newspapers ran my Abraham’s Emancipation, the very next damn day the Confederate Congress adopted a Confederate Seal.

With the October chill in the air, Mr. Kelly only took me twice for a picnic, but almost daily he would take me for a carriage ride.

I am not sure whether my Abraham was just mad at what Confederate General Jeb Stuart did or the fact my Abraham was jealous of Mr. Kelly, but the day after General Jeb Stuart, on his trusty stead, wearing his hat cocked to the side with a very large ostrich plume, a red flower on his lapel, a bright yellow sash and his red lined gray Confederate cape, rode completely around General McClellan’s army two times, embarrassing both the general and my Abraham. My Abraham gave an order that Mr. Kelly should be reassigned. Never was I more depressed and, at times, for no good reason, I wept openly.”

Writer Don: “How did this end?”

MTL: “After my first day without Mr. Kelly, I thought I had lost a very good friend forever and it lasted a whole week, and even though I was married and loved my Abraham, my heart hurt, which made me wonder, is it possible for a person to love two people? I now believe it is possible.

After a week, my Abraham saw how depressed I was and reluctantly had Mr. Kelly reassigned back to guarding and protecting me, it was a most joyous day.

I thought that a dinner party was a must and as my Abraham was tied up in meetings about that damn war, Mr. Kelly was my escort and dinner companion.

In October of that year, I saw my first baseball game between the Athletic Club of Philadelphia and our own very good team, the National Club of Washington, not sure who won as we left the game before it ended.

When my Abraham knew I was starting to get the itch to go to the theater, he made sure that he made time for that, as I do believe my Abraham was jealous of Mr. Kelly, but also liked the theater, liked it so much that it was the death of my Abraham.

In November, my Abraham took me to the Ford’s Theater to see the Italian opera, “La Forza Del Destino.” When translated, it means, “The Force of Destiny or Power of Fate.” I believe it is like the book titled, “The Curse of Capistrano,” with its character named Zorro.

November seemed to be the month of change for both sides.

The Union General, Ambrose Burnside, who was nicknamed Old General Sideburns, replaced General McClellan, who I believe was just too young at the age of thirty six years young to be leading the Union Army.

Once more, General Grant was in trouble as a newspaper reported that the general did not want any Jews serving under him and after it was found out that he did issue an order, there were those who wanted him gone and, once more, there was another meeting with Sherman and Grant with another bottle of whiskey.

My Abraham called General Grant his ‘bad boy general’ but it was well worth keeping him as he had more guts and fight than almost all of the generals of the whole Union Army.

If my Abraham could, he would have traded all of his generals for just six generals like Grant.

For the Confederacy, there was also change as the Confederate Secretary of War, Mr. George Randolph, resigned. I believe he knew that there was no way the south would ever win so why keep sending young men off to die and to have the south lose more than it had already lost.

As the weather turned cold, there was an early snow fall on the capital and Mr. Kelly took me for a most joyous sleigh ride.

We bundled up and Mr. Kelly brought along a good tasting peach brandy right from that beautiful city of Atlanta.

I know it was a time of war but what General Sherman did to that gracious city in 1864 seemed almost criminal.

I also remember one very cold night, it was after the children went to bed, and my Abraham was at yet another war meeting. I was watching the snow fall, sitting by the window, feeling lonely once more, the fire was dying out and the room became very cold, exactly as I felt.

It was Mr. Kelly who so graciously built a very warm and glowing fire and he brought me a hot cup of tea with a dash of his fine southern peach brandy.

There we sat by the window watching the snow and I was feeling so very warm, so not alone.

With the snow falling and the warmth from the fire and Mr. Kelly by my side, I felt warm but still I could not forget that damn war. Oh how I wished I could have forgotten that terrible war even for a fleeting moment.

That damn war was like quicksand, always sucking you in and tormenting your mind and very soul.

Writer Don, I believe I am finished for the time being and I will call upon you very soon, but for now I must stop.”

Writer Don: “I believe even after one hundred and fifty years, Mary Todd Lincoln is still affected by that war and all that took place in her life, but who would not be.”

Continuing 1862

MTL: “Writer Don, this is Mary Todd Lincoln. I am ready to continue.”

Writer Don: “Good morning and I am glad you have returned to tell your story, please continue.”

MTL: “With the warmth in the room and the comfort by Mr. Kelly, I fell asleep in Mr. Kelly’s arms.

Thankfully, Mr. Kelly woke me just in time as my Abraham entered the room. He knew I would be waiting for him to finish his war meeting, and he said to me as he always did, “Come to bed mother.” And as always I would reply, “Yes Father.”

The month of December did not bring joy but even more turmoil and this turmoil did not come from that damn war. For my Abraham, this time it came from the Indians on the western front up in Minnesota.

Knowing what I know now, I do not blame the Sioux for what they did as they had been treated poorly and lied to plenty of times. If I were Sioux, I would have done the same thing.

Seems the Sioux Indians decided they also wanted more freedom and did commence to cause death and destruction.

The Union Army, now in a full scale war against the Confederate Army, had to also contend with the Sioux Indians on the western front up in Minnesota.

As always, the white man, the Union Army, came down upon this Sioux tribe with a thundering hammer, and brought three hundred men from this tribe to trial. They were found guilty of causing bloodshed and destruction.

As they were found guilty, their sentence was death by hanging or an army firing squad, but this could only be done with a presidential order.

While newspapers and the public cried for their blood, my Abraham decided to review each and every case, which brought even more outcries from those damn newspapers. In the end, my Abraham gave his order that out of the three hundred, thirty nine should be hung.

Such a tragedy in the way the Native Americans were treated, and the way their land was stolen.

Just when you think the dust is about to settle, another storm hits. This time it was my Abraham’s bad boy, General Grant, who thought that the Jews were running the black market in the south and ordered that all Jews in Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee must be expelled. Once more, newspapers and public outcry reigned down upon the White House and my Abraham. Once more, it was General Sherman and a bottle of whiskey that got things done and General Grant rescinded his order.

1863

Writer Don: “Another year, please tell me about 1863.”

MTL: “1863, another new year, and still no hope of peace.

That mighty iron ship, the Monitor, sank to the bottom, off the coast of Cape Hatteras.

My Abraham, with his Emancipation Proclamation, stating that all slaves in the Confederate states are now free made damn sure that there would be no peace in the foreseeable future.

The one thing in my life that stopped me from ending it all by jumping into the Potomac River was the comfort given by Mr. Kelly.

With the long talks that Mr. Kelly and I had, I started to believe that Mr. Kelly may have been more than just sympathetic to the southern cause.

It was a time of confusion for me about Mr. Kelly, do I tell or wait and find out what Mr. Kelly is up to. I decided to wait, but now looking back I do believe it was my heart that was in control of my brain.

Mr. Kelly and I talked about how grand it would be if the war could end in a draw and there would be two Americas. At the time, I believed Mr. Kelly made a lot of sense, or maybe it was the fact that I still had strong feelings for the south.

We both knew that slavery was wrong but I believe we were both dreamers and just wished the south would return to the old southern ways, but without slavery of course.

Now if you were not brought up or were not from the south, how could you ever understand?

I am not talking about slavery, as I have said slavery is wrong, no, I am talking about the traditional south with southern ladies and gentlemen, the southern manners, southern food and the proper ways of doing things. No, my friend, those days were gone forever.

Mr. Kelly was always asking what my Abraham was up to, he said he was interested in the war, but now I know the truth about Mr.
Kelly.

It came to light that my half-brother, David, who ran away from home when he was only fourteen years old to fight in the war with Mexico, had been given the command of the Libby prison in Richmond, Virginia.

That place had a terrible reputation and it had been reported that my half-brother, David, had been very brutal in his treatment of the Union soldiers.

This had embarrassed my Abraham greatly, and once more rained much criticism and hatred down upon my Abraham and me.”

Writer Don: “Wait, getting back to Mr. Kelly, what did you find out about him?”

MTL: “At this time in my book, I will tell you this. I discovered Mr. Kelly had a letter from my brother in law, Charles H. Kellogg, who was supposedly loyal to the Union and my Abraham but who was actually loyal to the Confederacy.

When I asked Mr. Kelly how he came to possess such a letter and what it said, he replied that he would like to tell me but feared if I knew it would place me in great danger.

It was quite bothersome to me about how Mr. Kelly came in possession of a letter from my brother in law.

January went like a blur, more battles, more death, and my Abraham kept tinkering with his army, replacing old Burnside with General Hooker. Now he was a man who would stab you in the back if you crossed him, he openly criticized old Burnside and pushed to take his command. My Abraham thought, now this is what the Union Army needed at the time, a swift kick in the ass, so Hooker was named as the new and improved General of the Army.

He was soundly defeated by General Lee at Chancellorsville; this was a good thing because it made my Abraham replace him, which was just months before Gettysburg.

As the war and winter chill wore on, I remember very clearly that the Secretary of War, Mr. Edwin Stanton, gave permission to the Governor of Massachusetts, Mr. John Andrew, to organize a colored regiment, I believe it was called the 54^th Massachusetts Regiment.

The Union now had a new resource of men, and now it looked as bleak as ever for the south.

It was February, Valentine’s Day, and Mr. Kelly gave me a very nice embroidered hanky, I still have that hanky.

I don’t know what I was thinking and, in return, I kissed Mr. Kelly on his cheek. Mr. Kelly reciprocated by kissing me on my cheek. Then I kissed Mr. Kelly on his other cheek. When it was over, we must have kissed each other on our cheeks at least a dozen times.

I shall not lie, as this made my heart pound faster and my knees weak, but I was lonely, yes, even living in a house with so many, I was lonely.

I was very relaxed around Mr. Kelly. Mr. Kelly was as a good and close friend as I had ever had.

When things in my life seemed to place me in a very foul mood, it was Mr. Kelly who would come to my rescue, lift my spirits and renew my good nature.

The war was going very bad for the south, so bad that Confederate President Davis called for a day of fasting and prayer, it was just his way of saying food is in short supply and we better start praying because we are in desperate need of food.

It did get very bad for the south, people were hungry, so very hungry, and there were reports that some people became desperate and ate their horses, dogs or cats.

There was even a bread riot in the very capital of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia, in early April. Southern women took to the streets demanding bread, as they were very hungry. Things got out of hand and the women started to smash windows of stores and looted them. My gracious, I just cannot imagine proud southern women looting stores.

Then President Davis feeling that he was in a corner, called out troops with bayonets to restore order, can you imagine how those hungry southern ladies felt when the President of the Confederacy did that?”

Writer Don: “You were from the south and had your sympathies toward the south, so how did you feel about Jefferson Davis?”

MTL: “I will go on record in my book; I did not like President Davis then, nor will I ever like him. That man did cause the south a lot of damage and suffering for his own agenda, even after all was lost, after General Lee surrendered, President Davis wanted his glorious south to continue to fight and was not so brave a man that when he was captured in May of 1865 he was wearing his wife’s overcoat.

The south, my south, deserved a better man than Jefferson Davis. A man like Mr. Kelly would have been more deserving.

With the spring, it brought more picnics along the Potomac River.

We even fished to see who could catch the most fish and most times I would, but all of

those picnics by the river ended in early May, such a beautiful day that turned bloody.

We were having such a grand day when three evil men came upon us and recognized me. They thought they could take me for ransom, but a quick thinking Mr. Kelly drew his six shot Army Colt revolver and did kill all three men within seconds. Before we could leave, many Union troops descended to our area fearing for our lives. From that time, I had no fear of my life when I was with Mr. Kelly.

When we returned to the White House, I almost collapsed and, once more, Mr. Kelly comforted me in his arms, where I knew I was safe from anything that the world had to offer.

My truth be told, I did kiss Mr. Kelly on his lips and he reciprocated and kissed me on my cheek.

There we sat for what seemed the longest damn time holding hands and staring at each other. For a few fleeting moments, that damn war seemed to be almost nonexistent.

But that damn war will always be there within my very own soul, for it took so very much from me.

Bloody mid May, that is what it was called, because on the 16^th of May the battle of Champion Hill was fought as part of the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi.

So bloody, so many deaths, I believe the number totaled over six thousand brave men on both sides.

After this battle, I thought that man could stand no more bloodshed and the war would end, but there would be two more years of more bloodshed, more wounded, so many more tears and suffering.

The siege of Vicksburg was so very long; it seemed to go on forever.

It was June and the summer heat came upon us once more, so for a much needed relief, Mr. Kelly took me on a picnic to the outskirts of Washington.

A wonderful oasis of green with the coolness of many trees, it gave such a wonderful relief from the early summer heat.

While we sat and enjoyed this special oasis, Mr. Kelly read from a book of famous poets.

Maybe secretly I would have wanted for Mr. Kelly but he was always the perfect southern gentleman.

Being a woman of forty four years of age, I felt I had passed my prime and that no one would give me a look, but I still burned within, for the change I had been waiting for did not come upon me till my Abraham was murdered.

My truth be told, I did have a secret passion for Mr. Kelly.”

Writer Don: “After hearing all of your stories about Mr. Kelly and you, I can understand why you were confused about Mr. Kelly.

Please continue about Vicksburg, Mrs. Lincoln.”

MTL: “Please call me Mary.

Never forget the passion in your life, I believe that is why so many in today’s world go their own separate ways, they have forgotten their passion, their youth, and how to be tender and loving, sexually and non-sexually.

I will never forget Mr. Kelly’s passion.

Yes, I shall return to that damn vile war, Vicksburg.

June came and the siege at Vicksburg still continued. I believe as a predator smells blood, General Grant smelled a victory, and those in Vicksburg knew what the inevitable end would be.

Now if you think that men were the only heroes for the Union during that war, you would be very wrong, because there were women who I believe have been forgotten over time in the history of that damn war.

Two come to my mind; one being Doctor Mary Edward Walker, the only women to ever have won the Medal of Honor, nor a woman who was so bold, so brave!

The second was a colored woman by the name of Harriet Tubman, she cooked, was a nurse and a spy for the Union Army. From all I have heard and read, she was a hard woman, a woman with much courage, a woman who was smart and could shoot as well as any man and who had visions; visions which came true.

She had a vision of her being the Moses of the war, who led many on the Underground Railroad to their freedom.”

Writer Don: “I interviewed her in one of my books, a very good interview.”

MTL: “I remember it was early June and Miss Tubman led Union guerrillas deep into Maryland where they freed many slaves and took control of much needed southern supplies.

Mr. Kelly and I had just returned from another carriage ride and there was such a fuss, why there were Union troops as thick as June bugs near and around the White House and our belongings were being loaded as to make a hasty retreat at any moment.

Reports were coming in that General Lee had crossed the Potomac and was about to invade Washington.

I did think what if we should be captured and I feared a great deal for my Abraham, fearing that he would have been beaten, tortured so very bad and even murdered.

I was very sure that my children and I would have been treated with most respect and given a great deal of freedom, and most suitable accommodations, but with much sadness I knew Mr. Kelly would have met his fate, with his last dying breath protecting my children and me.

I’m not sure what General Lee had thought but by the next day it seemed his army was more on a westerly move, the good General had hoped to cut the north into two but, as history shows, he was stopped at the small town of Gettysburg.

With resounding defeats at Vicksburg, Mississippi and Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, on the exact same date, July 3^rd 1863, the Southern cause was lost and from that point onward in the war, the south was just hoping to hold onto whatever it could, for we all know how that damn war would end.

After Vicksburg and Gettysburg, Mr. Kelly and I set a most dangerous plan into motion.

On July 7^th, Mr. Kelly handed me a note stating that my half-brother, David, was wounded at the battle of Vicksburg but should recover.

Because of the treatment that he had given to Union prisoners at Libby Prison, I honestly felt no compassion whatsoever for him and gave a statement in the newspapers saying, “I feel no compassion for David as he treated Union prisoners with no regard and is such an embarrassment to the president and myself.”

After this, David and I never met, spoke or communicated again; too much water over the dam.

My other brother, George R.C. Todd, was a surgeon at Gettysburg and won praise and distinction from General Lee himself.

After Gettysburg, Mr. Kelly and I hoped, wished and prayed that somehow there would be capitulation by either side but, at this time, with the north smelling blood, the traditional south was dead.

On a very hot day in July, Mr. Kelly took me to our spot with the many shade trees, where it seemed a person could get some much needed relief from the summer heat, and we had a very long discussion about helping the southern cause but only enough help to have that damn war end in a draw as long as those in power would end slavery. Those were the only conditions in which we would help.

It was on that day that Mr. Kelly revealed his secret source for sending and receiving messages to and from the south.

It was my brother in law, Mr. Winter Charles Kellogg, who had married my sister Margaret.

As soon as my Abraham became President, our relatives came far and wide to get government jobs.

Mr. Winter Charles Kellogg came forward and asked my Abraham for a foreign appointment but because of his pro southern political views and rumors that he may be disloyal, my Abraham was not going to appoint Mr. Kellogg to any job, but it was Mr. Kellogg who said he could travel to and from the south and procure valuable war time information.

In February, my Abraham appointed Mr. Kellogg to Captain of Commissary and Subsistence, or we really do not have a real job for you so we shall make up a title and this will be your job.

Mr. Kellogg’s job was to travel to the south, find out what was going on and return with information. He was a spy, but in Mr. Kellogg’s case, he turned out to be a double spy who was actually spying for the south and gave the north bad information while giving the south valuable war information.

To make it look good for Mr. Kellogg, the south used a ruse and arrested him but they let him go free after only one month, saying it was because he was only in the south to visit his sickly mother.

Mr. Kelly and I called it Operation Traditional South, and so began my days of a spy for the south.

At first, Mr. Jefferson Davis and those in power said they were grateful but declined because they would not end slavery.

After only a month, they said they were now willing to end slavery, but still wanted to have the Confederacy as a separate country.

Mr. Kelly sent a coded message that we would begin our work.

I believe the message read something like this: To Mr. Devall, we will begin our work for the righteous church and hope to contact you soon.

Besides my Abraham contending with that damn war, there was also civil unrest about the war. Why up in New York City, there were ungodly riots where I believe over one hundred

people, mostly the colored, lost their lives.

It was draft time as it was known when they would call young men into uniform.

At first, the riots were about the rich being able to pay three hundred dollars to avoid military service, but soon turned racist and men began lynching coloreds, abolitionists and sympathizers.

The rioters destroyed churches, public buildings, colored folk’s homes and they even burnt a colored orphanage to the ground.

Some historians even called the riots a Confederate victory.

Mr. Kelly said that he had received information that this was part of a Confederate plan to start upheaval in the north, but Mr. Kelly believed this went too far and after the riots he would always second guess whether we were doing the right thing.

The only thing Mr. Kelly and I wanted, was for the traditional south to continue and without slavery, a traditional south for both white and black; a traditional south of fine cities, farms, beautiful flowing country sides, large antebellum estates, gala parties, and the tastiest foods that your palate has ever tasted. It was troubling times, with much discord.

At the end of July, my Abraham issued the eye for an eye order, which was because the Confederates started to shoot colored prisoners for no reason. I believe the Confederacy was very scared because the north had started to use the colored man in the army. To send a message to the colored, the Confederacy started to shoot colored soldier prisoners. My Abraham issued an order for every colored prisoner shot the Union would shoot a Confederate prisoner.

I believe this backfired on the south as the colored soldiers realized if they were taken prisoner they would most likely be shot so for the colored soldier, there was no surrender and fight courageously they did.

After Mr. Kelly and I sent our coded messages, we would always kiss each other on each cheek for good luck. I must be truthful and state I did look forward to the days that we would send our messages.

The next important news happened in early August; the Tennessee Governor, Andrew Johnson, freed all of his personal slaves.

In August, there were more picnics, war messages and, yes, kisses.

September brought more sorrow into the White House and affected my Abraham greatly.

It was at the battle of Chickamauga when my dear sister, Emily Todd Helm, lost her husband who was a general in the Confederate Army.

From what the dispatch read, General Benjamin Harden Helm was wounded on the last day of the battle and succumbed to his wounds the very next day.

My Abraham had sought very hard to keep General Helm on the side of the Union but as Lee before him, he declined.

My Abraham really liked General Helm so much that he mourned for him in private, never was he so moved by the lost of an enemy.

With the brisk fall weather upon us and the days becoming shorter, it was once more time when I would venture to the theater.

Ford’s Theater had been closed for over a year so that Mr. John T. Ford could renovate it and make it the grand show place it is.

I had heard that Mr. Ford paid the great sum, a king’s ransom, of twenty thousand dollars to renovate it, my how grand it was and is.

At the time, I didn’t know that time my theater going days were short, for after my Abraham was murdered in Ford’s Theater, I never ventured to another play, opera or orchestra recital at any theater, how I did miss it, how very much I missed it.

Ford’s Theater reopened in August and Mr. Kelly and I, in our disguises, went in the first week of October and saw, “The Naiad Queen,”

which sort of mimicked my own personal life.

That night I had almost forgotten that damn war, for on that night I felt like Naiad Queen, and to be honest, I did not want the night to end, as to once more feel the pain of my losses, to feel the emptiness which haunted me.”

Writer Don: “Wasn’t that the year that your husband declared Thanksgiving a holiday?”

MTL: “Yes, indeed it was. My Abraham designated that the last Thursday in November would be celebrated as Thanksgiving, a national holiday.

No, that was not my Abraham’s idea; actually it was the idea of Mrs. Sarah Josepha Hale, the same woman who wrote that children’s poem, “Mary had a Little Lamb” and she was editor of that delightful women’s magazine, “Godey’s Lady’s Book.”

My Abraham agreed with Mrs. Hale, as to give people a chance to give thanks for all they had and to bring just a very tiny amount of joy at a time of hell.

It was also a time when men thought of new ways to kill each other in war, for the Confederacy now had a ship, the David, which would travel under the water ramming unexpected Union ships with a spear, filled with explosives, but it was not very effective.

There was another trip to Ford’s Theater to see a most wonderful play titled, “Home Sweet Home.”

As I am confessing and this is my truth, I did see that murdering scoundrel John Wilkes Booth performing at Ford’s Theater on three occasions. On the first occasion, he portrayed Hamlet, on the second occasion, my Abraham and I saw him portray a Greek sculptor in the play called, “The Marble Heart.”

At a point during the play, that scoundrel Booth turned to my Abraham and, while shaking his finger at my Abraham, spoke a line from the play. I turned to my Abraham and said, “Father, I believe that was truly meant for you.”

My Abraham replied, “Mother, he does look pretty sharp at me doesn’t he?”

On the third occasion, our son Tad gave that scoundrel Booth a standing ovation at the intermission and Booth sent Tad a rose.

My Abraham sent a note to that scoundrel Booth asking if he would please visit Tad during the next intermission, but that scoundrel’s hate for my Abraham and the end of slavery was so great that he did not come to visit.

Strange, at one time the newspapers called Booth the next great American actor, mastering his impressions on stage and never failing to thrill and delight the audience.

Mr. Walt Whitman called his acting a real genius.

That scoundrel could have had it all, could have been remembered as one of the greatest American actors who ever lived but now that scoundrel will be remembered as America’s Judas, the lowly coward who murdered a most beloved American President, my Abraham.

Sadly, that note which my Abraham had written to that scoundrel Booth was the main reason why he was able to get in to where my Abraham was sitting when he murdered him.

We always had a soldier guarding the entrance to our theater box. Booth told the soldier that the President wanted to meet with him and, upon showing the note to the soldier,

that damn murdering coward did his unholy act and that is not all, for history states, Booth was killed in a tobacco barn owned by Richard H. Garrett, which is not the truth. Booth was not in that barn and lived into the twenty century.

That man in the barn was not Booth and to make sure that man could not talk, a federal agent murdered that man.

A Sergeant Boston gladly took the credit.

The men in power made sure the sergeant was not court marshaled, as the order had been given to take Booth alive.

Sergeant Boston left Washington, fearing for his life, these same men of power made sure that the sergeant did not make a deathbed confession and Sergeant Boston Corbett disappeared in 1894.”

Writer Don: “How do you know this?”

MTL: “I found out a lot before I passed. It was top secret information that was passed onto me.

Like I stated, Booth somehow escaped and committed suicide in 1903 by drinking a large quantity of arsenic.

Someone got the bright idea to have his body mummified and for years it was a traveling show and made a lot of money, as who would not want to see the body of the man who murdered the most beloved president that America has ever had.

My question to the American public is: Where did that mummified body disappear to and why has the request to exhume the body in the Booth grave, to have it tested to see if it is in fact that of John Wilkes Booth, been denied?

Because, I will tell you, it would lead to more questions than answers and the truth be told, it would lead right up to Vice President Andrew Johnson, who was part of a conspiracy along with that bad boy General Grant who were all involved with my Abraham’s murder.

A sure fact of history; John Wilkes Booth had communicated with Vice President Johnson the day of the murder, and shortly after the murder, I was so sure that Johnson had his hand in this, I wrote a letter to my friend Sally Orne.

Why there was an investigation by the Congress but they could not link Johnson to the murder. Where there is smoke there is fire.

General Grant made sure he was outside Washington the night of the murder, traveling to New Jersey to visit his family and there were others in this murderous conspiracy.”

Writer Don: “But why?”

MTL: “Because there were those who wanted a crushing defeat to the south, to put the south in a position that it would never rise again.

The major reason was to be able to take from the south whatever those carpetbaggers wanted to take, to make money and a lot of it, for a select few. They knew my Abraham would not stand for such nonsense.

More true facts: Johnson knew Booth; when Johnson was Governor of Tennessee, they had sisters for mistresses and were seen together often.

They met in Nashville, in 1864, at the Wood Theater.

Johnson and a select few wanted things their way and felt that my Abraham was not going to give them what they wanted, so they planned and carried out their evil plan, knowing the murder of my Abraham would surely do this for them, and it did, surely as the sun rises and sets each and every day, it did!

For most of November, I did not see my Abraham very much as he was diligently writing the Gettysburg Address which, I truly believe, was my Abraham’s finest hour.

There is a story which states my Abraham scrolled it on a scrap of paper on his way to Gettysburg, nonsense, my Abraham put his heart, mind and soul into the Gettysburg Address.

I kept very busy, not only did I host many social functions, but I was constantly updating the White House, which I once more took a verbal beating for from the newspapers.

They did not understand that it was important to certainly maintain the prestige of the White House as well as the Office of the President of the United States of America.

I am proud to say that I visited the many hospitals, giving fruit and flowers to the overwhelming number of wounded soldiers. Why I even took time to write their letters to loved ones back home for them and read letters from loved ones, for those soldiers, who could no longer see. My time with these brave wounded men did affect me greatly and I prayed

more than ever to God, the All Mighty, if he could stop this terrible, damn war.

November 26^th was the first Thanksgiving that was a national holiday. It was strange to have my Abraham and Mr. Kelly breaking bread together.

Such a fine feast for about thirty people, oh, how I miss those White House social parties, but there was always guilt which lurked in my mind and very soul, as we were having a grand time, others were in misery; dying, hurting and suffering.

December brought more criticism down upon the White House as my half-sister, Emily Todd Helm, who had lost her husband, Confederate General Benjamin Hardin Helm, at the battle of Chickamauga, came for a visit.

As I had previously stated, my Abraham really liked Benjamin and mourned his death. He personally wrote a pass for Emily as he did not want her to spend her first Christmas alone after the loss of her husband.

With all of the negative comments and plain outrage, you might have thought that my Abraham had given the White House away to the Confederacy.

Christmas at the White House was very special that year as son, Robert, came home from Harvard and having my sister Emily and her children visiting, it almost made Christmas special again.”

1864

MTL: “With the New Year and my many visits to the injured soldiers, I soured on wanting to send secret messages. Besides, I was starting to think that the traditional south was already dead, never to return to life.

Mr. Kelly was still hopeful and told me that he would understand if I was to report him but asked if I would be so gracious as to give him a few hours head start.

As Mr. Kelly was my rock, at times, when my grief became unbearable, I told Mr. Kelly that his secret was well kept with me and it would never see the light of day until now, which I am sure Mr. Kelly would understand.

So, from that time forward, I never asked Mr. Kelly what he was doing and Mr. Kelly never asked me for any information, which kept a most wonderful friendship.

I believe my feelings about my traditional south being dead were well seated as General Sherman began his march into the south. It was just a matter of time, it was as watching a dying loved one struggling for every precious breath, but deep down you knew how it would end and you begin to pray that the end comes very soon.

By February, General Sherman would not be denied as he marched his army through Mississippi.

I remembered a very mild day in February when Mr. Kelly took me away from the White House for a much needed rest.

Mr. Kelly had brought a wonderful lunch to our special spot.

We talked and ate a most tasty lunch of fried chicken just the way I liked it cooked. I had shared my very special recipe with the cooks at the White House. There were canned peaches, which were so good you knew they were from Georgia. There were also two kinds of cheese, the freshest baked bread, and an apple pie. Funny how you remember the little things in life, while forgetting important names, places and events.

I remember this next event very well, the sinking of the USS Housatonic, a very large and powerful warship which was helping to block the Charleston harbor.

With the cover of darkness, the Confederacy decided to send that submarine, the H.L. Hunley, to try and sink the USS Housatonic, which it did, with an embedded dynamite spear. Reports stated that the mighty USS Housatonic sank quickly and claimed several sailors.

It was the only successful attack by the H.L. Hunley. It was lost, never to be seen again.

What they say about March’s weather is true, comes in like a lion and leaves like a lamb. With the weather, my Abraham appointed a

Author D R Hann

Friday, August 25, 2017

My Interview With Mary Todd Lincoln / Read the First 50 % Free

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