Archive for April, 2007
« Previous EntriesFirst Lady of Controversy
Monday, April 30th, 2007If you’re interested in the life of Mary Todd Lincoln, then I predict a visit to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum is in your future. According to a PRESS RELEASE, they are unveiling a new exhibit titled, Mary Todd Lincoln: First Lady of Controversy, which will run from April 29 to October 28, 2007. Dozens [...]
Thanks Rend Lake College
Friday, April 27th, 2007They say this is the only photo of Lincoln delivering the Gettysburg Address. Lincoln is standing just to the right of the flag on the left hand side. I’ve never looked at the photo under a microsope, I’ve only seen the blown-up version, which is quite blurry. I’ll take their word for it.
Yesterday, I spoke at [...]
Virtual Book Signing with Paludan & Dirck
Thursday, April 26th, 2007
A virtual book signing? Yes, you heard right.
I’m not really sure how this is going to work, but two of my favorite historians are going to be appearing today online at http://www.virtualbooksigning.net
The program begins at 6:00 CST with Brian R. Dirck. He will be talking about his new book, Lincoln the Lawyer. But that’s [...]
Stealing Lincoln’s Body
Wednesday, April 25th, 2007For the past few weeks we’ve been discussing some of the fine books and programs devoted to the Lincoln assassination, but a new book takes the story even further.
Thomas J. Craughwell’s latest offering, Stealing Lincoln’s Body, details an ill-conceived plot to steal Lincoln’s corpse and hold it for ransom.
It all started in 1876 in a [...]
Hurricane Katrina & the Jefferson Davis Home in Biloxi
Tuesday, April 24th, 2007The house survived 21 hurricanes, but it had never seen anything like Katrina. A nine-foot wall of water smashed against the exterior, shredding the roof, tearing away the front porch, chimneys, and pillars. A foot of water flooded the interior. When Katrina passed, the house was still standing, but just barely.
Officials in Biloxi, Mississippi are [...]
Stephen A. Douglas 194 Years Later
Monday, April 23rd, 2007Today is Stephen A. Douglas’ 194th birthday.
Originally born in Brandon, Vermont, Douglas eventually settled in Illinois, where he became one of the most well-known politicians of the nineteenth century. Illinois elected him to the state legislature and eventually elevated him to the position of Illinois Secretary of State. By age 27, Douglas becamae an associate [...]
Mentor Graham’s South Dakota Home
Friday, April 20th, 2007“I think I may say that he was my scholar and I was his teacher.” Those were the words of Mentor Graham speaking about his most famous student, Abraham Lincoln.
The stylish school teacher, who “always wore a fancy vest, shawl and a high hat,” arrived in New Salem from Kentucky in October 1826. While in [...]
Blockade
Thursday, April 19th, 2007April 19, 1861. Fort Sumter fell days earlier, marking the beginning of the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln had already issued a call for 75,000 volunteers to suppress the rebellion, but he went further. The president proclaimed a blockade of all Confederate ports:
For this purpose a competent force will be posted so as to [...]
Why?
Wednesday, April 18th, 2007I want to send my condolences to everyone connected with Virginia Tech. I’ve been following the story closely, as have countless others across the country. I spent the day yesterday talking about the incident with many of my colleagues on campus. Everyone comes back to the same question, “Why?” We certainly can’t find the answers.
In [...]
Two Upcoming Documentaries
Tuesday, April 17th, 2007I want to call your attention to a couple of television documentaries.
Over on the Civil Warriors Blog, Mark Grimsley announced that the History Channel will be airing a documentary on Sherman’s March to the Sea. “Sherman’s March” will air on the History Channel at 9 pm Eastern and again at 11 pm Eastern on Sunday, [...]