David J. Kent's Blog, page 20

A House Divided – Lincoln Takes a Stand

Abraham Lincoln lost his 1856 Senate campaign, but in 1858 he had another opportunity to run for Senate, this time against his old rival Stephen A. Douglas. In June Lincoln gave what is perhaps one of his most cited oratories, the “House Divided” speech. Once again he warned that the Kansas-Nebraska... Continue reading

Lincoln Sees a New Weapon He Likes

Abraham Lincoln had an interest in technology, and on June 10, 1861 he sees a new weapon he likes. I write about this and other incidents in my forthcoming book: A few weeks into the war, he pressed Captain James Dahlgren on a new gun presented by Orison Blunt. After... Continue reading

Stephen A. Douglas Dies

At 9:10 am on Monday, June 3, 1861, Stephen A. Douglas died in Chicago at the age of forty-eight. Thus ended a remarkable life, both as a leader in the antebellum Democratic party and as a foil to Abraham Lincoln’s rise. Douglas had fallen ill weeks before while headed back... Continue reading

Lincoln and the Black Hawk War

On May 27, 1832, Captain Abraham Lincoln’s company is mustered out of U.S. service by Nathaniel Buckmaster, Brigade major. Lincoln writes the muster roll of his company, certifying that remarks on activities of several members are accurate and just. He then enrolls in company of Capt. Elijah Iles for service in 20-day... Continue reading

Becoming President…and Other Goings-On

This week I officially became President! So much has been going on that I figured a quick professional update was in order. I am now President of the Lincoln Group of DC. The previous president, John O’ Brien, shepherded us through a pandemic-induced upheaval of our usual routine, shifting us... Continue reading

Introducing the New Lincoln Group of DC Website

The Lincoln Group of the District of Columbia, aka the Lincoln Group of DC, aka the Lincoln Group, aka LGDC, has a new website! Here’s a preview (see below the photo for more): Our new URL is https://www.lincolnian.org/ The old Lincoln Group of DC website served us well for many... Continue reading

A Busy Day in Abraham Lincoln’s Life

Periodically I check a website called The Lincoln Log to see what was going on in Lincoln’s life on this day throughout his life. Today was an especially busy day. The Lincoln Log arose out of a long-term project beginning with Lincoln Day-by-Day: A Chronology, a series of three volumes... Continue reading

Abraham Lincoln and the Store that “Winked Out”

When he returned from the Black Hawk War, Lincoln was without any means of employment or income. He briefly considered learning blacksmithing, but he also wanted to further his education, which he acknowledged was sorely lacking. Around this time New Salem resident James Herndon sold his interest in the general... Continue reading

Lincoln, a Flatboat, New Orleans, and Discovering America

Soon after moving to Illinois, Lincoln made his second flatboat trip to New Orleans. A local entrepreneur and schemer named Denton Offutt approached Lincoln’s relative John Hanks about manning such a journey. Hanks then recruited Lincoln and brother-in-law John Johnston, all of whom now lived in a wooded area west... Continue reading

The President is Dead

The mood in Washington was euphoric. After four long years the war was nearly over. Lincoln had anticipated this ending in his second inaugural address, reminding northerners that they should welcome southerners back into the Union: With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as... Continue reading