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Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails: The Untold Story of How Abraham Lincoln Used the Telegraph to Win the Civil War
The Civil War was the first "modern war." Because of the rapid changes in American society, Abraham Lincoln became president of a divided United States during a period of technological and social revolution. Among the many modern marvels that gave the North an advantage was the telegraph, which Lincoln used to stay connected to the forces in the field in almost real time. No leader in history had ever possessed such a powerful tool to gain control over a fractious situation. An eager student of technology, Lincoln (the only president to hold a patent) had to learn to use the power of electronic messages. Without precedent to guide him, Lincoln began by reading the telegraph traffic among his generals. Then he used the telegraph to supplement his preferred form of communication—meetings and letters. He did not replace those face-to-face interactions. Through this experience, Lincoln crafted the best way to guide, reprimand, praise, reward, and encourage his commanders in the field. Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails tells a big story within a small compass. By paying close attention to Lincoln's "lightning messages," we see a great leader adapt to a new medium. No reader of this work of history will be able to miss the contemporary parallels. Watching Lincoln carefully word his messages—and follow up on those words with the right actions—offers a striking example for those who spend their days tapping out notes on computers and BlackBerrys. An elegant work of history, Mr. Lincoln's T-Mails is an instructive example of timeless leadership lessons.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
64 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Tom E. Wheeler
3 booksThomas Edgar Wheeler is an American businessman and former government official. A member of the Democratic Party, he served as the 31st Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission.
He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013. Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, whom the FCC is now responsible for regulating, and holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA).
In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders, was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only person who is a member of both halls of fame. Cablevision magazine named Wheeler one of the 20 most influential individuals in its history during cable's 20th anniversary in 1995.
He was appointed by President Barack Obama and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November 2013. Prior to working at the FCC, Wheeler worked as a venture capitalist and lobbyist for the cable and wireless industry, whom the FCC is now responsible for regulating, and holding positions including President of the National Cable & Telecommunications Association (NCTA) and CEO of the Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association (CTIA).
In recognition of his work in promoting the wireless industry, Wheeler was inducted into the Wireless Hall of Fame in 2003 and in 2009, as a result of his work in promoting the growth and prosperity of the cable television industry and its stakeholders, was inducted into the Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is the only person who is a member of both halls of fame. Cablevision magazine named Wheeler one of the 20 most influential individuals in its history during cable's 20th anniversary in 1995.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
September 17, 2024
3.5 stars
"The telegraph had allowed President Abraham Lincoln and the War Department to have unprecedented awareness of and access to commanders in the field. The technology had, without a doubt, changed the nature of the command relationship. Yet, while the technology was transformative, success still came down to the character of the other person on the other end of the wire . . . [Lincoln] was communicating via an impersonal medium, yet his careful use of words conveyed information beyond their black-letter definitions." -- excerpts from pages 141 and 185
While I was not a fan of the chosen title - author Wheeler uses phrases like 'electronic breakthrough' or (my preferred option) 'lightning messages', which seem like catchier labels - the content of the narrative is another welcome reminder that the U.S. was very fortunate to have Abraham Lincoln as commander-in-chief during the Civil War. Clocking in at less than 200 pages, it details President Lincoln's 'early adopter' status in using the then-new telegraphy system - barely ten years old at the time - to increasingly maintain contact with Union Army generals during the war. In what must have seemed like just this side of science-fiction at the time, Lincoln was able to transmit and receive instant dispatches in a daily fashion via telegraph, instead of waiting days for messages from scouts on horseback and/or riding the also-new railroad system. Although initially stuck with a succession of military generals who were found to be lacking for various reasons - which might be humorous if the situation didn't involve warfare that pitted American vs. American OR the outcome of a new and barely-established nation - Lincoln then chose Ulysses Grant to command the Union Army and things seemed to fall more clearly into place. While some of the content is sort of dry, the unique examination of a little-considered moment in U.S. history helps to pick up the account's slack.
"The telegraph had allowed President Abraham Lincoln and the War Department to have unprecedented awareness of and access to commanders in the field. The technology had, without a doubt, changed the nature of the command relationship. Yet, while the technology was transformative, success still came down to the character of the other person on the other end of the wire . . . [Lincoln] was communicating via an impersonal medium, yet his careful use of words conveyed information beyond their black-letter definitions." -- excerpts from pages 141 and 185
While I was not a fan of the chosen title - author Wheeler uses phrases like 'electronic breakthrough' or (my preferred option) 'lightning messages', which seem like catchier labels - the content of the narrative is another welcome reminder that the U.S. was very fortunate to have Abraham Lincoln as commander-in-chief during the Civil War. Clocking in at less than 200 pages, it details President Lincoln's 'early adopter' status in using the then-new telegraphy system - barely ten years old at the time - to increasingly maintain contact with Union Army generals during the war. In what must have seemed like just this side of science-fiction at the time, Lincoln was able to transmit and receive instant dispatches in a daily fashion via telegraph, instead of waiting days for messages from scouts on horseback and/or riding the also-new railroad system. Although initially stuck with a succession of military generals who were found to be lacking for various reasons - which might be humorous if the situation didn't involve warfare that pitted American vs. American OR the outcome of a new and barely-established nation - Lincoln then chose Ulysses Grant to command the Union Army and things seemed to fall more clearly into place. While some of the content is sort of dry, the unique examination of a little-considered moment in U.S. history helps to pick up the account's slack.
October 12, 2018
An interestingly new way of looking at the American Civil War through Abraham Lincoln's telegraph messages sent during key events of that period. Very insightful and very well done. A quick read.
September 27, 2012
This book is a quick read and worth reading. The author makes it accessible to the modern reader by comparing how the telegraph revolutionized the transmittal of information and communication to the modern era of the Internet and e-mails (hence the "T-Mails" in the title). Lincoln's use of the telegraph evolved over the course of the Civil War.
Lincoln spent a lot of time in the telegraph office in the War Department. He read through every telegraph in the bins regardless of whether they were addressed to him or not. That allowed him to have a fuller picture of what was going on and gain insights into his generals. He didn't hesitate to interject himself into the conversations if needed. When the telegraph line to one of his armies was cut (or the commander didn't keep Lincoln informed)Lincoln would telegraph other commands in the area to find out what they knew. The head of the Union military railroad, Col. Herman Haupt, impressed Lincoln by his initiative in finding out & reporting what was going on during the Second Bull Run campaign.
Lincoln used the telegraph to directly order three different Union forces to try to destroy Stonewall Jackson during the 1862 Valley Campaign. Unfortunately for Lincoln, he could set events into motion but he couldn't control how his generals at the other end of the telegraph line executed his orders.
Lincoln developed a 3 tier communication strategy: he preferred face to face meetings to convey things that he couldn't over the telegraph, letters which allowed him to get into greater detail than a telegram but he used telegrams for speed & to convey concise messages.
Another way Lincoln used the telegraph was to stay military executions. He wouldn't pardon the soldier, but he would order the execution stayed until the receipt of further orders, which would never come.
The author contrasts the Union's use of the telegraph with the Confederacy's use. The Union had a lot more miles of telegraph line before the war and had field telegraph units advance with their armies. Jefferson Davis also didn't use the telegraph as effectively as Lincoln.
I don't know that I would go so far as to say that the telegraph allowed the Union to win the war, but it certainly allowed them to do a lot of things that they couldn't have done otherwise.
Lincoln spent a lot of time in the telegraph office in the War Department. He read through every telegraph in the bins regardless of whether they were addressed to him or not. That allowed him to have a fuller picture of what was going on and gain insights into his generals. He didn't hesitate to interject himself into the conversations if needed. When the telegraph line to one of his armies was cut (or the commander didn't keep Lincoln informed)Lincoln would telegraph other commands in the area to find out what they knew. The head of the Union military railroad, Col. Herman Haupt, impressed Lincoln by his initiative in finding out & reporting what was going on during the Second Bull Run campaign.
Lincoln used the telegraph to directly order three different Union forces to try to destroy Stonewall Jackson during the 1862 Valley Campaign. Unfortunately for Lincoln, he could set events into motion but he couldn't control how his generals at the other end of the telegraph line executed his orders.
Lincoln developed a 3 tier communication strategy: he preferred face to face meetings to convey things that he couldn't over the telegraph, letters which allowed him to get into greater detail than a telegram but he used telegrams for speed & to convey concise messages.
Another way Lincoln used the telegraph was to stay military executions. He wouldn't pardon the soldier, but he would order the execution stayed until the receipt of further orders, which would never come.
The author contrasts the Union's use of the telegraph with the Confederacy's use. The Union had a lot more miles of telegraph line before the war and had field telegraph units advance with their armies. Jefferson Davis also didn't use the telegraph as effectively as Lincoln.
I don't know that I would go so far as to say that the telegraph allowed the Union to win the war, but it certainly allowed them to do a lot of things that they couldn't have done otherwise.
December 29, 2008
The general thesis of this slim book is that due to the rise of the telegraph as a viable technology and the exigencies of war, Abraham Lincoln developed some of the very first principles of electronic leadership. He used the telegraph to inject himself into military decisions and to monitor the progress of the war in ways previously impossible, and with no precedent or guide he developed a new and effective style of communications.
An interesting thesis, in and of itself, which would have been much better suited by a journal article rather than a book. It’s not a bad book, exactly, it just shouldn’t have been one. Or, well, not one written by Wheeler – an actual historian would have filled the blank space with less partisan and biased analysis of military and political movements. But Wheeler did write it, and his history is biased and partisan, and lacking in any attempt at nuance or in depth awareness (he calls the Southern army the “rebels” throughout, which got under my skin far more than I expected). Rather dull, too. And the insights about electronic leadership weren’t anything I couldn’t have worked out for myself.
Ah well. Still a nice idea. Better journal article, though.
An interesting thesis, in and of itself, which would have been much better suited by a journal article rather than a book. It’s not a bad book, exactly, it just shouldn’t have been one. Or, well, not one written by Wheeler – an actual historian would have filled the blank space with less partisan and biased analysis of military and political movements. But Wheeler did write it, and his history is biased and partisan, and lacking in any attempt at nuance or in depth awareness (he calls the Southern army the “rebels” throughout, which got under my skin far more than I expected). Rather dull, too. And the insights about electronic leadership weren’t anything I couldn’t have worked out for myself.
Ah well. Still a nice idea. Better journal article, though.
December 31, 2020
I wish I could have been able to read this book more regularly, but even without a consistent reading pace, I still enjoyed the behind-the-scenes look at what Lincoln was up to during the Civil War with regards to his involvement and correspondence during that time. I had heard of some of the stories between Lincoln and his commanders in the field, such as his rebuttal to McClellan about his fatigued horses (Lincoln was actually rather witty through his frustration), but history survey courses never let on how much Lincoln communicated with the army leaders. It was eye-opening to not only learn about Lincoln's involvement in the war and specific battles through his t-mails, and other forms of communication, and to see how his use of the telegraph evolved. Reading about Lincoln's t-mails makes one appreciate how Lincoln stepped into this uncharted territory of communication to preserve the Union he governed. I highly recommend to other history/Civil War buffs.
This was a book I acquired through a library discarded book sale.
This was a book I acquired through a library discarded book sale.
March 24, 2020
Even though I've read many books about Lincoln, Wheeler's book brought new insights and a clever angle: how Lincoln used a transformative technology. A quick read, and an enjoyable escape from having to live under a President who, sadly, uses a new technology (Twitter) very, very badly.
May 30, 2024
One of the better books I've read so far this year. While sometimes repetitive, the book nevertheless conveys its message well to the target audience. The bottom line: Lincoln used the new technology of telegraph to coordinate the Union war effort. I liked the way the author incorporated the telegrams into the text of the book. A very good effort.
September 11, 2016
A drab exercise in making one of the most fascinating instances in US and military history into a unrelenting snoozefest. There is nothing more disheartening than realizing about 25% into a book that it is bad and it will probably continue to be bad.
An interesting thesis and a fun intersection of technology, communication, and the Civil War is let down by a tremendously mediocre writer. It has the structure of an uninspired high school history paper, complete with unrelenting repetition -- did Wheeler need to hit some magical word count? I didn't even really bother to read the last chapter that in-depth, because it was literally a rehashing conclusion paragraph stretched out.
Worst, it's really hardly about the telegraph's role in the Civil War. It reads much more as a general outline of the Civil War that just happens to shoehorn how the telegraph figures into it. Many key telegrams are either paraphrased or omitted altogether -- his notes and bibliography are quite admirably thorough, but some in-text citations and quotes would've been much more appreciated than repeating a dozen times lines like "Lincoln devoured dispatches."
Wheeler also doesn't keep his opinions from shading figures in history. If your name isn't Lincoln, you probably had some critical character flaw that makes you let down your nation, while Lincoln is always doing right (even if his decisions do have some questionable outcome). I would've been ok with such heavy-handedness if it was any good.
Now, how to rate this mess? Did I learn some stuff -- yes! Does it talk about the telegraph's role in the Civil War and Lincoln's presidency -- yes! Is it worth your time? No.. Go find a proper book about the Civil War if you're interested in the war in general, and look up articles and papers if you want to learn about contemporary telegrams. I managed to pick this up on sale for a dollar, and I feel like I wasted a dollar and a week of reading.
An interesting thesis and a fun intersection of technology, communication, and the Civil War is let down by a tremendously mediocre writer. It has the structure of an uninspired high school history paper, complete with unrelenting repetition -- did Wheeler need to hit some magical word count? I didn't even really bother to read the last chapter that in-depth, because it was literally a rehashing conclusion paragraph stretched out.
Worst, it's really hardly about the telegraph's role in the Civil War. It reads much more as a general outline of the Civil War that just happens to shoehorn how the telegraph figures into it. Many key telegrams are either paraphrased or omitted altogether -- his notes and bibliography are quite admirably thorough, but some in-text citations and quotes would've been much more appreciated than repeating a dozen times lines like "Lincoln devoured dispatches."
Wheeler also doesn't keep his opinions from shading figures in history. If your name isn't Lincoln, you probably had some critical character flaw that makes you let down your nation, while Lincoln is always doing right (even if his decisions do have some questionable outcome). I would've been ok with such heavy-handedness if it was any good.
Now, how to rate this mess? Did I learn some stuff -- yes! Does it talk about the telegraph's role in the Civil War and Lincoln's presidency -- yes! Is it worth your time? No.. Go find a proper book about the Civil War if you're interested in the war in general, and look up articles and papers if you want to learn about contemporary telegrams. I managed to pick this up on sale for a dollar, and I feel like I wasted a dollar and a week of reading.
November 28, 2021
This book focuses on how Lincoln used the telegraph to take control, as a Commander in Chief, and was able to make decisions on almost real time information from the field.
May 24, 2007
A quirky little history book about one of the unsung tools at Lincoln's disposal during the Civil War that requires some consideration. By reviewing Lincoln's communiqués during the war, the author highlights the logistical importance of electronic communications during the Civil War. Although telegraphic facilities were limited, it is clear that their application played a role in shaping the outcome of the war. What stands out about this narrative is how Lincoln adapted his style of communication to more effectively transmit his commands to the various officers. Though it is brief, the book is a fascinating and concise text that would compliment any Sunday afternoon.
March 17, 2014
If you ever think about how technology alters society and relationships in society, this is a great read. While it is true that humans could communicate over geographic distances with smoke signals, mirrors and drums, until the telegraph arrived on the scene, the real remote but almost virtual contact didn't exist.
Lincoln sent thousands of telegrams and this author goes over them and relates them not only to the particular historical events, but shows the evolution of Lincoln's style of communication via telegram.
If you have read about the Civil War, you will love this book. If you ever pondered how email or IM has altered the way you communicate, you will love this book, too.
Lincoln sent thousands of telegrams and this author goes over them and relates them not only to the particular historical events, but shows the evolution of Lincoln's style of communication via telegram.
If you have read about the Civil War, you will love this book. If you ever pondered how email or IM has altered the way you communicate, you will love this book, too.
February 28, 2009
I had to get into the Lincoln spirit for the month...and we were doing a book discussion so i had to read a Lincoln book for that, too. this actually turned out to be pretty decent. it wasn't too long, which is a bonus for a Lincoln book. the main theme of the book, about how Lincoln used the telegraph to win the war, got a little repetitive but i sort of got wrapped up in all the drama between Lincoln and his generals during the war. it's quite fascinating if you are not up to date on your civil war history as i was not.
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July 24, 2011really interesting intersection of technology, biography, and history. Lincoln was gradual in adopting this new technology, but eventually used it to great effectiveness. I wonder if this drive to always be learning is expected of our leaders and ourselves today. I also thought the friction between the elected political officials and the standing military hierarchy was interesting and still relevant today.
May 1, 2016
I found this to be fascinating as a management theory/approach book. Sometimes the author bogs down in the historical details of various battles and such, but in truth that data was necessary to play against how Lincoln used the cutting-edge technology of the day to inject himself into the conduct of the war. A quick read, this book pulled me along and had some excellent insights that are relevant even today for how a good manager/leader gets the job done. I'll read this one again.
December 13, 2016
This was good for what it was, but the focus is clear from the title and it limits the book. While Lincoln's use of the relatively new technology is interesting, there aren't any interesting examples of how it changed the course of a battle or a presidential policy. Lincoln's use of the telegraph helped make him a very active president, and that is a story worth telling, but it makes for a somewhat short story.
July 24, 2007
This was a unique look into history and how technology changed the face of war. Not a gripping story line but since I am interested in the civil war it made for an interesting read. It had applications to today's world by showing how being on the cutting edge can play a role in the business world.
September 15, 2008
This is about how President Lincoln use the telegraph to communicate with his commanders during the civil war. It gives great insight on the war and how Lincoln saw his leadership, how Lincoln agonized over the war and how he was an adoptor of technology to communicate with his army and his family.
The telegraph will remind you of SMS messages of today.
The telegraph will remind you of SMS messages of today.
April 6, 2012
This book provided an interesting insight into the relationships between Abraham Lincoln and his generals, made possible by the telegraph. This instrument changed the way war was fought and leaders lead. It was the beginning of war time information made instantly available to the political leaders and the public as well as to the commanders directing and fighting the battles.
January 13, 2013
A very solid book. While it says it is the story of how Lincoln first used the telegraph to prosecute the Civil War - and it is indeed that story - more it is a fascinating insight both in how Lincoln developed effective modern managerial techniques, and what a bunch of monkey-faced morons the US military generals were with the exception of Grant.
January 10, 2022
A fascinating read how the telegraph impacted the American Civil War and the method in how President Lincoln used the telegraph to manage his generals during the war-- often times on the battle field itself. I'm not sure if people today really appreciate that instantaneous messaging was available 150 years ago as this book proves with the use of the telegraph.
December 22, 2012
A fascinating account of the first use of electronic communications in wartime. The telegraph was a fairly new technology in 1861. The author recounts Lincoln's use of it to keep abreast of developments in the field and to steer his general officers in the direction he wanted them to go.
March 16, 2009
A really interesting review of the growth of the telegraph and technology during the Lincoln Administration, but the author editorializes a bit too much.
August 31, 2010
Lotsa fun--Lincoln's telegrams throughout his Presidency...reveals a lot of wit
December 28, 2013
A good mashup of civil war history with technology for telecommunications geeks like myself. Written for a broad audience, gives some good insight into Lincoln and the Union's approach to the war.
May 25, 2015
Extremely interesting. President Lincoln would have fit in any era, he was open to new technology.
February 22, 2017
Not exactly history come to life but many interesting aspects described.
April 26, 2020
A good look at Lincoln's telegraphic interactions with his generals.
April 21, 2021
A good friend recommended this book and it's basically entirely outside my areas of expertise, so this was a fascinating look at something about which I know very little! I enjoyed it a lot!
September 5, 2022
I had come across this book last year mostly based on its ridiculous name. But it was a section in Wills' Lincoln about the President's innovative use of the telegraph during the Civil war and its subsequent influence on the Gettysburg Address that convinced me to sit down and read the book.
It starts out with a bunch of leadership/business jargon, which was challenging, but also a little exciting. I was curious to see how a business/leadership writer would take on Lincoln as an "early adopter" or "innovator" and so on. Disappointingly, this thread of the book isn't really the main one. While a lot of mention is made of leadership and its attendant vocabulary, it never feels like the meat of the book. I did learn "Management by Walking Around" and I'm sure that will come back to haunt me.
In the end, the book was enjoyable. Despite being the "untold story" of Lincoln and the telegraph, the author can't seem to help slipping into the familiar narratives of the Civil War/Lincoln history books. The details and writing of the crucial moments are effective and breezy, at under 200 pages the insights are enough to justify the time.
It starts out with a bunch of leadership/business jargon, which was challenging, but also a little exciting. I was curious to see how a business/leadership writer would take on Lincoln as an "early adopter" or "innovator" and so on. Disappointingly, this thread of the book isn't really the main one. While a lot of mention is made of leadership and its attendant vocabulary, it never feels like the meat of the book. I did learn "Management by Walking Around" and I'm sure that will come back to haunt me.
In the end, the book was enjoyable. Despite being the "untold story" of Lincoln and the telegraph, the author can't seem to help slipping into the familiar narratives of the Civil War/Lincoln history books. The details and writing of the crucial moments are effective and breezy, at under 200 pages the insights are enough to justify the time.
February 14, 2024
A thoroughly original treatment of how Lincoln used the telegraph to gain control of his vast armies in the field and build the modern military command structure. Wheeler seems to have read a good deal of the Lincoln literature, and he provides enlightening personal and political tidbits in addition to military strategy and tactics. While the telegraph was not the "Victorian Internet", as some have claimed, Wheeler does make a pretty godd case for the telegraph as Victorian emails. Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews