Maryland State Archives

Thanks, Ed. That is a very useful website. Interesting that this was the only time Lincoln came to Annapolis. The city name gets just 5 hits in a search of the site -- two of which have to do with this trip.

I'm still hoping that someone will come up with the New York Herald story.

Jane

On Sep 15, 2007, at 6:32 PM, Edward C. Papenfuse wrote:

I sent this to the person making the inquiry when this all began. If you don't know the source, I thought you might be interested. It was the most comprehensive study of Lincoln's daily life ever undertaken.

Jim:

What is your source for your anecdote? A great story.

On February 2, 1865, Lincoln departed Annapolis aboard the steamer THOMAS COLLYER; and he returned very early on the morning of February 4, aboard RIVER QUEEN. The USNA Museum has a wonderful carved eagle with flags which hung over his stateroom door aboard RIVER QUEEN. There is a great humorous story typical of Lincoln. On a later trip on RIVER QUEEN the captain asked the President how he had slept and the President complained that the bunk was a little too short. So during the day, while the President was ashore inspecting troops, the captain had the crew enlarge the bunk. The next morning when the captain asked the President how he had slept, Lincoln remarked that he had lain awake all night worrying that his body was shrinking.

Date: Mon, 10 Sep 2007 05:53:58 -0400
To: "Back Creek Books"
From: "Edward C. Papenfuse"
Subject: Re: Annapolis, 1865
Cc: NJWorden@aol.com, emilyo@maryland.gov, jenh@maryland.gov

What we have is listed in our catalogue on line. Use our guide to special collections.

President Lincoln's only visit to Annapolis: He arrived here by rail from Washington on the evening of February 2, 1865 and boarded a steamer for Ft. Monroe, Virginia. His return brought him here early on the morning of February 4, and he then took the train back to Washington. I wonder if members know of any sources that might mention this. There apparently are no Annapolis newspapers from early 1865, or at least there are none in the Archives, Law Library, or the Bancroft Library.

I suspect there was no mention of the President's visit as I suspect he did nothing but pass through both times. I doubt he even stopped for breakfast on the 4th as he arrived at 7:30 a.m. in the morning and was in Washington by 9:30 a.m.

I assume you have visited the Lincoln day by day web site:

http://www.thelincolnlog.org/view/show_date?day=02&month=02&year=1865

February 2, 1865
President telegraphs Gen. Grant at 9 A.M.: "Say to the gentlemen [Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell] I will meet them personally at Fortress-Monroe, as soon as I can get there." Abraham Lincoln to Ulysses S. Grant, 2 February 1865, CW, 8:256. Writes check to John G. Nicolay for $20.00. CW, 8:579. Goes by train to Annapolis, Md., where he boards steamer "Thomas Collyer," and late in evening arrives at Fortress Monroe. Immediately goes on board steamer "River Queen," where Sec. Seward is waiting. Abraham Lincoln to the House of Representatives, 10 February 1865, CW, 8:274-85; Edward C. Kirkland, The Peacemakers of 1864 (New York: Macmillan, 1927), 244. "The President and Mr. Seward have gone to Hampton Roads to have an interview with the Rebel commissioners,­Stephens, Hunter, and Campbell." Welles, Diary.

February 3
President conducts Hampton Roads Peace Conference for four hours in morning aboard "River Queen." Randall, Lincoln, 4:333; Ulysses S. Grant, Personal Memoirs, 2 vols. (London: Low, Marston, Searle & Rivington, 1886), 2:422. After conference visits with A. H. Stephens and promises to see what can be done to exchange Stephens' nephew. Clarence E. Macartney, Lincoln and His Cabinet (New York: Scribner, 1931), 168; Abraham Lincoln to Charles W. Hill, 4 February 1865, CW, 8:259; Abraham Lincoln to Alexander H. Stephens, 10 February 1865, CW, 8:287. Leaves Fortress Monroe, Va., for return trip to Washington in "River Queen" at 5 P.M. N.Y. Herald, 5 February 1865. [Irwin withdraws $37.74 from Springfield Marine Bank to pay Lincoln's taxes. Pratt, Personal Finances, 178.] '

February 4
At 7:30 A.M. President leaves Annapolis, Md., following overnight trip up Chesapeake Bay from Hampton Roads, Va., on "River Queen." Arrives Washington about 9:30 A.M. Washington Chronicle, 6 February 1865. Orders Lt. John A. Stephens (CSA), nephew of A. H. Stephens and prisoner of war on Johnson's Island to report in person to White House. Abraham Lincoln to Charles W. Hill, 4 February 1865, CW, 8:259. Transmits to Senate information on condition of Mexico and case of French steamer "Rhine." Abraham Lincoln to the Senate, 4 February 1865, CW, 8:259-60. Cabinet meets in special session to hear reports of President and Sec. Seward on Hampton Roads Conference. Welles, Diary.

At 04:24 PM 9/6/2007, you wrote:
Dear Jennifer,

Does the Archives hold any Annapolis newspapers from early 1865? I am trying to locate any mention of President Lincoln's passage through Annapolis en route to Ft. Monroe, Virginia on February 2 and return here on February 4 of that year. Any suggestions?

Best regards,
Rock Toews
Post Office Box 3540
Annapolis, MD 21403, U.S.A.
Tel. 410-626-1363