Lincoln Sneezed

by Brian Boyington

  The valets followed carrying the baggage. Soldiers assisted Lee and Davis into the carriage. The valets rode on horseback, and the escort formed up. Rathbone and Lincoln took the lead, followed by the carriage, with the valets and cavalry following behind. As the procession traveled to Washington itself, the fog began to break.

  Within minutes, the sun was breaking through, and as they passed the partially completed Washington Monument, the sky was blue with only broken clouds. Pedestrians were out and about, but as processions were common most took little notice. Lee and Davis looked out at the unfinished monument and soon were recognized. Some pointed, others shouted out their names. Some of the shoutings were angry, but most of the conversation was confused and full of speculation. The valets looked around nervously. However, the size of the military escort prevented anyone from getting close.

  The procession led to the United States Capitol Building. The soldiers dismounted and formed up on either side of the stairs leading into the building. Davis, Lee, Major Rathbone and Robert Lincoln walked into a designated the Senate committee room. Stewards were there to provide coffee, tea, and sweet cakes, which were laid out on the table. Lee and Davis were enjoying their refreshments when the doors opened and in walked Major General Joshua Chamberlain, who dismissed the Rathbone and Lincoln. He ordered them to assist in maintaining security outside the building, as crowds were gathering and reporters were arriving.

  Lee approached Chamberlain and said: “General, I will be eternally grateful for the salute you provided to my army. Chamberlain replied: “General Lee, your army was valiant and brave to the end. They deserved the Honor of Brothers in Arms.” Lee and Chamberlain then shook hands warmly. Lee then introduced Chamberlain to Davis. Davis, appraising Chamberlain with a raised eyebrow said: “So this is the history professor who turned us back at Gettysburg.” Davis offered his hand and Chamberlain took it warmly in a 2-handed grip. After a few moments, Lee and Davis sat down.

  Hearing a commotion in the hall, Chamberlain walked to the double doors which were suddenly flung open. In strode Abraham Lincoln and Ulysses S Grant. Davis & Lee immediately stood up. Davis began to utter a protest, but Lincoln pushed his arm, palm forward and said, “Gentlemen, please take your seats.” Grant dismissed Chamberlain and instructed him to close the door and wait outside.

  After all four of them had resumed their seats, Lincoln remarked that both Davis and Lee had missed his 2nd Inaugural address. Hesitant laughter followed.

  Lincoln then repeated the last sentence of the address. With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations

  Davis and Lee were puzzled. Lincoln continued to speak. “This nation needs to be reunited. There are two options for this reconstruction. Firstly, there can be a military occupation of the southern states until they abolish slavery, ratify the 13th Amendment and pledge to uphold and support the Constitution of the United States. The second option is to work together to attain the same ends. I do not want to exercise the first choice, but will do so if cooperation is not forthcoming.”

  Davis, looking at the intensity on Lincoln’s face was stunned. Lee looked at Grant thoughtfully. Grant stared back at him intently.

  Lee mused to himself: This could be a significant opportunity, sort of what I encountered at Chancellorsville & so many other battles. The tactician in him took over. Lincoln is offering us the chance to clean the slate and start over or is it a feint to suck us in?? We probably only have one chance at this decision time in now but what?

  Making his decision, Lee looked at Grant and said: “General Grant, your surrender terms at Appomattox were very generous.” Grant nodded, then Lee continued: “General Chamberlain’s great salute to my defeated army acknowledged that we are all Brothers in Arms. If those actions demonstrate what the spirit that President Lincoln is referring to is, I will work with you both to attain this noble goal.”

  Grant smiled broadly and said, “General Lee, they are exactly that, welcome my Brother in Arms.”

  Davis looked around the table and back at Lincoln. He was also musing at the same time as Lee. We the South, all southerners are at the boot heel of Lincoln, but instead of squashing us, he is offering an olive branch. By GOD Lee was right I have been Tilting at Windmills. He took a deep breath and said to Lincoln: “Mr. President what can we do to assist?” Lincoln’s face lit up with a broad smile saying: “First let us move to more comfortable quarters.”

  They all stood up, and Grant knocked on the door. Major Rathbone opened the door, and with Chamberlain and Robert, Lincoln led the Honor Guard and the Presidential Party to the Capitol Rotunda. A virtual feast was laid out on buffet tables, and the crowded rotunda with dignitaries including the Vice President, The Speaker of the House, The Senate Majority Leader and all the cabinet; including Seward who was in a wheelchair. The Doorkeeper of the House of Representatives called out “Mr. Speaker, The President of the United States of America.” As Ruffles & Flourishes began, Davis leaned into Lincoln and said: “Lead on Mr. President.” As Hail to the Chief began, Lincoln knew his deal was sealed; next up were the negotiations.

  Following the banquet, Lincoln, Grant, Lee, Davis and Vice President Andrew Johnson rode in carriages to the White House where the real work began. Lincoln spoke first. He said: “Neither the North or the South is entire to blame for the war. There was enough blame to go around almost evenly. The real cause was a sin, and the sin had a name - Slavery. Our nation has experienced four years of war. A war that brought with it immense national pain, devastation, suffering, 600,000 dead soldiers, with another 1/2 that number who died from disease or starvation. It took all that to redress that sin. Now the reunification of our nation must be accomplished quickly.” After a pause, Lincoln continued: “Look at all the strife and tensions we experienced in the decades leading up to the war. All that is both directly or indirectly attributed to slavery.”

  Davis and Lee looked as if they had been stung. Lincoln, observing this said: “Gentlemen, I am not accusing you; for all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of GOD. The shedding of blood resolved out national sin. It is up to us to rise above the blood, bind our wounds, rebuild our country and resolve to move forward as one towards our destiny.”

  Davis said: “Mr. President I believe you are sincere in this. However, it will be hard to convince the South, which has lost so much, to cooperate.” Lee nodded in agreement. At this point, the Vice President, a Southerner himself from Tennessee spoke up.

  “I also owned slaves and had my plantation burned … by Southern soldiers no less. If it were easy, we would not need you either of you. You are both here because we need you, the south needs you, and the nation needs you!” After a moment he added with a smile: “Actually, you need us to need you. If we can do this together, the nation and we will begin to heal.”

  Lee spoke up: “Our economy has been devastated. Our plantations depended on slaves. Now with all the slaves freed, who will feed and clothe them, find them jobs, be able to pay for their work? For the most part, without our slaves we are penniless.”

  Sitting back, Lincoln thought for a moment then replied: “I will sign an executive order instructing the Secretary of the Treasury to issue bonds, to help restore your economy, railroads, and plantations. Generous terms will be provided, with the notes payable in 10 years. That should give you the opportunity to rebuild and restore without the shadow of debt hanging over your heads.” Davis and Lee both agreed that would do much to smooth out the road ahead.

  Lincoln added: “One of the major problems to be resolved was what to do with the former slaves. This resolution must occur after the re-admittance of the Southern States into the Union.”

  Lee asked: “What about
the restoration of the citizenship rights for those of us who joined, supported and fought for the Confederacy.”

  Lincoln cupped his beard, stroked his chin for a moment then said: “I am prepared to sign an Executive Order that issues a blanket amnesty to all the ordinary soldiers who fought in the war. The officers who have already signed their paroles will be required to sign a loyalty oath. The same condition applies to the politicians who led the government. When the southern states are re-admitted, I will have the amnesty included in the bill so that it will have the force of law.”

  Davis and Lee agreed that was fair. The greater responsibility rested on the leaders. They also decided to gather the former Confederate leaders together and impress them with the importance of Lincoln’s terms for re-admittance into the Union.

  Discussions then focused on the process to get the southern states to vote for re-admission to the Union. It was considered best that all the states would take final action together. They agreed to hold state conventions. The purpose would be to abolish slavery in the individual state constitutions and ratify the 13th Amendment. Following the state conventions, they agreed to schedule a meeting of all the southern states to ratify the individual state actions. That way, they could be re-admitted into the Union at the same time.

  With this agreement in hand, President Lincoln invited his guests to afternoon tea, prepared under the direction of Mary Todd Lincoln. As it was now late in the evening, Robert E Lee and Jefferson Davis were invited to stay in the guest bedrooms of the White House. Surprised, they both readily agreed. Their valets brought their bags into the bedrooms, and themselves bed with the White House servants. The following morning, after a sumptuous breakfast, Davis and Lee were escorted back to the Navy Yard and boarded their steamer for the trip back to Richmond.

  When they arrived at the docks, two separate carriages waited for them. The military escorts were conspicuously absent. Alan Pinkerton met them with ten of his detectives. Pinkerton explained: “Gentlemen, President Lincoln has asked my agency to provide you with security until you can make your arrangements. Once word spreads of your meeting with the President, there may be radicals who will oppose you; some violently. We would like to accompany you to your residences, to ensure you arrive safely. We will only stay until you can make your security arrangements.”

  Jefferson Davis replied: “My family and I currently reside in Fort Monroe, but my home is Brierfield Plantation in Davis Bend Mississippi.”

  Alan Pinkerton smiled and said: “The railroads have been rebuilt, and the tracks are open to Vicksburg. My men have been authorized to accompany you there. The President has also approved funds for your temporary living quarters in Vicksburg and monies to repair the damages to Brierfield. The plantation house was first used as a field headquarters during the Vicksburg Campaign and then as a field hospital.” Incredulous Davis replied: “This is amazing, a few days ago I was a prisoner, now I am again a landowner.”

  Pinkerton responded: “The President’s vision intends for reinstating the Confederacy into the Union as prosperous partners in an exciting future. The first step is for the states to rejoin the Union under the conditions you have already agreed. You have an important role in this endeavor. We can leave whenever you are ready.”

  Turning to Robert E Lee Pinkerton said: “General Lee, how can I be of service to you? Lee replied: “You can take me to my residence in Alexandria. I am quite comfortable there. I don’t think your men will be necessary, but you have your instructions.” Both men then boarded their carriages.

  Late that night, Robert E Lee woke from a nightmare, where he had a vision of southern refusal of Lincoln’s terms. There were images of rioting, guerrilla warfare, mass arrests, burning plantations and summary executions. He was resolved to prevent that future from happening.

  At the same time Jefferson Davis, Varina, Winnie, and William had gathered their meager belongings in Fort Monroe and boarded their carriage to Richmond. There they were provided traveling clothes and boarded the train for the long trip to Vicksburg. The Davis’s had a private coach and except for meals had minimal interaction with the rest of the passengers. The Pinkerton Detectives were unobtrusive in their security arrangements. To the other passengers, they were merely other travelers.

  Chapter 2

  June 1865

  With the issuance of Treasury bonds, monies began to flow into the devastated South. The removal of rubble began the process of rebuilding the plantations, cities, and industries. Food, at first scarce, became more plentiful with the harvesting of crops, and meat and produce arrived from the north. The rebuilt railroads brought machinery and replacement parts to restart industry. With the installation of more telegraph lines communication was substantially improved.

  Alexandria, Virginia

  Robert E Lee invited friends, family and former military associates and their wives to a dinner party at his home at 607 Oronoco Street, in Alexandria. It was his family home, originally owned by his father, the Revolutionary War hero ‘Light Horse Harry Lee”. Lee had grown up there before his appointment to West Point, where he graduated second in his class.

  Lee’s military career was distinguished first as an engineer, where he helped to design Fort Pulaski and Fort Monroe. He met and courted Mary Ann Cutis, who was the great-granddaughter of Martha Curtis Washington and the great step-granddaughter of George Washington. His second proposal was accepted. The first was not because Lee as the son of the disgraced Light Horse Harry Lee, who had spent time in debtors’ prison, he was considered unsuitable. Their marriage occurred at Arlington House on her father’s plantation outside Washington DC. They had seven children, five of which survived to adulthood.

  Lee served bravely as combat officer under General Wilfred Scott in the Mexican war. There he first met and briefly served with Ulysses S Grant. After the war, he served for three years as Superintendent of West Point. Promoted to Major, and assigned as a cavalry officer in Texas, he campaigned against the Comanche’s and Apaches. When Texas succeeded, Lee and almost one-half of the soldiers elected to go north. Almost immediately Lee was transferred to Washington DC and promoted to Colonel. Shortly after that, Lee was offered the command of Union forces as a Major General.

  Much to the consternation of his wife Mary Ann who was a Union sympathizer, Lee turned down the job and resigned his commission. His stated reason was he could not bear arms against Virginia. In this, most of his extended family and over 40% of Virginia born officers disagreed with him and remained with the Union. His three sons followed him into Confederate service; two became Major Generals and one a captain.

  Lee was named commander of the Army of Virginia on June 1, 1862, after General Joseph Johnson was severely wounded. After strengthening the defenses of Richmond, he defeated General McClellan, forcing the end of the Peninsula Campaign; and regaining most of the lost territory. He then won at second Manassas and invaded Maryland. He was defeated at Antietam and forced to withdraw to Virginia.

  Lee was victorious at Fredericksburg and again at Chancellorsville. Those victories encouraged him to invade the North again. That campaign ended when the Army of Northern Virginia was defeated by General Meade’s Army of the Potomac at Gettysburg. Meade’s lackluster pursuit allowed Lee’s army to retreat to Virginia successfully.

  After Gettysburg, the new Union commander Ulysses S Grant confronted his depleted army. Grants’ relentless pursuit in the Wilderness Campaign, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor wore down Lee’s army. With the diminishing potential of reinforcements and an army depleted by desertions, Lee was forced to first abandon fortified positions outside Petersburg then at Richmond. The end came at Appomattox, Virginia where he surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia to Grant.

  After dinner, the women adjoined to the parlor and the men to the cigar room. Lee was affectionately known as Marse Robert, and he was aware that what he was about to propose would strain those relationships. His guests included: Generals James Corner, Martin Witherspoon Gary, Jo
hn B Magruder, Robert D Lilley, P.G.T Beauregard, Alexander Lawton, Henry A Wise and Joseph Lancaster Brent. Friends included the noted philanthropists George Peabody, William Wilson Cochran and James Lyons. These were all men of influence, and their support would be essential. Also present was the Imperial Turkish Ambassador Edward Blacque-Bey, who was a friend.

  Lee recounted the steamship trip to Washington DC., the meeting with President Lincoln and Lincoln’s startling proposal. He used the issuance of the Treasury bonds and the money and goods flowing into the south and the rebuilt railroads as examples of Lincoln’s good faith. Lee finishes by stating: “No one fought harder for the Confederacy than I. However, as unfortunate as it is, we lost, and what we fought for is a bye gone era. The victorious Lincoln has offered us a way to be reconciled with our northern brethren. Those of us who fought know we were all brothers in arms. Some of you were with me at Appomattox and bore witness to General Chamberlain’s salute to our defeated army. That honor still thrills me when I think about it.” Lee looked around the room and saw his guests nodding their heads. Encouraged Lee continued:

  “Grant’s terms to us were very generous. The soldiers were allowed just to go home. We the officers were authorized to keep our swords, side arms, and horses. All we had to do was to sign the parole and agree not to take up arms against the United States. Combined, those are the essence of the spirit in Lincoln’s offer. I ask you, how we as reasonable men can refuse.”

  Edward Blacque-Bey broke an uncomfortable silence and said: “I realize I do not have a part in this decision, but I must say that President Lincoln’s momentous offer is unprecedented. I know that in the Ottoman Empire, which has existed almost 500 years, the Sultan would not be so generous. In point of fact, those who fail in rebellion would be better to die on the battlefield, than to face a Sultan’s wrath. I was present at President Lincoln’s second Inaugural Address. He is sincere, but I fear his offer has an expiration date.”