I would have to say the best book for me was "Mrs. Lincoln's Rival" because it started me on a summer long journey into the lives of Salmon Chase and his two daughters. It has been fascinating and I have learned so much about this historical time in our country, during the time of Lincoln and on to reconstruction but even more, the life of Kate Chase, a person in history that I never knew, but that was so important.

(01-05-2015 04:09 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Tom, have you checked out this site?
http://lincolnandchurchill.org/

Thanks for all your replies!

I have just read Lewis E. Lehrman's Lincoln and Churchill: Statesmen at War, as a Barnes & Noble Nook Book, and I enjoyed it very much.

(01-04-2015 05:06 PM)Gene C Wrote:  and "Sultana" by Alan Huffman

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/governo...in-marion/

(04-28-2021 11:09 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(01-04-2015 05:06 PM)Gene C Wrote:  and "Sultana" by Alan Huffman

https://talkbusiness.net/2021/04/governo...in-marion/

The chief quartermaster at Vicksburg, Lt. Reuben Hatch, had a military past filled with corruption. He was from Illinois and had a powerful ally who secured his position at Vicksburg — President Abraham Lincoln. Hatch was facing a court-martial tribunal for taking bribes during a stint as the quartermaster in Cairo, Ill. His brother O.M. Hatch was a financial backer and personal friend of Lincoln, and before the court-martial took place, the sitting president sent the judge a letter that ultimately led to the dismissal of charges. Hatch then made his way south.

Greed compelled Hatch to place more than 2,000 soldiers on the Sultana instead of dividing the soldiers between it and other available transport boats. At Hatch’s behest, those efforts were refused. Loaded six times beyond its capacity wasn’t the only problem the Sultana faced. Her boilers were severely damaged and were in need of repair. Despite those factors, the boat began the churn north at 9 p.m. in the flood-swollen river headed for Cairo. Three boilers exploded late at night three days later. The hot coals, scalding water and fire killed hundreds in the moments following the initial blast.

What were the contents of the President Lincoln letter sent the judge that ultimately led to the dismissal of charges at Cairo, Illinois?

This is the website for the current museum

https://www.sultanadisastermuseum.com/