Skull of Civil War Soldier to be Auctioned

[LincolnToddFan]

Hi Eva E.,

From what I have read Mary was not at all enthusiastic about the idea of a long cross country funeral for AL. The idea was originally presented to Edwin Stanton, who approved of it. Mary was finally persuaded only on the condition that Willie must also be disinterred for the journey with his father.

Since the remains would be viewed over a period of three or so weeks it was of course essential that the most skilled embalming techniques available at the time be deployed. This was supervised by Stanton, who also selected AL's burial garments and even gave instructions to the morticians on how the late president's beard was to be trimmed.

Strange, I agree. But Mary could not and would not have any part of the burial of her beloved husband. The few people who were allowed in to see her reported that she was "more dead than alive" during those last few weeks at the WH. So Edwin Stanton and of course Robert planned everything.