Assassination Trivia

[RJNorton]

Hi Reignette. I second Laurie in thanking you for all the information you provided! This is wonderful.

Apparently Lincoln was not wearing his new coat on the inaugural journey. Lincoln thanked Isaac Fenno in January, so he definitely had his new coat by the time the inaugural train departed. However, on the inaugural train, Lincoln was described as wearing a very bad hat and a very thin old overcoat. By the time the train got to the state of New York Mary Lincoln was fed up with his looks, and ordered Lincoln's valet, William Johnson, to get him a better looking hat and coat. Apparently Johnson then went to the baggage car and retrieved the items.

I wonder if the coat from Fenno was what Johnson retrieved.

Here is the text of the letter Lincoln had written to Fenno:

Private
Isaac ← Fenno → Esq Springfield Ill.
Dear Sir Jany 22 1861

Your note of the 1st inst., together with a very substantial and handsome overcoat which accompanied it by Express, were duly received by me, and would both have been acknowledged sooner but for the multifarious demands upon my time and attention.

Permit me now to thank you sincerely for your elegant and valuable New Year's Gift, and the many kind expressions of personal confidence and regard contained in your letter. Your obt Servt. A. LINCOLN.