Robert Lincoln's burial site

[Donna McCreary]

In addition to what Roger stated above, I will add that the choice to bury Robert in Arlington was made several weeks after his death. Telegrams sent to family members reporting Robert's death also stated "Services here on Wednesday deferring interrment at Springfield until Autumn."
When Mary H. Lincoln wrote to Katherine Helm, she began the letter by saying: "You will, I know, be surprised at what I am going to tell you - A thought came to me, by inspiration, on the night of the 11th of August." By the time this letter was written, Mary had a plan. She was planning to find a 'suitable tomb' with burial the following spring. These plans were to remain private, with only the immediate family members knowing details. In her next letter, Mary wrote of selecting the site at Arlington and of visiting the War Department to make final arrangments. After arrangments were made and permission was granted, Mary H. Lincoln made it her task to have their son, Abraham Lincoln (Jack) removed from the Lincoln Tomb and buried alongside his father.
These were not Robert's wishes. Robert had taken great measures to ensure a burial places for himself and his family within the Lincoln Tomb. I often imagine that when Mary H. Lincoln died, she was met by Robert who scornfully said, "Now Mary, about Arlington . . . "