New Series CNN Lincon:Divided We Stand FEB 14

[Anita]

(03-08-2021 12:36 PM)Mylye2222 Wrote:  

(03-08-2021 11:54 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  In last night's episode Harold Holzer maintained that Abraham Lincoln appeared in person before the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War to defend his wife on charges of disloyalty. Most books I have read agree with Mr. Holzer.

Not everyone agrees, however. In Gerald J. Prokopowicz' Did Lincoln Own Slaves?: And Other Frequently Asked Questions About Abraham Lincoln Prokopowicz calls the story a legend and answers "no" to the question of whether it ever happened.

In Dr. Edward Steers' Lincoln Legends: Myths, Hoaxes, and Confabulations Associated with Our Greatest President the author asks, "Did Lincoln go before the Conduct of War committee?" Steers concludes, "As of this writing, however, the myth remains an orphan, but an interesting one. Lincoln never appeared before the committee."

In 1975 Mark E. Neely, Jr. wrote an article entitled "Abraham Lincoln did NOT Defend His Wife Before the Committee on the Conduct of the War."

Seems difficult to believe since a President in office isn't supposed to show up at Capitol, except for his inauguration, the State of the Union (at the time a written Annual Message there read by a clerk), and in case he's nominally summoned to testify, during his impeachment trial?????
That said, would it be possible that Lincoln did wrote a letter to the Committee to clear his wife's name, and then the legend had it romanticized?

Emilie, I'm glad you are able to use the audio link and are joining in the discussion.

Roger has posted excellent sources refuting the claim that Lincoln met with the Joint Commission on the Conduct of the War to defend Mary's loyalty. I couldn't find Holzer's source supporting it occurred.

I have Ed Steers book but just read Neely's article. You may want to read it and see how the myth developed and why it still lives on. Here's the link.
https://www.friendsofthelincolncollectio...975-01.pdf

I agree with Roger that to date there's no evidence Lincoln defended Mary's loyalty before the Committee, in person or by written statement.