Mary was a leaker

[David Lockmiller]

(08-02-2017 10:52 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Ed Steers does a good job of debunking the story about Lincoln appearing before the committee in his Lincoln Legends: Myths, Hoaxes, and Confabulations Associated with Our Greatest President.

Roger, I might respectfully point out that Ed Steers appears to have had rather mixed opinions regarding the story whether Lincoln did appear before the Committee on the Conduct of the War regarding Mary's loyalty to the Union cause.

He wrote: Margaret Leech, whose book Reveille in Washington, 1860-1865 remains among the essential works required for understanding Civil War Washington, wrote: "Reports of Mary Lincoln's treason were persistent enough to cause Senate members of the Committee on the Conduct of the War to gather in secret session to consider them."

Mr. Steers first made the observation: "It seems reasonable to assume that Edwards, Sandburg, Leech, believed the story to be true."

But, shortly thereafter, Mr. Steers concluded: "Like so many myths, Lincoln's appearance before the Joint Committee cannot be traced to its origin. . . . As of this writing, however, the myth remains an orphan, but an interesting one. [I personally do not believe that any "Lincoln myths" are interesting.] Lincoln never appeared before the committee."

I am of the opinion that Lincoln would have done anything in his power to negate a Congressional committee conclusion that the wife of the President of the United States was aiding and abetting the enemy. With all of the ongoing Union military reversals at the time, such a Congressional statement would have both divisive and devastating to public morale.

I believe that in this instance that my standard posting signature should apply.