The Bixby Letter

[Steve]

In his article, Burlingame suggested that Hay helped Lincoln draft his letter to the parents of Elmer Ellsworth.

Has anybody ever suggested such a scenario for the Bixby Letter? I just don't see Lincoln signing a short condolence letter for a mother who he thought had lost 5 sons, as a favor to political ally Gov. Andrew, without having any input into what it said.

But if this new study proves to be reliable in its methods and results pointing to Hay, isn't it possible Lincoln could've asked Hay for his ideas on what to write as he penned the letter? The letter was short and probably didn't take that long to write, so if it was written in this manner it's not unreasonable that Hay wouldn't remember it during his conversation with Robert Lincoln decades later.