The tragical procession

[loetar44]

From the Abraham Lincoln Classroom online: (Note that I have capitalized "hearse" twice and "carriage" once in the text related to moving the body from Petersen's to the White House.)

Abraham Lincoln died from his wounds at 7:22 P.M. on Saturday, April 15, 1865. Teenager Henry B. Stanton, who had frequently visited the President with his father, made his way to the Petersen House before the body of Abraham Lincoln was removed to the Executive Mansion.

Thank you Laurie for this post! But who was “Teenager Henry B. Stanton, who had frequently visited the President with his father”….. I did a search, and again realized that there's lots of good information on the Internet, but that you will also find a lot of inaccurate information. And here is a good example! Henry B. Stanton, who was he?

(1) I saw one article that said that Henry B. Stanton was a son of Edwin M. Stanton! Can't find the URL now. But, this is impossible. Edwin Stanton had 6 children from two marriages: two children from his first marriage with Mary Lamson ( Lucy Lamson Stanton, b. March 11, 1837 – 1841, and Edwin Lamson Stanton, b. Aug. 12, 1842, d. Aug. 1877; m. Matilda Wilkins Carr), and four children from his second wife Ellen Hutchinson (Eleanor Adams Stanton = Mrs. James Clark Bush, b. May 9, 1857, d. Sep 26, 1910, James Hutchinson Stanton, b. Oct. 17, 1861; d. July 10, 1862, Lewis Hutchinson Stanton, b. Jan 12, 1860, d. April 25, 1938, and Bessie Barnes Stanton = Mrs. Henry Steele Habersham, b. 1863). NO “teenager Henry B. Stanton” !!!

(2) Another internet source
(http://www.sno.wednet.edu/files/4313/777...ton_Jr.pdf)

says that “teenager Henry B. Stanton” was the son of Henry Brewster Stanton (June 27, 1805 – January 14, 1887) the famous American 19th century abolitionist and social reformer. Again WRONG.

(3) In all internet articles I found (including the one Laurie referred to) you see the same sentence: “Teenager Henry B. Stanton, who had frequently visited the President with his father, made his way to the Petersen House before the body of Abraham Lincoln was removed to the Executive Mansion …” However, this information is not carefully cited and therefore maybe misleading, maybe a result of copy and paste without verifying. I had my doubts, because there was nowhere further info about a “teenager Henry B. Stanton”, who visited Lincoln frequently at the White House…..

What I found is that the story told is absolutely TRUE, but it was NOT “teenager Henry B. Stanton” but the then 19 year old ROBERT B(REWSTER) STANTON, son of Reverend Robert Livingston Stanton, D.D., from Connecticut, a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln.

Here is the story of Robert Brewster Stanton, told in “Abraham Lincoln, Personal Memories of the Man”, published in the July 1920 issue of Scribner’s Magazine.

“On the night of April 14, 1865, I was nowhere near Ford s Theatre. We were living then in the old home on North B Street, Capitol Hill. Everything was so quiet there that we did not hear of the tragedy of the night until the next morning. As soon as possible I went down to the neighborhood of the theatre. What surprised me most was the smallness of the crowd gathered there at that time. I had no difficulty in moving about close to the steps of the house opposite, where the remains of the President still lay. I stood very close to those steps until finally there came out that little band of mourners and gently placed the body of the murdered President in the hearse. What surprised me most, as I think of that day, was the small number of followers that accompanied that sad little procession. There were so few people that followed, I was able to walk close to the carriages and at times I was so near that I could have laid my hand on the wheel of the hearse. I followed all the way to the White House grounds. Nor did the crowd increase to any great proportions, as we neared the end. At the east gate of the White House, there were soldiers and no one was admitted to the grounds. I had gone a little ahead and stood on the pavement close to the gate. This absence of a great crowd on such an occasion was not due to any want of interest or sympathy, but was rather caused, as it seemed to me, by the terrible shock that had passed over the city, and because everyone was so depressed that but few had the desire to rush forward to form or join a crowd. Those on the sidewalks stopped and with bowed and uncovered heads stood still in silence and grief. That there were so few gathered at the gate of the White House grounds, this little incident will show. I had pushed forward and taken my place on the sidewalk close to the carriage way, and turning to look at the little funeral cortege approaching, I saw an old negro woman, a typical Southern cook, her head wrapped in a red-and-yellow bandanna, and her large blue-and white kitchen apron still on, come running across the street. She passed in front of the hearse and had no difficulty in taking her place beside me within two feet of where it would pass. Even at that early hour the negroes of the capital had been stunned, then driven to almost frenzy, by the rumor that now Mr. Lincoln was dead they would all be put back into slavery. As the little procession passed in, great tears rolled down the cheeks of that old negress, and she gathered her big apron over her face and sobbed aloud. Then there seemed to come to her soul a great light and a great courage. She dropped her apron and said in a firm though broken voice: “They needn’t to crow yet. God ain’t dead!”.

Here you can read the whole article (p. 32 - p.41):

https://ia600309.us.archive.org/17/items...anrich.pdf

[L Verge]

Actually, I was aware that young Stanton was not the son of the Secretary of War, but I had never bothered to track down this gentleman's true identity. Thanks for the information.

The article I referred to is very long on the AL Classroom, and I deleted most of it - including the large number of sources that they cited. I just was not buying the earlier premise that Lincoln's body went down the street sans coffin and wanted mention of the hearse. BTW. I missed one "hearse" in the account I posted. That word is actually used three times and "carriage" more than once.

[RJNorton]

Actually, I was aware that young Stanton was not the son of the Secretary of War

This reminded me of another discussion.

[Jim Garrett]

I ventured to Gettysburg to check out the hearse. The provenance, if accurate is better than most. It was one of 13 (unlucky?) built by William C. Pichner & Son under contract to the US Government. The other twelve were destroyed in a warehouse fire. I wouldn't doubt that it carried Lincoln somewhere. Most likely from the Petersen House to the White House. I was always under the impression that he was taken back to the White House in an Ambulance, but a hearse would certainly have been more appropriate, especially since there was a light rain and army ambulances were open with a canvas top and flimsy side curtains.

The hearse is very well restored. According to museum President Tammy Myers the interior is all original and they even have the original rug that went inside. The hearse has only had five owners.

[L Verge]

Encouraging news - it would sure be nice to identify one more piece of the 1000-piece puzzle known as the full story of Lincoln's death. Someone at the museum told Joan Chaconas that it had been stored for years in a chicken coop and that the top was a solid mass of coop poop. I can't imagine that that did not damage the hearse to some respect.

[Hess1865]

Didn't this hearse actually show up on eBay about 10 years ago??

[Anita]

I ventured to Gettysburg to check out the hearse. The provenance, if accurate is better than most. It was one of 13 (unlucky?) built by William C. Pichner & Son under contract to the US Government. The other twelve were destroyed in a warehouse fire. I wouldn't doubt that it carried Lincoln somewhere. Most likely from the Petersen House to the White House. I was always under the impression that he was taken back to the White House in an Ambulance, but a hearse would certainly have been more appropriate, especially since there was a light rain and army ambulances were open with a canvas top and flimsy side curtains.

The hearse is very well restored. According to museum President Tammy Myers the interior is all original and they even have the original rug that went inside. The hearse has only had five owners.

Thanks for checking out the hearse in person. While there are varying accounts of how Lincoln's body was transported from the Petersen house to the White House, I agree that by hearse is the most appropriate and there are credible sources that support it. Here's one.

"After President Abraham Lincoln passed away on the morning of April 15, 1865, his body was returned by hearse to the White House shortly after 9:00 A.M. Accompanied by an escort of cavalry, the solemn procession slowly moved up 10th Street to G Street and thence to the White House. Mr. Lincoln’s temporary coffin was wrapped in an American flag. His remains were transported to the Guest Room which was on the second floor at the front right-hand corner of the building (northwest corner). Nine men were present for the autopsy. These included Surgeon General Dr. Joseph K. Barnes,...

Autopsy report by Surgeon General’s Office
Washington City D.C.
April 15, 1865
Brigadier General J.K. Barnes
Surgeon General U.S.A."

[L Verge]

That is pretty strong evidence of how the body was transported, and I do agree with Jim and Anita that a hearse such as this would be the most appropriate and dignified.

[Jim Garrett]

It seems like there are more accounts mentioning a hearse. The owner has been very generous allowing the Gettysburg Heritage Center to display this artifact. The Gettysburg Heritage Center is housed in the old Wax Museum. An investor purchased the real estate about 1 1/2 years ago and is carefully putting together a new museum. It's general purpose is to tell the story of Gettysburg and its residents, but it will go beyond that with additional human interest stories. They have a portrayal of the John Burns house (similar to the Surratt boarding house at Ford's Theatre. The Burns story is wonderful. While almost all area residents have either fled or are hiding in their basements, the 69 year old Burns, grabs his flintlock musket and joins the fray. They will have Burns, with his crutches and musket sitting in his rocking chair. They also have used a lot of 3-D exhibits. Very cool and will reach out to all ages. While it will be pretty much finished in the next couple of months, it will continually seek to improve itself.

[L Verge]

Joan Chaconas was very impressed with the quality of the work that is being done there. I can no longer visit, but I have not heard a lot of compliments about the NPS Visitors' Center. Hopefully, this new museum will do the town proud.

[Jim Garrett]

The NPS-Gettysburg Foundation Visitor Center holds the museum, theater and cyclorama, and bookstore/giftshop The facility is immense. It's difficult to compare to the old facilities which was spread out over two buildings, the original NPS visitors center and cyclorama building and the old Rosensteel Civil War museum and electric map. When the Rosensteel family retired, they offered their museum to the NPS. I think there are only two issue with the new facility. 1) it's almost too big, but in the summer months, they do just about fill it. 2) It's not a cheap trip anymore. Cheapest adult tickets are about $11.50. The Wills house is an additional cost as is the Eisenhower farm. That being said, the Gettysburg Foundation has put a lot of money back into the battlefield and the facilities. The area directly behind Devil's Den has been forested for at least 50 years. They have returned the area back to the 1863 appearance by thinning out the trees. BTW, if you remember the old electric map, it's long gone. Turns out that the map was made of asbestos and pretty toxic. However the Gettysburg Heritage Center has a very very well done movie has has great visuals of the troop movements that does justice.

[L Verge]

The biggest complaint that I have heard about the NPS Visitors' Center (and one of the complainers was the retired Chief Historian of the NPS) was that many of the things were computer-generated stations where only one customer at a time could really take advantage of playing and listening. This created long lines at each station of people waiting to play that particular thing instead of enjoying the entire venue. That was several years ago; has that situation improved? I guess I just get frustrated with everyone thinking that a computer screen is the only source for learning. I love the critters, but I prefer other forms of communication also.

[Jim Garrett]

I really don't think there are that many computers there. I understand that people do expect that computers are the be-all-end-all for learning, but to my way of thinking they are a tool. In the right hands, there good, but they cannot be a substitute for face to face. Maybe I'm old fashioned about it, but I still think a good teacher is irreplaceable. Instead of terminal, you need good staff and volunteers.

[L Verge]

I really don't think there are that many computers there. I understand that people do expect that computers are the be-all-end-all for learning, but to my way of thinking they are a tool. In the right hands, there good, but they cannot be a substitute for face to face. Maybe I'm old fashioned about it, but I still think a good teacher is irreplaceable. Instead of terminal, you need good staff and volunteers.

Boy, do I agree with you there. It is also frustrating to think how much money goes into computer-oriented museums instead of staff salaries, line items for interesting and unique exhibits, real hands-on activities, etc.

[STS Lincolnite]

I really enjoyed the NPS museum and facility. Like Jim, I didn't find there to be many computer centric exhibits at all. Of course, I also think of them only as augmentation tools so I tend to focus on other things when museum going. There is an additional computer room that has about 10-15 computers in it for educational use. Maybe if bringing a school group with a lesson plan involving use of the computers it would be a little small and get backed up. I have been there in the spring and it was absolutely packed in spite of the size. When I was there in November it was a steady but reasonable crowd size.