The Bixby Letter

[RJNorton]

I still hold out some hope (growing less by the hour admittedly) that Lincoln wrote the letter. In 1904 John Hay wrote a letter to John E. Chandler. Hay wrote:

"The letter of Mr. Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby is genuine, is printed in our edition of his Works, and has been frequently re-published; but the engraved copy of Mr. Lincoln's alleged manuscript, which is extensively sold is, in my opinion, a very ingenious forgery."

Some historians, including Dr. Mark E. Neely Jr., have concluded Lincoln was the author because Hay writes that the letter is "genuine." What did Hay mean by the word "genuine?" Is it really an indication that Lincoln wrote the letter? Or does it mean something else?

In his book about the letter, F. Lauriston Bullard wrote, "A letter is 'genuine' when it is not spurious, not counterfeit, when it is written by the person whose name it bears."

[JMadonna]

Ted Sorenson always denied that he wrote Profiles in Courage but its far more likely that he was more the author than the 'researcher'. There is no doubt that Hillary did not write any of her books but that's the life of a 'ghost writer".

[ELCore]

(07-22-2017 04:22 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  I still hold out some hope (growing less by the hour admittedly) that Lincoln wrote the letter. In 1904 John Hay wrote a letter to John E. Chandler. Hay wrote:

"The letter of Mr. Lincoln to Mrs. Bixby is genuine, is printed in our edition of his Works, and has been frequently re-published; but the engraved copy of Mr. Lincoln's alleged manuscript, which is extensively sold is, in my opinion, a very ingenious forgery."

Some historians, including Dr. Mark E. Neely Jr., have concluded Lincoln was the author because Hay writes that the letter is "genuine." What did Hay mean by the word "genuine?" Is it really an indication that Lincoln wrote the letter? Or does it mean something else?....

Allow me to quote myself (29 March 2013): "I think all that he meant is that there was, indeed, a presidential letter to Mrs. Bixby, Nov. 21, 1864. Thus, the Bixby letter is to be distinguished from letters attributed to Lincoln that had actually been made up out of whole cloth, just as many sayings attributed to Lincoln were simply made up (as we well know!)."

And, since Hay seems to mean that inclusion in "our edition of his Works" implies genuineness, I will note that he and Nicolay included the 1863 Thanksgiving Proclamation in their two-volume edition (Vol. II pp. 417f) of Lincoln's Complete Works, though it was written by William Seward.

[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.

[Cliff Roberts]

The case of Mrs. Bixby was first brought to Lincoln's attention through an article in a Boston newspaper by Massachusetts Adjutant General William Schouler, appealing for assistance for families of soldiers serving in the war. The article, dated Nov. 21, 1863, referred only to "a most worthy widow lady" who lost 5 sons in the war. Whether Lincoln himself discovered the article or someone brought it to him is immaterial. That day or the next, either Lincoln himself or Hay drafted a handwritten note of condolence, addressed simply to "Dear Madam," and mailed it to Adj. Gen. Schouler with a request to forward it to the lady in question. On Nov. 25, 1863, the Boston Evening Traveller printed an article dealing exclusively with Mrs. Bixby and naming her five sons. At its conclusion, the following appears:

"Gov. Gen. Schouler’s letter, it seems, attracted the attention of President Lincoln who, by some means unknown to the General, ascertained the name of the mother, and this morning’s mail brought the following letter to the Adjutant General for Mrs. Bixby"

There follows a faithful reproduction of the complete letter from Lincoln with “Mrs Bixby” written at the bottom left, opposite Lincoln’s signature on the same line.

The fact that Lincoln’s letter is dated Nov. 21, the same day the article by Schouler appeared in print, suggests the President (or Hay) had little time to identify the “worthy widow lady” mentioned by Schouler. More likely the President mailed his “Dear Madam” letter to Schouler with a request that he forward it to the proper person. Schouler probably added the name “Mrs. Bixby” to the bottom of the letter before copying it and delivering the original to Mrs. Bixby.

As to who actually wrote the “Bixby Letter,” there’s no doubt in my mind Lincoln would have done so if he’d had time, but with the war on and other important matters demanding his attention, he may well have asked Hay to do it. Once the letter became public and associated with Lincoln’s name, it’s almost certain Hay would not step on his idol's image by claiming authorship.

[RJNorton]

Thanks, Cliff. Your thinking makes a lot of sense.

I do not know if anyone has posted exactly what information Lincoln was given regarding the sons. I was able to find it in Sandburg's War Years. Here is what Sandburg writes regarding the information that came to Lincoln's desk in mid-October, 1864:

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


"1. Sergeant Charles N. Bixby, Company D, Twentieth Regiment, mustered in July 28, 1862; killed at Fredericksburg, May 3, 1863.

2. Corporal Henry Bixby, Company K, Thirty-second Regiment, mustered in August 5, 1862; killed at Gettysburg, July, 1863.

3. Private Edward Bixby, recruit for Twenty-second Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. Died of wounds in Hospital at Folly Island, South Carolina. He ran away from home and was mustered in the field.

4. Private Oliver C. Bixby, Company E, Fifty-eighth Regiment, Massachusetts Volunteers. Mustered March 4, 1864. Killed before Petersburg, July 30, 1864.

5. Private George Way Bixby, Co. B, 56th Reg. Mass. Vols. in March 19th. 1864. Killed before Petersburg, July 30, 1864.

The last named, George, enlisted under the assumed name of George Way. The reason why be did not enlist under his proper name was to conceal the fact of his enlistment from his wife."

[Steve]

(07-23-2017 03:16 PM)Cliff Roberts Wrote:  The case of Mrs. Bixby was first brought to Lincoln's attention through an article in a Boston newspaper by Massachusetts Adjutant General William Schouler, appealing for assistance for families of soldiers serving in the war. The article, dated Nov. 21, 1863, referred only to "a most worthy widow lady" who lost 5 sons in the war. Whether Lincoln himself discovered the article or someone brought it to him is immaterial. That day or the next, either Lincoln himself or Hay drafted a handwritten note of condolence, addressed simply to "Dear Madam," and mailed it to Adj. Gen. Schouler with a request to forward it to the lady in question. On Nov. 25, 1863, the Boston Evening Traveller printed an article dealing exclusively with Mrs. Bixby and naming her five sons. At its conclusion, the following appears:

"Gov. Gen. Schouler’s letter, it seems, attracted the attention of President Lincoln who, by some means unknown to the General, ascertained the name of the mother, and this morning’s mail brought the following letter to the Adjutant General for Mrs. Bixby"

There follows a faithful reproduction of the complete letter from Lincoln with “Mrs Bixby” written at the bottom left, opposite Lincoln’s signature on the same line.

The fact that Lincoln’s letter is dated Nov. 21, the same day the article by Schouler appeared in print, suggests the President (or Hay) had little time to identify the “worthy widow lady” mentioned by Schouler. More likely the President mailed his “Dear Madam” letter to Schouler with a request that he forward it to the proper person. Schouler probably added the name “Mrs. Bixby” to the bottom of the letter before copying it and delivering the original to Mrs. Bixby.

As to who actually wrote the “Bixby Letter,” there’s no doubt in my mind Lincoln would have done so if he’d had time, but with the war on and other important matters demanding his attention, he may well have asked Hay to do it. Once the letter became public and associated with Lincoln’s name, it’s almost certain Hay would not step on his idol's image by claiming authorship.

The letter says "I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts", which I'm assuming is referring to Schouler's letter to Gov. Andrew which the governor forwarded to the War Department. According to Bullard's book the last action in War Department records was in October:

https://archive.org/stream/abrahamlincol...0/mode/2up

Thanksgiving was on November 24, 1864 that year, the day before the letter arrived at Schouler's office. So I guess they were intending for it to reach her then. Cliff's suggestion about Schouler's Thanksgiving appeal in the Traveller, is interesting. I'm a little skeptical that a Boston newspaper article could've reached Washington prompting the letter to be written all in the same day, but then again it's a little coincidental that no action seems to have been taken on the request for a month then all of a sudden it's written on the same day as the article is printed.

In regards to the "Mrs. Bixby." at the bottom of the letter, sometimes the addressee's name was written on the bottom left of 19th century letters instead of the top. Lincoln sometimes did that with his letters; notice "Miss Fanny McCullough." written at the bottom left of his 1862 letter:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:...Letter.jpg

Bixby's name might have been written on the bottom just in case Schouler needed to write down her address below to ensure delivery.

[Eva Elisabeth]

(07-23-2017 12:40 AM)Steve Wrote:  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.

I (meanwhile) tend to agree with Cliff on his last passage and points. Plus as for Robert - he was so proud of his father's legacy I could imagine Hay as his friend didn't want to interfere with that. As for Mr. Burlingame's suggestion - Abraham Lincoln certainly wouldn't have needed "idea input" help to write a private letter of condolence to a "common citizen" of no or minor public/political influence or importance (my QUESTION - was it to expect for the White House the letter would be published?) and not even personally known to him. But since the days of his first election and without a war to deal with he had needed the help of secretaries to help with the mass of correspondency obligations.

[RJNorton]

(07-25-2017 09:50 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  Plus as for Robert - he was so proud of his father's legacy I could imagine Hay as his friend didn't want to interfere with that.

I agree with you, Eva. IMO, this probability is a logical reason to think John Hay wrote the letter.

[Eva Elisabeth]

Somehow I personally don't get over the word "assuage". I had never heard/read it before "the Bixby letter" and cannot recall having come across it elsewhere. It sounds French and quite artificial to me, and rather matching Hay. Is it a word someone without the polish of such as Mme Mantelle's exclusive institution in those days would have used?

[RJNorton]

(07-25-2017 11:36 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  It sounds French and quite artificial to me, rather matches Hay to me.

If one does a search for the word in The Collected Works...the only time Lincoln used it was in the Bixby letter. IMO, this is another argument that Hay most likely was the author.

[Steve]

(07-25-2017 09:50 AM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I (meanwhile) tend to agree with Cliff on his last passage and points. Plus as for Robert - he was so proud of his father's legacy I could imagine Hay as his friend didn't want to interfere with that. As for Mr. Burlingame's suggestion - Abraham Lincoln certainly wouldn't have needed "idea input" help to write a private letter of condolence to a "common citizen" of no or minor public/political influence or importance (my QUESTION - was it to expect for the White House the letter would be published?) and not even personally known to him. But since the days of his first election and without a war to deal with he had needed the help of secretaries to help with the mass of correspondency obligations.

Burlingame's suggestion was about the letter to Col. Ellsworth's parents to account for similarities in style to the Bixby while definitely being known to have been penned by Lincoln since it still survives:

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?col...b&recNum=0

[Eva Elisabeth]

(07-25-2017 12:37 PM)Steve Wrote:  ...while definitely being known to have been penned by Lincoln since it still survives:
http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?col...b&recNum=0

I'm afraid don't get the logic of something being penned by someone excludes the piece being a joint venture? Nevertheless I don't doubt the letter to the parents was entirely composed by Abraham Lincoln, and to me this one is very different to the Bixby letter. What strikes me is that in the latter letter he "stepped back" and sort of excluded himself from the thanks of the Republic as considering himself almost "unworthy". I cannnot recall he did similar elsewhere, usually he put himself or something of himself - thoughts, feelings, experiences, anecdotes - into a message or speech, at least an unquestioned "we". The Bixby letter, while linguistically highly praised, appears somehow sterile to me.

[Steve]

(07-25-2017 04:13 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  I'm afraid don't get the logic of something being penned by someone excludes the piece being a joint venture? Nevertheless I don't doubt the letter to the parents was entirely composed by Abraham Lincoln, and to me this one is very different to the Bixby letter. What strikes me is that in the latter letter he "stepped back" and sort of excluded himself from the thanks of the Republic as considering himself almost "unworthy". I cannnot recall he did similar elsewhere, usually he put himself or something of himself - thoughts, feelings, experiences, anecdotes - into a message or speech, at least an unquestioned "we". The Bixby letter, while linguistically highly praised, appears somehow sterile to me.

I agree with you about the Ellsworth Letter, it doesn't exclude a joint venture but was likely solely written by Lincoln. I was just restating Burlingame's view.

You're sort of making my point about the Bixby Letter. If this new study linking it to Hay stands up to scrutiny with its methodology; then isn't it possible that Lincoln was trying to quickly write the letter could've asked Hay for advice on some of the wording?

[Eva Elisabeth]

Re. :"...then isn't it possible that Lincoln was trying to quickly write the letter could've asked Hay for advice on some of the wording?"
As I've stated before IMO Abraham Lincoln for sure didn't need advice on any wording - I'd rather think he didn't have/spend his limited time at all regarding the widow wasn't even personally known to him and it likely wasn't an important political affair (hence my question was it to expect the letter would be published?)
My imagination sees Hay writing and Lincoln signing the letter like it's a common practice when you have a secretary to take over office work.