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REFERENCES FOR READING.
Lossing's Field Book of the War of 1812.—Lewis and Clarke's Journal.—Mackenzie's Life of Paul Jones. —Parton's Life of Jackson; also of Aaron Burr.—Cooper's History of the American Navy.—Irving's Astoria. —Powell's Life of Taylor.—Fremont's Explorations. —Benton's 30 Years View of Public Affairs. —Street and Reid's Osceola (Poem).—Ripley's War with Mexico.—Hull's Military and Civil Life. —Parker's Historic Americans.—Lossing's Eminent Americans.—McPherson's Political History of the United States.—Tome's Battles of America by Sea and Land. —Lowell's Bigelow Papers.—The Exiles of Florida, by Giddings.—Jay's Mexican War and Dawson's American Battle-fields.—"The Mississippi Scheme" in Mackay's Popular Delusions.—Mrs. John Adams's Correspondence. —Headley's Second War with England.—Whittier's Angel of Buena Vista (Poetry).—Randall's and Tucker's Lives of Jefferson.—Griswold's Court of Washington. —Clarke's Campaign of 1812.—Ingersoll's Second War with Great Britain—Wilson's Sketches of Illustrious Soldiers.—Martin's Civil Government (Constitution of U. S.).
EPOCH V.
THE CIVIL WAR.
From 1861—Inauguration of Lincoln,
To 1865—Surrender of Lee's Army.
LINCOLN'S ADMINISTRATION.
[Footnote: Abraham Lincoln was born in Kentucky, February 12, 1809; died in Washington, April 15, 1865. His father was unable to read or write, and his own education consisted of one-year's schooling. When he was eight years old his father moved to Indiana, the family floating down the Ohio on a raft. When nineteen years of age, the future President hired out as a hand on a flat-boat at $10 per month, and made a trip to New Orleans. On his return he accompanied the family to Illinois, driving the cattle on the journey. Having reached their destination he helped them to build a cabin, and to split rails to enclose the farm. He was now in succession a flat-boat hand, clerk, captain of a company of volunteers in the Black Hawk War, country store-keeper, postmaster, and surveyor, yet he managed to get a knowledge of law by borrowing books at an office before it closed at night, returning them at its opening in the morning. On being admitted to the bar, he rapidly rose to distinction. At twenty-five he was sent to the Legislature, and was thrice re-elected. Turning his attention to politics, he soon became a leader. He was sent to Congress; he canvassed the State, haranguing the people daily on great national questions; and, in 1858, he was candidate for Senator, a second time, against Stephen A. Douglas. The two rivals stumped the State together. The debate, unrivalled for its statesmanship, logic, and wit, won for Lincoln a national reputation, but he lost the election in the Legislature, his party being in the minority. After his accession to the Presidency, his history, like Washington's, is identified with that of his country. He was a tall, ungainly man, little versed in the refinements of society, but gifted by nature with great common sense, and everywhere known as "Honest Abe." Kind, earnest, sympathetic, faithful, democratic, he was anxious only to serve his country. His wan, fatigued face, and his bent form, told of the cares he bore, and the grief he felt. His only relief was when, tossing aside for a moment the heavy load of responsibility, his face would light up with a humorsome smile, while he narrated some incident whose irresistible wit and aptness to the subject at hand, convulsed his hearers, and rendered "Lincoln's stories" household words throughout the nation.]
(SIXTEENTH PRESIDENT: 1861-1865)
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