Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 to John P. Usher
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC05620 Author/Creator: Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865 Place Written: Washington, District of Columbia Type: Letter signed Date: 3 May 1864 Pagination: 1 p. : Height: 25.2 cm, Width: 20.3 cm Order a Copy
Discussing the Battle of Fort Pillow, Tennessee, President Lincoln informs Usher, Secretary of the Interior, "it is now quite certain that a large number of our colored soldiers, with their white officers, were, by the rebel force, massacred after they had surrendered ... " Requests Usher's counsel regarding the government's course of action following the Fort Pillow events. The letter was also sent to the rest of the cabinet, including Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles (see GLC07698). Signed by Lincoln. Written on Executive Mansion stationery.
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