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Grolier Club Exhibitions

Lincoln the War President, Part II

LINCOLN THE WAR PRESIDENT, PART II  
1863 to 1865 

Abraham Lincoln led the North to victory in the Civil War through improved military strategy and, ultimately, the moral superiority of the war’s aims. He reformed his armed forces and domestic policy—bringing in a new generation of field commanders charged with defeating slavery, who led divisions revitalized with Black soldiers. Prior to 1863, the battles between the Union and Confederacy remained in bloody equilibrium, the result of Lincoln’s generals not attacking the traitorous forces aggressively enough, despite his repeated demands. This changed with the promotion of Ulysses S. Grant, whom Lincoln appointed as major general and then lieutenant general, the highest military rank. The partnership between Lincoln and Grant was the heart of the Union’s strength. Beginning in 1863, the North gained the advantage in the war after victories in Vicksburg and Gettysburg. At Gettysburg, Lincoln’s finest speech honored the many lives lost in defending the promise of American democracy.  

Battle of Gettysburg

John Lockwood, Our Campaign around Gettysburg (Brooklyn: Rome Brothers, 1864).  

Georgeanna Woolsey Bacon, Three Weeks at Gettysburg (New York: Randolph, 1863).  

Theodore Ditterline, Sketch of the Battles of Gettysburg (New York: Alvord, 1864).  

[War Department], U.S. Infantry Tactics (Philadelphia: Lippincott, 1861).  

Abraham Lincoln and Edward Everett, An Oration Delivered on the Battlefield of Gettysburg (New York: Baker & Godwin, 1863). First book-form edition.

Abraham Lincoln, “The President’s Dedication Address at Gettysburg” ([New York]: Miller & Mathews, [1864]). First separate broadside printing.  

Final Stages

Abraham Lincoln, The President to General McClellan ([Washington]: n.p., 1862).  

Ulysses S. Grant, Report of Lieutenant-General U.S. Grant (New York: Appleton, 1865). 

Linus P. Brockett and Mary C. Vaughan, Woman’s Work in the Civil War (Philadelphia: Zeigler, McCurdy, 1867).

Victory

John Gorman, Lee’s Last Campaign (Raleigh [NC]: Smith, 1866).

Ulysses S. Grant, Important Letter . . . Rebellion on Its Last Legs! (n.p.: n.p., [1864]).  

Richmond Has Fallen! (n.p.: n.p., [1865]).  

Victory! . . . We Celebrate the Fall of Richmond (n.p.: n.p., [1865]).  

Victory Will Lead to Peace (n.p.: n.p., [1865]).  

Lincoln the War President, Part II