Lincoln reviews the troops
President Lincoln reviewing the Army of the Potomac on Monday, April 6, 1863. Drawing by Edwin Forbes. Library of Congress
In April 1863, three surgeons who served at the Battle of Gettysburg wrote home describing President Lincoln’s review of the Army of the Potomac. Two of them commented on his appearance. Read their firsthand accounts:
J. Franklin Dyer, Surgeon 19 th MA (II Corps)
April 7, 1863
There was a review of the cavalry of the army yesterday attended by the President and Mrs. Lincoln, I was not able to go.
April 10, 1863
Day before yesterday went to the grand review of four corps and the reserve artillery. The president was there with General Hooker and staff, and Mrs. Lincoln and a lady friend were in a covered wagon. The day was chilly. Mrs. Lincoln is a fat-faced, comfortable -looking woman. Their little boy, about eight years of age, rode a pony. The president looked thin. About 70,000 men were present at this review. General Howard’s corps is to be reviewed today by the president….
Dyer, J. Franklin. The Journal of a Civil War Surgeon, editor Michael B. Chesson. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 2003.p. 69.
Daniel M. Holt, Assistant Surgeon, 121 st NY (VI Corps)
April 10, 1863
The Army of the Potomac has been reviewed by corps since my last. Yesterday Father Abraham, wife, and son condescended to look lovingly upon the children of the 6th Corps. As we passed in review I smiled at him and he grinned at me, he did, or ought to. His whiskers have fallen before the fatal stroke of the razor, which shows a care-worn and weary look. Poor man, I pity him, and almost wonder at his being alive.
Holt, Daniel M. A Surgeon’s Civil War: the Letters and Diaries of Daniel M. Holt, M.D.,editors James M. Greiner, Janet L Coryell and James R. Smither. Kent, Ohio: The Kent State University Press, 1994. P.87
James Langstaff Dunn, Surgeon 109 th PA (XII Corps)
April 12, 1863
We have a great time here attending reviews for the benefit of “Father Abraham” and his lady. He reviewed 15,000 cavalry one day, 60,0000 infantry the next, then finished up by looking at the remains of Bank’s old 12th Corps under Gen’l Slocum yesterday. We had to go about 6 miles to find ground level enough to be reviewed on.
Kerr, Paul B. Civil War Surgeon-Biography of James Langstall Dunn, MD. Bloomington, Indiana: Authorhouse, 2005.
Lincoln, with unbuttoned coat and gold watch chain. 1863 Walker, Lewis Emory. Washington D.C. Library of Congress