I have long believed that the most comprehensive portrait of historical figures might be seen in their personal correspondence and journal entries. Abraham Lincoln is certainly no exception, and those letters and telegrams he penned as commander-in-chief ; throughout one of the most critical episodes in American history ; are of singular importance. This is particularly true when one reviews them in their entirety, as opposed to selected excerpts that, if indeed they have been reprinted at all, have been available only in part, reduced to excerpts, citations, or references which, in many instances, have been repeatedly cited as the foundation for a particular interpretation of events, or conclusion of fact.
Interpreting the thoughts and actions of Abraham Lincoln can be a challenging exercise for, from a historical perspective, Lincoln emerges as an extraordinary individual – one who was clearly many things to many people. But, too, precisely because of this same complexity, he has become so much a part of America’s ongoing search for itself, so deeply entwined in the tapestry of American history, that, in many instances, succeeding generations have been largely unable to picture him clearly and objectively in his own life and times.
The most comprehensive portrait of noteworthy public figures can generally be seen in their personal letters and journal entries. Lincoln’s wartime correspondence is no exception, and the letters he penned to his Civil War generals – through one of the most critical episodes in American history – are of singular importance.
To be sure, Lincoln was not a natural strategist. He worked hard to master the subject, just as he had done to become a lawyer. Still, despite being forced to learn the functions of a commander-in-chief on the job, he demonstrates an oftentimes striking understanding of the issues.
Against this backdrop, the format of the letters selected here have been preserved whenever possible and, collectively, they provide a unique glimpse into the character and thought processes of Lincoln as a military commander. And whether the subject might be a general memorandum of military policy, a reflection on the sentencing of a deserter, or pressing the attack on Confederate forces, he writes with remarkable clarity, insight, and concise eloquence.
As this text presents, in their entirety, the original written communications which succeeding generations of historians have repeatedly cited as the basis for the interpretation of events or conclusions of fact, Lincoln’s Letters to his Generals is both a comprehensive reference resource, as well as a unique supplement to the existing literature.
