The information contained on this page reflects the current state of my research. There are several sources that I know I need to look at before I consider this work finished. In the meantime, however, the following page should prove informative and insightful. Most of the photographs used in this section are taken from Twenty Days, an excellent reference covering the days between Lincoln's assassination and funeral in Springfield. Other material on this page comes from Smith. At some unspecified future date, I would like to use this page as the basis of a journal article, perhaps "Michigan History."
On February 11, 1865, the 24th Michigan Infantry received orders
to leave the siege of Petersburg and proceed to Baltimore by way
of Warren Station. From there they were ordered to Camp Butler
located near Springfield, Illinois. During this period of the
war, Camp Butler was a draft rendezvous. The 24th was assigned
to help police the camp and "escort" the draftees to
their assigned regiments. Prior to the arrival of the Regiment,
approximately 1600 men had deserted from Camp Butler. While at
Camp Butler, the Regiment was "rested" and was filled
up to its original complement with recruits.
The news of Lee's surrender at Appomattox reached the men of
the 24th on April 9. The men were elated, and raucous celebration
ensued. The end of the war was in sight, and the men knew that
they would soon be mustered out.
The good times came to an abrupt end on April 15. On that day,
the men of the 24th Michigan learned that President Lincoln had
been assassinated. As in the rest of the country, the banners
put up in celebration of the surrender were removed and replaced
with black mourning bunting. Within a few days, the Regiment was
notified that it was to be included in the honor guard and funeral.
In addition to the 24th Michigan, several other regiments were
stationed in the Springfield area. The 14th Iowa, 42nd Wisconsin,
146th Illinois and units of the Veterans Reserve Corps were also
ordered to be ready for this special duty.
"Upon receipt of the orders, the unit began its preparations.
The men were drilled with special care for the treasured duty
by Major Hutchinson assisted by the line officers and noncoms
until they appeared at their best. New uniforms were issued; muskets,
brass, and shoes polished until they shone, and the whole topped
off with a new issue of black hats, feathers, and white gloves."
(Smith p. 252:253)
That the Hardee hat was reissued is also evident
from the uniform and hat in the photograph of John
R. Brown. This clothing issue is significant in that members
of the 24th Michigan would be expected to have Hardee hats. Soldiers
from other regiments could have the Hardee (it was, after
all, part of the official dress uniform), but would more likely
have had a forage cap.
On May 3, a detachment of soldiers from the 24th led by Lieutenant
Colonel Edwards was in Springfield as the train bearing the late
president's body arrived. The detachment formed up on Jefferson
Street and helped to escort the coffin to the State House.
Thousands of people had come to Springfield and lined up outside
the State House to view the body. The soldiers in this photograph
stationed to helped maintain order. It is probable that the detachment
from the 24th Michigan did similar duty that day. All the soldiers
visible in this picture, however, have forage caps, and thus are
more likely to belong to one of the other units.
| Lt. Col. Edwards | Maj. Hutchinson | Capt. Dodsley |
|---|---|---|
 |
 |
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Inside the building, an honor guard composed of union officers
was placed in close proximity to the body. Lieutenant Colonel
Edwards, Major Hutchinson, and Captain Dodsley each served a turn.
Approximately 75,000 slowly filed past the coffin. The viewing
lasted until 11 p.m.
At 8 o'clock on the morning of May 4, a special train
arrived at Camp Butler to convey the soldiers to Springfield.
Along with the 24th Michigan, soldiers from the 14th Iowa were
also loaded on the train. After arriving at Springfield, was allowed
to view the body of the late president. By 11a.m., the funeral
procession had been formed. The 24th Michigan was given the place
of honor at the head of the military escort, directly behind the
hearse, despite the fact that the 14th Iowa Veteran Volunteers
was the senior unit (the 14th Iowa was originally formed in November
1861). The men stood waiting in the hot, humid morning, sweating
in their newly issued dress uniforms.
At around 11:30, the funeral procession began. The
Regiment marched at the slow step. The "bands," possibly
including a reconstituted regimental band, played funeral dirges.
Four separate Lincoln funeral marches had been composed for the
occasion. Family history states that Webster Wood was in charge
of the "drum corps" on this solemn occasion.
"...when the music was silent all that could be heard
was the muffled ominous, unbroken roll of the drums..."
Mary Lincoln had decided to bury her late husband in Oak Ridge
Cemetery, the gate to which is shown above. Notice the sentry.
Under magnification the soldier appears to be wearing a Hardee
hat and possibly gloves. Military guards had been assigned to
keep out the curious as well as potential Southern-sympathizing
vandals.
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Until a permanent tomb could be constructed, Lincoln's body
would rest in the cemetery's receiving vault. Again, military
guards were stationed, and reinforced vault doors were installed.
Although the man on the left is wearing either a Hardee hat
or a similar civilian model, he is probably an officer. Since
the men are wearing forage caps, this guard detail is most likely
from one of the other regiments.
 |
After the rites were finished, the soldiers were reformed and
returned to Springfield, somberly marching to the tune of the
"Dead March from Saul." The 24th re-boarded the train
and returned to Camp Butler by 4:30 p.m. For some of the soldiers
in the 24th this was probably the hardest march of a long terrible
war.