Today Lincoln‘s body lies in state in Indianapolis. Overcast, rainy skies match the somber and sorrowful mood of the tens of thousands of mourners who parade past the coffin.
While Indianapolis mourns, a Union meeting of Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian congregations of Panama, New York features a discourse on “The Life and Character of Abraham Lincoln, with Some Lessons from His Death.” In the death of Lincoln, Protestants in many communities are united in grief for the loss of Lincoln, but also in appreciation for Lincoln’s unparalleled contributions to human freedom.
Of course, not everyone is saddened by Lincoln’s death, particularly many southern whites, some of whom are not yet ready to concede the war’s finality.
A notice in today’s Daily South Carolinian newspaper evidences such defiance in offering a reward to anyone who can provide information about or effectively seize any of eight deserters from the 5th South Carolina Cavalry division. Detailed for zealous Confederate readers are each soldier’s height, age, complexion, hair and eye color.
Shaming and punishment of those disloyal to the southern cause, in short, does not end with the defeat of the Confederate States of America.
Sources: Lincoln Funeral Procession, April 30, 1865 (link); Andrew Boyd, Charles Henry Hart, A Memorial Lincoln Bibliography: Being an Account of Books, Eulogies, Sermons, Portraits, Engravings, Medals, etc., Albany, NY: Andrew Boyd, 1870, p. 35 (link); “Desertion from the 5th S. C. Cavalry Unit,” Daily South Carolinian, April 30, 1865 (link)
