Introduction Albert Beveridge (1 results)

Hard Cover. Condition: Good. First Edition. McBride's company, Union cavalry from Ohio, served as Lincoln's bodyguards from very late 1863 until his death, giving McBride the privilege of meeting Lincoln (and son Tad), though the company would have preferred a combat role; in retrospect, McBride came to appreciate the honor of the task. Here he briefly notes the Company's deployment, state of Washington at the time, and recounts his meetings & observations of Lincoln, Lincoln's poise, demeanor & humanity, encounter with a mischievous Tad, contrast between Andrew Jackson & Lincoln at war's end (also noted by Beveridge in his introduction), explains the detail's absence at Ford's Theatre, and includes general thoughts on patriotism and the war, at some remove: "in recent years there hsas been entirely too much loose thinking in referring to that war, by men in high authority in our government. For instance, .[President] Coolidge.spoke of it as a "war between the states." It is evident he did not weigh his words or realize the implications arising from the use of that expression. It was not a war between the states, but was a war between the United States on one side and a gigantic conspiracy to destroy it on the other. Mr. Lincoln did not lead in a war against any state or any number of states. He led the people of the United States against an entity that styled itself the Confederate States of America and which died at Appomattox." After the war, McBride studied law and practiced in Indiana, where he eventually served, briefly, as a state Supreme Court justice. He died shortly before (or after?) this book was published - he is listed as a survivor of the Company in the roster, as of October 1st, 1925, but died on May 15, 1926. Hardcover, as pictured; in a chipped slipcase. Limited edition, number 52 of 500 printed, this copy with McBride's rubberstamped signature on the flyleaf. Light wear to book, spine ends bumped, spine label rubbed with some loss of text; slipcase scuffed & chipped, label chipped with some loss. Text clean; [79] pages, b/w photos, 1863 company muster list, list of survivors by October, 1925. Size: Octavo.