Uploaded February 2023 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
During most of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's son Robert Todd Lincoln did not serve in the Union Army. He would spend the majority of the war away at Harvard University.
This was controversial among Lincoln's enemies and allies alike. Newspapers called Abraham Lincoln an elitist and Robert Lincoln a coward. It was a bad look for everyone involved. American men were out serving their country and risking their life in combat and sending their sons into combat while Lincoln's child stayed safely at home or at college. Even Lincoln's friend and political ally Senator Ira Harris pressed Mary Todd Lincoln for an explanation.
The reasons were multi-faceted. Lincoln did have a fear of his son being used by his political enemies for the embarrassment of his presidency. In fact, according to Robert Todd Lincoln biographer Jason Emerson, this was the primary reason.
However, this wasn't the only reason.
President Abraham Lincoln couldn't convince his wife Mary that Robert should be sent onto the field. Mary was desperately afraid of Robert being killed in action - a thought she couldn't bear considering she had already lost two sons Eddie Lincoln and William Wallace Lincoln. Tad Lincoln didn't serve in the war, but this wasn't controversial as he was far to young.
Once young Robert graduated from Harvard the issue became more pressing. Not only as outsiders became more crtical of the family's decision but as Robert grow more and more resentful at his parents as he desperately wanted to serve in the army.
Lincoln finally relented to his son's wishes. In January of 1865 (near the end of the war) Abraham Lincoln sent a now famous letter to General Ulysses S. Grant in which he asked if his son could be given a special commission. General Grant granted his request.
As reported by Colonel Horace Porter, Robert Lincoln was well-liked by his fellow officers; however, little is known of the actual combat Robert saw. It is known that he was among Grant's men when Grant negotiated the Confederate surrender with General Robert E. Lee at Appommattox Court House.
This video contains many quotes from historical figures such as the Lincoln family, Colonel Horace Porter and the Mary Lincoln's seamstress, Elizabeth Keckley. Stay tuned to the channel for more United States history videos like these discussing the people, personalities and events of America's past often told in story form.
Patreon: patreon.com/resyndicated
Twitter: twitter.com/resyndicated
Rumble: rumble.com/c/c-1333341
Bitchute: bitchute.com/channel/yLvB6PbNYjib
For your entertainment.
#history #abrahamlincoln #ushistory
During most of the American Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's son Robert Todd Lincoln did not serve in the Union Army. He would spend the majority of the war away at Harvard University.
This was controversial among Lincoln's enemies and allies alike. Newspapers called Abraham Lincoln an elitist and Robert Lincoln a coward. It was a bad look for everyone involved. American men were out serving their country and risking their life in combat and sending their sons into combat while Lincoln's child stayed safely at home or at college. Even Lincoln's friend and political ally Senator Ira Harris pressed Mary Todd Lincoln for an explanation.
The reasons were multi-faceted. Lincoln did have a fear of his son being used by his political enemies for the embarrassment of his presidency. In fact, according to Robert Todd Lincoln biographer Jason Emerson, this was the primary reason.
However, this wasn't the only reason.
President Abraham Lincoln couldn't convince his wife Mary that Robert should be sent onto the field. Mary was desperately afraid of Robert being killed in action - a thought she couldn't bear considering she had already lost two sons Eddie Lincoln and William Wallace Lincoln. Tad Lincoln didn't serve in the war, but this wasn't controversial as he was far to young.
Once young Robert graduated from Harvard the issue became more pressing. Not only as outsiders became more crtical of the family's decision but as Robert grow more and more resentful at his parents as he desperately wanted to serve in the army.
Lincoln finally relented to his son's wishes. In January of 1865 (near the end of the war) Abraham Lincoln sent a now famous letter to General Ulysses S. Grant in which he asked if his son could be given a special commission. General Grant granted his request.
As reported by Colonel Horace Porter, Robert Lincoln was well-liked by his fellow officers; however, little is known of the actual combat Robert saw. It is known that he was among Grant's men when Grant negotiated the Confederate surrender with General Robert E. Lee at Appommattox Court House.
This video contains many quotes from historical figures such as the Lincoln family, Colonel Horace Porter and the Mary Lincoln's seamstress, Elizabeth Keckley. Stay tuned to the channel for more United States history videos like these discussing the people, personalities and events of America's past often told in story form.
Patreon: patreon.com/resyndicated
Twitter: twitter.com/resyndicated
Rumble: rumble.com/c/c-1333341
Bitchute: bitchute.com/channel/yLvB6PbNYjib
For your entertainment.
#history #abrahamlincoln #ushistory
