In a remarkable revelation that has sent ripples through the historical community, a previously unknown letter penned by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War era has been discovered.
The letter, which offers a fresh insight into Lincoln’s thoughts and leadership during one of the most tumultuous periods in American history, was found tucked away in an old private collection. Its discovery has been hailed as a significant contribution to our understanding of Lincoln’s presidency and the Civil War.
Written during the early years of the Civil War, the letter is addressed to Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., a distinguished civil engineer regarded as “America’s greatest.” The contents of the letter remain under wraps, adding an air of mystery and anticipation to the discovery.
“You propose raising for the service of the U.S., a Civil Engineer Corps,” President Lincoln wrote to Ellet. “I am not capable to judge of the value of such a corps; but I would be glad to accept one if approved by Gen. Scott, Gen. McClellan & Gen. Totten. Please see them and get their views upon it.”
The letter was dated August 19, 1861, and sent from the Executive Mansion. Prior to Lincoln sending the letter, Ellet had been trying to persuade the president to provide more support to the Army Corps of Engineers. Raab notes that there was already correspondence on the matter in the Library of Congress, but that this discovery “fills in a part of the historical record that had been missing.”
Unpublished Abraham Lincoln letter detailing Civil War strategy discovered https://t.co/c99AMU2FNT pic.twitter.com/29gRjuyLDl
— The Messenger (@TheMessenger) July 5, 2023
The discovery was announced by The Daily Wire, which described the find as an “unpublished, early Civil War letter of President Abraham Lincoln.”
The discovery of the letter is a reminder of Lincoln’s pivotal role in American history. His leadership during the Civil War, his emancipation of slaves, and his tragic assassination have cemented his place as one of the most influential figures in American history.
As one of the most studied figures in American history, any new discovery related to Lincoln is met with great excitement. This newly uncovered letter is no exception. Scholars, historians, and Civil War enthusiasts alike are eagerly awaiting more details about the letter’s content and context.
The discovery also underscores the enduring fascination with Lincoln and the Civil War. Even over a century and a half later, new insights and information continue to emerge, painting a richer, more nuanced picture of this critical period in American history.
In the world of historical scholarship, where new primary source material is always in high demand, the discovery of an unknown letter from Abraham Lincoln is nothing short of a treasure.
