Abraham Lincoln's Second Inauguration: A Historic Moment

Experience a brilliantly conceived and vividly drawn story set in Washington, D.C. on the eve of Abraham Lincoln's historic second inaugural address. Through this lens, delve into the complexities of the Civil War and the nation's challenges during this critical time.

On March 4, 1865, the Civil War had ravaged over 700,000 Americans and inflicted lasting wounds on the nation. Despite a stormy morning, a multitude gathered at Washington's Capitol grounds to witness Abraham Lincoln's second inauguration. As the clouds parted, Lincoln delivered a powerful speech, suggesting that both sides were wrong in the conflict. He eloquently conveyed that the war's atrocities and bloodshed may have been a divine judgment on the sin of slavery. Lincoln's address captivated the nation and is still revered as one of the greatest in American history.

Edward Achorn vividly paints a portrait of the nation's capital on that historic day, showcasing its gritty reality with mud-filled streets, overflowing sewers, bustling saloons, and a mix of colorful characters. From prostitutes, spies, and ambitious reporters to social climbers and power-hungry politicians, Washington becomes a microcosm of the conflicting forces shaping the nation. The city attracts a diverse cast, including the wounded Union colonel Selden Connor, the scandal-ridden Vice President Andrew Johnson, the renowned poet-journalist Walt Whitman, and the determined advocate Clara Barton. Noteworthy figures like the African American leader and Lincoln critic-turned-admirer Frederick Douglass converge in Washington, adding complexity to the narrative. Amidst this whirlwind, the conflicted actor John Wilkes Booth orbits around the central figure of Abraham Lincoln, creating a rich tapestry of characters and events on this momentous day.

In indelible scenes, Achorn vividly captures the frenzy within the nation’s capital at this important second in America’s historical past and the tension-filled hope and despair afflicting the nation as a complete, quickly to be heightened by Lincoln’s assassination. His story affords new understanding of our nice nationwide disaster and echoes down the many years to resonate in our personal time.

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