Confederacy, where Lincoln sank into a chair in a room
that had been the study of Confederate President Jefferson Davis.

In his new book, "Richmond Burning," historian Nelson Lankford described Lincoln's walk into the heart of the city this way:

"Lincoln towered over the other members of his party and the crush of well-wishers. In the warmth of the sun and with the crowd pressing close around him, he took off his overcoat. Every so often he lifted up his hat to wipe big drops of sweat from his forehead. Dust and smoke made the weather even more stifling, while the pungent scent of burned tobacco mingled with an acrid, charred aftertaste."

Later in the day, Lincoln toured the city's cobblestone streets in a carriage drawn by four horses. Stops included Virginia's Capitol, where, as one historian wrote, "members' desks and chairs were upset, official documents were scattered about, and Confederate $1,000 bonds littered on the floor."
Everywhere he went, Lincoln was followed by large crowds of cheering, liberated slaves.

Lincoln had planned to spend the night in Richmond, but his military aides said no for security reasons.

Ten days later, on April 15, 1865, Lincoln died in a Washington boardinghouse across the street from Ford's Theater, where he had been mortally wounded the night before by a bullet fired by John Wilkes Booth.

 

LINCOLN TO ARRIVE IN RICHMOND? (What do we do?)

Dear Supporter of Southern Heritage:

As you now know, plans are being made by a private organization, the United States Historical Society, to place a statue of U.S. President Abraham Lincoln and his son Tad in Richmond at the National Park Service Headquarters at Tredegar Iron Works by April, 2003!! According to Thursday's Richmond Times-Dispatch, this idea has been eagerly welcomed by the staff of the Richmond Park Service, and by other pro-Lincoln supporters.

Needless to say, now is the time we must let them know how we feel about a statue of Lincoln, "America's Caesar," in Richmond, and here is what you can do to help:

Call and E-mail the Richmond National Battlefield Park and tell them you DO NOT support a statue of Lincoln in the Capital of the Confederacy.

Call or write your Congressman (c/o House of Representatives, Washington DC 20515). The Richmond National Battlefield is part of the National Park Service, which is financed by the Federal Government, with