Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation: Tanka

Image by David Mark from Pixabay

 

An Autumn wind blows
Over Antietam’s field
Abe admonishes
A nation in need of hope
To give trust and thanks above

 

In October 1863 the American Civil War (War Between the States) was in its third year.  1861 and most of ’62 had done badly for the Union.  Then a battle at Sharpsburg, Maryland gave a glimmer of short-lived hope.  But July ’63 saw victories at both Vicksburg and Gettysburg. At the prompting of Sarah Josepha Buell Hale, Lincoln called the nation to a day of thanksgiving.

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posted on d’Verse

 

 

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A Theatrical Meeting

“Dear Mr. Booth,  I feel honored that you have found the time to correspond with me, and have felt free to share your honest criticisms of my administration.  I hold this to be your inalienable right as a citizen of our great republic, and while we may continue to differ on the ways and means of the conduct of this terrible conflagration besetting our nation, I do humbly concede that I may not always get things right.  It is with that said that I hold out hope for a swift and amicable resolution to our present malaise.  On a more personal note, I feel that I must congratulate you on your recent fine performance as Duke Pescara.  Sincerely, Abraham Lincoln.”

“To The Honorable Abraham Lincoln,  I thank you, Sir, for your kind words on my performance.  I as always found the stage at Ford’s to be ideal for my performances and beneficial to my career and aims.  Am I to understand that you, Sir, are planning to soon patronize that fine venue?  If so, it might make for an opportunity for us to sort out our differences.  I remain your humble servant, J. W. Booth.”

“Dear Mr Booth,  Miss Mary Todd and I do indeed plan on viewing a production of Taylor’s Our American Cousin in April, if time and duties permit.  Such a meeting as you propose may well prove memorable.  I will have my secretary, Mr. Hay, send you particulars.  Sincerely yours, Abraham Lincoln.”

“To The Honorable Abraham Lincoln,  I, Sir, am in receipt of correspondence from Mr. John Hay, and I am eagerly awaiting our encounter at Ford’s on the fourteenth instant.  Sincerely, J. W. Booth.”

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Genre Writing Challenge #25:  Epistolary Fiction
(stories constructed as a series of letters exchanged between characters)

In Search of Honest Abe

The county of Norfolk in Old England is replete with American history. From the home of Thomas Paine in Thetford, Virginia Company and Pilgrim links, and World War Two Army Air Corps bases, Norfolk has much to explore.

It is the little market town of Hingham which gives us the Lincolns, however. It is the ancestral home of President Lincoln’s fore-bearers, and the last English home of Samuel Lincoln, Abe’s great grandfather.

The town has about 2000 residents and is about 14 miles from the city of Norwich.  It is a country setting with farms surrounding it, though it has a more suburban feel. It has a couple of nice greens separated by the main road, wonderful Georgian architecture, and a certain sophisticated calm.  There is a hotel (The White Hart) which is an old coaching inn, an a couple of nice tea rooms. The village bakery (21 Market Street) is also a great place for a well prepared bite.

The Lincoln connection can be seen at the cafe/tea rooms which bear the name.  The atmosphere is very much the cross of what Lincoln’s is – a bistro/tearooms combination. The dining area is clean with pine furniture and padded seat cushions. The walls are decorated with local gallery type art (which is for sale), and Classic FM was played lightly in the background. The 10 or so tables had bistro motif place mats, and the over all effect was pleasing.

The cafe latte was of good quality and was nicely presented in a fluted mug, and the food was fresh and tasty. The mushroom soup was creamy, and the mushroom was pureed nicely giving the entire bowl a rich flavour. This theme of creamy seems to have pervaded as the soup and latte each had that smooth rich feel. The jacket potato offerings were also good, and the garlic mushroom potato was again creamy, with a full cap mushroom stroganoff as the topping.

The service was good, and attentive; and the waiter well-groomed and polite. The prices were reasonable, and the value for money very good. For a small, out of the way tearooms/bistro Lincoln’s is a really great find.

St Andrews

Abraham’s great great grandfather, Edward (died 1640) is buried in the churchyard of  St Andrews church. The church also houses a memorial bust of Abraham Lincoln which was unveiled by the American ambassador in 1919.

Lincoln Bust

The town has had other commemorations of its links with Lincoln as well, including an American Civil War reenactment, and themed memorial service.

photo credit: ACWS (UK)

Hingham is a wonderful little town, and a great starting point for finding American history in the “old world.” The town also has its share of Puritan and WW2 links as well.

Memorial Plaque St Andrews churchyard

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