Inside the White House in War Times

Of the three secretaries who assisted President Abraham LincolnJohn G. Nicolay, John Hay, and William O. Stoddardonly Stoddard wrote an extended memoir about his time in the Executive Mansion. First published in 1890, the book vividly depicts the presidents agonizing reaction to the defeats at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, the difficulties encountered (and presented) by Mary Lincoln, the presidents relations with George B. McClellan and other generals, and the anxiety preceding the Merrimacks epic battle with the Monitor. In 1866 Stoddard also penned thirteen White House Sketches about his time in Lincolns service. Originally published in an obscure New York newspaper, these essaysnever previously collectedsupplement Stoddards memoir. Together the memoir and sketches provide an intimate look at the sixteenth president during a time of crisis.