LINCOLN'S MEN: How President Lincoln Became Father to an Army and a Nation

by William C. Davis

No American president has enjoyed as intimate a relationship with the soldiers in his army as did the man they called Father Abraham. In Lincoln's Men, historian William C. Davis draws on thousands of unpublished letters and diaries--the voices of the volunteers--to tell the hidden story of how a new and untested president became Father throughout both the army and the North as a whole.

How did Lincoln inspire the faith and courage of so many shattered men, as they wandered the inferno of Shiloh or were entrenched in the siege of Vicksburg? Why did soldiers visiting Washington feel free to stroll into the White House as if it were their own home? In this through and authoritative work, Davis removes layers of mythmaking to recapture the real moods and feelings of an army facing one of history's bloodiest conflicts. Lincoln's Men casts a new light on our most famous president and on America's revolution--on our country's father and its rebirth.

Genres: Civil War, History, Presidents, American History, Nonfiction, Biography, American Civil War

336 pages, Paperback

Published February 15, 2000

About the author

Currently professor of history at Virginia Tech, William C. Davis has written over fifty books, most about the American Civil War. He has won the Jefferson Davis Prize for southern history three times, the Jules F. Landry Award for Southern history once, and has been twice nominated for the Pulitzer Prize.

For several years, he was the editor of the magazine Civil War Times Illustrated. He has also served as a consultant on the A&E television series Civil War Journal.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Reviews

[Mark Merritt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book just cements my conviction that Lincoln was the best war president this country ever had. We owe him everything.

[Jenni Frisby · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gave an amazing account of the relationship Lincoln had with the men of the Union Army. It used personal accounts from soldiers and others to describe the man Lincoln was as Commander-in-Chief and President and the very real life, down-to-earth manner with which he associated with those around him. Unfortunately the book is a little wordy at times and gets a little repetitious. It was a good read, though, and made me appreciate even more the outstanding character of Abraham Lincoln.

[Bill · Rating 3 out of 5]

In-depth look at the relationship between President Lincoln as commander-in-chief and father figure of the Union Army/Navy during the Civil War. Author has drawn extensively from soldier's personal letters and other historical documents to write this book.

[Dick · Rating 3 out of 5]

More personal insights on Lincoln. One of the things that comes clear as I have read many books on Lincoln is that no one - other than perhaps Joshua Speed - was truly close to him. He was an enigma - other than to Mary . . . who did know him well.

[Surviving and thriving on pennies · Rating 5 out of 5]

So far im loving this book. Currently reading up on steps he's taking to becoming the president. Looks into the minds of the soldiers and what they really thought about Old Abe.

[Devon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lincoln’s Men: How President Lincoln Became Father to an Army and a Nation by William C. Davis draws on numerous diaries and letters as well as some newspaper articles to show how deeply Lincoln supported the Union army. Lincoln strove for mercy whenever it came to not only the Confederacy at the end of the war but especially toward his own soldiers. If he could find a way to thwart an execution for desertion, or sleeping on duty, or striking an officer, or cowardice, or any other charge (excluding perhaps rape or murder), he would do his level best to save that soldier.

Lincoln’s work to help bolster the soldiers with regards to getting them pay and equipment, and to make sure the black soldier got the same pay and benefits white soldiers got and to prevent them from being pressed into service against their will, worked to knit the soldiers to his side forever, including after his death. I didn’t know the depth of his commitment to them, and I couldn’t help but think as I listened to this that had any other man been in charge other than Lincoln, things would have gone so differently, from the balancing act of freeing the slaves piecemeal to Lincoln’s innate urge to see the soldiers in hospitals and in his office, always making himself available to them and telling them point blank if they didn’t like something, to come to him (and to MEAN it rather than it be just empty sentiment without expectation of follow up on either side).

The one down side is this book has a tendency to bring something up, then reference it later a second time, and it’s a little disjointed when it does that. He should either hold back the information and do it all at once or lay it out the first time and be done with it. For example: it brought up sanitary fairs and how Lincoln didn’t often go to them, then spoke of another topic, then brought up sanitary fairs in more detail about how he had to decline most times and quoted some comments he made whether he appeared at them or not. This sort of back and forth of topics appears fairly often in the book (like the dotted references to how Lincoln never forgot his Black Hawk War days and because of that was always a staunch defender of soldiers’ pay). It’s definitely well researched and shows that, but it also becomes a little circular and not as flowing as it could be at times.

[Lauren Hiebner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Typical of many biographers, Davis makes the case that in early childhood Lincoln was already being groomed as the “Father of the Army” through what Lincoln read as a youth and in his actions as a leader in the Black Hawk War. In this case Davis is justified in making this connection as Lincoln had a real sense of history and often referred to Washington as the “Father of the Country” in his early speeches. Lincoln’s leadership traits included; humor, patience, and a willingness to share the hardships of soldiers. Lincoln enjoyed the camp fun of volunteers, telling stories and sitting by the camp fires. Above all, Lincoln had a personal touch not only with soldiers in the field but he personally intervened in appeals from soldiers, soldier’s families, friends of soldiers, and others on behalf of soldiers to be disciplined, punished, and or executed. In fact Lincoln’s acts of pardon and suspension of sentences grew to legend. Lincoln was at times compared to Jesus and his acts of clemency likened to the miracles of Christ. The White House in those days was open to anyone who wanted to see/talk with the president. Many remembered in their letters/diaries how impressionable that visit was. Lincoln firmly believed in giving young men/boys a second chance. Lincoln frequently visited camps and hospitals near Washington. Soldiers saw Lincoln carrying the weight of the war on his shoulders, in his face. For Lincoln this war was personal. It was no wonder that overwhelmingly the soldiers voted for Lincoln in the 1864 Presidential Election rather than General McClellan. After Lincoln’s death a mythology of Lincoln grew enhancing his legacy and relationship with the soldiers. According Davis, “Lincoln helped revolutionize the relationship of the citizen to the state, to implant in adult males a new sense of civic obligation, of a debt due for the benefits of democracy received.” Lincoln was usually referred to by soldiers in there correspondence home as “Father Abraham.” Their war was personal as well, for Lincoln as much as for the Union. A good read.

[Anup Sinha · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read for those of us fascinated by President Abraham Lincoln, the narrative brings him to life in the eyes of Civil War soldiers which is exactly what William C. Davis intended.

It is heavy on direct quotes and the research involved must have been incredible. I enjoyed that first-hand perspective which really put me into the time and place. It very much added to my perception of the time, the war, and the president himself.

In its detail, it is largely repetitive and though he tries to work chronologically, there is inevitably some jumping around. The narrative can be hard to follow for someone who is used to otherwise.

I recommend for any hardcore Lincoln or Civil War fanatics.

[Robin Winter · Rating 5 out of 5]

A meticulous book,clear and delightful about the evolving relationship that grew between Lincoln and the soldiers of the Union. I have dinged other books about Lincoln as being full of assertions and little data. Here's a book that is rich in direct quotes, and clear discussions. The author, does his subject the honor of presenting as many different perspectives as he reasonably can, contradictions, changes of opinion and insight. I enjoyed it thoroughly.

[Andrew Scholes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written biography of Lincoln and his Presidency. It had an excellent chapter about his compassion toward the soldiers that would have faced execution except for his pardoning or commuting their sentences. Mostly for those of a very young age or were ones of many in a family that were in the war. The one distracting element in the book is that wherever the number one was to be used, they actually used a capital I.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well researched book on Lincoln's relationship with the Union soldiers during the Civil War. Though it gets repetitious at times, Davis captures Lincoln's caring and concern for the soldiers and their love for him.

It's definitely worth the read for those who are history buffs who like to read about how war affects the enlisted men.

[Gunderhaegg · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting, although repetitive, book about Lincoln and his relationship with his armies, their generals and their men.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

No, this book has nothing to do with the recent (ridiculous) claims that Lincoln was gay. It is an excellent portrayal of Lincoln's relationship with the common soldiers in the Union army. Using segments from letters and diaries, the author pieces together a story of how Lincoln came to represent more than just President for the men who fought the war. He truly became the father figure that is often used to describe Washington during the revolution. Although it is interesting how the author indirectly contrasts the two presidents and how they were perceived by the men who fought for them. I really enjoyed this book.

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book, and I would recommend it to anyone who wanted to learn more about this president. My only criticism is that at times it bogged down in details, but the information and spirit of it carried me through the reading.