Lincoln's Life as Depicted in the Museum Exhibits (continued)

Lincoln delivering his Second Inaugural Address,
(Reproduced from photograph by Alexander Gardner, Washington, D. C.)

ELECTION OF 1864 AND THE SECOND INAUGURATION. In an appeal to win the votes of all parties, the Republicans used the name Union Party in the election of 1864. The Democrats ran George B. McClellan on a peace platform. The election resulted in an overwhelming electoral vote for Lincoln. His Second Inaugural Address was delivered from the east front of the Capitol on March 4, 1865, with Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase administering the oath of office. The Second Inaugural Address, containing only 600 words, stands with the Gettysburg Address as one of the great examples of forceful and stimulating use of the English language.

On March 23, Lincoln boarded the steamer River Queen for a visit to City Point, Va., where General Grant had his headquarters. Petersburg fell on April 2, and Richmond was evacuated by Lee's forces and occupied by Federal forces on the following day. Lincoln visited the abandoned Confederate capital on April 4, being almost unattended as he walked through the streets. The President returned to Washington on April 9, the day General Lee surrendered his army to General Grant at Appomattox Court House, Va. Five days later he was assassinated.