Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the U.S (1861-1865) who brought the Union to victory in the Civil War. He was a very strong man and he suffered many personal hardships, including the loss of three of his children, and the mental instability of his wife. Even when faced with all of these hardships, he led our United States to victory, although at great personal loss.
Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809 in Kentucky. His father was Thomas Lincoln and his mother was Nancy Hanks, both were pioneer farmers. The Lincoln family had been in America since 1637 – all were real frontier people. Abraham’s family moved quite often during his childhood. His mother died in 1818 when he was nine. In the same year Abraham’s father married Sarah Bush Johnston, a kind widow with whom Abraham developed a friendship. Abraham Lincoln grew
Immediately after the election six southern states seceded from the Union and formed the Confederate States of America. When Lincoln took office in 1861 five southern states were still neutral, but when the Union (the states opposing slavery) asked for volunteers, the other 5 southern states joined the Confederacy. Lincoln was under great pressure to find a General who could win against the Confederacy. He chose George McClellan. McClellan was defeated several times in Virginia. The Confederacy began to win the war. In 1862 Lincoln turned to John Pope to win the war but Pope too fell short. Lincoln then appointed General George Meade who defeated the Confederates at Gettysburg. But he failed to give chase when the Confederates were retreating. In 1863 Lincoln made a promise to eliminate slavery forever this was called the Emancipation Proclamation. Finally, in
Example Essays Home
