The Lincoln Letter by William MArtin

It’s early in the Civil War. Lincoln has already granted emancipation in DC. But a general emancipation is a political mine field that Lincoln is hesitant to attempt. He keeps his innermost thoughts in a personal diary that he keeps with him. 

Most every evening, Lincoln walks across the street to the War Department to read telegrams from the various outposts of the war and to communicate his praise or frustration with his generals. A casual friendship develops with Halsey Hutchinson who processes incoming and outgoing telegrams. Halsey also escorts the president home late each night.

After one particularly interesting tale from Lincoln, he returns to the White House having accidentally left his diary. Halsey spots it and takes a glance noticing the internal arguments Lincoln has been having with himself on the pros and cons of emancipation. Deciding it to be too hot to pass up the chain, Halsey hangs on to the diary intent on putting only in Lincoln’s hands. An honorable choice, but a choice that changes Halsey’s future.

As the war progresses and both Lincoln and Halsey agonize over the fate of the diary and the consequences should it fall into the hands of enemies of the President. A little investigation alerts Lincoln that Halsey has the diary and a letter is written requesting its return.

The letter resurfaces, found in the sale of some Civil War memorabilia. Peter Fallon, is a dealer in rare books out of Boston. Besides his expertise in historical documents, he and his girl Evangeline Carrington are most known for not getting married but having the reception. Fallon is told that the letter has surfaced and heads for DC.

Through parties, the national archives, lobbyists, Rock Creek Park, more lobbyists, filthy rich collectors, Fallon tries to determine just what, according to Lincoln’s letter, is missing and how to find it.

This very clever story is told as odd chapters (current day) and even chapter (1860s). Fallon is a continuing character in a number of Martin’s books. The Civil War chapters were the most developed and, for me, the most interesting. I can’t remember having read an historical novel where Lincoln was such a central figure, but Martin’s depiction portrayed Lincoln in a very personal light, from his casual walks with Halsey to skinny-dipping off a boat on the Potomac.  And the description of the Washington, DC of the 1860’s was, for this DC native, very enlightening and educational – the area now known as Federal Triangle was called Murder Bay and what is now Constitution Avenue was a canal connecting Anacostia with the C&O Canal that was little more than an open sewer. Never new either of those tidbits.

I’m thinking more than just me at MRB will be venturing into another Martin’s historical/current day novels. 

East Coast Don