Lincoln's Government - HIS 115 - Civil War Documentary Project - SCC Research Guides at Spartanburg Community College

Fort Pillow Massacre and the First South Carolina Volunteers

Topics: What was the government's policy on allowing Blacks to serve in the Union Army? How did this change throughout the war? What was the government's reaction to the Fort Pillow Massacre?

"And the War Came"
Mentions Lincoln's feelings on Black soldiers at the beginning of the war. From the National Park Service's online book, The Civil War's Black Soldiers. You may also use pictures from this page.
"Lincoln's Decision for Emancipation"
Mentions the Fort Pillow Massacre and Black POWs, and outlines some of the government's changing policies on Black soldiers. From the National Park Service's online book, The Civil War's Black Soldiers. You may also use pictures from this page.
"Prisoners of War"
Has some information on Fort Pillow and Black POW policies. From the National Park Service's online book, The Civil War's Black Soldiers. You may also use pictures from this page.
"Blacks in the Civil War"
Section "Union Finally Accepts Black Soldiers" mentions Fort Pillow and the South Carolina First Volunteers.

Emancipation Proclamation

Topics: Preliminary Emancipation Proclamation and Emancipation Proclamation: Where did Lincoln stand on the issue of slavery at the beginning of the war? How did his views change as the war went on? How did he arrive at the need for the Proclamations? What were Lincoln's feelings regarding slavery and emancipated slaves at the end of the war?

"Lincoln's Decision for Emancipation"
Discusses Lincoln's evolution as the war progressed. From the National Park Service's online book, The Civil War's Black Soldiers. You may also use pictures from this page.
"Emancipation Proclamation"
Introduction from Encyclopedia of Race and Racism.
"Emancipation Proclamation"
Introduction from Americans at War.
"Decisions Leading to Emancipation: An Overview"
Gives background on Lincoln's evolution from election to issuing the Emancipation Proclamation.
"A Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Illinois Republican James Conkling"
A letter Lincoln wrote to an Illinois congressman defending the Proclamation.

Mary Todd Lincoln and Elizabeth Keckley

Topics: Where did Mary Todd Lincoln stand on the issue of slavery? Did she have any African American friends? Her seamstress Elizabeth Keckley wrote a book about the White House called Behind the Scenes: or Thirty Years a Slave and Four Years in the White House. What reflections does this book give you on the feelings of the White House inhabitants?

Summary of Keckley's Book
From DocSouth at UNC-Chapel Hill.
Full-Text of Keckley's Book
From DocSouth at UNC-Chapel Hill.
"Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley"
Biography of Keckley with some details of her relationship with the First Lady.