Abraham Lincoln: Love, Letters, and Legacy
- Greg Allen
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Abraham Lincoln is most often remembered as the Great Emancipator and the steady hand that guided the nation through its greatest crisis. Yet behind the public figure was a deeply private man who expressed his values, grief, hope, and love most clearly through his letters. These personal writings reveal a man profoundly devoted to his family—and, by extension, to the preservation of the nation they would inherit.
A President Who Wrote From the Heart
Lincoln was a prolific letter writer. In an era before instant communication, his letters became a lifeline to those he loved. His correspondence with his wife, Mary, and his sons shows tenderness, concern, and an emotional vulnerability rarely associated with political leadership. Whether writing to reassure Mary during long separations or to comfort his grieving sons, Lincoln’s words carried warmth and sincerity.
Perhaps the most famous example of Lincoln’s compassion is the letter he wrote to Lydia Bixby, a mother believed to have lost five sons in the Civil War. While historians debate its authorship, the sentiment reflects Lincoln’s deeply held belief that the sacrifices of individuals and families must never be forgotten. To Lincoln, loss was personal, not abstract.
“The solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.” -Lincoln to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, 1864
Family, Sacrifice, and the Love of Country
Lincoln’s devotion to his family mirrored his devotion to the country. He understood that the decisions made during the Civil War would shape the lives of future generations—including his own children. His determination to preserve the Union was rooted not only in political principle, but in a moral obligation to safeguard the nation’s legacy.
In many ways, Lincoln viewed the United States as a family itself—fractured, grieving, but worth saving. His words at Gettysburg reflect this belief, calling on the living to carry forward the unfinished work of those who sacrificed everything. It was a call rooted in love: love of country, love of people, and love of history.
“It is a mistake to suppose that grief is necessarily softened by time.” -Lincoln to Fanny McCullough, 1862
Preservation as an Act of Respect
Today, preserving historic places like Gettysburg honors the values Lincoln held dear. These landscapes are more than battlefields; they are physical reminders of sacrifice, unity, and endurance. Preserving them ensures that future generations can stand where history happened and reflect on the cost of freedom.
At Gettysburg Sentinels, preservation takes a tangible form. Products crafted from reclaimed battlefield and witness trees serve as lasting connections to the past—allowing history to be held, shared, and remembered. Just as Lincoln’s letters preserved his thoughts and values, these keepsakes preserve the stories of the land itself.
Legacy That Endures
Lincoln believed deeply in legacy—what we leave behind and how we are remembered. His letters remain, his words endure, and the places tied to his life and leadership continue to inspire reflection. In February, as we honor Lincoln’s birthday, we are reminded that history is not only preserved in books and monuments, but in the care we take to remember, protect, and pass it on.
Love—for family, for country, and for legacy—was at the heart of Abraham Lincoln’s life. It remains at the heart of why his story still matters today.
A Tangible Way to Remember
At Gettysburg Sentinels, we believe history is most powerful when it can be felt and shared. Our handcrafted keepsakes, made from reclaimed battlefield and witness trees, offer a meaningful way to honor Lincoln’s legacy and the sacrifices tied to Gettysburg. Each piece carries documentation connecting it to a specific place and moment in history—preserving the past while creating a legacy of remembrance for generations to come.
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