History Short: The Bixby Letter

The Bixby Letter . . .

The Bixby Letter was written to Lydia Parker Bixby from President Lincoln. It was delivered around Thanksgiving of 1864. The President had been informed that Bixby had lost five sons in the Civil War, and he wanted to send a condolence letter.

It's beautifully written:

Now, to be fair, there's a bit of controversy about this letter amongst historians.

There is some debate regarding the fate of Bixby's sons - Some claim that at least two of her sons survived the war. In addition, Bixby's character has also been questioned - There are open questions about her Confederate sympathies.

Some historians also question the authorship of the letter, claiming that it may have been penned by John Hay, Lincoln's private secretary.

But no one questions that President Lincoln personally approved sending the letter, so the sentiments expressed are clearly genuine.