Lincoln's Letter to Mrs. Bixby - Classic Text | Alexandria
Lincoln's Letter to Mrs. Bixby (1864)
The Bixby Letter, as it is commonly known, stands as one of the most poignant and debated pieces of presidential correspondence in American history. Purportedly written by Abraham Lincoln on November 21, 1864, this brief but powerful consolation letter was addressed to Mrs. Lydia Bixby, a Boston widow believed to have lost five sons in service of the Union Army during the Civil War.
The letter first appeared in the Boston Evening Transcript on November 25, 1864, and gained immediate attention for its profound expression of grief and gratitude. Beginning with the memorable lines "I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle," the letter exemplifies Lincoln's remarkable ability to convey deep emotion through carefully chosen words. However, subsequent historical research has unveiled complexities that challenge both the letter's authorship and its factual premises.
Historical investigation has revealed that only two of Mrs. Bixby's sons actually died in battle, while one deserted, another was honorably discharged, and a fifth's fate remains uncertain. Moreover, scholarly debate continues regarding whether Lincoln himself composed the letter, with some historians attributing its authorship to his secretary, John Hay, based on stylometric analysis and circumstantial evidence. This uncertainty has only enhanced the letter's mystique and historical significance.
Despite these controversies, the Bixby Letter's impact on American cultural memory remains profound. Its words have been quoted in numerous contexts, most notably in Steven Spielberg's "Saving Private Ryan" (1998), and continue to serve as a model of presidential consolation and wartime communication. The letter's elegant prose and emotional resonance have transcended its historical context to become a timeless expression of sacrifice and national gratitude. Modern scholars and readers continue to analyze its layers of meaning, demonstrating how even brief historical documents can contain multitudes of historical, literary, and cultural significance. The ongoing debates surrounding its authenticity and accuracy serve as a reminder that historical truth often exists in shades of gray, inviting each generation to engage in new interpretations and discoveries.