The Civil War

Title: Lucius Hubbard Writes About the End of the War
Type: Letter
Date: 1865
Source: Minnesota Historical Society

Description: Lucius F. Hubbard wrote this letter to his aunt after hearing of the end of the war and the assassination of President Lincoln.
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Activities:

1. What reaction do Hubbard's men have to the news that Lee (the Confederate commander) has surrendered?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Even though they were tired and sore, they cheered, shouted, and fired salutes intot he air joyfully at the news.
2. What other news made their celebration less cheerful when they arrived at their next destination?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: They were told that Lincoln and Secretary Seward had been assassinated. The information about Secretary Seward was incorrect, but they did not know that at the time.
3. What reaction do the men have to the news of Lincoln's assassination?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: While they had felt joy recently about the end of the war, they now feel a need to gain revenge for the death of Lincoln.
4. What do you think Hubbard meant when he said that in Lincoln, the Southerners had "lost their best friend?"
   
   
   
   
   Answer: Hubbard suggests that the Northern soldiers without Lincoln in charge would be harder on the Southerners. Lincoln managed to negotiate a surrender that allowed most of the Southerners to keep some of their land and return to their homes without future punishment.