[wind whooshing]
[lone bugle playing]
♪ ♪
[gunfire, cannon blasts]
♪ ♪
[gunfire, cannon blasts continue]
- YOUR PLACE, SIR, IS ON THAT BOAT.
[cannon blast]
MUST MARY BURY ANOTHER LINCOLN?
- LIEUTENANT! - YES, SIR.
- REMOVE MARSHAL LAMON FROM THE FORT.
- YES, SIR. [cannon blast]
- LINCOLN!
- [cocks pistol] YOU, YOU, SEIZE HIM.
[gunfire]
- LORD KNOWS I VALUED MR. LINCOLN'S LIFE
MORE THAN MY OWN.
BUT KEEPING HIM ALIVE THESE PAST FOUR YEARS
WAS NIGH ON IMPOSSIBLE.
- IF YOU SO VALUED HIS LIFE,
WHY WERE YOU NOT AT FORD'S THEATER?
- TO UNDERSTAND THAT, YOU'D HAVE TO HEAR THE WHOLE TALE.
- HE HAS NO ANSWER.
HE MERELY BARGAINS FOR TIME.
- LET HIM SPEAK.
- OFT HAVE I WONDERED HOW I, A SON OF THE SOUTH,
CAME TO BE ENTRUSTED WITH THAT PRECIOUS LIFE
WHEN SO MANY OF MY BRETHREN SOUGHT TO TAKE IT.
[laughter, piano music]
- IMAGINE MY SURPRISE. THE RICHEST MAN IN TOWN DIES,
I FIND OLD BAP MCNABB SOBBING A RIVER AT THE FUNERAL.
[laughing]
"WELL, BAP," SAYS I,
"WAS YOU A CLOSE RELATION OF THE DECEASED?"
"NO, NO," SAYS BAP, GULPING DOWN A SOB.
"NO. NO RELATION AT ALL."
"WELL, THEN, WHY DO YOU WEEP?"
HE SAYS, "WELL, THAT'S WHY."
[laughter]
- TREMENDOUS, SIR. TREMENDOUS.
- EVENING, STRANGER. PASSING THROUGH, ARE YOU?
- UH, NO, SIR. I'M WARD HILL LAMON,
J.J. BROWN'S COUSIN.
I'VE COME TO TRY MY HAND AS A LAWYER
HERE IN THE EIGHTH CIRCUIT.
- WELL, I SHOULD KNOW AT ONCE YOU'RE A VIRGINIAN.
- WAS IT THE VELVET COAT?
- THE WHITE NECK CLOTH, I'D SAY. [laughter]
- BOYS, YOU MISS THE MATTER ENTIRELY.
- MUST BE THE SOFT HANDS. - WELL...
NOW, WHILE IT MAY BE CERTAIN OUR YOUNG LIMB OF THE LAW HERE
HAS NEVER SPLIT A RAIL--
- I BEG PARDON, SIR, BUT I HAVE DONE A DEAL
OF MANUAL LABOR IN MY TIME.
- OH, WAS IT THIRSTY WORK SUPERINTENDING YOUR SLAVES?
- NO, SIR. I DETEST SLAVE LABOR!
- COUNSELOR LAMON, I APOLOGIZE
FOR ANY OFFENSE WE MAY HAVE GIVEN.
- VERY KIND, SIR. I ACCEPT.
- AND I BEG THAT YOU WILL INDULGE
THESE GENTLEMEN OF THE BAR
AND OUR FELLOW ILLINOISANS BY SHOWING US
A BIT OF YOUR CLAWHAMMER.
- UH...ENGLISH, OF COURSE.
NOT ENTIRELY AU COURANT, BUT I HOPE THE FIT FLATTERS.
[laughter]
- "THE FIT FLATTERS!" OH, THAT IS GOOD.
COUNSELOR LAMON, IF YOU PLEASE, A VIRGINIACLAWHAMMER.
WESTERN VIRGINIA, IF I DO NOT MISTAKE.
- OH... [laughs]
[laughter]
YOUR CHAIR, SIR, IF I MAY.
MMM.
I'M MORE OF AN UP-AND-DOWN PICKER MYSELF,
BUT IF IT'S WEST VIRGINIA CLAWHAMMER YOU WISH TO HEAR...
- PLEASE.
- YOU KNOW, I FIND MYSELF IN NEED OF LUBRICATION.
- WITH THE BLESSING, COUNSELOR.
- VERY HANDSOME OF YOU, SIR. I THANK YOU.
♪ WHEN I WAS YOUNG I USED TO WAIT ♪
- ♪ ON MY MASTER AND HAND HIM HIS PLATE ♪
both: ♪ PASS HIM THE JUG WHEN HE GOT DRY ♪
all: ♪ AND BRUSH AWAY THE BLUE TAIL FLY ♪
♪ JIMMY CRACK CORN AND I DON'T CARE ♪
- MR. LINCOLN WAS ALWAYS A GREAT FAVORITE IN THIS REGION,
BUT THE MAN HE ADMIRED MOST WAS NED BAKER.
ONE SPRUNG FROM A DIRT FARM,
THE OTHER FROM THE BRITISH UPPER CLASS,
YET THEY SHARED SPORT, LAW, AND POLITICS.
[laughter]
NED BECAME SUCH A CLOSE FRIEND OF THE LINCOLNS,
THEY NAMED THEIR SON EDWARD BAKER LINCOLN
IN HIS HONOR.
WHEN THAT CHILD DIED OF CONSUMPTION,
MR. LINCOLN SUFFERED FROM A PROTRACTED MELANCHOLY,
ALARMING ALL OF US WHO LOVED HIM,
PARTICULARLY MRS. LINCOLN.
- UH, EXCUSE ME.
OH...MR. LAMON.
HOW GOOD OF YOU TO COME.
LOOK, LAMON'S HERE.
- IT WAS FORTUNATE THAT I ARRIVED AT JUST THIS TIME...
[upbeat melody]
FOR, IN SHORT,
I HAD THE SAME EFFECT UPON HIM
THAT WHISKEY HAS UPON ME.
♪ ♪
- "ABOLITIONIST SETTLERS, LED BY ONE JOHN BROWN..."
- DRINK UP, BOYS. KANSAS AIN'T GETTING CLOSER
IF WE STANDING HERE. [laughter]
- "KILLED FIVE PRO-SLAVERY MEN IN THE INCIDENT.
"EACH OF THE VICTIMS WAS HACKED TO DEATH
BY BROADSWORD."
- JUST DESSERTS, I SAY.
- YOU, SIR, ARE A SHAMELESS ANARCHIST.
- TO HATE SLAVERY IS NOT ANARCHY, IT IS MORALITY!
- THE PRACTICE IS WRONG AND ARCHAIC,
AND IT WILL DIE OF ITS OWN ACCORD,
BUT TO FERMENT BLOODY REVOLUTION IS IRRESPONSIBLE AND PIGHEADED.
- SIR, YOU ARE A STONE-HEARTED CRACKER!
JOHN BROWN IS A HERO!
- WHEN I GETS TO KANSAS,
I WILL SHOOT JOHN BROWN TWIXT THE EYES.
- SLITHER ON BACK TO KENTUCKY,
YOU NO-ACCOUNT RUFFIAN.
- BOYS, LOOKS LIKE WE FOUND US A ABOLITIONIST.
- AND PROUD OF IT. - BILLY!
GENTLEMEN, THIS DEBATE APPEARS UNLIKELY TO REMAIN CIVIL.
WHY NOT PASS ON THROUGH?
- OR SLITHER ON BACK TO KENTUCKY.
- BILLY... - I WILL CUT YOUR TONGUE!
[pistol cocks]
[gunshot, men gasp]
- THIS DEBATE, SIR, IS OVER.
- NOW, LET US DISCUSS KANSAS.
IT IS WRONG TO INTRODUCE SLAVERY THERE.
[cheers and applause]
- DO YOU WISH YOUR DAUGHTERS TO MARRY FREE NEGRO MEN?
all: NO!
- I HATE THE MONSTROUS INJUSTICE OF SLAVERY.
AND I HATE HOW IT ENABLES THE ENEMIES OF FREE INSTITUTIONS
WITH PLAUSIBILITY
TO TAUNT US AMERICANS AS HYPOCRITES.
[cheers and applause]
- AND IT IS HE WHO CREATED
THIS NEW BLACK REPUBLICAN PARTY. [hissing]
AND IT IS HE WHO WILL DECLARE THE NEGRO YOUR EQUAL!
[angry shouts, booing]
- THE ECONOMIC REALITY OF SLAVERY
DOES NOT ADMIT TO FORCE OR RAPID ABOLITION,
AND I DO NOT ADVOCATE FOR ANY SUCH RADICAL COURSE.
BUT I WILL NOT STAND BY AND HAVE IT EXPAND
INTO ANY NEW TERRITORY! [cheers and applause]
- LEAVE SLAVERY ALONE WHERE IT IS,
BUT FORBID IT FROM SPREADING,
OUR COMMON-SENSE POSITION THAT MADE NATIONAL HEADLINES.
MR. LINCOLN LOST HIS SENATE RACE WITH DOUGLAS,
BUT JUST TWO YEARS LATER, THE AMERICAN PEOPLE
BESTOWED UPON HIM THE HIGHEST OFFICE EVER GIVEN
TO A MAN OF SUCH HUMBLE ORIGIN.
[Hail To the Chiefplaying]
♪ ♪
LINCOLN, I HAVE BEEN THINKING
HOW I MAY BEST SERVE OUR COUNTRY.
- HAVE YOU, NOW?
- I BELIEVE BEN FRANKLIN'S OLD JOB WOULD SUIT.
- AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE.
I ONLY WISH MY WIFE HAD LIVED TO SEE THE DAY.
- GOD REST ANGELINE'S SOUL, HILL.
MARY AND I MISS HER TERRIBLY.
BUT AS FOR AMBASSADOR... FACT IS,
I WANT YOU TO COME TO WASHINGTON WITH ME.
- IN WHAT CAPACITY? - I DON'T KNOW YET.
BUT A FIGHT MAY BE COMING, AND IF IT DOES,
IT WILL BE HANDY TO HAVE YOU AROUND.
- SECOND ADMINISTRATION? - [laughs]
MY FRIEND, IF THERE IS A SECOND ADMINISTRATION,
AND YOU AND I BOTH LIVE TO SEE IT, THEN YES...
YOU SHALL MAKE A SUPERB AMBASSADOR TO FRANCE.
- THE FIGHT CAME QUICKLY.
SEVEN STATES LEFT THE UNION,
AND SEVEN MORE EMBARKED UPON THE SAME COURSE.
SACKS OF LETTERS ARRIVED DAILY,
CURSING MR. LINCOLN FOR DESTROYING OUR NATION,
AND PROMISING TO DESTROY HIM IN RETURN.
ONE FELLOW EVEN DEMONSTRATED HIS INTENT
BY SENDING MRS. LINCOLN A PAINTING OF HER HUSBAND
TARRED, FEATHERED, AND HANGING BY THE NECK.
- MY FRIENDS, NO ONE NOT IN MY SITUATION
CAN APPRECIATE MY FEELING OF SADNESS
AT THIS PARTING.
TO THIS PLACE, AND THE KINDNESS OF THESE PEOPLE,
I OWE EVERYTHING.
- GENTLEMEN. - HILL...
WE ENTRUST THE SACRED LIFE OF MR. LINCOLN TO YOUR KEEPING.
- I AM HONORED, SIR.
- HILL, IF YOU FAIL TO PROTECT HIM,
NEVER RETURN TO ILLINOIS, FOR WE WILL MURDER YOU ON SIGHT.
- I WILL NOT FAIL HIM.
[train whistle blows]
LYNCH YOU, SHOOT YOU, HANG YOU, BURN YOU.
- THEY HAVE SEIZED THE FEDERAL FORTS.
ALL BUT SUMTER AND CHARLESTON.
- THAT'S IT, THEN. IT'S WAR.
- NO, TRAITORS HAVE SEIZED FEDERAL FORTS.
THEY WILL BE PROSECUTED,
BUT THE SOUTHERN PEOPLE NEVER CHOSE THIS COURSE,
AND I WILL NOT MAKE WAR ON THEM.
- AND I TELL YOU THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE WAR ON YOU.
MY OWN BROTHERS ARE BURNING UNION FLAGS.
- THAT IS FREE SPEECH, NOT WAR.
- SHOULDER, ARMS!
both: ONE, TWO!
- HE CANNOT ORDER THE FORTS RETAKEN
BEFORE HE IS INAUGURATED.
- HE CAN ANNOUNCE HIS INTENTIONS.
- ANY SUCH ANNOUNCEMENT WILL PRECIPITATE WAR.
- SO WE'RE TO MAKE 70 STOPS IN 12 DAYS.
I MUST NEITHER SPEAK NOR REMAIN SILENT.
[kids soldiering in background]
WAR IS IMMINENT...
AND OUR GREAT AMERICAN EXPERIMENT,
NOW ENTRUSTED TO MY CARE...
HANGS BY A THREAD.
WELL, OLD DAN TUCKER WAS A FINE OLD MAN,
WASHED HIS FACE IN A FRYING PAN.
COMBED HIS HAIR WITH A WAGON WHEEL,
♪ DIED WITH A TOOTHACHE IN HIS HEEL ♪
all: ♪ GET OUT THE WAY OLD DAN TUCKER ♪
♪ HE'S TOO LATE TO GET HIS SUPPER ♪
♪ SUPPER'S OVER AND BREAKFAST COOKING ♪
♪ OLD DAN TUCKER STAND THERE LOOKING ♪
- ♪ OLD DAN TUCKER HE GOT DRUNK ♪
♪ FELL IN THE FIRE...♪
- CITIZENS OF COLUMBUS... BUFFALO...ALBANY...
TRENTON...
all: ♪ HE'S TOO LATE TO GET HIS SUPPER ♪
♪ SUPPER'S OVER AND BREAKFAST COOKING ♪
♪ OLD DAN TUCKER STAND THERE LOOKING ♪
♪ OLD DAN TUCKER WENT TO TOWN ♪
♪ RIDING A MULE AND LEADING A HOUND ♪
♪ HOUND BARKED MULE JUMPED ♪
♪ LANDED OLD DAN UPON A STUMP ♪
♪ GET OUT THE WAY OLD DAN TUCKER ♪
♪ HE'S TOO LATE TO GET HIS SUPPER ♪
♪ SUPPER'S OVER AND BREAKFAST COOKING ♪
♪ OLD DAN TUCKER STAND THERE LOOKING ♪
- ♪ HERE'S OLD DAN HE COMES TO TOWN ♪
♪ SWINGS THE LADIES ROUND AND ROUND ♪
♪ SWINGS ONE EAST SWINGS ONE WEST ♪
♪ SWINGS WITH THE ONE HE LOVES THE BEST ♪
all: ♪ GET OUT THE WAY OLD DAN TUCKER ♪
♪ HE'S TOO LATE TO GET HIS SUPPER ♪
♪ SUPPER'S OVER AND BREAKFAST COOKING ♪
♪ OLD DAN TUCKER STAND THERE LOOKING ♪
[railroad bell clanging]
- ♪ DAN BEGAN EARLY IN LIFE ♪
♪ TO PLAY THE BANJO AND THE FIFE ♪
♪ HE'D LULL THE CHILDREN ALL TO SLEEP ♪
♪ THEN INTO HIS BUNK HE'D CREEP ♪
- MR. LINCOLN. - YEAH?
HILL, IT'S OUR OLD FRIEND, PINKERTON.
HOW ARE YOU, SIR?
MRS. LINCOLN. - MA'AM.
- HOW DO YOU COME TO BE HERE?
- DETECTIVE JOB FOR THE RAILROAD, SIR.
MR. LINCOLN, WE HAVE COME TO KNOW, SIR,
AND BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT,
THERE EXISTS AN ORGANIZED PLOT TO ASSASSINATE YOU.
- WHAT? - BALDERDASH.
NO PRESIDENT WAS EVER ASSASSINATED.
- THE ATTEMPT WILL BE MADE TOMORROW AT BALTIMORE STATION.
A GANG OF TOUGHS WILL START A FIGHT
TO DRAW OFF THE POLICE.
ASSASSINS WILL THEN APPROACH THROUGH THE CROWD
AND PLUNGE THEIR KNIVES INTO YOUR SIDE.
- YOU HAVE EVIDENCE? - HERE ARE THE NAMES.
- BUT YOU KNOW OF IT. SURELY, THE POLICE WILL STOP THEM.
- THE CHIEF OF POLICE IS ONE OF THEM, MA'AM.
- WE'LL CHANGE THE ROUTE. - YOU'LL NOT FIND
A SAFE ROUTE THROUGH MARYLAND IF THEY KNOW YOU'RE COMING.
SIR, WE PROPOSE TO TAKE YOU TO WASHINGTON THIS VERY NIGHT,
AND STEAL A MARCH ON YOUR ENEMIES.
- STEAL INTO THE CAPITAL LIKE A THIEF IN THE NIGHT?
- WOULD YOU PREFER A FUNERAL, MA'AM?
- THE PAPERS WILL SHRIEK.
- WE WILL SURROUND HIM WITH A REGIMENT
AND CUT OUR WAY THROUGH.
- WITH MRS. LINCOLN AND THE BOYS ABOARD?
THE PAPERS WILL PRAISE YOU FOR PUTTING THEIR SAFETY FIRST.
- IT IS A MOB OF DESPERATE CHARACTERS
IN BALTIMORE, MR. LINCOLN, BUT THEY EXPECT YOU TOMORROW.
PASS THROUGH TONIGHT AND DESTROY THEIR PLOT.
- I BELIEVE I MUST. - AYE.
WE'LL CHANGE TRAINS IN HARRISBURG.
KINDLY LEAVE THE HAT BEHIND.
YOU AND I WILL THEN RIDE ON AS PRIVATE CITIZENS.
- I WILL RIDE WITH MR. LINCOLN.
- THE PLAN CALLS FOR ONE COMPANION.
- I HAVE PLEDGED MY LIFE TO PRESERVE, PROTECT,
AND DEFEND MR. LINCOLN. I WILL RIDE WITH HIM!
- MR. PRESIDENT-- - I WILL RIDE WITH HILL.
[bell clanging, steam hissing]
[clock ticking]
[steam hisses]
- ♪ LOOK AWAY, DIXIELAND ♪
♪ I WISH I WAS IN DIXIE ♪
♪ AWAY, AWAY ♪
♪ IN DIXIELAND I'LL TAKE MY STAND ♪
♪ TO LIVE AND DIE IN DIXIE ♪
♪ AWAY, AWAY ♪
♪ AWAY DOWN SOUTH IN DIXIE ♪
- NO DOUBT THERE'LL BE A GREAT TIME IN DIXIE
BY AND BY.
[bell clanging, train whistle blows]
- YOU CAN'T PULL THAT ON ME. WHOA!
[laughs] - DO NOT STRIKE HIM.
IT IS THE NEW SENATOR FROM OREGON.
- THE NEW--NED BAKER! - LAMON, OLD FELLOW.
WELCOME TO WASHINGTON CITY.
NOW LET US SHOVE OFF, ERE WE'RE OBSERVED.
THE PAPERS WILL HAVE THEIR FUN SOON ENOUGH.
- THE PAPERS DID MORE THAN HAVE THEIR FUN.
THEY CRUCIFIED HIM, SAYING HE WAS
AN IMBECILIC, NAMBY-PAMBY COWARD
WHO WOULD MAKE AMERICA THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE WORLD
FOR HAVING NO BETTER MATERIAL
OUT OF WHICH TO MAKE A PRESIDENT.
DETERMINED TO AVOID ANY FURTHER SHOW OF COWARDICE,
MR. LINCOLN FLATLY REFUSED ALL ATTEMPTS
TO PLACE GUARDS ABOUT HIS PERSON.
AND IT IS ONLY BECAUSE I PROVIDED COMPANIONSHIP
AND MUSICAL DIVERSION THAT HE TOLERATED
MY OWN HEAVILY ARMED PRESENCE.
- JUST GET ON WITH IT.
- HIS FIRST OFFICIAL ACT WAS TO THROW OPEN THE DOORS
OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION TO ANY AMERICAN
WHO DESIRED CONVERSATION WITH THE PRESIDENT.
AND, SEEMINGLY, ALL 30 MILLION OF THEM
ACCEPTED THE OFFER.
- THEY ARE BLUEPRINTS, SIR, FOR A LIBRARY
IN CLARKSTOWN, NEW YORK.
- YOU ROLLED THEM YOURSELF?
- NOTHING WILL PREVENT WAR
BUT MY ACQUIESCENCE IN THEIR SECESSION.
- AND IT IS EQUALLY PLAIN YOU MUST REINFORCE SUMTER.
THESE CAVALIERS BELIEVE THAT NORTHERN MEN ARE DEFICIENT
IN THE COURAGE NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN GOVERNMENT.
AND THEY WILL BE UNDECEIVED.
- IT THE U.S. ARMY INVADES CHARLESTON,
EUROPE WILL RUSH IN TO DEFEND
THIS FLEDGLING CONFEDERATE DEMOCRACY FROM TYRANNY.
- ENGLAND AND FRANCE LOVE FREEDOM, SIR.
THEY WILL NEVER RECOGNIZE A CONFEDERACY OF SLAVE OWNERS
TOO INDOLENT TO FARM THEIR OWN LAND.
- YES. HOWEVER, THE STOPPAGE OF AMERICAN COTTON
WILL REDUCE WHOLE COMMUNITIES TO FAMINE,
AND POSSIBLY SPARK REVOLUTIONS THROUGHOUT EUROPE.
NOW, AGAINST THIS OUTCOME,
ENGLAND AND FRANCE WILL NOT ONLY RECOGNIZE
THE CONFEDERATE STATES OF AMERICA,
THEY WILL FEED THEM, ARM THEM,
AND REINFORCE THEM WITH LEGIONS OF MEN.
- [scoffs] I AM COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
OF ALL OUR FORCES.
I CANNOT SURRENDER A FEDERAL FORT WITHOUT A FIGHT.
- WELL, THEN, YOU MUST INVADE MEXICO.
- COME AGAIN, MR. SEWARD?
- WELL, A FOREIGN FIGHT WILL UNITE NORTH AND SOUTH,
AND PROVIDE LONG DISTRACTION WHILE WE NEGOTIATE.
- HMM.
GENTLEMEN, I MUST THINK.
[banjo music]
IT'S A GORDIAN KNOT.
GIVE ENGLAND AND FRANCE CAUSE TO ENTER THE WAR,
OR SURRENDER BOTH THE FORT AND THE HONOR OF MY OFFICE.
- WHAT SAYS YOUR INSTINCT?
- MY INSTINCT SAYS FIND ANOTHER CHOICE.
- MRS. LINCOLN, PLEASE STOP. YOU WILL BE PRICKED.
- FATHER, IT IS AN OUTRAGE!
BECAUSE MY BROTHERS JOINED THE CONFEDERACY,
THEY CHARGE ME WITH TREASONOUS SYMPATHY!
- MOLLY, YOU BEDAZZLE ME.
- I DO?
- I TO AM DAZZLED, MA'AM.
- OH. IT IS THE FINEST PARISIAN SILK.
- EXCELLENT WORK, MRS. KECKLY.
- BUT, FATHER... - THANK YOU, SIR.
- THIS REPORTER CALLS ME A CONFEDERATE SPY!
- AT LEAST YOU'RE NOT LIKENED TO A SIMIAN BRUTE, AS I USUALLY--
- MARSHAL LAMON, YOU MUST ARREST THIS MAN,
SHUT DOWN HIS PAPER, AND CLEAR ME--OW!
- I'M SORRY, MRS. LINCOLN.
I WAS NOT ABLE TO SECURE THE PINS.
- NOW, NOW, MRS. KECKLY,
I OUGHT NOT TO HAVE RUSHED OFF.
BUT IT IS SO VEXING!
- I WILL SEND THIS PUBLISHER A NOTE, MOTHER,
AS SOON AS I FIND A WAY TO STOP ENGLAND AND FRANCE
FROM JOINING THIS WAR.
- ENGLAND AND FRANCE ARE ANCIENT SOVEREIGN NATIONS
WHO RESPECT A STRONG POTENTATE.
ONE WHO DOES MORE THAN SEND A NOTE.
- MOTHER, WE WILL SPARE NO EFFORT
TO RECTIFY YOUR GOOD NAME.
- THANK YOU.
GOOD NIGHT. - MR. PRESIDENT.
- MRS. KECKLY.
[door shuts]
IT IS GROTESQUE THAT ANY WOULD CONSIDER ME THE AGGRESSOR
WHEN TRAITORS BESIEGED MY FORT.
- I AM REMINDED OF THE YOUNG MAN
WHOSE AGED PARENTS HAD
A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF PROPERTY.
- YES! [laughs]
KILLED THE POOR FOLKS TO GET HIS INHERITANCE.
JUDGE ASKED WHY HE SHOULD NOT BE HANGED...
- AND THE YOUNG MAN REPLIED,
"PLEASE HAVE MERCY ON ME,
FOR I AM A POOR ORPHAN!"
[laughter]
- HILL, THAT'S IT.
ENGLAND AND FRANCE WILL NOT EXONERATE AN ORPHAN
WHO KILLS HIS OWN PARENTS.
THESE SOUTHERNERS ARE SO HUNGRY FOR WAR,
THEY WILL FIRE FIRST, EVEN WITHOUT PROVOCATION.
SO I WILL NOT REINFORCE SUMTER.
I WILL SIMPLY SEND THE MEN FOOD.
IF THAT PRECIPITATES WAR, I DARE SAY
THE ANCIENT SOVEREIGN NATIONS WILL KEEP OUT.
[lively riff]
- THE REBELS DID FIRE FIRST.
EUROPE KEPT OUT, AND MR. LINCOLN TOOK THE FIRST TRICK.
- THE REAL TRICK IS SMASH A LITTLE...
CUT A LITTLE, AND DIP.
- MR. PRESIDENT, A REBEL FLAG FLIES ACROSS THE POTOMAC
IN FULL VIEW OF THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
IT IS AN AFFRONT, SIR.
- AN EGREGIOUS AFFRONT.
- PERMISSION TO CROSS THE RIVER AND RETRIEVE SAID FLAG, SIR.
- BY ALL MEANS, DEAR BOY. - YIPPEE!
- NO, NO, NO. WILLIE, WILLIE, WILLIE,
YOU AND TAD SHALL OBSERVE THIS CRUCIAL MISSION
FROM A PRESIDENTIAL PERSPECTIVE. COME, COME.
- THE FLAG SHALL BE YOURS BY NOON, SIR.
- GODSPEED, COLONEL.
SEE, THE COLONEL SHALL OCCUPY THE FURTHEST...
- COLONEL ELLSWORTH ALWAYS PUT ON A GOOD SHOW.
HIS ZOUAVE MILITIA THRILLED THE NATION
WITH THEIR PRECISION DRILLS.
AND IT WAS ELLSWORTH HIMSELF WHO RECRUITED
THE FIRST 75,000 UNION VOLUNTEERS.
INDEED, THE WAR FEVER HAD COME.
EVEN SENATOR BAKER JOINED UP.
[When Johnny Comes Marching Homeplaying]
♪ ♪
[all cheering]
[gunshot]
- MY BOY. MY BOY!
WAS IT NECESSARY THIS SACRIFICE SHOULD BE MADE?
- HE WAS CARRYING IT DOWN THE STAIRS.
THEY SHOT HIM IN THE HEART.
- THEY WILL MOURN THAT SHOT.
- MR. LINCOLN PUSHED HIS GENERALS
TO COMMENCE OPERATIONS AT ONCE.
THEY MET THE ENEMY AT BULL RUN.
IT WAS A UNION DEBACLE.
[telegraphs clicking, indistinct chatter]
- AH. GENERAL MCCLELLAN.
- PRESIDENT. - WELL...
YOU NOW COMMAND ALL THE FORCES OF THE EAST.
WE OUTNUMBER THEM TWO TO ONE.
I SUGGEST WE ADVANCE EVERYWHERE AT ONCE.
THOSE NOT SKINNIN' CAN HOLD A LEG.
THE ENEMY WILL SOON BE OVERCOME.
- MR. PRESIDENT, THAT IS NOT THE WAY WE CONDUCT A WAR.
- EXPLAIN YOUR PLAN.
- MR. BLAIR?
- MCCLELLAN DID TRANSFORM OUR BATTERED EASTERN FORCES
INTO A MIGHTY ARMY,
BUT HE WOULD NOT RISK AN ACTUAL BATTLE
UNTIL HE HAD MORE MEN, CANNON, AND HORSES
THAN NAPOLEON HIMSELF.
THE RESULT WAS STAGNATION IN THE EAST,
HEAVY LOSSES IN THE WEST,
AND MOUNTING ANGER AT MR. LINCOLN.
- THE PEOPLE HATE YOUR WAR.
THEY'LL NOT BLEED FOR YOU OR YOUR BELOVED NEGROES,
AND YOU MUST STOP NOW.
- THE PEOPLE DEMAND WAR!
THEY WANT THE SLAVES FREED, AND YOU MUST ACT NOW.
- THE WAR COSTS A MILLION DOLLARS A DAY.
WE SHALL HAVE TO IMPOSE AN INCOME TAX TO PAY FOR IT,
AND THEN GOD HELP OUR REPUBLICAN PARTY.
- THE LACK OF ANY SUCCESS EXASPERATES EUROPE.
THEY SPEAK AGAIN OF INTERCEDING.
IF THAT HAPPENS, ALL IS LOST.
- ARE YOU NOT COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF, SIR?
DO SOMETHING!
- HILL, I NEED A VICTORY.
SOMETHING TO SHOW THAT THE SHIP OF STATE
IS NOT, IN FACT, RUDDERLESS.
- I COULD VISIT MCCLELLAN, HAVE A TALK,
AS I USED TO WITH OUR RECALCITRANT CLIENTS.
- [chuckles]
NO. NO.
[idly strumming banjo]
I'LL ACCOUNT HIM A GENIUS.
AND HE TOILS NIGHT AND DAY,
PREPARING THE ARMY FOR THE GREAT BATTLE
TO END THIS WAR.
BUT I WILL INSIST THE OTHER GENERALS ADVANCE.
- SIR, GRANT AND SHERMAN BOTH MOVING IN KENTUCKY.
BUTLER TOOK THE OUTER BANKS IN NORTH CAROLINA.
- GOOD, GOOD. THAT IS GOOD.
- WE DID HAVE A SETBACK AT BALL'S BLUFF, THOUGH.
- WHERE IS THAT? - IT'S JUST UP THE RIVER, SIR.
IT WAS A SMALL ACTION, BUT A REGIMENT WAS OVERWHELMED.
223 KILLED, INCLUDING THE COMMANDER, A COLONEL BAKER.
- NED--NED BAKER?
- IT SAYS "EDWARD D. BAKER."
DO YOU KNOW HIM, SIR?
- "THERE WAS NO PATRIOT LIKE BAKER,
"SO NOBLE AND SO TRUE.
"HE FELL AS A SOLDIER ON THE FIELD,
"HIS FACE TO THE SKY OF BLUE.
"HIS COUNTRY HAS HER PART TO PLAY
"TOWARD THOSE HE'S LEFT BEHIND.
"HIS WIDOW AND HIS CHILDREN ALL...
[sniffs]
YOU MUST ALWAYS KEEP IN MIND."
- NED BAKER WAS THE ONLY SENATOR EVER
TO DIE IN BATTLE,
AND HIS DEATH HIT WASHINGTON HARD.
SOME WEEKS LATER, MRS. LINCOLN PROPOSED A BALL
TO SHOW THAT WE REMAINED CONFIDENT OF THE WAR'S OUTCOME.
AND THE PRESIDENT AGREED.
I WAS MADE MARSHAL OF CEREMONIES,
A DUTY I OFTEN UNDERTOOK TO BETTER CONTROL ACCESS
TO THE PRESIDENT'S PERSON.
[upbeat music plays]
♪ ♪
- THE MARINE BAND IS PLAYING, THE BANQUET IS SERVED.
THE ONLY ITEM LACKING FROM THE FIRST LADY'S BALL
IS THE FIRST LADY.
- GO, MA.
♪ ♪
- I SHOULD HAVE CANCELED THE BALL.
WHAT IF IT'S TYPHOID?
- DR. STONE SAID IT'S NOT.
- I HAVE SAT
WITH MANY A SICK CHILD, MRS. LINCOLN.
IF THE FEVER RISES, I WILL SEND FOR YOU.
- MOLLY, MRS. KECKLY CAN BE TRUSTED.
AND WE HAVE 800 GUESTS.
♪ ♪
- WELL, THERE WILL BE NO DANCING.
- A BALL WITH NO DANCING. HMM.
THERE IS A WAR, AFTER ALL.
♪ ♪
[band playing upbeat melody]
- WELL, HE IS AN ABOLITIONIST DEEP DOWN.
BUT HIS HANDS ARE TIED. - IT IS NOT ABOLITION.
HE IS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF AN ARMY
FIGHTING A SLAVE POWER.
- YES, YES, FREE THEIR SLAVES AND REMOVE THEIR POWER.
I TELL HIM THIS REPEATEDLY,
BUT HE INSISTS THAT THE CAUSE IS...
both: UNION.
- THAT IS WHY OUR BOYS FIGHT.
- WHAT DOES OUR SACRED UNION STAND FOR IF NOT FREEDOM?
- THE BORDER STATES ARE SLAVE STATES.
ANY TALK OF EMANCIPATION WILL CAUSE THEM
TO JOIN THE REBELLION.
- MR. PRESIDENT, DOING GOD'S WILL IS MORE IMPORTANT
THAN PLACATING A PACK OF SLAVEHOLDERS AT THE BORDER.
- MR. CHASE, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE GOD ON MY SIDE,
BUT I MUST HAVE KENTUCKY.
- THE HONOR IS NOT CEREMONIAL, MA'AM, I ASSURE YOU.
THE PRESIDENT'S LIFE IS IN CONSTANT JEOPARDY.
- OH, HOW DREADFUL.
TELL ME, DO YOU ACCOMPANY HIM EVERYWHERE?
- [chuckles] GOD KNOWS I TRY, MA'AM,
BUT HE IS A NIMBLE GENTLEMAN.
- [chuckles] MARSHAL LAMON,
YOU'RE A VIRGINIA HORSEMAN. HOW ON EARTH
COULD OLD ABE LINCOLN ESCAPE YOUR WATCH?
- WELL, THE WAR DEPARTMENT HAS MANY EGRESSES AND--
MA'AM, MAY I SHOW YOU AN ASTONISHING SIGHT?
- OH. PLEASE DO.
- WASHINGTON SWARMED WITH SPIES,
MANY REMARKABLY ATTRACTIVE.
EXTREME VIGILANCE WAS REQUIRED,
EVEN AT THE RISK OF DISCOMFORTING THE INNOCENT.
IF I MAY?
OLD CAP PRISON FOR INTERROGATION.
- BUT WHAT HAVE I DONE?
- WE SHALL ASK THE QUESTIONS, MA'AM.
- [scoffs]
- IT IS THE WAR.
THE ENTIRE CITY IS A BARRACKS.
GASTRIC ILLNESS IS WIDESPREAD,
AND IT OFTEN EVOLVES INTO TYPHOID.
- MR. PRESIDENT, FROM GENERAL GRANT, SIR.
- YES.
- "I OFFERED NO TERMS
"BUT UNCONDITIONAL AND IMMEDIATE SURRENDER.
ENEMY ACCEPTED. FORT DONALDSON OURS."
GIVES US THE CUMBERLAND RIVER, SIR, A TRUE VICTORY AT LAST.
- [strained breathing]
- MOTHER?
OH, DEAR GOD. - [strained breathing]
- OH, DEAR GOD.
- [sobbing] DON'T GO, WILLIE, NO.
[screams]
[sobbing hysterically] NO! NO! NO! OH, NO!
- [sobbing] MY BOY IS ACTUALLY GONE!
- NO, LET ME GO! LET ME GO!
I WANT MY BABY, PLEASE!
MY BABY. - [sobs]
- WHEN I LOST MY WIFE...
YOU COVERED MY CASES AS LONG AS I NEEDED.
GOD HELP ME, LINCOLN, I CANNOT COVER YOURS.
YOU MUST--
- HOW IS MRS. LINCOLN?
- HER ANGUISH DESTROYS HER.
SHE BLAMES HERSELF FOR WILLIE'S D--
BECAUSE THE BALL WAS SO LAVISH.
- PERHAPS SHE'S RIGHT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE ALLOWED IT.
- OH, NO, SIR. NO.
THE LORD TOOK WILLIE FOR HIS OWN PURPOSES.
- AN 11-YEAR-OLD BOY? WHAT PURPOSE WAS THAT?
- I'M SORRY, SIR, I DID NOT MEAN TO--
- NO, MRS. KECKLY, TELL ME, WHAT--
WHAT PURPOSE HAD GOD TO TAKE MY SON?
- I CANNOT SAY, SIR.
BUT WHEN I LOST MY SON, I WAS COMFORTED BY THE STORY OF JACOB.
HE MOURNED FOR JOSEPH ALL THOSE YEARS,
YET IN THE END, IT WAS BECAUSE JOSEPH WAS TAKEN
THAT HE BECAME GOD'S INSTRUMENT IN SAVING THE WHOLE FAMILY.
- BUT JOSEPH WAS NOT DEAD. - NO, SIR,
AND NEITHER IS WILLIE. - [scoffs]
- HE LIVES IN PARADISE. - "LIVES."
WOULD THAT I HAD YOUR FAITH, MRS. KECKLY,
FOR I HAVE LOST MANY PEOPLE.
ANOTHER SON, YEARS AGO,
MY SISTER, MY MOTHER WHEN I WAS A BOY.
OTHERS ARE COMFORTED BY STORIES OF HEAVEN,
BUT I NEVER HAD THAT FACULTY.
- BEG PARDON, SIR, BUT FAITH IS NOT A FACULTY.
IT IS A CHOICE.
NO ONE CAN PROVE THAT GOD IS OR IS NOT,
YET ANYONE CAN CHOOSE TO SEEK HIS WISDOM AND HIS MERCY
IN THIS WORLD.
WHEN I MADE THAT CHOICE, I BEGAN TO SEE HIS PURPOSE,
EVEN IN OUR SUFFERINGS,
AND THAT CHOICE HAS SUSTAINED ME THROUGH TERRIBLE DAYS, SIR.
- WHEN DID YOU LOSE YOUR SON, MRS. KECKLY?
- LAST YEAR AT WILSON'S CREEK.
- THE BATTLE OF WILSON'S CREEK?
- YES, SIR.
GEORGE WAS LIGHT-SKINNED, AND HE COULD PASS.
HE ENLISTED AS SOON AS THE WAR BEGAN.
- IN AN ARMY THAT WOULD NOT HAVE TAKEN HIM
IF HIS RACE WERE KNOWN.
MRS. KECKLY, I'M SO VERY SORRY.
GEORGE WAS A TRUE PATRIOT.
- HE ENLISTED TO FIGHT SLAVERY, SIR.
GEORGE AND I WERE BOTH SLAVES UNTIL 1855.
IT TOOK ME 30 YEARS TO PURCHASE OUR FREEDOM.
I DID IT WITH THE MONEY I EARNED DRESSMAKING.
BUT THE LORD HEARD OUR CRIES, MR. PRESIDENT,
THE CRIES OF MY PEOPLE, AND HE REMEMBERED US,
AND HE SENT YOU TO DELIVER US.
- MRS. KECKLY, NO.
I AM NO PROPHET.
I AM JUST A MAN
OF THE COMMONEST SORT, I ASSURE YOU.
- IF THAT IS TRUE, SIR, THEN HOW DID YOU COME TO BE PRESIDENT?
- HMM, WHY I-- - MR. PRESIDENT, TRUST GOD.
YOU ARE HIS INSTRUMENT, SIR,
AND YOU WILL DO HIS WORK WITH WILLIE WATCHING OVER YOU.
[sobs lightly]
- [sobbing]
[background chatter, telegraphs clacking]
"I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED ST--"
"I, ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
"AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY AND NAVY,
"DO ORDER AND DECLARE THAT ALL PERSONS HELD AS SLAVES
IN ANY REBELLIOUS STATE--"
- MR. PRESIDENT, DISPATCH FROM GENERAL GRANT.
FROM SHILOH CHURCH ON THE TENNESSEE RIVER.
"DRIVEN BACK YESTERDAY. REGROUPED, COUNTERATTACKED,
AND HELD THE RIVER." SIR, IT'S A GREAT VICTORY.
- HALLELUJAH. - "ESPECIALLY COMMEND
"GENERAL SHERMAN FOR HOLDING THE CENTER,
"THOUGH WOUNDED TWICE,
AND THREE HORSES SHOT OUT FROM UNDER HIM."
- GIVE THAT TO THE PAPERS.
WE NEED A HERO. - AND THE CASUALTIES?
- UH...
OH, DEAR GOD. 13,000.
- THAT IS BOTH SIDES?
- IT'S UNION, SIR. THE ENEMY LOST 10,000.
- JUST TO HOLD A PIECE OF RIVER.
- LOSING 13,000 TO THEIR 10,000 IS NOT WINNING.
GRANT MUST BE REPLACED, SIR.
- I CANNOT SPARE THIS MAN. HE FIGHTS.
- MR. LINCOLN HAD RESUMED HIS DUTIES, BUT NOT HIS ROUTINE.
HOPING TO EASE MARY'S GRIEF,
HE SHIFTED HIS FAMILY TO THE SUMMER RESIDENCE.
THE RESULT WAS A DAILY THREE-MILE RIDE
ALONG AN UNGUARDED ROAD TEEMING WITH OPPORTUNITIES FOR AMBUSH,
A TRIP HE OFTEN UNDERTOOK WITHOUT NOTICE TO ME.
[whispering in the distance] - SHOOT. GO. GO.
[indistinct chatter]
- SHOW YOURSELF. - [whispering] SHOOT.
[gunshot]
[indistinct chatter]
- I AM A U.S. MARSHAL, AND I WILL SHOOT YOU!
[indistinct chatter] - GO, GO! MOVE! COME ON.
[horse chuffs]
[voices fade into distance]
[horse chuffs]
- "I, AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE ARMY AND NAVY
"OF THE UNITED STATES, DO ORDER AND DECLARE
"THAT ON THE FIRST OF JANUARY, 1863,
"ALL PERSONS HELD AS SLAVES WITHIN ANY STATE
"OR IN THE CONSTITUTIONAL AUTHORITY OF THE UNITED STATES
"SHALL NOT BE RECOGNIZED AND SUBMITTED TO,
SHALL THEN, THENCEFORWARD AND FOREVER, BE FREE."
- YOU HAVE CHANGED YOUR MIND ENTIRELY.
- YES, I HAVE, MR. BLAIR, AND I DON'T THINK MUCH OF A MAN
WHO IS NOT WISER TODAY THAN HE WAS YESTERDAY.
GENTLEMEN, WHO'S FOR IT?
AGAINST?
THE AYES HAVE IT. - THE VOTE WAS THREE TO TWO.
- MR. CHASE, I AM KNOCKED INTO A COCKED HAT
TO HEAR YOU DISAPPROVE OF THIS MEASURE.
- I FAVOR EMANCIPATION, OF COURSE,
BUT TO DO IT NOW, WHEN WE MUST PASS AN INCOME TAX
AND SELL WAR BONDS-- - WOULD YOU PREFER TO WAIT
UNTIL 1864? - I WOULD PREFER--
- ALLOW THE NEXT PRESIDENT TO FREE THE SLAVES? PERHAPS YOU?
I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE BEST TO ORGANIZE AND ARM THE SLAVES.
- NO, IT WOULD NOT,
BUT WE WILL ACCEPT NEGROES INTO THE ARMED FORCES.
- HEAR, HEAR.
- [stuttering] MR. PRESIDENT,
ISSUING THIS PROCLAMATION NOW,
WITH THE REBELLION COMPLETELY UNCHECKED,
MIGHT WELL BE DEEMED THE LAST DESPERATE SHRIEK
OF AN EXHAUSTED GOVERNMENT. - PRECISELY.
- IT'S THE WRONG MESSAGE TO SEND TO EUROPE.
NOW, I APPROVE THE MEASURE-- YOU KNOW MY VIEWS--
BUT I STRONGLY RECOMMEND
WE POSTPONE THIS EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION.
- UNTIL WE WIN A BATTLE? - JUST SO.
- MONTHS PASSED WITHOUT OUR WINNING SO MUCH AS A SKIRMISH.
FOR RELIEF, MR. LINCOLN TOOK TO THEATERGOING,
A PRACTICE I VEHEMENTLY OPPOSED
FOR BRINGING HIM SO NEAR TO GREAT MOBS IN DARKENED ROOMS.
I ALWAYS FEARED
THAT SOME VILLAIN WOULD LEVEL HIS PISTOL AT MY FRIEND,
THOUGH I NEVER IMAGINED
THE MALEFACTOR MIGHT BE STANDING UPON THE STAGE ITSELF.
- WELL, WELL, HE WAS THE COVERTEST SHELTERED TRAITOR
THAT EVER LIVED.
WOULD YOU IMAGINE, OR ALMOST BELIEVE,
WERE IT NOT THAT BY GREAT PRESERVATION
WE LIVE TO TELL IT TO YOU,
THE SUBTLE TRAITOR THIS DAY HAD PLOTTED IN THE COUNCIL HOUSE
TO MURDER ME AND MY GOOD LORD OF GLOUCESTER?
- WHAT, HAD HE SO?
- WHAT? THINK YOU WE ARE TURKS OR INFIDELS,
OR THAT WE WOULD, AGAINST THE FORM OF LAW,
PROCEED THUS RASHLY WITH THE VILLAIN'S DEATH...
BUT THAT THE EXTREME PERIL OF THE CASE,
THE PEACE OF ENGLAND AND OUR PERSON'S SAFETY,
ENFORCED US TO THIS EXECUTION?
- HE LOOKS AS IF HE MEANT THAT FOR YOU, PAPA.
- HE DOES LOOK AT ME PRETTY SHARP, DOESN'T HE?
- WOULD THAT I HAD SEEN THAT LOOK, BUT AT THE TIME,
JOHN WILKES BOOTH WAS ONLY ONE OF A MULTITUDE
LOOKING SHARPLY AT OUR PRESIDENT.
MCCLELLAN HAD FINALLY PROVIDED THE LONG-AWAITED VICTORY.
THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION WAS MADE PUBLIC,
AND DEATH THREATS TO MR. LINCOLN INCREASED BY A HUNDREDFOLD.
ONE SYNDICATE OF GEORGIA PLANTERS
EVEN ISSUED A BOND WORTH $50,000 FOR MY FRIEND'S LIFE,
AND I COULD NEVER KNOW WHO WOULD BE TEMPTED BY SUCH A VAST OFFER.
- HELLO, SIR. - MORNING, BOYS.
BLESS YOU. THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE, SON.
GENTLEMEN.
- ON YOUR FEET, IT'S THE PRESIDENT.
- HALT AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF!
- GOD BLESS YOU, BOYS. BLESS YOU.
- DIDN'T SIGN UP TO FREE NO DARKIES.
- PRESIDENT'S CARRIAGE! MAKE A LANE!
- THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT SERVICE.
I AM IN YOUR DEBT.
- HI-YA! [horse whinnies]
- DUNKER CHURCH, ARTILLERY STRONGHOLD,
BURNSIDE BRIDGE,
AND THAT IS BLOODY LANE,
WHERE I PIERCED THE CONFEDERATE CENTER.
- HERDED THEM FROM THE FIELD OF HONOR, EH?
- LIKE SHEEP, MR. PRESIDENT.
- WHY THEN DID YOU NOT PURSUE?
THE BLEEDING SHEEP WERE BEFORE YOU,
THE AX IN YOUR HAND, YOU MIGHT HAVE
CRUSHED LEE'S ARMY AND ENDED THIS TERRIBLE CONTEST.
- WHY, WE WERE EXHAUSTED. THE FIGHTING CONT--
- HOW MANY THOUSANDS MORE WILL PERISH
BECAUSE YOU LET HIM FLY?
- I REPELLED LEE'S INVASION, SIR!
- HOLD STILL, PLEASE. AND...
ONE, TWO,
THREE, FOUR,
FIVE, SIX,
SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN. THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.
- AND I DID IT, NO THANKS TO YOU OR ANY OTHER POLITICIAN!
- GENERAL MCCLELLAN WAS FINALLY RELIEVED OF HIS COMMAND.
[somber music]
♪ ♪
- HILL, PLAY THAT SAD SONG.
[plays A Letter to Tom]
♪ ♪
- ♪ I'VE WANDERED TO THE VILLAGE TOM ♪
♪ I'VE SAT BENEATH THE TREE ♪
♪ BUT NONE THERE TO GREET ME, TOM ♪
♪ AND FEW ARE LEFT TO KNOW ♪
♪ PLAYED WITH US UPON THE GREEN ♪
♪ SOME 20 YEARS AGO ♪
[plays Picayune Butler's Come to Town]
♪ ♪
♪ HERE I'LL SIT, GOING TO SING ♪
♪ TELL YOU HOW THE BANJO RING ♪
♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪
♪ SONG I KNOW, PLEASE YOU TO DEATH ♪
♪ LAUGH YOU NEARLY OUT OF BREATH ♪
♪ YEAH, YEAH, YEAH ♪
♪ PICAYUNE BUTLER COMIN', COMIN' ♪
♪ PICAYUNE BUTLER COME TO TOWN ♪
♪ AH-OOH AH-OOH ♪
♪ PICAYUNE BUTLER COMIN', COMIN' ♪
♪ PICAYUNE BUTLER COME TO TOWN ♪
[music fades]
[softly] ♪ BUTLER COME TO TOWN ♪
♪ AH-OOH AH-OOH ♪
"DAY AFTER THE BATTLE,
"DEAD SOLDIERS HEAPED BY THE ROADSIDE,
"LINCOLN SLAPPED THE KNEE OF MARSHAL LAMON AND EXCLAIMED,
'GIVE US THAT SONG ABOUT PICAYUNE BUTLER'"?
YOU DO NOT APPRECIATE THE DANGER, SIR.
SENATORS WADE, DAVIS, POMEROY, EVEN SUMNER BY HIS SILENCE,
THEY ALL CONSPIRE AGAINST YOU.
- HILL, FOR A MAN OF ACCREDITED COURAGE,
YOU ARE THE MOST PANICKY PERSON I KNOW.
- THEY CALL YOU "INDECISIVE, FEEBLE,
INCAPABLE OF WINNING THE WAR."
- HILL, CRITICISM IS NOT CONSPIRACY.
- CAN YOU NOT SEE THAT THEY MANEUVER TO REPLACE YOU
ON THE REPUBLICAN SLATE? - I DO...
[gunshot]
SO I THINK WE BETTER WIN THE WAR BEFORE NOVEMBER '64.
MR. SPENCER, WE WILL TAKE 10,000.
- BUT THE NEW RIFLES DID NOT ALLEVIATE
OUR LONG SEASON OF FAILURES.
1863 ARRIVED... - THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE.
- AND WITH IT, MORE LOSS.
- BLESS YOU, SON.
DEEPLY GRATEFUL FOR YOUR SERVICE.
- [whimpering]
[wincing]
[yelling in pain]
- GOOD EVENING, MR. PRESIDENT.
- WHAT--OH. OH, YES.
PERHAPS CHASE SHOULD BE PRESIDENT.
HE ALWAYS SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT THE ALMIGHTY WANTS,
WHEREAS I...
I THOUGHT FOR ONE MOMENT I WAS GOD'S INSTRUMENT,
AND THEN, I BROUGHT DOWN NOTHING BUT MISERY AND DESPAIR.
- "NOTHING BUT MISERY"? COME WITH ME.
- ♪ IF I COULD, I SURELY WOULD ♪
♪ STAND ON THE ROCK WHERE MOSES STOOD ♪
all: ♪ PHAROAH'S ARMY GOT DROWNDED ♪
♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP ♪
- ♪ WHOA, WHOA ♪ - ♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP ♪
- THESE PEOPLE ESCAPED
BECAUSE YOU PROCLAIMED THEM FREE.
- ♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP, DON'T YOU MOAN ♪
- HERE IS NO MISERY, SIR.
HERE IS HOPE.
- ♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP ♪
[hushed exclamations]
- EVENING.
[chuckles] GOD BLESS YOU.
GOD--PLEASE. - THANK YOU.
- PLEASE, DON'T KNEEL BEFORE ME, PLEASE.
- THANK YOU. - BLESS YOU.
- OH, THANK YOU. THANK YOU. - BLESS YOU. BLESS YOU, MY DEAR.
- OH. [sobbing] - GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
- THANK YOU. - BLESS YOU.
MY HEART IS WITH YOU, HMM? - PRESIDENT.
- PLEASE, SING. SING. DON'T LET ME STOP YOU.
YOU SOUND WONDERFUL. [laughter]
SING, PLEASE.
all: ♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP, DON'T YOU MOAN ♪
♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP, DON'T YOU MOAN ♪
♪ PHAROAH'S ARMY GOT DROWNDED ♪
♪ OH, MARY, DON'T YOU WEEP ♪
- ♪ WELL, WHEN I GET TO HEAVEN, GONNA SCREAM AND SHOUT ♪
[all shout] - [laughs]
- ♪ NOBODY THERE IS GONNA PUT ME OUT ♪
- JULY 4th, 1863.
FOR A MOMENT, WE THOUGHT THE WAR HAD ENDED.
- ♪ ♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
- IN THE WEST, GRANT CAPTURED VICKSBURG AT LAST,
AND AN ENTIRE ARMY WITH IT, AND IN THE EAST,
WHERE GENERAL LEE HAD INVADED PENNSYLVANIA--
- "FROM GENERAL MEADE TO GETTYSBURG."
- YES? - "WE HAVE DRIVEN THE INVADER
FROM OUR SOIL." - YES.
- WELL DONE.
- "DRIVEN THE INVADER FROM OUR SOIL"?
MY GOD, IS THAT ALL? - YES, SIR.
- LEE WAS TWO STATES AWAY FROM HIS BASE OF SUPPLY!
MEADE COULD HAVE CAPTURED HIS ENTIRE ARMY!
- BUT, SIR, WE WON THE BATTLE.
- AND LOST 23,000 MEN.
23,000 KILLED, MANGLED, MISSING,
AND LEE RIGHT BACK WHERE HE WAS!
THE PEOPLE WILL NOT STAND FOR IT.
THEY WILL DEMAND PEACE AT ANY PRICE,
AND THEN, ALL OF THIS IS FOR NOTHING!
NOTHING!
- MR. PRESIDENT!
SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO MRS. LINCOLN.
[horse chuffs]
[door opening]
- THE DRIVER'S BENCH FELL OFF THE CARRIAGE.
THE HORSES RAN OFF.
SIR, THIS WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT.
- THIS WAS NO ACCIDENT, SIR. A KILLER LOOSED THAT BENCH
IN THE HOPES THAT YOU WOULD BE THE PASSENGER.
- MOTHER.
IS THE PAIN GREAT?
- YES.
YET I DO NOT MIND IT...
FOR NETTIE BRINGS ME SUCH COMFORT.
- NETTIE? - NETTIE COLBURN, SIR,
THE MEDIUM. SHE'S FAMOUSLY GIFTED.
- I'VE SPOKEN TO WILLIE, FATHER.
HE'S SO HAPPY IN HEAVEN.
- IS HE? - YES. YES.
AS ARE SAM AND... AND LITTLE ALEC.
DID YOU KNOW THEY FELL AT BATON ROUGE AND SHILOH?
- OF COURSE, MOTHER.
- I COULD NOT MOURN MY OWN BROTHERS,
LEST THE PAPERS CALL ME A TRAITOR.
BUT NOW, THEY KNOW HOW MUCH I MISS THEM.
ESPECIALLY WILLIE, FATHER.
HE COMES TO ME NOW.
EVEN WITHOUT NETTIE'S HELP.
LITTLE RASCAL.
- I'M...
I'M GLAD HE IS WELL.
- WILL YOU NOT ATTEND A SEANCE WITH ME, FATHER?
NETTIE SUMMONS OTHERS FROM BEYOND...
SOME WONDROUSLY WISE.
THEY CAN HELP YOU WIN THE WAR.
- I WILL, MOTHER.
AS SOON AS MY SCHEDULE PERMITS.
YOU REST NOW,
AND WE WILL ALL DOTE ON YOU UNTIL YOUR WOUNDS ARE HEALED.
[whispering] FIND THEM.
- COME ON. - [grunts]
- EVENING. - EVENING, SIR.
WARD HILL LAMON, U.S. MARSHAL.
WE ARE INVESTIGATING AN ATTEMPT--
I ARREST YOU BOTH!
[pounding on the door]
WE NEVER FOUND THE MAN WHO LOOSED THOSE BOLTS,
BUT WE DID UNCOVER A MOST HEINOUS PLAN:
SEEKING TO KILL MR. LINCOLN
BY INFECTING HIM WITH YELLOW FEVER.
THEY GATHERED CLOTHING FROM VICTIMS OF THE DISEASE
IN BERMUDA.
OUR DETECTIVE WORK SAVED MR. LINCOLN,
BUT I NEVER COULD BE AT EASE WHILE ABSENT FROM HIS SIDE.
I AM ASKED TO BE MASTER OF CEREMONIES
AT THE DEDICATION OF THE CEMETERY OF GETTYSBURG.
IT IS A GREAT HONOR, OF COURSE,
BUT AS I CANNOT LEAVE YOUR SIDE, I WILL TENDER MY REGRETS.
OF COURSE, YOU COULD COME
AND DELIVER A FEW APPROPRIATE REMARKS.
BUT AT SUCH A TIME AS THIS...
YOU KNOW, FOR YOU TO LEAVE THE CAPITOL,
IT IS NOT POSSIBLE,
AND I WOULD NOT PRESUME.
- I WILL COME.
- THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES!
[applause]
RESISTANCE TO THE WAR WAS GROWING.
MR. LINCOLN NEEDED TO REINVIGORATE THE PEOPLE,
TO EXPLAIN TO THEM, AND PERHAPS HIMSELF,
WHY THIS ENDLESS PLAGUE OF WAR MUST CONTINUE.
- FOUR SCORE AND SEVEN YEARS AGO,
OUR FATHERS BROUGHT FORTH UPON THIS CONTINENT
A NEW NATION,
CONCEIVED IN LIBERTY,
AND DEDICATED TO THE PROPOSITION
THAT ALL MEN ARE CREATED EQUAL.
NOW, WE ARE ENGAGED
IN A GREAT CIVIL WAR,
TESTING WHETHER THAT NATION, OR ANY NATION
SO CONCEIVED AND SO DEDICATED, CAN LONG ENDURE.
WE ARE MET ON A GREAT BATTLEFIELD OF THAT WAR.
WE HAVE COME TO DEDICATE A PORTION OF THAT FIELD,
AS A FINAL RESTING PLACE FOR THOSE
WHO HERE GAVE THEIR LIVES
THAT THAT NATION MIGHT LIVE.
IT IS ALTOGETHER FITTING AND PROPER THAT WE SHOULD DO THIS,
BUT IN A LARGER SENSE, WE CANNOT DEDICATE,
WE CANNOT CONSECRATE,
WE CAN NOT HALLOW THIS GROUND.
THE BRAVE MEN, LIVING AND DEAD, WHO STRUGGLED HERE
HAVE CONSECRATED IT FAR ABOVE OUR POOR POWER
TO ADD OR DETRACT.
THE WORLD WILL LITTLE NOTE,
NOR LONG REMEMBER WHAT WE SAY HERE,
BUT IT CAN NEVER FORGET
WHAT THEY DID HERE.
IT IS FOR US THE LIVING, RATHER,
TO BE DEDICATED HERE TO THE UNFINISHED WORK
WHICH THEY WHO FOUGHT HERE HAVE THUS FAR SO NOBLY ADVANCED.
IT IS, RATHER, FOR US TO BE HERE
DEDICATED TO THE GREAT TASK REMAINING BEFORE US.
THAT FROM THESE HONORED DEAD,
WE TAKE INCREASED DEVOTION
TO THAT CAUSE FOR WHICH THEY HERE GAVE
THE LAST FULL MEASURE OF DEVOTION,
THAT WE HERE HIGHLY RESOLVE
THAT THESE DEAD SHALL NOT HAVE DIED IN VAIN,
THAT THIS NATION, UNDER GOD,
SHALL HAVE A NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM,
AND THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE,
BY THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE,
SHALL NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.
[crowd murmuring] - IS THAT IT?
- IT CAN'T BE. - IT'S FAR TOO SHORT.
- AIN'T GOT NOTHING ELSE TO SAY?
- [applauding]
[cheers and applause]
- "SILLY, FLAT, AND DISHWATERY UTTERANCES
"OF A MAN WHO MUST BE POINTED OUT
TO INTELLIGENT FOREIGNERS AS THE PRESIDENT."
- WELL, I'VE NOT HAD MUCH TIME FOR FOREIGN POLICY.
- YOU HAVE LOST YOUR OWN PEOPLE, SIR.
THREE YEARS OF SLAUGHTER AND NO END IN SIGHT.
SALMON P. CHASE OFFERS YOUR IDEALS WITHOUT YOUR RECORD.
POMEROY AND HIS GANG HAVE CIRCULATED A LETTER
DEMANDING CHASE'S NOMINATION.
[church bell tolling]
MR. PRESIDENT, MCCLELLAN HAS AGREED
TO RUN FOR THE DEMOCRATS.
HE WILL OFFER PEACE WITH SLAVERY AND THE PEOPLE WILL TAKE IT,
UNLESS OUR CANDIDATE IS CHASE.
IT'S TIME NOW FOR MOSES
TO HAND THE STAFF TO JOSHUA
SO THAT HE MAY LEAD OUR PEOPLE INTO THE PROMISED LAND.
DO NOT FAIL US, SIR.
- HILL!
- COFFEE OR BANJO?
- YOU HAVE HEARD OF THE POMEROY CIRCULAR?
- I HAVE INTERCEPTED A COPY.
- BLESS YOU, HILL.
PLEASE, HAND IT OVER QUIETLY TO THE PRESS.
- BUT IT EXFLUNCTICATES YOU.
- IF THE ALMIGHTY WANTS ANOTHER MAN TO FINISH MY WORK,
ONE WHO CAMPAIGNS FOR MY OFFICE WHILE SERVING IN MY CABINET,
WHO ARE WE TO DEFY HIM?
- OH-H-H.
WHAT KILLS THE SKUNK IS THE PUBLICITY IT GIVES ITSELF.
- AYE, AND NOW...
I SHALL DO WHAT I SHOULD HAVE DONE LONG AGO.
GENERAL GRANT, I NOW PROMOTE YOU TO A RANK
LAST HELD BY GENERAL GEORGE WASHINGTON.
- MUCH OBLIGED, SIR,
BUT IT WON'T BE PAPER WINS THIS WAR.
- TELL ME YOUR PLAN.
- I'LL RUN THE EASTERN ARMIES, SHERMAN THE WEST.
WE'LL HIT 'EM EVERYWHERE AT ONCE.
- THOSE NOT SKINNIN' CAN HOLD A LEG.
- YES, SIR,
AND, MR. PRESIDENT...
WIN OR LOSE, WE KEEP HITTING.
- GODSPEED.
- FROM GENERAL GRANT. 14,000 CASUALTIES.
HE WILL ATTACK AGAIN IN THE MORNING.
17,000.
- MY GOD.
31,000 BOYS.
I CANNOT BEAR IT. I CANNOT BEAR IT.
AND YET, HE ADVANCES.
- ANOTHER 12,000 AT COLD HARBOR,
OF WHICH, 7,000 FELL IN THE FIRST EIGHT MINUTES.
TOTAL IS NOW 54,000, SIR. - MM.
- 54,000 SOLDIERS IN ONE MONTH.
- THANK GOD FOR OUR BRAVE NEGRO TROOPS.
LEE WILL RUN OUT OF MEN BEFORE WE DO.
- MR. PRESIDENT, HE MUST BE STOPPED.
- OH, LEE WILL BE STOPPED.
- GRANT, SIR. - GRANT? NO.
GRANT CANNOT BE STOPPED.
- ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR,
FIVE, SIX,
SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN.
THANK YOU, MR. PRESIDENT.
JUST GIVE ME A FEW MINUTES TO DEVELOP THE PLATE.
- OH, CAN I SEE?
- UH, TAD, THESE ARE NOT FOR YOU.
HERE, LOOK AT A PICTURE OF GENERAL GRANT ON HIS HORSE.
- I AIN'T NO NANCY BOY.
- TAD. TAD.
LOOK--OH, LOOK AT THAT. TOM THUMB.
THAT'S P.T. BARNUM.
OH, LOOK AT THIS. CHANG AND ENG, HUH?
- THESE ARE MORBID, SIR.
LOOK AT THE PARROTT GUN GRANT'S USING AT PETERSBURG, 13 INCHES.
- PA, CAN I SEE?
- TAKE HIM HOME.
- SIR, I PREFER TO STAY WITH YOU.
- CAN'T I SEE 'EM, PA?
- COME, TAD. LET'S GO GET A LEMON ICE.
- [gasps] CAN I GET STRAWBERRY?
- MY FAVORITE. - THREE CHEERS FOR HILL!
HOORAY!
[somber music]
♪ ♪
- [gasps]
OH, THERE YOU ARE.
HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN YOUR PROMISE?
NETTIE COLBURN'S HERE. EVERYONE'S WAITING.
MAY I PRESENT NETTIE COLBURN.
- SO THIS IS THE FAMOUS NETTIE.
- YES, SIR. SO HONORED, SIR.
I INSISTED MY FATHER VOTE FOR YOU.
- MR. PRESIDENT, AN HONOR, SIR.
WE ARE ACCUSTOMED TO SIT IN A CIRCLE.
WE WAIT UNTIL ONE OF OUR SPIRIT FRIENDS
TAKES CONTROL OF MISS COLBURN.
- MR. PRESIDENT, PLEASED TO MAKE YOUR ACQUAINTANCE.
EZRA BAMFORD, M.D.
- NOW I HAVE SEEN THE ELEPHANT.
- SHH! - SIR,
I HAVE TRAVELED A LONG WAY TO TELL YOU THIS:
STAND FAST BY GENERAL GRANT AND RICHMOND WILL BE YOURS.
- ARE YOU A MILITARY DOCTOR THEN?
- NO. I WAS A COUNTRY DOCTOR, BUT I AM GIVEN TO KNOW
THAT STRONG PARTIES URGE YOU TO DISMISS GRANT.
THEY SAY THE COST IS TOO HIGH,
HE'LL NEVER PREVAIL, HE'LL COST YOU THE ELECTION,
BUT MR. PRESIDENT, YOU MUST IN NOWISE HEED SUCH COUNSEL.
STAND FIRM BEHIND YOUR CONVICTIONS
AND FEARLESSLY PERFORM THE WORK
FOR WHICH YOU HAVE BEEN ELEVATED.
- AND THIS, YOU ARE "GIVEN TO KNOW"?
- I AM, SIR.
- AND ARE YOU "GIVEN TO KNOW"
HOW MANY BOYS HAVE CROSSED INTO YOUR REALM,
THANKS TO THE WORK I HAVE ALREADY PERFORMED?
- A GREAT MANY. - 300,000, DR. BAMFORD.
AN ENTIRE CITY OF BOYS.
- THEY MADE THE SACRIFICE PROUDLY.
- OH, YOU DARE SPEAK FOR THEM?
YOU SPEAK FOR THEIR MOTHERS AS WELL?
- YOURS IS NOT AN EASY TASK, MR. PRESIDENT.
YOU BEAR IT HEROICALLY.
- "HEROICALLY."
I CONDEMN MULTITUDES WITH A PEN.
I AM INCOMPETENT.
AND IT WAS MY OWN SELF-SERVING AMBITION
WHICH ELEVATED ME!
[gunfire and cannon blasts]
[explosions and yelling]
- NO PRESIDENT HAS EVER STOOD IN THE FIELD OF BATTLE!
YOUR PLACE, SIR, IS ON THAT BOAT.
MUST MARY BURY ANOTHER LINCOLN?
- LIEUTENANT!
REMOVE MARSHAL LAMON FROM THE FORT.
[overlapping yelling and gunfire]
- [grunts]
[grunting]
LINCOLN!
- FIRE! [cannon blasts]
[muffled cannon blasts, high-pitched tone]
- [muffled] YOU THERE! STAND DOWN!
GET THAT DAMNED FOOL OFF MY PARAPET!
[sound returns to normal]
- [grunts]
- YOU WILL STOP!
- RELEASE ME! - I SHALL NOT!
[explosion]
FOR THREE YEARS, I HAVE FOUGHT SPIES, TRAITORS,
AND ASSASSINS WHO SEEK TO DESTROY YOU,
AND YET, MORE THAN ANY OF THEM, IT IS YOU,
YOU, SIR, WHO ENDANGER THE LIFE OF THE ONLY MAN
FIT TO COMMAND OUR SHIP OF STATE!
- LIEUTENANT! - BE STILL!
[explosion]
YOU ANSWER ME ONE QUESTION,
AND THEN YOU MAY RETURN TO THE CANNON'S MOUTH,
AND THE DEVIL TAKE YOU! - WHAT?
- WHEN YOU STOOD IN THE LINE OF FIRE,
OTHER MEN FELL. WHY WAS YOUR LIFE SPARED?
- I DON'T KNOW! - BECAUSE, SIR,
YOU ARE COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF AN ARMY
FIGHTING A NECESSARY WAR.
[overlapping yelling] BUT THAT ARMY MUST TAKE LIFE.
I KNOW YOU HATE IT.
IT IS A TERRIBLE DESTINY, SIR, BUT IF YOU DID NOT HATE IT SO,
THE ALMIGHTY HIMSELF WOULD NOT HAVE SELECTED YOU FOR IT.
[explosion]
- HILL, I-- - YES?
[gunfire and cannon blasts]
- I MUST RETURN TO THE WHITE HOUSE!
- THANK YOU.
- THANK YOU,HILL.
- WELL, THAT'S WHY YOU BRUNG ME.
NOW, COME!
[The Wayfaring Stranger by Dave Alvin]
♪ ♪
- ♪ I AM A POOR ♪
♪ WAYFARING STRANGER ♪
♪ A-TRAVELING THROUGH ♪
♪ THIS WORLD OF WOE ♪
♪ YET THERE'S NO SICKNESS ♪
♪ TOIL, NOR DANGER ♪
♪ IN THAT BRIGHT WORLD ♪
♪ TO WHICH I GO ♪
♪ I'M GOING THERE ♪
♪ TO SEE MY FATHER ♪
♪ I'M GOING THERE NO MORE TO ROAM ♪
- HILL.
- ♪ I'M ONLY GOING OVER JORDAN ♪
I HAVE SOMETHING TO TELL YOU.
COME.
- ♪ I'M ONLY GOING OVER HOME ♪
- YOU KNOW HOW I HATE TO RIDE ABOUT WITH ARMED GUARDS.
- I HAVE OBSERVED THE PHENOMENON.
- WELL, YOU NEEDN'T WORRY ANY LONGER.
- MUCH OBLIGED. JUST WAKE ME UP
BEFORE YOU ABSQUATULATE INTO THE NIGHT.
- I MEAN THE GUARDS WILL NO LONGER BE NECESSARY.
- COME AGAIN?
- HILL, LAST NIGHT,
I RODE OUT TO THE SUMMER RESIDENCE ALONE--
- I KNOW. - I WAS JOGGING ALONG
AT A SLOW GATE, IMMERSED IN CONTEMPLATION.
SUDDENLY, BANG!
I WAS SEPARATED FROM MY $8 PLUG HAT
WITH NO ASSENT ON MY PART, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED.
IT WAS RETURNED TO ME THIS MORNING,
RATHER THE WORSE FOR WEAR, I'M AFRAID.
- THIS IS YOUR EVIDENCE FOR THE CLAIM, "I NEED NO GUARDS"?
- HILL, THE ALMIGHTY SPARED ME FOR A PURPOSE.
- YES, HE DID, BUT IT WOULD BE A SIN TO RELY ON HIS GOOD NATURE
WHEN YOU HAVE EARTHLY GUARDS CLOSE AT HAND.
- HILL, I SEE IT NOW.
I WILL BE SPARED UNTIL MY PURPOSE IS ACCOMPLISHED...
- THANK-- - AND THEN...
WHEN THE WAR IS FINALLY WON, I SHALL BE GATHERED UNTO WILLIE,
ELLSWORTH, NED, ALL THE OTHER BOYS.
THE VEIL BETWEEN THEM AND ME IS THIN ALREADY,
BUT I WILL NOT BE TAKEN UNTIL THEN.
THIS HAT IS THE PROOF.
- WHAT IF LAST NIGHT WAS SIMPLY A NEAR MISS,
AND YOU ARE ALIVE TODAY
BECAUSE I HAVE REPEATEDLY SAVED YOU THESE PAST FOUR YEARS?
- WHY THEN, MY FRIEND,
WE ARE BOTH GOD'S INSTRUMENTS.
- MR. PRESIDENT, THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
- MESSAGE FROM SHERMAN.
"ATLANTA IS OURS, AND FAIRLY WON."
- YIPPEE! [laughs]
- THE FALL OF ATLANTA TRANSFORMED THE NATIONAL MOOD.
CANDIDATE MCCLELLAN WAS ALL BUT FORGOTTEN,
AND MR. LINCOLN SWEPT TO A SECOND TERM.
- I HAVE GIVEN THE MATTER MUCH THOUGHT.
I NOW RELEASE YOU FROM YOUR PROMISE.
- MY PROMISE?
- I WILL SACRIFICE MY AMBASSADORSHIP TO FRANCE
SO THAT YOU MAY RETAIN MY COMPANIONSHIP HERE.
- I SEE.
WARD HILL LAMON, YOU HAVE THE THANKS OF A GRATEFUL NATION
AND MY OWN.
GOOD NIGHT, OLD FRIEND.
- SHERMAN NOW PLANNED A THOUSAND-MILE MARCH
THROUGH THE HEART OF THE SOUTH
IN ORDER TO JOIN GRANT AT RICHMOND.
SHERMAN MADE GEORGIA HOWL.
BUT AS THE ENEMY WAS CORNERED, SO HE BECAME MORE DANGEROUS.
HIS NEXT PLOT WAS ALMOST ADMIRABLE
FOR ITS SHEER AMBITION.
MR. LINCOLN WAS TO BE KIDNAPPED,
AND EXCHANGED FOR 200,000 PRISONERS.
HALT AND IDENTIFY YOURSELF!
- THROW DOWN YOUR WEAPON NOW!
- I WILL THROW DOWN YOUR SOULS BEFORE I THROW DOWN--
- MARSHAL LAMON, IS THAT YOU?
- MR. STANTON?
- IS THE PRESIDENT WITH YOU?
- NO, SIR. I COME IN SEARCH OF HIM.
- WELL, HE'S NOT HERE,
AND I AM GROWING EXCEEDINGLY CONCERNED FOR HIS SAFETY.
- AS AM I, SIR, AS AM I.
HUP!
- GOOD NIGHT, SENATOR.
GOOD NIGHT, YOUR EXCELLENCY.
- GOOD NIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT. - GOOD NIGHT, MR. PRESIDENT.
- OH. [laughing] HILL, THERE YOU ARE.
GOOD EVENING. - YOU WENT TO THE THEATER?
- YES, YES. A SUPERIOR OTHELLO.
- YOU WENT TO THE THEATER UNATTENDED.
- NO, I--
- WHEN I SAY "UNATTENDED," I MEAN
YOU WENT WITH CHARLES SUMNER AND A FOREIGN MINISTER,
NEITHER OF WHOM COULD DEFEND HIMSELF
AGAINST THE ASSAULT OF AN ABLE-BODIED WOMAN.
- YOU KNOW THAT YOUR LIFE IS SOUGHT-AFTER,
AND THAT I HAVE PROVIDED MEN TO SAFEGUARD YOUR PERSON.
I, MYSELF, AM ALWAYS READY TO PERFORM THE DUTY
WHEN I AM NOT OUT PLAYING THE DETECTIVE.
YET, DESPITE ALL OF THIS, YOU CHOOSE TO ELUDE US.
SO BE IT.
BUT I WILL NOT PASS INTO HISTORY AS THE MAN WHO LOST LINCOLN.
YOU SHALL HAVE MY RESIGNATION IN THE MORNING.
- I CANNOT FAULT YOU.
- I SHALL MISS YOU, SIR.
- PERHAPS MR. LINCOLN DID NOT FAULT YOU, BUT I DO.
- THERE IS MORE. - I HAVE HEARD ENOUGH. I--
- LET HIM FINISH. BILLY.
- MY WIFE IS AS HANDSOME AS WHEN SHE WAS A GIRL...
AND I, A POOR NOBODY, FELL IN LOVE WITH HER.
WHAT IS MORE, I'VE NEVER FALLEN OUT.
- THE LOST ARMY IS FOUND.
- FROM SHERMAN? NEWS FROM SHERMAN.
- "MR. PRESIDENT, I BEG TO PRESENT TO YOU,
AS A CHRISTMAS GIFT, THE CITY OF SAVANNAH."
[laughter] - MARVELOUS TIDINGS.
- NOW, HE HAS ONLY TO TRANSECT THE CAROLINAS,
AND-- - MR. PRESIDENT,
A WORD, IF YOU PLEASE?
WHERE IS LAMON?
- HE WAS CALLED AWAY.
- WELL, HE MUST BE CALLED BACK.
THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT
NOW RUNNING IN THE SOUTHERN PAPERS.
"IF THE CITIZENS OF THE CONFEDERACY
"WILL FURNISH ME WITH CASH OR GOOD SECURITIES
"IN THE SUM OF $1 MILLION,
"I WILL CAUSE THE LIVES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN,
"WILLIAM H. SEWARD, AND ANDREW JOHNSON TO BE TAKEN
BY THE FIRST OF MARCH NEXT."
- THE SECRETARY OF STATE WILL BE HONORED
TO HAVE BEEN MENTIONED AHEAD OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT.
- YOU JOKE, SIR.
- MR. STANTON, THAT MAN WILL NEVER RAISE A COLD MILLION.
- HE NEED ONLY TO APPLY IN MONTREAL.
REBEL AGENTS THERE ARE DISPERSING ENORMOUS SUMS
FOR JUST SUCH OPERATIONS.
KILLERS ARE COMING, MR. PRESIDENT.
IT IS THE ENEMY'S ONLY HOPE,
AND YOUR CONTINUED DISREGARD FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL PERSON
IS NIGH UNTO TREASON!
- I BELIEVE THAT I WILL BE SPARED, MR. STANTON,
AT LEAST UNTIL THE WAR-- - JUST--JUST ANSWER.
WHERE IS LAMON?
- I CANNOT SAY.
[thunder rumbling]
"BOTH READ THE SAME BIBLE...
AND PRAY TO THE SAME GOD."
[thunderclap]
"IT MAY SEEM STRANGE
THAT ANY MAN SHOULD DARE TO ASK..."
[thunder rumbling]
"SHOULD DARE TO ASK A JUST GOD'S ASSISTANCE
IN WRINGING THEIR BREAD..."
"FROM THE SWEAT OF OTHER MEN'S FACES."
[thunderclap]
"LET US JUDGE NOT, THAT WE BE NOT JUDGED."
- BANG.
- [scoffs]
- HAVE YOU ANY IDEA HOW EASY IT IS TO REACH YOUR PERSON?
- DID YOU PLAN TO KILL ME YOURSELF
BY WAY OF EXTREME FRIGHT?
- IT IS THE GUARDS AROUND THIS MANSION
WHO WILL SOON SUFFER EXTREME FRIGHT.
- ARE YOU BACK THEN? - WELL...
IF I'M TO BE THE MAN WHO LOST LINCOLN,
AT LEAST I SHALL DO SO WHILE STANDING MY POST.
- GOOD.
I NEED A PROPER MARSHAL OF CEREMONIES.
[thunder rumbling]
- IF ANY OF YOU SHOULD FAIL TO PROTECT THE PRESIDENT,
GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOUL,
FOR I SHALL HAVE NONE.
TAKE YOUR POSTS.
EVERYONE KNOWS WHAT THRONGS ASSEMBLE TO WITNESS
THE INAUGURATION OF A PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
IT IS ASTONISHING THAT ANY MAN COULD HAVE SERIOUSLY ENTERTAINED
THE THOUGHT OF ASSASSINATING MR. LINCOLN
IN THE PRESENCE OF SUCH A CONCOURSE OF CITIZENS,
AND YET, THERE WAS SUCH A MAN IN THE ASSEMBLAGE.
HE WAS THERE FOR THE SINGLE PURPOSE
OF MURDERING OUR LEADER IN THE VAIN HOPE
THAT THE SOUTH MIGHT THEREBY RISE AGAIN.
THAT MAN WAS JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
- IT'S LOVELY OUT, IT'S WONDERFUL.
BRISK OUT. [laughs] [thunder rumbling]
I MUST CONGRATULATE HIM.
[struggling]
I MUST CONGRATULATE THE PRESIDENT.
- HAD I KNOWN THE BLACKGUARD'S TRUE INTENT,
BOOTH'S EYES WOULD HAVE NEVER AGAIN BEHELD THE SUN.
- UNHAND ME! UNHAND ME, YOU ILL-BRED HARLOT!
- BUT I THANK GOD WE DETERRED THE VILLAIN THAT DAY,
AND THAT WE THEREBY ENABLED MR. LINCOLN
TO DELIVER HIS SPEECH,
FOR IT WAS NOT AN INAUGURAL ADDRESS.
IT WAS A FAREWELL,
AND HIS WORDS OF PARTING SHALL FOREVER CONVEY HIS SPIRIT
TO ANYONE NOT BLESSED TO KNOW HIM AS WE DID.
[cheers and applause]
- WITH MALICE TOWARD NONE,
WITH CHARITY FOR ALL,
WITH FIRMNESS IN THE RIGHT,
AS GOD GIVES US TO SEE THE RIGHT,
LET US STRIVE ON TO FINISH THE WORK WE ARE IN,
TO BIND UP THE NATION'S WOUNDS,
TO CARE FOR HIM WHO SHALL HAVE BORNE THE BATTLE,
AND FOR HIS WIDOW, AND HIS ORPHAN,
TO DO ALL WHICH MAY ACHIEVE AND CHERISH
A JUST AND A LASTING PEACE,
AMONG OURSELVES AND WITH ALL NATIONS.
[cheers and applause]
- WELL DONE, SIR.
[cheers and applause continue]
WELL DONE.
APRIL 10th, 1865.
WE AWOKE TO THE SOUND OF A CANNON...
[cannon blasts]
[fanfare playing]
A 500-GUN SALUTE TO THE PRESIDENT.
[fireworks screeching] THE WAR WAS WON.
[Hail to the Chiefplaying]
[cheers and applause]
♪ ♪
- A CAUSE FOR A NATIONAL THANKSGIVING
IS BEING PREPARED AND WILL BE DULY PROMULGATED.
[cheers]
BUT FOR NOW, I SHALL REQUEST
ONE OF THE BEST SONGS I EVER HEARD.
CAPTAIN,
LET THE BAND PLAY DIXIE.
[booing and jeering]
IT IS TIME TO RETURN IT TO THE NATIONAL SONGBOOK.
[booing and jeering]
- PLAY BATTLE HYMN!
[booing and jeering] - PLEASE.
FRIENDS.
[booing and jeering]
- ♪ I WISH I WAS IN THE LAND OF COTTON ♪
♪ OLD TIMES THERE ARE NOT FORGOTTEN ♪
- ♪ LOOK AWAY, LOOK AWAY ♪
♪ LOOK AWAY IN DIXIELAND ♪
[band joining in] ♪ IN DIXIELAND ♪
♪ WHERE I WAS BORN IN ♪
[crowd joining in] ♪ EARLY ON ♪
♪ THE FROSTY MORNING ♪
♪ LOOK AWAY, LOOK AWAY ♪
♪ LOOK AWAY IN DIXIELAND ♪
♪ I WISH I WAS IN DIXIE ♪
♪ HOORAY! HOORAY! ♪
♪ IN DIXIELAND I'LL TAKE MY STAND ♪
♪ TO LIVE AND DIE IN DIXIE ♪
♪ AWAY, AWAY ♪
♪ AWAY DOWN SOUTH IN DIXIE ♪
[party chatter and music]
OLD FRIEND.
- ON SUCH A NIGHT AS THIS, PUT ASIDE YOUR TEMPERATE WAYS
AND HAVE YOURSELF A BUMPER.
[glasses clink]
- HILL...
I HAVE A MISSION FOR YOU. - OH?
- I NEED AN AMBASSADOR,
A VIRGINIAN WITH TACT...
- [belches]
BEG PARDON.
- TACT AND DIPLOMACY,
TO CONVEY A MESSAGE TO RICHMOND.
ALL THAT MATTERS NOW IS RECONSTRUCTION,
AND I NEED OUR BEST MEN ON THE JOB.
- I CAN SEE WHY YOU THOUGHT OF ME, BUT--
- HILL, YOU ARE GOING.
- THE WAR...
IS OVER.
- AND THANK GOD I'VE LIVED TO SEE IT.
AND THANK YOU, HILL.
- BUT YOU ARE STILL IN DANGER.
- OH, COME, COME. THE WAR IS DONE.
NOW, BE A GOOD AMBASSADOR AND GO TO RICHMOND.
- BUT-- - HILL...
YOU ARE GOING.
- WILL YOU PROMISE ME ONE THING?
- ANYTHING WITHIN MY POWER.
- DO NOT GO OUT AT NIGHT,
PARTICULARLY TO THE THEATER.
- [laughs] HILL,
YOU ARE A MONOMANIAC ON THIS SUBJECT.
I PROMISE, I WILL DO THE BEST I CAN FOR YOU.
- I SHALL KNOW IT IF YOU DON'T.
- GOOD-BYE, HILL.
AND GODSPEED.
- GOOD-BYE, LINCOLN.
THAT WAS THE LAST TIME I EVER SAW MY FRIEND.
YOU ASKED ME WHY I DID NOT SAVE MR. LINCOLN.
I DID NOT SAVE MR. LINCOLN
BECAUSE MR. LINCOLN DID NOT WISH TO BE SAVED.
HE COMPLETED HIS WORK,
AND HE EARNED HIS REST.
NOW, YOU WILL DO WHAT YOU MUST.
[bell tolls in the distance]
[somber violin music]
♪ ♪
HOW THAT MAN LOVED TO LAUGH...
- YES, YOU TWO BOTH LOOK-- [laughter]
- AND LOW COMEDY WAS HIS FAVORITE.
- NOW, SOME GALS AND MOTHERS WOULD GO AWAY FROM SUCH A FELLOW
WHEN THEY FIND THAT OUT. [laughter]
- THE VILLAIN WAITED FOR THE PLAY'S BIGGEST LAUGH
TO COVER THE SOUND OF HIS PISTOL.
- [laughs]
- AND THAT IS WHAT ENABLED MR. LINCOLN TO LEAVE THIS WORLD
DOING WHAT HE LOVED MOST.
[indistinct stage dialogue]
- [laughing]
- WHAT WILL MS. HARRIS THINK OF ME HANGING ON TO YOU SO?
- SHE WON'T THINK ANYTHING ABOUT IT.
[door opens]
[indistinct stage dialogue]
[laughs]
[The Battle Hymn of the Republicby Dave Alvin]
[females humming melody]
♪ ♪
- ♪ MINE EYES HAVE SEEN THE GLORY ♪
♪ OF THE COMING OF THE LORD ♪
♪ HE IS TRAMPLING OUT THE VINTAGE ♪
♪ WHERE THE GRAPES OF WRATH ARE STORED ♪
♪ HE HATH LOOSED THE FATEFUL LIGHTNING ♪
♪ OF HIS TERRIBLE SWIFT SWORD ♪
♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ HIS TRUTH IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
♪ I HAVE SEEN HIM IN THE WATCH FIRES ♪
♪ OF A HUNDRED CIRCLING CAMPS ♪
♪ THEY HAVE BUILDED HIM AN ALTAR ♪
♪ IN THE EVENING DEWS AND DAMPS ♪
♪ I CAN READ HIS RIGHTEOUS SENTENCE ♪
♪ BY THE DIM AND FLARING LAMPS ♪
♪ HIS DAY IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
both: ♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ HIS DAY IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
- ♪ HE HAS SOUNDED FORTH THE TRUMPET ♪
♪ THAT SHALL NEVER CALL RETREAT ♪
♪ HE IS SIFTING OUT THE HEARTS OF MEN ♪
♪ BEFORE HIS JUDGMENT SEAT ♪
♪ O, BE SWIFT, MY SOUL, TO ANSWER HIM ♪
♪ BE JUBILANT, MY FEET ♪
♪ OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
all: ♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
- ♪ HE IS COMING LIKE THE GLORY ♪
♪ OF THE MORNING ON THE WAVE ♪
♪ HE IS WISDOM TO THE MIGHTY ♪
♪ HE IS SUCCOR TO THE BRAVE ♪
♪ SO THE WORLD SHALL BE HIS FOOTSTOOL ♪
♪ AND THE SOUL OF TIME HIS SLAVE ♪
♪ OUR GOD IS MARCHING ON ♪
♪ ♪
all: ♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ GLORY, GLORY ♪
♪ HALLELUJAH ♪
♪ OUR GOD ♪
♪ IS MARCHING ON ♪
[folk music]
♪ ♪