Lincoln meets politely with Confederate commissioners but concludes that the war must run its course. Lincoln reluctantly names Chase as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Chase's political chances dim, however, and Sherman's victory at Atlanta ensures Lincoln's reelection.

Kate Chase marries rich William Sprague to fund her father's campaign without knowing that Sprague is involved in smuggling. The 1862 elections reduce the Republican majority, and the party looks for an alternative candidate in 1864. She marks completion of the renovation by a controversial party, soon after which she loses her son Willie, and with his death, she loses her mind.Ī succession of generals try and fail Congress authorizes a military draft that causes rioting in New York City, and Lincoln prepares to free Southern slaves as a military necessity. Lincoln incurs enormous debt and is connected to the sale of Lincoln's secret message to Congress to the press. To restore the White House's lost elegance, Mrs. A young pharmacist, David Herold, joins the vast rebel spy ring watching the White House.Ĭhase talks to bankers to finance the war, but nothing goes right on the battlefield. When Fort Sumter falls shortly after his inauguration, Lincoln calls up the militia and suspends the writ of habeas corpus to keep Maryland in the Union and avoid Washington being cut off. Chase and Seward are both preparing for White House runs for 1864. Also vying for power are the Cooke brothers and the Blairs, whose 'Old Gentleman' father longs for a return to power as in the Age of Jackson. Seward at the State Department and Salmon P.

He assembles a diverse Cabinet including political rivals William H. Marked for assassination as President-elect, Lincoln must sneak into Washington, DC, incognito, on 23 Feb. The ending, by his secretary, argues in hindsight that Lincoln is the greatest American president, who offers himself as atonement to the nation. It follows the course of political and military battles from his arrival in Washington, D.C., through his assassination. Lincoln is an historical novel by Gore Vidal, covering the time of Abraham Lincoln's troubled presidency, 1861-1864.

Lincoln by gore vidal