April 21, 1865

Seven days after his death, Lincoln's body began the long trainride home to Springfield, Illinois. Lincoln's picture was afixed to the front of the locomotive, with over 300 people filing onto the train for its departure from Washington. Willie Lincoln's body was also on board. The train, dubbed the Lincoln Special, drew huge crowds at every stop. It left Washington at 8:00 am, April 21, traveling the short distance to Baltimore. Here the coffin was viewed by over 10,000 people in a 3 hour period. Next, the train went to Harrisburg, Pa., where over 40,000 people lined up to pay their respects to a great leader. By April 23rd the train had reached Philadelphia, Pa, with over 300,000 people visiting the coffin. The train then went to New York, where the coffin was placed at City Hall for viewing. When the train reached Buffalo, N.Y. over 100,000 more people came. The next stops were Cleveland, Oh., Columbus, Oh, Indianapolis, In., Chicago, Ill. The train reached Springfield May 3rd where his body was placed in the Hall of Representatives in the State House. Ironically, it was the same room he'd given his "House Divided Speech" only 7 years earlier. The next day, Lincoln's funeral was hot and humid. The coffin was placed on a beautiful hearse sent from St. Louis. Major General Joseph Hooker led the procession, which wound its way through the city of Springfield to Oak Ridge Cemetery. Old Bob, the President's horse followed the hearse. Mary Todd Lincoln was too distraught to leave Washington and was not in attendance. A grave site oration was given by Bishop Matthew Simpson, followed by the benediction, which was given by Dr. P.D. Gurley. Inside the tomb, two coffins were visible, the late President and his son Willie. When the service was over, the tomb was closed, and a nation sadly said goodbye.