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1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History

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Charles Bracelen Flood graduated from Harvard with ambitions to become a creative writer. After writing two early novels, he began to write history and biography. In recent years, Flood has turned his formidable writing skills to the American Civil War, writing a moving biography of the final years of Robert E. Lee and, in 2006, his "Grant and Sherman: the Friendship that Won the Civil War." Flood is an outstanding popular historian who uses his literary skills, interest in character, and ability to tell a story, to educate and to entertain.

Flood's latest book "1864:Lincoln at the Gates" begins slowly, but it soon gathers momentum as Flood ties together the threads of Lincoln's life and the progress of the Nation's life during the momentous year of 1864. In 1864, Lincoln stood for reelection to the presidency. The military aspect of the Civil War also came to a climax as Ulysses Grant became commander of the Union armies. Political and military affairs both took see-saw courses during 1864. Flood's book, with its novelistic skill in plots and sub-plots admirably ties together politics and military affairs together with much more about Lincoln's life and character.

The book shows Lincoln both as an idealist and as a consummately masterful politician. At the beginning of 1864, Lincoln's renomination was much in doubt. He was under attack from the radical wing of his party, including his Secretary of the Treasury Salmon P. Chase, who wished a more aggressive prosecution of the war. Chase worked surreptitiously and feverishly to secure the presidential nomination for himself. Lincoln was also under attack from the various wings of the Democratic party, both those which supported the war effort and those which favored an immediate end to the conflict and a peace with the South. Flood shows how Lincoln used political muscle and acumen to secure the nomination and how Lincoln was involved in the fateful decision to give the vice-presidential nomination to Andrew Johnson. After securing the nomination, Lincoln, and most experts, believed up through August that Lincoln would likely lose the presidency to the Democratic candidate, General George McClellan. Military and political events late in the year worked to change the situation.

Flood's book does not include the detailed accounts of military movements that are found in many military studies of the conflict. His discussions of the Wilderness campaign, Cold Harbor, Grant's movement south to Petersburg, the Crater, Early's raid on Washington, Sheridan's campaign in the Shenandoah Valley, Sherman's capture of Atlanta and march to the Sea, and Thomas's victories at Franklin and Nashville are riveting, easy to follow, and compelling. More important, Flood places these military events in their political context and shows how they effected Lincoln's fortunes and the course of the 1864 election.

Flood also describes some of the other events that made 1864 a memorable year even apart from the Civil War, including the beginning of the transcontinental railroad, expansion of the telegraph, and a massive increase in immigration and industrialization. His portrayal of Lincoln suggests something of the complex inner workings of the man, including his troubled relationship with his wife Mary Todd. Flood offers a telling little scene of Lincoln playing with three stray cats on a visit to Grant near the end of the war. The book places great emphasis on Lincoln's meetings in his "shop" with common people seeking relief of various kinds from the vicissitudes of the conflict. Lincoln's meetings with Frederick Douglass are described as well as Lincoln's less well-known meeting with the abolitionist and feminist leader, Sojourner Truth. Lincoln's failings are shown as well. For example, there are some details in this book about Lincoln's involvement in black-market trade in cotton during the course of the war. The picture that emerges is that of a highly gifted, driven, but very human leader.

In this year of the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth and of national transition, there have already been many books encouraging reflection about Lincoln. For readers with a good basic overview of Lincoln and of the Civil War, this study by Charles Bracelen Flood will be an excellent choice.

Robin Friedman

I have to start off by saying that this was far from the first book I had read on the Civil War...but it was the first book that I have read that was solely devoted to Lincoln. And I have to say that Flood really paints a personal portrait of a man that few people really know outside of his iconic image in American history. Lincoln the politician was so much smarter and better at political maneuvering than I think people have ever given him credit for...Lincoln the man was so unassuming in his interactions with the public - he seemed to care deeply for, and carry the burdens of, his constituents with him at all times...something that weighed heavily on his mind towards the end of the war. The best part of this book to me is that Flood's portrait of Lincoln is painted, not only with historical facts, but also with anecdotes and stories from the folks who actually had interactions with Lincoln during the last full year of his life.

This book also sheds light on many of the brilliant (and often on the Union side, the unfortunately misguided) military leaders on both sides of the conflict...but without getting into accounts of the battles that are too detailed so as to detract from the overall flow of the story that takes the reader through the full year of 1864.

Flood is a truly a first class writer...for a book of considerable length, I couldn't put it down. By the time I reached the end of this book, I'll be honest - we all know how Lincoln's story ends...but there was a part of me that wanted history to be re-written...a part of me that hoped that an assassin's bullet wouldn't have taken this great leader, this great man, from his country when it needed him the most. As illogical as that may initially appear, once you spend so many pages delving into the character and personality of someone such as Lincoln, you can't help but feel the loss all over again.

All in all, a highly enjoyable read...and one that is HIGHLY recommended!

A narrative--aimed at the general reader--of the year that clinched Abraham Lincoln's place in history.

Charles Bracelen Flood writes within the known facts of 1864 but with an eye to the interesting tale; he is a storyteller, not a dry academic expert. While an admirer of Abraham Lincoln, Mr. Flood still is balanced in his approach to this very human leader.

The book is quite good at showing the multitude of political, war, and social obligations/decisions that bombarded Mr. Lincoln in a year that might have seen victory tipped either way in terms of both military and political battlefields. Intense presidential election-year infighting is nicely described, while some of the key military incidents of the year are highlighted, such as the Early's bold raid on the Capital, the Union's disaster at the Crater, Sheridan's ride from Winchester, and Sherman's March to the Sea.

As Wellington said after the battle of Waterloo, "It was a close run thing."

As I once wrote in a review of a book about the Clintons, too much about Abraham Lincoln is never enough. And as with Maureen Waller's wonderful `London 1945,' an historian's concentration on one year of a person's (or in her case, a city's) life allows a level of detail and rumination invariably impossible in an account of a more expansive period.

And such is the case with `1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History.' Though reflecting the very latest scholarship on the period and Lincoln's life, there is little new in Charles Bracelen Flood's account of those fateful twelve months. Rather, it is the seamless way the author treats with the year's pivotal events and their principal actors that sets this book apart from other, more comprehensive treatments. Although Flood is a wonderful writer, the reader is constantly, and pleasurably, reminded throughout the read how susceptible the material is to simply getting lost and spending too much time on one or more of the crucial events that shaped the course of the year and lives of the protagonists. But Flood never fails to maintain his perspective and thus paints a balanced and surprisingly refreshing picture of subject matter well known to the serious Lincoln/Civil War reader.

Two things stood out for me. One is the fact that Honest Abe was a politician through and through who could mix it up with his most astute and generally more ruthless opponents. If it was expedient to direct one or more of his generals to allow their men leave to go home to vote, so be it. If one or more competitors for power had to be appointed to the Supreme Court or other choice offices to get them out of the way despite the moves sticking in Lincoln's craw, it was done. Flood's account of these machinations may be a bit jarring to those who, perhaps understandably, worship, as opposed to respect, the man, but they serve as a useful reminder that Lincoln couldn't have accomplished what he did without playing the political game as sharply as anyone.

The second is Flood's thoroughgoing, but never maudlin or obtrusive, portrayal of Lincoln's unique character and the equally unique role it played in coping with the year's fearsome challenges. As the reader reflects on the man's courage, steadfastness in the face of doubters...and haters, never-failing sense of humor, seemingly bottomless compassion for the least among us, and, yes, that most uncommon of virtues, common sense, one cannot help but assay these traits against those of our modern presidents and world leaders. The inescapable conclusion is that Lincoln is so widely loved and respected not because he freed the slaves and or was martyred but because he was that unusual, and that wonderful, a human being.

As with everything, there is both good and bad in this book. First, the good... Flood is an engaging author who includes a plethora of fascinating details about so many of the individuals involved in this conflict. Beyond President Lincoln, Flood paints pictures of Mary Lincoln, Generals Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, and the various Cabinet members. I've read quite a bit about Abraham Lincoln, but I finished the book with a wealth of knew information and understandings.

I also really liked that Flood used sources beyond the norm. He references soldier's diaries and letters, family accounts, and dozens of letters from people outside the immediate circle. This added a richness and depth to the story not typical.

As for the bad, Flood's writing is a bit (read: very) scattered at times. Although the book is supposed to be about 1864, he jumps around throughout the entire presidency. While in some places, this was necessary for context, it seemed out of place many others. I had the distinct impression that some of the references, which seemed so completely tangential, were included simply because Flood found an interesting factoid that he wanted to include somewhere, anywhere -- regardless of its relevance. When I first started reading the book, I had to return to the beginning to read the first 1/3 a second time because of this disorganization. Perhaps I'm too linear in my thinking, but I found it frustratingly tangential and, at times, random.

Flood also repeats quotes, facts and references unnecessarily. By the third or fourth time, those items lost their impact and left me wondering if (1) he thinks the readers are stupid or (2) was unaware that he was repeating himself. Maybe he needs a better editor...

At the end of the day (book), I did enjoy it and like I said, learned a great deal. I'd still highly recommend it, with a caveat to my more linear-brained friends.

1864 Lincoln at the Gates of History by Charles Bracelen Flood

This book is a chronological study of the year 1864 with Lincoln as the main tragic character - but it is so much more.

Author Flood makes frequent deviations from Lincoln's story to relate fascinating human interest anecdotes, or delves into little known events to present a noteworthy account supported by pertinent quotations - these "little stories" not only propels the narrative but humanizes what for many could be a new rendition of many well know historical events. I would like to list just few of the accounts that I found most interesting, many of which were frankly unknown to this reader.

Lincoln the Patronage King:
Lincoln has lambasted Douglas during the debates in 1858 as an individual "committed to rewarding his followers with positions involving postoffices, landoffices, marshalships, and cabinet appointments". Lincoln upon taking the oath as President participated in the patronage process wholeheartedly. Of 1,520 men who had presidential appointments under James Buchanan, 1,195 lost their jobs. According to the author "everything was handed out, either for money or as a reward for past or prospective services". Men given jobs by the incoming Lincoln administration understood they would be donation up to 10 percent of their salary to the Republican Party's treasuries. In addition to civilian jobs it was common practice to appoint by State brigadier generals and colonels as political plums to men of no military experience. This practice would haunt the North as these mostly "patronage" officers unwittingly sabotaged the war effort by their lack of military experience and training.

The Northwest Conspiracy:
A secret organization of men from the North, some of them Southern sympathizers considered Lincoln a tyrant whose rule must end. Known as "Order of American Knights", "Knights of the Golden Circle" or "Order of the Sons of Liberty" wished by armed insurrection to take Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri out of the union and form a "Northwestern Confederacy" sympathetic to the South.

Republican Party platform for 1864:
The details of the platform and the discussion of the floor fights made clear the issues that were critical for Lincoln to be reelected.

"The Crater"
Several pages are devoted to detail the mining and subsequent detonation of four tons of explosives under a Confederate strong point outside Petersburg that turned into a monumental disaster for the Union and the end of General Ambrose Burnside's military career. A tragic story well presented.

Francis Carpenter painter of Lincoln signing the Emancipation Proclamation:
The author quotes extensively from Carpenter's journals. Since he was give full access to Lincoln his nuances comments make for compelling reading.

Congressional Bias Against West Pointers:
Many members of the Joint Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War felt that even academy graduates from the North were likely to be Southern sympathizers at heart, men who had little interest in the issue of slavery and retained friendly feeling for brother offices in the Confederacy.

Inflammatory Booklet on Mixing The Races:
The author states the booklet "Miscegenation: The Theory of the Blending of the Races, Applied to the American White man and Negro" was the greatest Trojan horse in the history of American political campaigns. In 1864 Democratic-supporting newspapers began quoting the pamphlet as proof that Lincoln and his party intended to impose these ideas on the nation.

Privileges Accorded to Actors and Actresses:
Actors and actresses were allowed to move freely through Union and Confederate lines in order to give a performance in Savannah or Richmond one month and in Philadelphia or New York the next.

General McClellan and his delay accepting the Democratic 1864 Nomination:
Far from being the inspirational and enthusiastic candidate of the Democratic Party McClellan took nine days to mull over his acceptance of his parties nomination.
The 1964 Democratic convention was held in the "Wigwam" in Chicago. The same location where Lincoln received the nomination in 1860.

Phil Sheridan and Jubal Early in the Shenandoah Valley:
The story of Union general Phil Sheridan and Confederal general Jubal Early for the Shenandoah Valley-critical to the South's food supply- is discussed in detail.

Lincoln's Enrollment Act Story:
The Enrollment Act passed in March 1863 began the military draft. The act permitted s man to avoid service by hiring a substitute for $300. Men older than forty-five were not subject to the draft but could pay $500 to send into the Army a "representative" rather than a substitute. Many wealthy individuals did this to support the war effort. John Staples, a minor who needed his father's permission to enlist, was selected to be Lincoln's representative. Recruit Staples and his father met Lincoln where the President said, "I hope you are one of the fortunate ones".

The author and his research assistants had to have combed through an inordinate amount of primary source volumes to find the pertinent and appropriate quote(s) or excerpt that clearly illuminates the numerous diverse topics covered.


This year we commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War. I found this book in many ways a noteworthy and timely contribution to our understanding of this tragic event. The book includes extensive notes, a bibliography and an index is highly recommended for both students and adults.

I see on Amazon that the hefty trade paperback is selling new for $6.80! What a deal for a masterful book.

1864: Lincoln at the Gates of History is written with a prose that makes the book easy to read, it is easy to find yourself up way past your bedtime. In my opinion, the most impressive aspect of this book is the way the author "blends" the political maneuvering with Lincoln's management of the Civil War. Flood easily moves from one, to the other, seamlessly tying the events together. The author makes a great case for 1864 being one of the most important, if not the most important, single years in our country's history.

I highly recommend this book to anyone that has more than a passing interest in our 16th president. For those that have studied Lincoln, this book offers much new material, that will leave you craving more. I had the opportunity to interview Mr. Flood for my blog. Check it out by going to ThisMightyScourge [dot] com and clicking on the "interviews" category in the right menu.

Michael Noirot
This Mighty Scourge blog
St Louis, Missouri
July 1, 2010

This book offers a quite new perspective of Lincoln and the time. Lincoln there is certainly a very Machiavellian politician, bending all kinds of things for the election, and more important, for his big principle. Author did a fair job to describe several sides of Lincoln, more traditional and familiar Lincoln of idealists, who took care of little people who visited White House; as well as this cunning politician who did all the tricks and back-stage maneuverer for the political convenience. The end result is still not as well as seamless, but the book offers somewhat a more close-to-us Lincoln.

The book does offer some points not as nice as I feel, especially about the military issue. Author spent quite some pages on Battle of Crater, covered all kinds of small details, while skimming over campaigns such as Grant's Overland Campaign or Sherman's Atalanta Campaign, which seems more important in the military and affects the political process more. These two campaigns are probably too complicated for a book mainly about the politics. But why put so much attention on Battle of Crater although I have to say that I learned a lot of interesting details there. Another example is Fisher's Hill of Sheridan's Shenandoah Campaign. Author described it like a front assault, while the flank movement of union force is quite important.

Overall, it is a very interesting book. It intensifies some of my WHAT-IF questions. Lots of corruption that later almost destroyed Grant started from Lincoln's day if not early. What would have Lincoln done if he had not died? Would he be able to rein those in or at least keep them contained? He seemed more cunning and ruthless and maybe he could do it. That would help the civil right in south. ....

In his book, Charles Bracelen Flood succeeds in putting the microsope on the President in his last year in office (and alive). Much detail that had eluded me is brought forth in the book. This includes some of the following:
- The Radical Republicans convention and nomination of John Fremont and how he eventually abandoned the race.
- The key role played by Copperheads in the Democratic convention.
- The intrigue that led to VP Hamlin not being renominated and Andrew Johnson taking his place.
- Copperhead and Confederate schemes to breakoff the Northwest states into a separate country.
- Confederate and Union dialogue for possible peace conferences. Also, all the Confederate spying activity out of Canada.
- Detailed information of how Lincoln ended up choosing Salmon Chase to take Taney's place as Chief Justice.
- More information about talks Lincoln gave when "serenaded" at the White House in the wake of important Union advances.
- Detailed information about Jubal Early's attack upon Washington in July, 1864.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and recommend it without hesitation. I've read perhaps twenty biographies of Lincoln and found this to be an engrossing and enjoyable book.

I must admit my admiration for Lincoln is so great, I willingly accept any volume that offers different material, especially in a laudatory light. Lincoln At The Gate is a more detailed study of his last year in office, and reads well. Some have disputed a few facts, but I believe it is nitpicking. What the author does is give an account of the stress the man was under in continuing to fight a growing unpopular war. He never deviates from his express purpose to preserve the Union. His many acts of kindness and concern are amply illustrated and reinforce what is now accepted as the humanity in this great and good man.