Figure 1.--We have no details yet of this CDV of Willie. SWe helieve it was taken in 1861 just after the Lincolns arrived in Washington. The imaguration took place Narch 1861. It may have been taken earlier, but not much earlier. Willie wears a fairly stanbdard cillar buttining jacket suit with long pants. Notice the white collar and how the parterned stock was made to look like a bow.

Lincoln brought the family with him to Washington (March 1861). They traveled in a whistle stop train tour through the northeast giving his supporters a chance to see him (Feburary 1861). The boys were fascinated by the White House which was an enormous palace compared to the modest Springfield House in which they had grown up. They immediately set out to have the time of their lives. Not White Hiuuse children got up to so many antics a s the Lincoln boys--including the Roosevelt boys--like firing a cannon volley at the cabinet. Wouldn't the Davis boys have liked to do that. Not only was the White House large, but there were litle refinements to tinker with like the bell system. And there was always so much going on, esoecially all the militry activity. Soldiers allowed them to examine their guns and even fire them. And their father and mother often took them on trips around Washington, inncluding the many forts that ringed Washington. What boy would not have thrilled with all that. And when their love of animals becane known, people all over the country began sennding animals to them. And their parents made little real effort to restrain them. Willie was somewhat of a restrint, biut it took more than a 9-10 year old boy to restrain Tad. All of this was not helped when Mary sent their nurse home--a rare economy measure on her part. She took no steps to economize her own clothing and furnishings. And when the press got wind of their advenbtures, it made popular copy in newspapers throughout the country which is why we know a great deal about it. We are not sure just who in the White House spilled the beans. Tragically, nuch of this ended when Willie died and Tad was left on his own. Robert who was older did not live in the White House with them as he had begun college.

Games and Activities

Willie and Tad with Robbert away at school had the White House to themselves and they thoroughly enjoyed romping through the halls and dreaming up adventures. Willie was more even tempered and dutiful than Tad. Unlike Tad who had difficulty focusing his attention, especially on schoolwork, Willie was quite capable of getting down to the business at hand. The boys, despite their differences were very close and shared many interests. In particular they adored animals of all kinds. Their antucs began to be reprted un the oress. Americans loved to read about the boys in their newspapers. When their interest in animals was reported, American deluged the White House with animals of all kinds. To the boys' delight there were soon dogs, rabbits, goats, and ponies. Because the President had no desire to discipline the boys, they did rather much what ever they wanted. The boys as in Springfield had the run of the White House. Lincoln called them, 'my splendid fellows'. Observers wondered why the boys were not disciplined and kept under better control. Uully it was Tad who was behind the more outrageous episodes such as opening fire on the President's cabinet with a toy cannon, but both boys had their share of fun. Normally Tad gave up with the most impressive pranks such as settng up a toll gate with his toy cannon to see his father or setting off the bell system in the White House. Much of this appeared in the press and editors pushed reporters for more details. Willie being the more thoughtful of the two, was somewhat irritated by constantly being watched. He complained, "I wish they wouldn't stare at us so. Hasn't there ever been a boy in the White House before." But he and Tad had a great time. And what an exciting time it must have been for both boys. The White House was full of soldiers. They allowed the boys to examine and even fire their guns. Because of the times, war-related games were popular with the boys, and they even constructed a fort on the White House roof. The war meant that there were many formal events with the President reviewing the troops. Such ceremonies were real favorites for Willie and Tad. When ever they could get permission they accompanied the President when he reviewed the troops at the many army camps ringing Washington. There mother also had an active schedule visiting the troops and wounded soldiers to distribute fruit, books, papers, and other items. The boys also went with her.

Relationships

Neither Mary or the President was as close to Robert as to the other boys. Willie seems closest to his mother. He referred to himself as "Mama's boy". Actually in many ways he took after his father more. [Baker, p. 210.] He did not have Tad's acquisitive edge which was similar to his mother. It was usually Tad who came up with the most outrageous pranks. Willie normally went along with them, but at times he wanted to disengage from Tad's frenetic activity and secluded himself in Mary's room with books, pens, and paper. [Turner and Turner, p. 120.] Willie was the favorite of both parents. Mary said that Willie would be the salvation of her old age. Of all his sons, Willie was the one most like his father in temperament. He enjoyed taking the boy on his lap and reading together. The boys, especially Willie, were a tremendous support to his father during that first year of Civil War. When the President wanted a brief respite from the burden of office, the boys were always available. Willie and the President enjoyed each other's humor. Once when Willie had a cold his parents looked in on him before a party. Mrs. Lincoln had a satin gown with a long train. Willie commented, "Whew! Our cat has a long tail tonight!. Mrs. Lincoln did not reply. The President did softly reply, "Mother, it is my opinion, if some of that tail was nearer the head, it would be in better style.," referring to the bare arms and low-cut neckline of the dress. [Sandburg, ML, p. 93.]

Nurse

The Lincolns had brought a nurse from Springfield to help care for the boys. By all accounts she had her hands full. As a cost cutting measure, however, Mary decided the boys were too old to have a nurse, sent her back to Springfield. At the time, Tad was 8-years old and had not yet begun to dress himself. [Baker, p. 190.] Mary was not known for economy measures. It is interesting that this step was associated with the boys and not here interest in decorating and fashion.

Playmates: The Taft Boys (1861-62)

When the Lincolns arrived in Washington, Tad and Willie were all alone in a huge mansion without any play mates. Mrs. Lincon asked a Mrs. Taft if she might bring her boys over for a visit. We are sure how how the twommothers came in contact or how Mrs. Lincoln knew she had two boys. Her husband was an attorney and chief examiner in the Patent Office. As he was a prominent New York Democrat, with southern connectiins, he lost his job. (This was in an era before civil service reform.) The President found him another Government job, we think because of the Taft children connection. At any rate, Mrs. Taft had her 16-year old teenage daughter, Julia, take her younger brothers, 14-year old Horatio and 11-year old Halsey (Holly) to the White House. The family lived only a few blocks away on Franklin Square. The President and First Lady befriended Julia. Mary Lincoln had always wanted a girl to fuss over and thus was delighted to have a teenager to help keep her compamy. The boys became instant and fast friends. They were a little older than the Lincoln boys, but Wille and Holly were the same age. Mary may have regretted her action as the Taft boys did not calm the Lincoln boys down or divert them, but just added to the tumault in the White House. Julia must have reported the goinngs on when they got home. We do not know what instructions their parents gave the boys, but it does not appear to have had much affect. The Taft boys were part of the infanous gang that opened up cannon fire on the President and his cabinet. Julia at times tried to calm the boys down, but with little success, im part because the President was sometimes in on the fun. After Willie died, Mrs. Lincok=ln asked Mrs. Taft no to visit any more. Apparently, Holly reminded her too much of Willie. Julia wrone a book about her experiences. [Bayne] Julia's half brother was apyscuisian and attened the President after he was shot (1865).

Tutor

To help replace the nurse, the Lincolns decided to employ a tutor. The boys continued their education in the White House. The Lincoln's decided that attending a formal school might be disruptive. They were no doubt concerned about how Tad would do in school. As a result, they decided to have the boys tutored in the White House. It was Mrs. Lincoln who selected the tutor, Alexander Williamson. The tutor was also part of her financial machinations. His salary was largely covered by a position in the Treasury Department. [Baker, pp. 190-191.] Williamson set up a blackboard in the state dining room. The tutor soon found two very different pupils. Willie was an extremely clever boy with an inquiring mind. Willie enjoyed the daily lessons. Tad found them tedious and a constant irritation because they detracted from the great fun which could be had around the White House. John Hay who was the President's private secretary and thus intimately aware of happenings at the White House, explained that Tad "... had a very bad opinion of books and no opinion of discipline." There parents did not insist that the boys seriously pursue their studies. Williamson stayed on to tutor Tad after Willie died. He remained at the White House as tutor until the President was assassinated.

French Royalty

Europeans royals came to America as a kind of diversion to observe the War. One of these was a nephew of Napoleon III--Prince Napoleon. When he called on the President at the White House, he found that not even a doorman was present. He found it amazing that even during a time of war, one could walk right into the White House. He encountered Willie who greeted him. Willie not at all flustered bowed politely to the French dignitary. [Baker, p. 199.] The Prince was probably lucky to have run into Willie. Tad's reception could not have been predicted, he may have even brought out his cannon!

Sources

Baker, Jean H. Mary Todd Lincoln: A Biography (Norton, New York, 1987), 429p.

Bayne, Jukia Taft. Tad Lincoln's Father