Through Five Administrations: Reminiscences of Colonel William H. Crook, Body-Guard to President Lincoln - Book Review

Book Review - Five Stars 

Through Five Administrations: Reminiscences of Colonel William H. Crook, Body-Guard to President Lincoln by William H. Crook

This book relates the rapid and dynamic alteration of American history from the Civil War era to the late 1800s: Half a century of political turmoil as the Industrial Revolution forever accelerates humankind from the slow pace of horse and buggy to steam trains and the age of aviation.

A piece of history not to be overlooked.

EXCERPTS:

“What has happened?” He looked at us in amazement, not recognizing Mr. Lincoln. “Why, where have you been? Lee has surrendered.” There is one point which is not understood, I think, about the President’s trip to City Point and Richmond. The streets were alive with people, all very much excited. There were bonfires everywhere. We were all curious to know what had happened. Tad was so excited he couldn’t keep still. We halted the carriage and asked a bystander, “What

has happened?” He looked at us in amazement, not recognizing Mr. Lincoln. “Why, where have you been? Lee has surrendered.” There is one point which is not understood, I think, about the President’s trip to City Point and Richmond. I would like to tell here what my experience has made me believe. The expedition has been spoken of almost as if it were a pleasure trip. Some one says of it, “It was the first recreation the President had known.” Of course, in one sense this was true. He did get away from the routine of office-work. He had pleasant associations with General Grant and General Sherman, and enjoyed genial talks in the open over the camp-fire. But to give the impression that it was a sort of holiday excursion is a mistake.

From it has grown the series of receptions to the Diplomatic Corps, the Army and Navy, the Judiciary, and Congress, which are perhaps the most important general social events of the season. The first of these receptions was in February, 1878. The indiscriminate evening receptions at the White House had been for many years a source of great annoyance. In Lincoln’s time they had been marked by disgraceful vandalism; even when that was not true, there were violations of what one would think the simplest rules of good breeding. Carelessly dressed women who had not even taken the trouble to smooth their hair or wash their faces elbowed—sometimes sharply—women in dainty evening gowns. Sleepy children were dragged into the crush. Cloaks which were often greasy with dirt were worn into the very presence of the receiving party. It had become evident that the time for being democratic was not at evening receptions. Tourists and the curious generally could shake the hand of the President in the afternoon.