How Lincoln Showed Veterans Deserved More Than Gratitude

President Lincoln visits the wounded.

Few leaders have embodied compassion and integrity the way Abraham Lincoln did. Amid the turbulence of the Civil War, Lincoln not only carried the weight of a divided nation but also made sure to recognize the sacrifices of those who fought for its survival. His concern extended beyond the battlefield—he felt a profound responsibility for wounded soldiers and the families of fallen troops.

This commitment is evident in a message Lincoln sent to the U.S. Postmaster General, Montgomery Blair regarding two widows seeking postmaster appointments. In his own words, he reflected on the debt owed to those who bore the burden of war:

Yesterday, endorsements of mine went to you in two cases of postmasterships sought for widows whose husbands have fallen in the battles of this war... These cases occurring on the same day brought me to reflect more attentively than I had done before as to what is fairly due from us here in the dispensing of patronage to the men who, by fighting our battles, bear the chief burden of saving our country. My conclusion is that, other claims and qualifications being equal, they have the better right; and this is especially applicable to the disabled soldier and the deceased soldier's family."

Lincoln saw beyond policy and politics—he saw people. He understood that the cost of war stretched far beyond the battlefield, affecting families, livelihoods, and futures. His willingness to prioritize wounded soldiers and bereaved families wasn’t just an act of goodwill—it was a reflection of his unwavering belief that their sacrifices deserved more than gratitude; they deserved tangible support.

But Lincoln’s compassion wasn’t limited to official messages—it was deeply personal and evident in the way he interacted with soldiers. His visit to the Depot Field Hospital near Petersburg, Virginia, left a lasting impression on those he met. As he moved through the wards, Lincoln shook hands, exchanged kind words, and even shared a few jokes, lifting the spirits of the wounded.

A soldier who met him that day never forgot the moment: “I often see that sad and worn face in memory, and I can hardly keep back the tears.” Another wounded soldier recalled Lincoln’s hopeful reassurance: “Be of good cheer, boys; we are at the beginning of the end at last.”

In one tent, Lincoln encountered 12 Union officers alongside a Confederate major who had fallen in battle. With no hesitation, he shook the Confederate’s hand and wished him a speedy recovery, telling him that soon the war would be over, and he would see his family again. The stunned Confederate soldier, upon learning that he had just spoken to the President, exclaimed: “My God, is that so? Is that the kind of man that we have been fighting for four long years?”

Times have certainly changed, but Lincoln’s towering legacy endures. His leadership was never just about strategy or speeches—it was rooted in human connection, in recognizing suffering and taking action to ease it. Lincoln exemplified what true leadership with character looks like—not one swayed by wealth or power, but one driven by a deep understanding of duty, service, and the sacrifices made by others who give everything for their country.

It was called "respect".

This was another anecdote about Abe Lincoln, Storyteller.

Mac

Works Cited

[1] "To Montgomery Blair - July 24, 1863". Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Volume 6 [Dec. 13, 1862-Nov. 3, 1863]. In the digital collection Collected Works of Abraham Lincoln. Retrieved April 24, 2025.

[2] Trudeau, Noah Andre. "Powerful, Intense, Emotional: Lincoln’s visit to the war wounded". Historynet.com - September 21, 2016. Retrieved April 24, 2925.