Lincoln: Movie critic series No. 7, story of father and son

There is a scene in the movie, in which Lincoln slapped his son’s (Robert) face.  This probably didn’t happen, but it is a dramatic way showing how frustrated and agonized Lincoln was in dealing with Robert wanting to join the army.

Lincolns lost a son in Springfield (We read in his Springfield Farewell address, “Here my children have been born, and one is buried, I now leave, not knowing when, or whether ever I may return. . .”) and another son, Willie, died one year after they moved into White House.  Lincoln had no problem for Robert to join the army, but wouldn’t let him enlist knowing Mary was frightened and couldn’t bear losing another son.

Lincoln found a solution after Robert graduated from Harvard; he wrote a letter to General Grant, “Please read and answer this letter as though I was not President, but only a friend.  My son, now in his twenty-second year, having graduated at Harvard, wishes to see something of the war before it ends. . . .”  Robert joined Grant’s staff in late February, 1865.  This arrangement alleviated much of Mary’s anxiety.  This may be another reason why Mary accompanied Lincoln on the trip visiting Grant at City Point (now Hopewell in VA) in early April 1865.

If one sees carefully there is a scene in the movie depicting the relationship between Lincoln and Robert was not a close one or at least Robert felt he was neglected, which was indeed true.  Robert came home from Boston looking for his father; Lincoln was talking to someone and had no time for him.  One should pay attention closely how Robert left the room.

Growing up rarely did Robert see Lincoln as Lincoln moved from town to town in Eighth Circuit Court, spending more than half of the time away from home.  When he was around he might be busy reading or making political speech.  Robert wrote, “During my childhood and early youth he was almost constantly away from me, attending court or making political speeches.  In 1859 when he was beginning to devote himself more to practice in his own neighborhood. . . . I went to New Hampshire (to attend Phillips Academy in Exeter) and afterwards to Harvard College & he became President.”

Robert lived to see The Lincoln Memorial dedicated in 1922.