Lincoln’s constant companion, best friend, and body-guard, was Ward Hill Lamon, U.S. Marshal. The new President had known Ward Hill Lamon since the 1850’s. They had been law partners and traveled the circuit together in Illinois. Lamon had assisted Lincoln in his early campaigns and was instrumental in the Presidential Election of 1860. The pairing couldn’t have been more unusual. Lincoln subtle and compromising, Lamon brash and imposing. Both were physically strong, tall and capable of inflicting damage in a confrontation. However, Ward Hill Lamon was nearly twenty years younger than Lincoln and had the stamina of youth to finish a conflict decisively.
Lamon a native of Virginia, traveled to Illinois in order to practise law, struck up an acquaintance with Lincoln and the two were almost inseparable. Lamon loved carousing in the local taverns after court, possessed a gifted singing voice and thoroughly indulged in the benefits of the bottle. Never one to avoid an argument, he was renowned as a “one punch pony,” that could floor an opponent with a single devastating blow. Lincoln, recognizing the many talents of his young protegé, recruited Lamon to accompany him on his many “stump tours.” Knowing that his loyal friend could be counted upon to quell any rowdies that might attempt to disrupt the debates, Lincoln and Lamon became quite more than just comrades, some contemporaries related that the two were almost a father and son duo.
After Lincoln was elected President in 1860, he insisted that Ward Hill Lamon join him in Washington. The Capitol, was a hot-bed of succession, most of the residents were not pleased with the Presidential victor and rumors of assassination abounded. The new Chief Executive’s loyal friend became the official, full-time, body-guard of President Abraham Lincoln. In order to bestow official entre, authority and status to Lamon, Lincoln appointed him U.S. Marshal for the District of Columbia.
Lincoln’s and Lamon’s unwavering mutual friendship and loyalty, generated an atmosphere of jealousy and contempt among the professional politicians and power elite of Washington. These movers and shakers, were appalled that the President could associate or abide this brutish buffoon. Occasionally these attacks resulted in Ward Hill Lamon seeking solace in the bottle. These bouts of depression were not long-lived and never affected his primary responsibility of protecting the President.
On April 11, 1865, Lincoln sent U.S. Marshal Ward Hill Lamon to Richmond, Virginia, on a mission to oversee surrender proceedings. Lamon had always insisted that the President never travel or attend any function without his presence. While Lamon was in Richmond, the President and his wife, on April 14, traveled to Ford’s Theater, without his constant companion, best friend, and body-guard.
After Lincoln’s death, Lamon related an example of the President’s compassion and empathy. A Union Officer and personal friend of Lincoln, was out late one night, enjoying the attractions of the Capitol, when he observed a fearsome fight erupt near the old National Theatre. The Officer felt that it was his duty to restore the peace. He addressed the combatants and the conflict briefly ceased, with the ring leader roughly pushing the Union Officer and telling him to mind his business or endure a whipping. Upon telling the bully, he was under arrest, a blow was fended off and the Officer landed a single fist under the jaw and knocked the brute senseless. Bleeding from the nose, ears, mouth and eyes, it appeared that the ruffian’s neck had been broken. The man was immediately transferred to a hospital, where his condition was diagnosed as terminal, a severe concussion was irreversible and no medical miracles could save his life.
Unhinged with guilt, the Union Officer rushed to the White House and woke the President, and confessed the details of his taking the life, of one of God’s children. Lincoln listened to the story and then asked a few questions. Then in a fatherly tone, stated,
“I am sorry you had to kill the man, but these are times of war, and a great many men deserve killing. This one, according to your story, is one of them; so give yourself no uneasiness about the matter. I will stand by you.”
Then Lincoln smiled and suggested,
“You go home now and get some sleep; but let me give you this piece of advice, hereafter, when you have occasion to strike a man, don’t hit him with your fist; strike him with a club, a crowbar, or with something that won’t kill him.”
Bummer
Note:
A new film about the 16th President and his close friend Ward Hill Lamon, Saving Lincoln, will be in theaters next month. The film is unique in that it uses virtual sets made out of vintage Civil War photographs. Learn more at SavingLincoln.com
