Lincoln's Inaugural Journey: Sneaking through Baltimore

History: At the age of 52, Abraham Lincoln made his way to the White House as President- elect. On February 11, 1861 Lincoln started his trip, traveling by train from Springfield, Illinois to Washington D.C. in 12 days with seventy stops in between. Prior to departure from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Lincoln met Allan Pinkerton, the detective of the regional railroad lines. The political atmosphere of Baltimore was tense. Citizens discussed secession, leading Pinkerton to investigate further, which increased his suspicions of possible plots to harm Lincoln between Calvert and Camden Streets.

During the middle of the night of February 23, Pinkerton and Lincoln boarded a sleeper car attached to a train bound for Baltimore on the Wilmington, Philadelphia and Baltimore Railroad and arrived at the President Street station at 3:30 a.m. Avoiding the perceived threat of assassination on Lincoln's life in early February 1861, took priority over appearing before Baltimore's 10,000 prospective onlookers.

Allan Pinkerton sneaked the disguised Abraham Lincoln along Pratt Street in the predawn hours of February 23, 1861 and arrived in Washington unscathed. Mary Todd Lincoln, her three sons and John Hay arrived at 12:30 p.m. on the President- elect's scheduled train, to the dismay of the thousands of spectators expecting a glimpse of their new president.

More to Explore: The Baltimore Civil War Museum at President Street Station interprets Lincoln's inaugural journey and the Pratt Street Riots, among other thrilling stories, such as the station's use for Underground Railroad escapes. Situated near the Baltimore neighborhoods of Little Italy and Harbor East, museum visitors are amid a foodie paradise, with ethnic restaurants of every flavor and variety within walking distance.

Just down the street is the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture, where one can discover the role of African Americans in the Civil War and other compelling stories, including the Baltimore roots of jazz greats Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway and Billie Holliday.

Photo Credits:

1. "Photograph of the Secret Service Department Headquarters, Army of the Potomac including Allan Pinkerton at center."
2. "Photograph of painting of the iconic image of Abraham Lincoln splitting wood."
3. "Photograph of the Calvert Street Station in Baltimore."
4. "Photograph of Mary Todd Lincoln." Prints courtesy of Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division.