Wilson, Douglas L., ed.; Davis, Rodney O., ed.; Bennett, John. 'John Bennett to William H. Herndon' in 'Herndon's Informants: Letters, Interviews, and Statements About Abraham Lincoln' . Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1998. [format: book], [genre: letter]. Permission: University of Illinois Press
Persistent link to this document: http://lincoln.lib.niu.edu/file.php?file=herndon263.html

207. John Bennett to William H. Herndon.

Petersburg 3rd Augt 1866

Dr Sr

Yours of the 28th July came to our office in my absence, and consequently has not been earlier ansd. In reply I can say that I was present at the funeral of Bolling Green, and at the request of Mrs Green made through me to Mr. Lincoln, he made or delerd. his Eulogy. When I delivered Mrs Greens request to him, he remarked to me that he did not know what to say, that he had not thought upon the subject — I replied to him that it would gratify the old Lady, if he would make some remarks on the occasion — he then said he would try and do so — walked off out of the crowd, and in a short time mounted the stand, and made a few remarks in relation to the old mans manners, customs, habits of life &c and closed, and I must say, that I agree with Mr. Ellis, ^[1] that it was a failure so far as I was qualified to judge — But after all I don't know that it could be considered a failure, when we reflect that he had but little material to make a speach out of — This funeral was held in a Grove near the residence of the decd, and I think it was in the fall of 1842 — I know he died in Feb — of that year. He was buried by Springfield Lodge No 4. and by applying to the Sec of that Lodge, I presume you can get the exact time — it was before our Lodge here was organized

My first acquaintance with Mr. Lincoln was in March 1836 — he came to this place from New Salem, where he then lived, in company with Bowling Green, by whom he was introduced to me as a Whig and one of the Representatives to the Legislature which had adjd. but a few days before — I recollect the first thing he said after the introduction, was to call my attention to a pair of delicate [illegible] mitts that he was wearing — this he did in his peculiar way — I was struck with his appearance and manners, and an intimacy grew up between us, that lasted until the formation of the Republican party, when we took diffirent roads, or rather he switched off and I continued in the old track — I always found

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