Articles written by Ashley Waggoner
Showing 60 Articles
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Vicksburg and Gettysburg
During the first half of the Civil War, things went badly for the Union Army. In July, 1863, however, two important battles would turn the tide in the North's favor.
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Margaret Mackall Smith Taylor
Margaret "Peggy" Taylor, the wife of twelfth U.S. president Zachary, was one of several reclusive first ladies. Mrs. Taylor did not enjoy her role as America's first lady
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Places That Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower Lived
Thirty-fourth president Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie, called many places home. These places included numerous Army bases and, of course, the White House.
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The History of the Secret Service
The U.S. Secret Service, which protects the President, began in 1865. The original purpose of this agency was very different from what it is today.
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The History of the Custis-Lee Mansion
In 1802, George Washington Parke Custis built a home in Virginia. Throughout the nineteenth century, this home would have more famous inhabitants.
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The Sioux Uprising of 1862
Abraham Lincoln's presidency is defined largely by the Civil War. However, another event occurred during these years that influenced President Lincoln's policies.
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Sarah Polk, Ambitious First Lady
James K. Polk won the presidency in 1844. From 1845 to 1849, Mrs. Polk influenced her husband and the nation. She continued to do so unitl her death in 1891.
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Sarah Childress Polk
Most nineteenth-century first ladies were not known for their personal accomplishments. This was not the case with Sarah Polk, who served as her husband's advisor.
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Abraham Lincoln and the Know-Nothings
In the mid-1850s, a political group called the Know-Nothings was very influential in America. It was believed that Abraham Lincoln sympathized with this party.
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President Lincoln's Generals
During the Civil War, the Union Army suffered crushing defeats under the command of seven different generals. The eighth and final general led the Union to victory.
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Abe Lincoln in Vandalia
In 1834, 25-year-old Abe Lincoln traveled to Vandalia, Illinois. Here, he was elected to the state legislature. This was the beginning of a legendary political career.
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Lincoln's A House Divided Speech
Abraham Lincoln had already established himself as a powerful public speaker by 1854. In 1858, he delivered a speech that sealed this reputation and moved the nation.
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A Powerful Nineteenth-Century Voting Bloc
In 1860, New England academics and radicals supported a largely unknown Westerner for president. That year, this voting bloc helped Abraham Lincoln win the White House.
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A Brief History of the Lincoln Family
Much has been written about Abraham Lincoln's humble beginnings. In actuality, his English ancestors came from relatively aristocratic origins.
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Mary Todd Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln's wife, Mary, is often maligned by historians and the general public. The truth of the matter is that she was a complicated, misunderstood woman.
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The Lincoln Assassination
On April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln attended a play at Ford's Theatre. His decision to do so would prove fatal.
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The Passage of the Nineteenth Amendment
When the Nineteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was passed in 1920, American women won the right to vote. This was a hard-won victory.
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The Rise of the Republican Party and Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln began his political career as a Whig. In 1854, a new party was formed, and Lincoln became its first successful candidate in 1860.
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Prolific First Families
Several of America's first families are notable due to their large size. A few nineteenth-century presidents and first ladies had many children.
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Abraham Lincoln's Opposition to the Mexican War
As a congressman, Abraham Lincoln was very unpopular. The main reason for this is that he strongly opposed the Mexican War, a popular conflict.
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Eleanor Roosevelt, Public Servant and Educator
Eleanor Roosevelt was a remarkable woman. She devoted her life to public service and encouraged other women to do so.
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What Became of the Ford Children?
Thirty-eighth president Gerald R. Ford and wife Betty were the parents of four children. Each child grew up to be a successful adult.
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President Coolidge's Pets
Thirtieth President Calvin Coolidge is not remembered for much, nor is his wife, Grace. This bucolic presidential couple is notable for one thing: They owned many pets.
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The Roosevelts' Marriage
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt wed in New York City on St. Patrick's Day, 1905. Their marriage was a difficult union but a dynamic partnership.
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Jimmy Carter's Best Campaign Strategist
During the 1976 presidential campaign, First Lady of Georgia Rosalynn Carter developed an unprecedented, proactive campaign strategy that led to her husband's victory.
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Abraham Lincoln's Return to Politics
After his one term in Congress ended in 1848, Abraham Lincoln became bored with politics. Several years later, controversial legislation would reignite his passion.
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The 1860 Presidential Election
The 1860 U.S. presidential election was one of the most contentious ever. Four candidates vied for the nation's highest office. The underdog, Abraham Lincoln, won.
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The Death of Ann Rutledge
When Abe Lincoln was a young man, he fell in love with a woman named Ann Rutledge and planned to marry her. This, however, was not to be.
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Abraham Lincoln's Therapeutic Trip to Kentucky
Following a breakup with fiancee Mary Todd, a depressed Abraham Lincoln traveled to his native Kentucky. This would prove to be a pivotal time for the future president.
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A President's Daring Cabinet Picks
Many historians consider Abraham Lincoln to be the greatest president. One reason for this is that Lincoln daringly appointed his rivals for top cabinet positions.
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Was Abraham Lincoln the Great Emancipator?
Abraham Lincoln is often called the Great Emancipator. Recent findings, however, suggest that he may not have been as interested in ending slavery as believed.
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A President's Eclectic Religious Views
Throughout his life, Abraham Lincoln's faith had a great deal of impact on him. His religious views were shaped by a variety of influences.
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A President's Unique Personality
Abraham Lincoln was always a little bit different. Three characteristics in particular caused him to stand out.
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A President's Reading List
Abraham Lincoln was a reader all his life. His love of literature shaped his views as well as his political policies.
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A Biography of Abraham Lincoln
The life of Abraham Lincoln is virtually unparalleled. The following is an overview of the life of one of history's most famous figures.
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Helen Herron Taft
Helen Herron Taft (1861-1943), the wife of twenty-seventh president William Howard Taft, was interested in the social issues of her day and acted upon this interest.
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Anna Harrison
Anna Harrison, the wife of ninth U.S. president William Henry Harrison, was completely different from any other First Lady for a variety of reasons.
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Lynda and Luci Johnson
Lyndon and Lady Bird Johnson were the parents of two daughters, Lynda and Luci. Each Johnson daughter took her own unique path in life.
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Lady Bird Johnson and Civil Rights
Many of America's First Ladies occupied the background while their husbands basked in the glow of the national spotlight. This was not the case with Lady Bird Johnson.
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Thomas and Martha Jefferson
For most, New Year's is an occasion to make important life changes. For one prominent presidential couple, the day had an even greater significance.
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Louisa Adams' Triumphant Return to London
Louisa Adams spent much of her stressful married life as a diplomat's wife in foreign countries. Louisa's return to London was a rare happy period for the Adamses.
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Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings
Thomas Jefferson may have had an illicit interracial affair with his servant, Sally Hemmings. It is also believed that he fathered Hemmings' seven children.
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The Van Buren Boys
Eighth president Martin Van Buren was the father of four sons. "The Van Buren Boys" would grow into four very different men.
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Louisa Adams in Saint Petersburg
In 1809, Louisa Adams moved with her husband to Saint Petersburg, Russia. The six years the family spent there were very stressful for Louisa.
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Angelica Singleton Van Buren
Eighth president Martin Van Buren was a widower with four sons. The eldest "Van Buren Boy," Abraham, married Angelica Singleton, who became a substitute First Lady.
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Harriet Lane
In 1856, James Buchanan became America's only bachelor president. Interestingly, his niece, Harriet Lane, was the first woman to be called "First Lady."
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Abigail Fillmore
History has all but forgotten Millard Fillmore, the thirteenth U.S. president. His wife, Abigail, on the other hand, left behind a very important legacy.
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Jane Pierce
Franklin Pierce is considered one of America's worst presidents. Likewise, his wife, Jane, is a forgotten First Lady.
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Dolley Madison
Dolley Madison was known for her unique fashion statements. However, her early years were no indication of Dolley's future as an American fashion icon.
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Sixth First Lady Louisa Adams
In order to combat loneliness and depression, Louisa Adams became interested in social causes. In the process, she increased public awareness of the issues of her day.
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The Marriage of John Quincy and Louisa Adams
When Louisa Johnson married John Quincy Adams, she had no idea what she was in for. British-born Louisa was an outsider in the eyes of her mother-in-law, Abigail.
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Julia Gardiner
Tenth U.S. president John Tyler was married twice. His second wife, Julia Gardiner (1820-89), was an extravagant, flamboyant woman from a prominent New York family.
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Letitia Christian
Tenth U.S. president John Tyler was married twice. His first wife, Letitia Christian Tyler (1790-1842), was a shy woman from an aristocratic Virginia family.
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Ellen Arthur
Chester Arthur was elected America's twenty-first president in 1880. The happiness of this occasion was marred by the death of his wife, Ellen, several months earlier.
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Hannah Van Buren
When eighth president Martin Van Buren was elected in 1836, he had been a widower for almost 20 years. His wife, Hannah, was the most obscure of all the First Ladies.
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Rachel Jackson
The second of four presidents who served without a First Lady was Andrew Jackson. He lost his wife, Rachel, several months before his 1829 inauguration.
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Martha Jefferson
Five U.S. presidents entered the White House as widowers. The first of these was third commander-in-chief Thomas Jefferson.
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Abraham and Mary Lincoln
It is said that opposites attract. This is the case with the volatile relationship between Abraham and Mary Lincoln. Together, the Lincolns formed a fascinating pair.
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Louisa Catherine Johnson Adams
Louisa Adams, wife of sixth president John Quincy Adams, is unique in that she is the only First Lady who was born abroad. This fact made her a controversial figure.
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Civil War First Ladies
The Civil War (1861-65) is the most tumultuous period in U.S. history. The nation was divided into two sides, and each side had its own president and First Lady.
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