March 4, 1869-Washington, D.C.

 Today is one of the greatest days I have experienced in my lifetime. From graduating to fighting for the Union I have never accomplished something so great. Today is the day I was inaugurated. After winning the majority vote and 218-80 electoral votes against my opponent, Horatio Seymour, I gave my inaugural address. "The responsibilities of the position I feel, but accept them without fear. The office has come to me unsought; I commence it's duties untrammeled. I bring to it a conscious desire and determination to fill it to the best of my ability to the satisfaction of the people." This opening ensured that I am on the people's side. The first matter I shall attend to is the economy of this country. It is the backbone of  the United States. In no time at all things will be mended like never before. Reconstruction will not fail. I promise to work for and with this nation. Onward on it's journey to success and glory. 

April 16, 1865-Galena, Illinois

 Tragic news has reached us in Galena. Our nation has lost a great leader, and I have lost a great friend. Abraham Lincoln was an amazing man who accomplished much in his sadly shortened life. He was shot by John Wilkes Boothe himself. I was supposed to be there with him. The only reason I survived and am here today is  because Julia refused to go. She and the First Lady did not get along well. I had to lie to the President himself and tell him we were visiting our children, well it wasn't completely a lie. I was going to be part of the assination. Maybe if I was there I could have stopped the murder. Just maybe..... I will give as speech mourning the death of Lincoln. Then Andrew Jackson will be announced as the new President of the United States. The Civil War is won the the bright side. Many lives have have been ended, but for a greater good. There will be a lot of rebuilding of communities and lives in the south. After fighting and spending so much money on this long war we will have to spend more on reconstruction.