Abraham Lincoln's Blockade Proclamation Donated to Presidential Library

A key Civil War order signed by President Abraham Lincoln has found a new home at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum in Springfield, Illinois. The document, known as the "Proclamation of a Blockade" order, was signed by Lincoln on April 19, 1861, just days after the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter that sparked the start of the Civil War.

The blockade proclamation, which initiated the Union's naval blockade of Southern ports, was donated to the museum by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and First Lady M.K. Pritzker. The Pritzkers purchased the historic document at auction from an anonymous collector for $471,000.

Lincoln's order was a critical step in the Union's military response to the launch of the Civil War. It called on the Union to flex its naval muscle by shutting off shipping at ports in several Confederate states, as part of General Winfield Scott's "Anaconda Plan" to hem in the Confederacy. The blockade was necessary for Lincoln to put down the internal insurrection without legitimizing the Confederacy as a separate nation by declaring war.

Why this matters: The blockade proclamation serves as evidence of Lincoln's unwavering pursuit of justice and the nation's perseverance through the challenges and divisions of the Civil War. It represents a critical moment in American history that shaped the course of the war and the future of the country.

The document will be on display in the museum's Treasures Gallery until February 2025, giving visitors a rare opportunity to see a piece of history that set the Union's military strategy in motion. As Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum Executive Director Christina Shutt noted, "This document is a tangible reminder of the difficult decisions Lincoln faced during this consequential period. It's a privilege to share it with the public and shed light on this critical moment in Lincoln's presidency and in our nation's history."

Key Takeaways

• Lincoln's blockade order donated to Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library
• Order signed in 1861 to initiate Union naval blockade of Confederate ports
• Blockade was a critical military strategy in the Civil War
• Document purchased at auction for $471,000 by Illinois Governor and First Lady
• Blockade order represents Lincoln's leadership during the Civil War