On the day before he would take the oath of office for the second time, President Lincoln received this letter from William Johnson, a private in the Union army.

“Mister Old Abe:

Hereby, please find enclosed one pair of reenlistment stripes.

I am a veteran which have been wearing said stripes.

Thinking that as how you had reenlisted, I thought I would cut ‘em off and send ‘em to you.

Hoping they may come in handy.

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