President Lincoln proposed equal benefits on May 19, 1864

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - President Abraham Lincoln continued to work toward equality after the Emancipation Proclamation. On May 19, 1864 he wrote Senator Charles Sumner to propose legislation guaranteeing the widows and children of black Union soldiers killed in battle would get equal benefits to white soldiers.

President Lincoln had just met with the widow of black Civil War soldier, Major Lionel F. Booth. Mary Booth’s husband was killed at Fort Pillow, Tennessee the previous month by a Confederate sniper.

Mrs. Booth explained the hardships faced by the families left behind when black soldiers were killed or maimed in battle.

Moved by the meeting, President Lincoln wrote Senator Sumner to ask for legislation to be proposed to guarantee aid to black families equal to those of white families.

As a result, Senator Sumner introduced H.R. 406, Section 13. The Library of Congress shows the resolution passed. There is no record of Mrs. Booth applying for or receiving a widow’s pension after it was adopted.