Columbus to Pittsburgh in cold, pouring rain

• On the whistle-stop train trip to his Inauguration, President-elect Lincoln travels twelve hours from Columbus, Ohio, to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in a day-long pouring rain. Despite the weather, well-wishers turned out in little towns along the railroad route, and Lincoln became hoarse from the numerous brief impromptu speeches along the way. At Rochester, Pennsylvania, Lincoln answers a question, "What will you do with the secessionists then?" by saying, "My friend, that is a matter which I have under very grave consideration."/1861