Lincoln

Pvt. Harold Green: Some of us was in the 2nd Kansas Colored. We fought the rebs at Jenkins' Ferry last April, just after they'd killed every Negro soldier they captured at Poison Springs. So at Jenkins' Ferry, we decided weren't taking no reb prisoners. And we didn't leave a one of 'em alive. The ones of us that didn't die that day, we joined up with the 116th U.S. Colored, sir. From Camp Nelson Kentucky. Abraham Lincoln: What's your name, soldier? Pvt. Harold Green: Private Harold Green, sir. Cpl. Ira Clark: I'm Corporal Ira Clark, sir. Fifth Massachusetts Cavalry. We're waiting over there. We're leaving our horses behind, and shipping out with the 24th Infantry for the assault next week on Wilmington. Abraham Lincoln: How long have you been a soldier? Cpl. Ira Clark: Two year, sir. Abraham Lincoln: Second Kansas Colored Infantry, they fought bravely at Jenkins' Ferry. Pvt. Harold Green: That's right, sir. Cpl. Ira Clark: They killed a thousand rebel soldiers, sir. They were very brav

Lincoln (2012 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Abraham Lincoln: [describing a dream] It's nighttime. The ship's moved by some terrible power, at a terrific speed. Though it's imperceptible in the darkness, I have an intuition that we're headed towards a shore. No one else seems to be aboard the vessel. I'm very keenly aware of my aloneness. I could be bounded in a nutshell and count myself a king of infinite space, were it not that I have bad dreams. I reckon it's the speed that's strange to me. I'm used to going a deliberate pace. I should spare you, Molly. I shouldn't tell you my dreams. Mary Todd Lincoln: I don't want to be spared if you aren't. And you spare me nothing. Perhaps it's the assault on Wilmington Port. You dream about the ship before a battle, usually. Abraham Lincoln: [rapping lightly on his forehead] How's the coconut? Mary Todd Lincoln: Beyond description. Almost two years, nothing mends. Another casualty of the war. Who wants to listen to a useless woman grouse about her carriage accident? Abraham Lincoln: I do.

Lincoln (2012 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

William Seward: Even if every Republican in the House votes yes, far from guaranteed, since when has our party unanimously supported anything? But say all our fellow Republicans vote for it, we'd still be twenty votes short. Abraham Lincoln: Only twenty? We can find twenty votes. William Seward: Twenty House Democrats who will vote to abolish slavery? In my opinion... Abraham Lincoln: To which I always listen. William Seward: Or pretend to. Abraham Lincoln: With all three of my ears. William Seward: We'll win the war, sir. It's inevitable, isn't it? Abraham Lincoln: Well, it ain't won yet. William Seward: You'll begin your second term, with semi-divine stature. Imagine the possibilities peace will bring. Why tarnish your invaluable luster with a battle in the House? It's a rats' nest in there. The same gang of talentless hicks and hacks who rejected the amendment ten months ago; we'll lose. Abraham Lincoln: I like our chances now.

Lincoln (2012 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Abraham Lincoln: Thunder forth, God of War. Edwin Stanton: We'll commence our assault on Wilmington from the sea... Why is is this burned? Was the boy playing with it? Abraham Lincoln: It got took by a breeze several nights back. Edwin Stanton: This is an official War Department map! William Seward: And the entire cabinet's waiting to hear what it portends. Gideon Welles: A bombardment. From the largest fleet the Navy's ever assembled. Abraham Lincoln: Old Neptune, shake thy hoary locks. Gideon Welles: Fifty-eight ships are underway, of every tonnage and firing range. Edwin Stanton: We'll keep up a steady barrage. Our first target is Fort Fisher. It defends Wilmington port. James Speed: A steady barrage? Edwin Stanton: A hundred shells a minute. Till they surrender. William Fessenden: Dear God. Abraham Lincoln: Wilmington's their last open seaport. Therefore... Edwin Stanton: Wilmington falls, Richmond falls after. William Seward: And the war... is done. John Usher: Then why, if I may

Lincoln (2012 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

Abraham Lincoln: Well, Mr. Representative Ashley! Tell us the news from the Hill. James Ashley: Ah! Well, news... Abraham Lincoln: Why for instance is this thus, and what is the reason for this thusness? William Seward: James, we want you to bring the anti-slavery amendment to the floor for debate... James Ashley: Excuse me? What? William Seward: ...immediately, and... you are the amendment's manager, are you not? James Ashley: I am, of course, but... immediately? William Seward: And we're counting on robust radical support, so tell Mr. Stevens we expect him to put his back into it, it's not going to be easy, but we trust... James Ashley: It's impossible. No, I am sorry, no, we can't organize anything immediately in the House. I have been canvassing the Democrats since the election, in case any of them softened after they got walloped. But they have stiffened if anything, Mr. Secretary. There aren't nearly enough votes— Abraham Lincoln: We're whalers, Mr. Ashley! James Ashley: Whalers?

Lincoln (2012 film), CC BY-SA 4.0

William Seward: Why wasn't I consulted?! I'm Secretary of State! You, you, you informally send a reactionary dotard, to— What will happen, when these peace commissioners arrive? Abraham Lincoln: We'll hear 'em out. William Seward: Oh, splendid! And next the Democrats will invite them up to hearings on the Hill, and the newspapers — well, the newspapers — the newspapers will ask why risk enraging the Confederacy over the issue of slavery when they're here to make peace? We'll lose every Democrat we've got, more than likely conservative Republicans will join them, and all our work, all our preparing the ground for the vote, laid waste, naught for naught. Abraham Lincoln: The Blairs have promised support for the amendment if we listen to these people— William Seward: Oh, the Blairs promise, do they? You think they'll keep their promise once we have heard these delegates and refused them? Which we will have to do, since their proposal most certainly will be predicated on keeping their slav

Lincoln (2012 film), CC BY-SA 4.0