U.S. Presidents with Union Ties

Same source as the presidents with Confederate ties.

Some of the ex-presidents still alive during the Civil War, including Martin Van Buren and James Buchanan, were vocal supporters of Lincoln and the Union cause.

Charles Francis Adams was the son of one president and grandson of another and was minister of Great Britain under Lincoln.  (John Quincy Adams and John Adams)

Lincoln's second vice president, Andrew Johnson, was a Tennessee senator who had remained loyal to the Union.  This helped present a united ticket in the 1864 election.  Johnson became president after Lincoln's assassination.

Five future U.S. presidents:  Grant, Hayes, Garfield, Harrison and McKinley, all fought for the Union.

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Not a Union Tie

Robert E. Lee's wife Mary was the granddaughter of George Washington's stepson.

--Old Secesh

Lincoln and Seward-- Part 3: The Trent Affair

The Trent Affair really almost turned ugly against the United States when the USS San Jacinto stopped the British ship RMS Trent and took off and arrested Confederate commissioners Mason and Slidell.  England was mortified and this probably came the closest that they ever got to taking overt operations against the country.  Britain demanded the immediate release of Mason and Slidell and an apology.

A break came when British Prince Albert talked Russell's demands down.

Seward's stance was that since the Trent wasn't taken to a prize court.  The British refused to allow Confederate privateers from bringing prizes into a prize court and could not call the Union's blockade ineffective (which it was).

They appointed Charles Francis Adams as ambassador to England which appeased the British somewhat. He was the son of a president and grandson of another and aristocratic, which helped appease the British.

Later, Lincoln quietly released Mason and Slidell.  John Slidell went to France and Mason to England where he was a bad choice and not liked much by the British aristocracy because of his manners.  One thing he did that offended them was chew tobacco and then, worse, spit on the floor.

--Old Secesh