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On this day in history, Nov. 21, 1864, Abraham Lincoln ‘pens’ letter to Mrs. Bixby

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President Abraham Lincoln supposedly sent his sincerest condolences to a grieving mother in the historic Bixby Letter on this day in history, Nov. 21, 1864.

In the fall of 1864, Gov. John A. Andrew of Massachusetts sent a request to then-President Lincoln asking him to send his regards to Mrs. Lydia Bixby.

Bixby of Boston was believed to have lost her five sons during the Civil War, according to Abraham Lincoln Online.

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Lincoln accepted the request.

And as the story he goes, he penned a letter to the grieving mother.

A colorized antique photograph portrait of Abraham Lincoln. "I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming," the Bixby Letter reads in part. 

A colorized antique photograph portrait of Abraham Lincoln. “I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming,” the Bixby Letter reads in part. 
(iStock)

Dear Madam,

I have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement and leave you only the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.

Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,

A. Lincoln

President Abraham Lincoln reportedly penned his condolences to Mrs. Bixby for the loss of her five sons during the Civil War on Nov. 21, 1864. But the letter is not without controversy. 

President Abraham Lincoln reportedly penned his condolences to Mrs. Bixby for the loss of her five sons during the Civil War on Nov. 21, 1864. But the letter is not without controversy. 
(AP)

The letter was printed and distributed by the Boston Evening Transcript.

It was soon cherished as “one of the best letters written in the history of the English language,” according to a Time report.

Among the praises it received: American poet and biographer Carl Sandburg called it “a piece of the American Bible” that “more darkly than the Gettysburg speech … wove its awful implication that human freedom so often was paid for with agony.”

But the letter is not without controversy.  

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The original copy was allegedly destroyed by either the newspaper’s editor or by Mrs. Bixby herself, who — as a sympathizer of the Confederacy — may have disliked Lincoln.

Bixby’s great-grandchildren recalled this as Bixby’s political stance, according to the New England Historical Society.

Field and staff officers of the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry, a volunteer regiment in the Union army, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War, June 1865.

Field and staff officers of the 69th Pennsylvania Infantry, a volunteer regiment in the Union army, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during the American Civil War, June 1865.
(William Morris Smith/Library of Congress/Getty Images)

“I was advised by my father that my great-grandmother was an ardent southern sympathizer,” Bixby’s great-grandson said, according to the society. 

“And when she received the letter, she destroyed it in anger … shortly after receipt without realizing its value.”

It was later revealed that Bixby lost not five but two of her sons, Charles and Oliver, in battle, according to the New England Historical Society.

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Of the three others, the third son, Edward, reportedly deserted the Army; the fourth son, George, either deserted the Army or died as a prisoner of war; and the fifth son, Henry, was honorably discharged.

Whether Lincoln himself wrote the letter or not has also been debated.

President Abraham Lincoln with General George B. McClellan at his headquarters at Antietam, October 3, 1862.

President Abraham Lincoln with General George B. McClellan at his headquarters at Antietam, October 3, 1862.
(Getty Images)

Many scholars believe that one of Lincoln’s White House secretaries, John Hay, was the one who put pen to paper.

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The letter’s popularity, however, was revived by the 1998 Steven Spielberg film “Saving Private Ryan,” which the letter reportedly inspired.

Actor Harve Presnell, who played Gen. Marshall in the film, recites the letter in an emotional cinematic moment.

The letter has continued to be used to honor those who have sacrificed their lives for America. 

A passage from the letter — “the solemn pride that must be yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom” — is etched into stone at the base of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Hawaii.

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On the 10th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, former President George W. Bush read the Bixby Letter during a memorial service at Ground Zero.

In 2017, a team of forensic linguistics researchers used a tracing method that revealed 90% of the letter was identified as Hay’s writing, according to Time.

Source: https://www.foxnews.com/lifestyle/day-history-nov-21-1864-abraham-lincoln-pens-letter-mrs-bixby

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Underage drinking dangers: These are the states with the highest rates of teen alcohol use, study finds

A new study done by addiction recovery resource Addiction Treatment Magazine has revealed the states that have the highest and lowest prevalence of underage drinking.

Researchers looked at the number of young people between the ages of 12 and 20 who had consumed an alcoholic drink within the last month and had participated in binge-drinking, which is classified as consuming four or more drinks in one sitting, according to a press release on the publication’s website.

The data was drawn from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) based on the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

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The study determined that the state of Vermont has the highest prevalence of drinkers between the ages of 12 and 20 in the U.S., according to the release.

Nearly 25% of minors in the state had consumed alcohol, and more than 14% had participated in binge-drinking. 

Teens drinking

A new study has revealed the states in the nation that have the highest and lowest prevalence of underage drinking. (iStock)

Other states with high rates include Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  

In Rhode Island, nearly 22% of young people between the ages 12 and 20 consume alcohol monthly, and 12% of minors consume four or more alcoholic drinks in one sitting, the study found.

In New Hampshire, 20.6% of people between the ages 12 and 20 had consumed alcohol in the last month. 

The share was 20.4% for Massachusetts. 

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Rounding out the top 10 are the states of Oregon, Iowa, Wisconsin, Colorado, Maine and North Dakota.

At the other end of the spectrum, Mississippi has the lowest prevalence of underage drinking, with only 9.7% of underage people consuming alcohol. 

It also has the lowest binge-drinking rate, at only 5.4%, according to the study. 

College drinking

One possible reason that Vermont has topped the list is that it is a rural state with many colleges and universities — the highest number per capita of any state — said a clinical director of addiction services.  (iStock)

Utah is the second-lowest, at 11% for alcohol consumption and 6.8% for binge-drinking among the underage population. 

Coming in at third lowest is North Carolina, where 11.3% of underage people consumed alcohol in the last month.

Alabama is also on the lower end at 12%, followed by Arkansas at 12.3%.

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Rounding out the lower 10 are Indiana, Georgia, Idaho, Tennessee and Texas. 

“It’s no secret that underage drinking is a major concern in the United States, as it can pose several significant risks to the well-being of young people, including health risks, impaired judgment and the risk of dependency and addiction,” said a spokesperson for Addiction Treatment Magazine in the release.

Teens drinking

Overall, the findings indicate that the use of alcohol in young people continues to be a concern, said Tuell of the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio. (iStock)

“These findings provide an intriguing insight into where underage drinking is the most prominent throughout the country, with Vermont coming out on top. While progress has been made in reducing underage drinking rates, it is still a matter of concern, and ongoing efforts are necessary to address this issue and protect the health and safety of young people,” the spokesperson continued.

Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio, was not involved in the study, but said he wasn’t surprised by the findings.

“A parent’s position on underage drinking is paramount and is one of the strongest protective factors against underage drinking.”

“The Northeast has had a history of higher rates of underage drinking for the past 20 years,” he told Fox News Digital in an interview. “There continues to be no definitive reason why these rates are the way they are.”

One possible reason for Vermont’s topping the list, he said, is that it is a rural state with many colleges and universities — the highest number per capita of any state.

young people drinking beer outside

“The research is crystal-clear that early alcohol use before the age of 15 raises the risk of lifelong problems of addiction and alcoholism,” warned Dr. Chris Tuell, clinical director of addiction services for the Lindner Center of HOPE in Ohio.  (iStock)

Overall, the findings indicate that the use of alcohol in young people continues to be a concern, Tuell said.

“The research is crystal-clear that early alcohol use before the age of 15 raises the risk of lifelong problems of addiction and alcoholism,” he warned. 

“Early alcohol use — drinking at age 14 or earlier — [means a] 7 times greater risk for developing an alcohol problem than someone who begins drinking at age 21.” 

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Other possible reasons for the high rates in some states may be related to how the packaging of alcohol is geared toward youth, such as flavored drinks, and the association of alcohol use with sporting events, the expert noted.

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“This promotes alcohol use in young people as a necessary part of having fun,” Tuell said.

“A parent’s position on underage drinking is paramount and is one of the strongest protective factors against underage drinking,” he also said.

For more Health articles, visit www.foxnews.com/health.

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Coffee quiz! How much do you know about the can’t-live-without-it drink?

National Coffee Day is September 29 — and millions of people have recognized the special occasion. 

But no matter what day it is or what season of the year, how well do you know the popular drink that many people consume all year long? 

Test your knowledge in this fun and engaging lifestyle quiz all about coffee!

Mobile app users: Click here to play the quiz!

Have you taken our fall quiz yet? Click here to play it!

To take even more quizzes from Fox News Digital, click on this link.

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Best buys: 5 affordable wine picks from experts as fall gets underway

There’s a sudden chill in the air as autumn has arrived. 

And as the weather changes, you may be thinking about shifting your wine selections from summer to fall picks when you host friends and family in the autumn season. 

To lend a hand in those pursuits, wine experts from across the country shared with Fox News Digital their recommendations for wines under $50 a bottle for the new season. 

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Here’s to grape expectations!

2021 Educated Guess Napa County Cabernet Sauvignon, $30

This wine from Napa, California, is consistently picked by wine publications as a best buy and best in class by major wine publications.

That’s according to Amber Carner, tasting room supervisor of River Runs Deep Winery in downtown Napa.

woman drinking glass of wine

“I would pair this beautiful wine with a grilled ribeye steak with green chimichurri, roasted garlic mashed Yukon potatoes and grilled veggies with herbed butter,” said Amber Carner (not pictured), tasting room supervisor of River Runs Deep Winery in downtown Napa, California.  (iStock)

“Since our inception in 2005, we have been producing Educated Guess Cabernet Sauvignon as an answer to Napa Cabs that are two, three or four times its price,” Carner revealed to Fox News Digital. 

She added, “I would pair this beautiful wine with a grilled ribeye steak with green chimichurri, roasted garlic mashed Yukon potatoes and grilled veggies with herbed butter.”

2022 Sauvage Spectrum Teroldego from Grand Valley, Colorado, $32

Zachary Lewison, beverage manager and sommelier at Sonnenalp Hotel in Vail, Colorado, said this wine is “an excellent and affordable wine, and great for embracing the fall season.”

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Lewison added, “As the weather cools off, we start cooking heartier dishes with potatoes, squashes and heavier proteins.” 

Grocery store displays different colors and varieties of potatoes for people to select.

Said Lewison of Vail, Colorado, “As the weather cools off, we start cooking heartier dishes with potatoes, squashes and heavier proteins.” Shown above, an array of potatoes.  (iStock)

So “this wine pairs great with those flavors, as it has notes of blackberry and dark cherry, and has a slightly spiced backbone.” 

2020 Blaufränkisch, Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown, New Jersey, $42

As the fall weather settles in, Mike Beneduce, vineyard manager and winemaker of Beneduce Vineyards in Pittstown, New Jersey, recommended his vineyard’s signature red wine, Blaufränkisch. 

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“It’s a savory, medium-bodied red with aromas of wild blueberry, bonfire smoke and dark chocolate that pairs really well with hearty stews and soups, as well as with slow roasted meat and game,” Beneduce told Fox News Digital.

For people who are stuck in a rut of drinking the same wines over and over, this wine can offer a really different sensory experience, he said. 

wine

“It’s a savory, medium-bodied red with aromas of wild blueberry, bonfire smoke and dark chocolate that pairs really well with hearty stews and soups, as well as with slow roasted meat and game,” Beneduce of Beneduce Vineyards in Pittsdown, New Jersey, told Fox News Digital, about his 2020 Blaufränkisch.  (iStock)

“It’s made from sustainably grown grapes entirely from our own farm here in Pittstown,” he said.

“It’s offered in limited quantities to customers visiting our tasting room, online shop and members of our Moonlighter’s Wine Club,” he also noted.

2020 Teroldego, South Shore Wine Company in the Lake Erie AVA, Pennsylvania, $27

Blaine Ballard, brand ambassador of Robert Mazza, Inc.’s Mazza Wineries, said this red variety is a great wine for a hearty fall dinner.  

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“This wine is full of bright fruit balanced by a vibrant acidity,” Ballard said.

“A bit of earthiness and black pepper rounds out the palate,” she added.

Family has a discussion at the dinner table

Wine experts from across the country shared recommendations for wines under $50 a bottle for the new fall season.  (iStock)

“A careful oak aging approach rounds out the wine, resulting in a wonderful depth of character sure to complement a wide variety of fall dishes. Hearty Osso Bucco or rustic poultry dishes would pair well with this wine,” Ballard also noted.

2017 Krupp Brothers Just Dessert wine, Napa, California, $45

This “Just Dessert” wine is made from Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier grapes, making it the perfect dessert wine to share at the end of a fall meal, said Tyler Hinsley, tasting room manager with Krupp Brothers, in downtown Napa, California. 

“This is a wine that I’ll choose to have at the dinner table for making more holiday memories this year.”

“Pour yourself a small, chilled glass of this wine alongside a warm pecan pie, a créme brûlée, peach cobbler, lemon cheesecake or Grandma’s snickerdoodle cookies,” Hinsley told Fox News Digital. 

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“It is worth each sip, especially when you see the smiles of your friends and family when you share this wine and pair it with a delicious dessert.”

He also said, “This is a wine that I’ll choose to have at the dinner table for making more holiday memories this year.”

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