Post-127: Lincoln’s Pet Goat

One-hundred and fifty years ago last week, Lincoln wrote to his wife on a very unusual matter: A pet goat named Nanny had been milling around the White House, and had been kept as a pet, but had recently run away.

Executive Mansion, Washington, August 8, 1863.

My dear Wife.
All as well as usual, and no particular trouble any way. I put the money into the Treasury at five per cent, with the previlege of withdrawing it any time upon thirty days’ notice. I suppose you are glad to learn this. Tell dear Tad, poor “Nanny Goat,” is lost; and Mrs. Cuthbert & I are in distress about it. The day you left Nanny was found resting herself, and chewing her little cud, on the middle of Tad’s bed. But now she’s gone! The gardener kept complaining that she destroyed the flowers, till it was concluded to bring her down to the White House. This was done, and the second day she had disappeared, and has not been heard of since. This is the last we know of poor “Nanny”.

The weather continues dry, and excessively warm here. [….]

I wonder where a runaway goat goes to?

An Internet search says that the pet goat stayed in the “East Room” of the White House.