Weather played a large role in the Civil War. Cold and rain and mud made military movements nearly impossible much of the time, and the woolen uniforms became unbearable in the heat of the summer. A talented weatherman would be invaluable. Since Abraham Lincoln was a magnet for every self-avowed inventor and expert, one man claiming to be a “Certified Practical Meteorologist & Expert in Computing the Changes of the Weather” reached out to “His Excellency, The President.”
Francis L. Capen wrote to Lincoln on April 25, 1863. “It would give me great pleasure,” Capen wrote, “to assure you of the fine weather suitable for a visit to the front or for starting an Expedition fraught with momentous interests to the Country….” Offering his services, Capen added, “Please refer me, favorably to the War Department. I will guarantee to furnish Meteorological information that will save many a serious sacrifice.” To nail down his point further, Capen enclosed his calling card, on which he wrote:
Thousands of lives & millions of dollars may be save by the application of Science to the War.
Lincoln was intrigued. Joseph Henry, the first Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution and Lincoln’s unofficial science adviser, had set up a network of weather reporters across the country, but the Civil War put that system on hold for the duration. Having access to a professional meteorologist could provide a much needed advantage to the floundering war effort. Lincoln invited Capen to visit the White House for what effectively was a job interview. After the meeting, however, Lincoln was less than impressed.
On the back of Capen’s original letter Lincoln vented:
It seems to me Mr. Capen knows nothing about the weather, in advance. He told me three days ago that it would not rain again till the 30th of April or 1st of May. It is raining now & has been for ten hours – I can not spare any more time to Mr. Capen. A. Lincoln
So much for having a professional meteorologist helping the war effort.
David J. Kent is an avid science traveler and the author of Lincoln: The Man Who Saved America, in Barnes and Noble stores now. His previous books include Tesla: The Wizard of Electricity and Edison: The Inventor of the Modern World and two specialty e-books: Nikola Tesla: Renewable Energy Ahead of Its Time and Abraham Lincoln and Nikola Tesla: Connected by Fate.
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