Lincoln's Watch Mystery

The National Museum of American History confirmed a rumour today when it popped the back off Abraham Lincoln's watch to find a message engraved there on April 13, 1861 by watchmaker Jonathon Dillon.

Part of the inscription reads, "Fort Sumpter was attacked by the rebels" and "thank God we have a government." Sumpter was attacked the previous day by Confederate forces the day previous.

Also plainly visible is the engraving of "Jeff Davis" which must have referred to Jefferson Davis who served as president of the Confederate States of America throughout their existence from 1861 to 1865.