Lincoln · written by Tony Kushner · 2012

Grant and Robert follow the close count by telegraph as Pennsylvania votes begin to move toward the amendment.

Scene 80 of 102 · ≈ 1 min on screen · Act three

Sergeant

Act oneAct twoAct three

Begins 1:47 into a 2:06 film

The story so farBefore scene 80

In the final winter of the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln risks a fragile coalition and the chance of an early peace to force an amendment abolishing slavery through a divided House of Representatives.

Scenes 1–7
The reelected president balances military command, popular affection and a household wounded by grief.
Scenes 8–13
Lincoln needs a durable constitutional abolition measure and commits to passing it before the term ends.
Scenes 14–16
Radical allies and discreet patronage operatives join the campaign as the amendment enters House debate.
Scene 17
Robert returns, bringing the family's private struggle over his enlistment into Lincoln's public campaign.
Scene 56
Lincoln changes his telegram to hold the Confederate commissioners outside Washington, choosing time for the amendment over immediate talks.
Scene 63
Mary predicts losing Robert and confronts Lincoln over the grief and bloodshed carried by his decisions.
Scene 66
Lincoln joins the operatives himself and begins personally securing the remaining Democrats.
Scene 71
Still short of votes and beset by demands for peace, Lincoln orders his allies to procure the final votes.
Just before
Scene 77
Lincoln's denial defeats postponement and the roll call begins, with Ellis supporting the amendment and Hutton opposing it.
Scene 78
Lincoln watches Tad build a fort from books while the House votes.
Scene 79
Soldiers outside the Capitol relay the House votes by telegraph to the army.
Scene 80
This scene

80INT. GRANT'S TELEGRAPH ROOM AT CITY POINT - AFTERNOON

OFFICERS are crowded in the small room, watching a SERGEANT transcribe as his cipher key clicks.

SERGEANT

Webster Allen, Illinois, Democrat,

votes...no.

The cipher key clicks again.

SERGEANT (CONT'D)

Halberd Law, Indiana, Democrat,

votes...no.

Grant observes this from the balcony above. Robert, in a captain's uniform, stands near him. Like his mother, Robert has a scorecard, and he's keeping track.

Grant turns his back on the proceedings to light a cigar. He's concerned at how close the vote is. Behind him the count

CONTINUES:

SERGEANT (CONT'D)

Archibald Moran...yes.

Robert has been looking at Grant; he returns to his score keeping.

SERGEANT (CONT'D)

Ambrose Bailer...yes.