14. Mary’s Shopping Trips To New York During The Civil War Became Scandalous
Once her husband became President of the United States, Mary Lincoln’s spending became worse. She would frequently go to New York City and not place any care into how much money she spent. Unlike other First Ladies, Mary wanted to redo nearly every room in the White House.
With the start of the Civil War, people began to look at Mary’s shopping sprees in more detail. As the states of the Union continued to struggle financially, barely having food to provide their families and supplies for the soldiers, Mary spent lavishly and became a scandalous woman.