In mid-August, 1864, Lincoln was heading to his cottage at the Soldiers' Home in Washington D.C., about 3 miles northeast of the White House. Lincoln was riding alone on his horse, Old Abe, to the home at about 11 p.m., deep in thought. Between 1862 and 1864, Lincoln was known to spend the summer months at the Soldiers' Home with his family, starting between mid-June and early July of each year to escape the heat, and staying until early November.