The Final Days of Abraham Lincoln

A few days before Abraham Lincoln's assassination, he and Mrs. Lincoln held a levee. Two stories from that dance are memorable to me. When Mary was dressing for the levee, she wore a white ball gown with a train and a low revealing neckline. Upon seeing the dress Abe said "My our cat has a long tail tonight! Seems if some of that tail was nearer the head it would be in better style!"

At the levee he told several friends of his recent dream. He got quiet, reflective, not looking up he began to speak to the hushed room. "About ten days ago, I retired very late. I had been up waiting for important dispatches from the front. I could not have been long in bed when I fell into a slumber, for I was weary. I soon began to dream. There seemed to be a death-like stillness about me. Then I heard subdued sobs, as if a number of people were weeping. I thought I left my bed and wandered downstairs. There the silence was broken by the same pitiful sobbing, but the mourners were invisible. I went from room to room; no living person was in sight, but the same mournful sounds of distress met me as I passed along. I saw light in all the rooms; every object was familiar to me; but where were all the people who were grieving as if their hearts would break? I was puzzled and alarmed. What could be the meaning of all this? Determined to find the cause of a state of things so mysterious and so shocking, I kept on until I arrived at the East Room, which I entered. There I met with a sickening surprise. Before me was a catafalque, on which rested a corpse wrapped in funeral vestments. Around it were stationed soldiers who were acting as guards; and there was a throng of people, gazing mournfully upon the corpse, whose face was covered, others weeping pitifully. 'Who is dead in the White House?' I demanded of one of the soldiers, 'The President,' was his answer; 'he was killed by an assassin.' Then came a loud burst of grief from the crowd, which woke me from my dream. I slept no more that night; and although it was only a dream, I have been strangely annoyed by it ever since."

Abraham Lincoln was assassinated April 14, 1865.

On this date in April 1865, it was Monday and the day after Palm Sunday. Washington City awoke to a terrible thunderstorm. At daybreak a 500 gun salute shook the capital city. Citizens poured into the streets to see what was the excitement. Little boys hit the streets carrying long boards. They would put the boards down in the mud puddles for the finely dressed women to cross the street, earning a penny here and there. The news was exciting: General Robert E Lee of the South had surrendered. The excited crowd made their way to the White House. Military marching bands filled the street and also marched to the White House playing "The Star Spangled Banner". President Lincoln heard the people and made an appearance, and a great roar rose up as hundreds of hats were flung into the air. Lincoln said, "I am very greatly rejoiced to find that an occasion has occurred so pleasurable that the people cannot restrain themselves. I see you have a band of music with you. I have always thought that "Dixie" as one of the best tunes I have ever heard. Our adversaries over the way attempted to appropriate it, but I insisted yesterday that we fairly captured it." I now request the band to favor me with it's performance."Lincoln will be assassinated in 4 days, April 15, 1865

On this date in April 1865, Abraham Lincoln is study in opposites. Washington City was elated that the war was over, as was the President. Every evening the citizens march to the White House and cry out, "Speech, speech", shooting fireworks and guns while bands play spirited music. Every window in the White House was illuminated by hundreds of tiny candles arranged in tiers on slender strips of wood. The people call for more light so they can better see Mr. Lincoln and a lamp is fetched. They heard little Tad cry out, "Let me hold the light papa, Let me hold the light!" The Lincolns were very lenient with their boys, little Tad loved to ride a goat through the halls of the White House. It was said that Lincoln was so amused by his children that if they "shat" in his hat, he would think that was the best "shat" he had ever seen!But even in merriment, the President was forlorn. He was having dreams that disturbed him. He often dreamed that he was on a phantom ship, always going rapidly away from shore - not toward it. He saw his reflection in a mirror and he saw his image reflected with two faces, one much paler than the other and it unsettled him. He believed that the vision meant that he would be elected twice, but not live out his second term.

Lincoln will be assassinated in 3 days, April 15, 1865

On this date in April 1865, John Wilkes Booth spent the day making his final plans with his co conspirators. Booth has been stalking the President for weeks. There is a photo of Booth standing in the crowd behind the President at the Inauguration. He could have shot him then, but chickened out. He then planned to kidnap Lincoln from a carriage ride a couple of weeks earlier but Mr. Lincoln decided not to go on a carriage ride that day. It was then that Booth decided to be a hero and kill the most evil man in the country: President Abraham Lincoln. His first stop of the day was to the stable to rent a horse. He chose a bay mare and was seen that afternoon running her up the street and told a friend, "See what a nice horse I got! Now watch, she can run just like a cat!" Booth, a very famous actor, was well known at Washington City's theatres. His mail was delivered daily to Ford's Theatre and he was very familiar with the layout of the theatre. All the theatre's employees knew him, so his presence was not going to be odd. Ford's was presenting a comedy "Our American Cousin" and although he had never acted it, he knew it well. His plan was simple. He would go up the back stairs to the Presidential Box and wait until Harry Hawk's most memorable line in the play, the line that would draw the biggest and loudest laugh. "You sockdologizing old mantrap!" Then the sound of the gun firing would be muffled by the roars of laughter from the crowd. Then he would leap from the box, run across the stage and exit into the back alley where his horse would be waiting. He and his henchmen would meet up at Surratt's boarding house. Later the proprietor, Mary Surratt would be the first woman hung in the United States. Her son, John, would flee to Canada while his mother was hanged.

Lincoln will be assassinated in 2 days, April 15, 1865

On this date in April 1865, Mary Lincoln is, as usual, worried. Mary has few friends in Washington City. She is seen by the women of Washington's Elite as a Southerner, as a hick and a hillbilly. Her own family is split apart, most of her relatives fight for the south, in fact her brother in law had just been killed in battle. She was forced to sneak her own sister into the White House to grieve for her fallen husband. Mary has acquired the habit of overspending. She has filled and overfilled the White House with knick knacks, gold and silver. She purchased scads of bonnets, shawls and ball gowns, stuffing the excess in spare closets and the White House attic. And she has hidden the bills from her husband. She is in debt to Washington and New York store owners to the tune of $70,000.00. Mary is constantly fretful, especially since her dear son Willie had died from the fever. She cries out constantly, wailing and walking and shopping to quell her nerves. She visits spiritualists to contact Willie. Her true only friend was a free black woman, Elizabeth Keckley, who was her seamstress. One day in the midst of a meltdown after Willie's death, Mary was taken to the window of the White House by the President. "Mother, " he said, "do you see that large white building on the hill yonder?" Mrs. Lincoln nodding, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. Everyone in Washington recognized the lunatic asylum, an imposing landmark on the skyline. "Try and control your grief, or it will drive you mad and we may have to send you there." So even in the jubilation that the city felt, Mary was despondent. The President received hate mail on a daily basis, a fact that worried Mary. Elizabeth tried to remind her that the war was over, that the President had been re-elected, and that the dark clouds were lifting. But even during blue skies, Mary was a storm.Dr. Charles Leale was a surgeon for the Union Army. In 1865 he was 23 years old. On this day, he had taken the day off to take in some of the celebrations and get some fresh air. He headed down Pennsylvania Avenue toward the White House and noticed a celebration there. He watched the President give one of his last public speeches and was intrigued by his facial features. Upon finding out that Lincoln was going to Ford's, he immediately rushed and bought a ticket in the dress circle, close to the Presidential box. His seat was about 40 feet away from the President.Lincoln will be assassinated in 1 day, April 15, 1865

Friday, April 15, 1865. Good Friday. Washington City awoke that fateful day in a fog of celebrations for the cease fire and the upcoming Easter Holiday. The war was over, done with, finished, and Washington had been drunk for a week. President Lincoln started his day at the White House at 7am. As he walked toward the Oval Office, the hall way was already full of the usual morning vultures. “Good morning, Sir, may I trouble you with a favor?” Lincoln was tired, dead tired. “I am sorry, I cannot be of help to you.” This was his standard tired reply to the vultures. His only order that morning: have the fix-it man repair the handle of the carriage for he and Mrs. Lincoln were going on a ride that afternoon.

Mrs. Lincoln was birdlike and happy that morning, chattering about at breakfast. Their eldest son, Robert, was home from the war. At breakfast he told tales of the front and the genius of Grant. Mary did not like General Grant, and she liked his wife even more. Weeks earlier she and Mrs. Grant had paid a visit to City Point Virginia, the war front. Mrs. Lincoln was anxious to get there, Mrs. Grant was slower to ready herself, so they were late. It is told that Mrs. Lincoln berated Mrs. Grant the entire buggy ride, screaming at her and then screaming at the driver until all parties were exhausted. Mrs. Lincoln said that she had tickets for Grover’s Theatre, but she would rather see “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s. Mr. Lincoln absently agreed to just about anything she said.

Mary Surratt was at her boarding house, fixing a breakfast of eggs, flapjacks and coffee. Lots of coffee. There were several men there, Booth and his co-conspirators. Her attitude was one of forced cheerfulness, as though she was being brave in the face of impending disaster.

Lizzie Keckley was up early that morning and on the way to The White House with the bodice, skirt and sleeves for a new spring frock to fit for Mrs. Lincoln, an embroidered French muslin with cap sleeves and a delicate lace trim around the neckline. Mary Lincoln would soon be moving to the Soldiers’ Home for the summer, where she hoped her husband would rest and regain his vigorous good health. Lizzie, always worrying about the President and Mrs. Lincoln, was fretting about the knowledge of how much money Mrs. Lincoln was spending. At last count, Mary had purchased 300 pairs of gloves!

Booth was up early as well. He was hearing rumors that the President and his party would either celebrate that night at Grover’s or Ford’s. He also heard that General and Mrs. Grant were also in town, and expected to be in the President’s party. What luck, two for the price of one!

Lincoln will be assassinated tonight, April 15, 1865

Friday, April 15, 1865, about 12:30pm. President Lincoln receives notice that General and Mrs. Grant will not be joining them at the theatre. The couple decide to continue their journey northward to New Jersey to see their children. The President accepts their apologies but in his heart he must know the real truth: Julia Grant dislikes Mrs. Lincoln very much.

Mrs. Surratt is at her boarding house in the city when Booth comes in to see her. He has a request: take this wrapped package to your boarding house in Surrattsville. He does not tell her the contents, but this little "favor" has heavy implications. This simple task is what will kill her. Booth leaves and heads to Howard's Stable to rent his favorite horse for the evening.

At Ford's Theatre the morning rehearsal is wrapping up so the stagehands can begin preparation for the show. A member of the staff heads up to the attic to fetch the red upholstered rocker reserved for the President. Also in the subterranean passage were two sofas which were also brought up and dusted and put in the box for the ladies. The President's rocker was placed at the very rear of box number 7, in a corner where the President would be hidden from most of the audience by a heavy contoured drape. Ford himself got onstage and climbed a ladder to set the flags in place. He draped big American banners across both boxes. He then went to the Presidential boxes and inspected everything to be sure that they were clean and placed exactly right. Then he opened the door to 7, and closed it. He opened the door to 8, and closed it. Everything was in order. It didn't occur to him that neither door locked. Ford's Theatre was ready.

Friday, April 15, 1865, about 2:00 pm. "Madam", the guard said. "The President is busy, he cannot see you!" She may have screamed, or sobbed, because the noise she made caused the door to open and through her tears, she saw the wavering figure of the President of the United States. He looked down at her, and he was smiling. In his deep tones, he said: "There is time for all who need me. Let the good woman come in."She was Nancy Bushrod and she took her time to compose herself before speaking. She told him her name and how many babies she had and that her husband's name was Tom and that both of them had been slaves at a plantation outside of Richmond. When they had heard about the Emancipation Proclamation they heard it meant that they were free and they had run away and come to Washington. In thankfulness Tom had enlisted in the Army of the Potomac, leaving Nancy in a little shack with twin boys and a baby girl. His pay kept coming regularly, then stopped. She started to cry again. Would the President help please about Tom's pay? "You are entitled to your husband's pay," Mr. Lincoln said. "Come this timeto-morrow and the papers will be signed and ready." As Mrs. Bushrod told it later, she said: "I couldn't open my mouth to tell him that I was going to remember him forever and I couldn't see because the tears were falling."When he had escorted her to the office door, he said: "My good woman, perhaps you will see many a day when all the food in the house is a single loaf of bread. Even so, give every child a slice and send your children to school." Then, as she looked on, he bowed "like I was a natural-born lady."

The President will be assassinated in 8 hours, April 15, 1865

Friday, April 15, 1865, about 4:00 pm. President Lincoln is attending to the last business of the day, a meeting with Mr. Dana of the Department of War. He has intelligence that shows that former Senator Thompson of Mississippi has returned from exile in Canada and has sneaked across the border. He wants him arrested. Lincoln says, " Well, no I rather think not. When you have an elephant by the hind leg, and he's trying to run away, it is best to let him run." With that business decided, the President is now free to go on a carriage ride with his wife on this beautiful Good Friday afternoon.

Booth is also attending to his last business of the day, renting a horse from Pumphrey's Stable. The actor walked around the excitable mare, who actually tried to bite him. Booth was an imposing figure in black hat and black, smartly tailored coat and tight legged trousers. His tan boots were brightly polished and his spurs gleamed like gems. He had a letter to write. "Editor, National Intelligencer", he wrote on the envelope. He wanted no confusion about the perpetrator of this deed. He wrote swiftly to the skating pen to explain his act. He expected criticism of his act, but someday time would justify him. Then he did a mean thing. Instead of signing it with his name alone, he decided to commit his friends, his fellow conspirators to his deed. He signed it: "J.W. Booth, Paine, Atzerodt, Herold. He knew that this put the noose around their necks.

Lincoln will be assassinated in 6 hours

Friday, April 15, 1865 about 5:00 pm. Abraham and Mary, married couple of 23 years, leave the White House to enjoy their first peaceful evening in forever. The weather is nice, and their hearts are light. She asks him if he wants someone to ride with them. "No" he said, with a twinkle in his eye, "I prefer to ride by ourselves today." On this drive, Abraham was in rare humor and passerby heard Mrs. Lincoln's laughter peal from the coach. It rang out wholeheartedly and Mr. Burns, up in the front seat, grinned without knowing the joke. As they trotted along, the President raised his silk hat when groups of citizens hailed him from the walks. "Dear husband," Mary said. "You almost startle me by your great cheerfulness." "Mother, I consider this day the war has come to a close." He patted her hand, as though he hoped to infuse her with what he was going to say. "We must both be cheerful in the future. Between the war, and the loss of our darling Willie, we have both been very miserable." Abraham talked about the future to Mary. He spoke of reconstruction in the South, completing his second term in office, and then perhaps a trip to Europe. He also wanted to see California and the Pacific Ocean. "I never felt so happy in my life."

Abraham will be assassinated in 5 hours.

Friday, April 15, 1865 about 6:00 pm. Many of the principles of this day are on the road. Mary Surratt has delivered Mr. Booth's package to her boarding house in Surrattsville and is on her way back to Washington City. Booth's henchmen are scattered over the city, in search of Booth. Booth is in the alley behind Ford's theatre feeding his horse for she must be rested and strong. Abraham and Mary are finishing up their carriage ride, their mood is gay and happy. At the door of the White House two of his friends await. He tells Mary that he won't be long and they go into the Oval Office. The two, seeing the one so unusually happy, fell into a mood of horseplay and all three roared with laughter. Lincoln, again tells of a dream he had before he came to the White House. He was lying on a couch in Springfield and he glanced up at a mirror and saw two images of himself: one glowing bright, one ghastly in death. Th meaning he said, was decipherable: he would be healthful in in first term of office, and death would overtake him in his second. He called dreams "Children of Nature" and he had a deep respect for them. Eventually the friends bid each other farewell, and Abraham rejoins his family for dinner.

Lincoln will be assassinated in 4 hours.

Friday, April 15, 1865 about 8:00 pm. Night came like a gentle sneak and the city lamp-lighters fought it with ladders in one hand and taper in the other. Ladies about to go out for the evening studied the sky and decided to take good warm coats. White House guard William Crook was mad, but he was good at hiding his feelings. His replacement was 3 hours late to begin the night shift. Thankfully though, his replacement did show up. As he was leaving, Abraham looked at him and said: "Good-by, Crook." On his way home, Detective Crook thought about it, the President always said "Good night Crook." Why would he change it to good-by? Near the theatre district, boys ran through the streets, passing out specially struck handbills: Ford Theatre The performance to-night of "Our American Cousin" will be honored by the presence of President Lincoln.

It was 8:05 when Mrs. Lincoln, in pretty bonnet with tiny pink flowers, and low-necked white dress, stood in the office doorway pulling on gloves and said: "Will you have us be late?" President Lincoln slowly arose and asked Lizzie to "brush down his bristles in the back of his head", put on his silk hat. "I am engaged to go to the theatre with Mrs. Lincoln. It is a kind of engagement I never break." He waved to all, as the carriage pulled away from the White House.

Booth and his conspirators met for the final time. Booth would go alone to Ford's. His strike time was approximately 10:15. Afterward he would flee fast on his horse, headed for the Navy Yard Bridge, to Virginia, then to the loving arms of the South.

President Lincoln will be assassinated in 3 hours.

Friday, April 15, 1865 about 9:00 pm. The President's carriage turned north at Fifteenth Street and east on H Street. It pulled in front of the home of Senator Ira Harris. The Lincoln's last minutes guests are Miss Harris and Major Rathbone. Although he was was a Major, tonight he was unarmed. Act One was being played to an almost capacity house, although a small queue of patrons still waited for tickets at the box office. When the carriage arrived, the night shift detective, Parker, dismounted his horse and went inside to make a quick check of the Presidential box. Everything looked all right. Parker, a particularly lazy man, felt as if his job was done. Now he would lead Mr. Lincoln, by a pace or two, into the theatre. Later, he would sit outside the corridor, and in time, see that the President got back into his carriage. At twelve midnight, Parker would be on his way home. The play, already begun, was already starting a buzz of laughter in the audience. Dr. Leale, present in the dress circle front of the theatre, was only mildly interested. His main reason to be there was to examine the very interesting facial features of President Lincoln. As the party enter the theatre the star of the play, Miss Laura Keene, noticed them right away. She ad-libbed "Anyone can see that!", as she thrusted her arm toward the incoming President. Professor Withers raised his baton and the band swung into "Hail to the Chief", as the party made their way upward to their box.A soft rain begins in the cool night sky.President Lincoln will be assassinated in 2 hours.

Friday, April 15, 1865 about 10:00 pm. It's go time. Mr & Mrs. Lincoln are enjoying the play. Mrs. Surratt is at her boarding house, nervous, waiting for the return of the conspirators. Detective Parker is becoming bored with his post outside the box door. He got up, pushed his chair against the dress circle wall, and walked up the aisle and out the theatre. "How would you like a little ale?", he asked the carriage driver. The two started down the street to Talavul's Bar. Inside the theatre there were 1,675 persons. At least one was in a romantic mood. This was the President. He reached and found Mrs. Lincoln's hand and held it at the side of the rocker and did not let go. Mrs. Lincoln leaned close to her husband and whispered: "What will Miss Harris think of my hanging on to you so?" "Why," the President said, not taking his eyes from the stage, "she will think nothing about it." This will be his last known words.

The President will be assassinated in 1 hour.

John Wilkes Booth shows up backstage at Ford's. He has left his horse out back, her reins being held by a stage hand. He coldly, calmly smiles at the actors who are star struck by his presence. He is listening to the lines of the play, lines he could mouth with them. Unknown to him, one of his conspirators has already chickened out. Atzerodt, who was the kill the Vice President, is getting hammered at the Union Hotel. Booth, after realizing that he has time to kill, walks back to Taltavul's for a whiskey. He drinks just down the bar from the President's coachman AND his protector. When giving the whiskey to Booth, the bartender exclaims: "You'll never be the actor your father was." The conspirator smiled and nodded "When I leave the stage," he said quietly, "I will be the most famous man in America."Countdown

Booth walks back up the street and into Ford's Theatre slightly ahead of schedule. He heard the lines onstage and he knew he had about two minutes. He looked down at the little white door and saw the empty chair. Confused, he looked at patrons sitting in the dress circle chairs and quickly realized that he was going to get into that box with no trouble, no challenge, no fight, no stabbing. He was going to be able to walk in as though Lincoln had been expecting him. Now was the time. Booth knew that, in a few seconds, Asa would be alone on the stage. He turned the knob, pushed the door, and walked into the darkness. The door closed behind him. He found the pine board he had put in their earlier and wedged it in the door so no one could enter. The conspirator crouched and pressed his eye against the gimlet hole. What he saw was clear. The high back of the horsehair rocker was in plain view and the silhouette of a head above it. He watched. He waited.

Booth turned the knob. The door swung inward. Lincoln was about 4 feet in front of him. Booth moved along the wall toward his prey."Wal, I guess I know enough to turn you inside out, you sockdologizing old mantrap" The line was met with the expected huge laughter.The derringer was behind the President's head between the left ear and spine. Booth squeezed the trigger and there was a sound as though someone had blown up and broken a heavy paper bag. In came in the midst of laughter, so that some people heard it, some did not. The President did not move, rather his head inclined toward his chest and he ceased to rock. Mrs. Lincoln, her faced still creased in laughter, turned toward the noise. Booth with no maniacal gleam or frenzy said, "Sic semper tyrannis" and thrust his knife into Major Rathbone. The assassin moved to the ledge of the box and shouted, "Revenge for the South" as he jumped from the box and onto the stage. It is done.

Dr. Charles Leale wisely documented his treatment of Mr. Lincoln after the shooting. His account, "Lincoln's Last Hours" documents what happened next.He was the first person to reach the white door, which was blocked inside by the pine board. After it was removed with much difficulty, he entered the box. Major Rathbone was the first to be administered to, as his arm had been slashed and was bleeding severely. After seeing that the Major was in no danger, he then attended to the President. His eyes were closed and his head had fallen forward. Mrs. Lincoln was weeping bitterly, but still able to hold him in his chair to keep him from tumbling to the floor. While examining his patient, he lifts his eyelids and sees evidence of a brain injury. He writes: "The President had been shot in the back part of the head, behind the left ear. I easily removed the obstructing clot of blood from the wound, and this relieved the pressure on the brain." He asks for brandy and pours a small quantity in the President's mouth which was swallowed and retained. "I then pronounced my diagnosis and prognosis: "His wound is mortal; it is impossible for him to recover." This message was telegraphed all over the country. We decided that the President could be moved from the possibility of danger in the theatre to a house where we might place him on a bed in safety. We slowly carry him to Mr. Petersen's house, diagonally opposite. This we did, not having been interrupted in the slightest by the throngs in the street, but a number of the excited populace followed us into the house." The vigil, the watchnight begins...

During the long night, many government officials gathered at the Petersen boarding house. A stenographer was sent for and he took down all the events of the long dark night. Mrs. Lincoln came into the room, many times, only to behave so crazily that she was sent away by the doctors. Dr. Charles Leale, a very young army surgeon, administered to the President all night. Alternating with pouring brandy into Lincoln's mouth and removing the blood clot in the wound, he kept him alive much longer than anyone imagined. At 7 am his respirations slowed, then ceased. Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton, uttered, "And now he belongs to the ages" as Dr. Leale took two large coins from his pocket, placing them on his eyes. It was done!

In the aftermath of Lincoln's murder, his family suffered greatly. Poor Mary. She never saw his body, she refused to go to the funeral, witness a ceremony, ride the train to take his body back to Illinois. His body was taken back, with the body of his son Willie, to be buried in Illinois. She refused to leave the White House for 6 weeks. Her state of mind allowed expensive treasures of the Lincoln White House to be pilfered through, while she took trunks of worthless junk with her. She gave away many personal belongings of her husband. She eventually settled in Chicago. In the summer of 1871, she was a victim of the Great Chicago Fire, spending the evening running in terror through the streets, eventually ending up in the water of a lake to survive. Additionally, she again suffered through the death of another child, Tad, at the age of 18 to a sudden illness. She refused to attend his funeral. Her only living son, Robert, finally makes the decision to have his mother placed in a sanitarium because of her constant erratic behavior. Mary Todd Lincoln, from Lexington Kentucky is a very complex and interesting character!