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Lincoln’s Assassination. Lincoln Before the War. Lincoln before the war. Lincoln at the end of the war. Before and After. The Plot to Kidnap Lincoln. Originally, he was to be kidnapped and used in prisoner exchange
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The Plot to Kidnap Lincoln • Originally, he was to be kidnapped and used in prisoner exchange • Once it was clear the war was over, the plan changed to the assassination of several northern leaders
Ringleader Famous Shakespearean actor Well-known, recognizable Father, Junius and Mother, Mary also actors, immigrants from England Brothers Edwin and Junius Jr. were also actors Family was from Maryland—supported the Union Booth was a southern sympathizer but promised his mother he would not join the southern army John Wilkes Booth
Booth and his brothers Booth and Lincoln had actually crossed paths before Lincoln saw Booth perform Booth was at Lincoln’s second inauguration More on John Wilkes Booth
The Assassination Plot • Booth would kill Lincoln • George Azerodt would kill Vice-President Johnson • Lewis Powell would kill Secretary of State Seward • David Herold would assist in the escape • Grant was also to be killed, but he was not in Washington, D.C. at the time
The Assassination Plot • The goal was to kill northern leadership and inspire/encourage the Confederate Army to continue the war • Other conspirators include John Surratt, Mary Surratt
Mary Surratt owned a boardinghouse in Washington, D.C. where the conspirators met Surratt’s Involvement
Andrew Johnson George Atzerodt Johnson and his would-be assassin
Surratt also owned a tavern in Maryland where Booth and Herold stopped after the assassination to pick up weapons that Mary left for them Surratt’s Involvement
April 14th, 1865 • Lincoln decides to attend Ford’s Theater to see a play called “Our American Cousin” • He was celebrating the end of the war • Grant was to be his guest but could not attend • Henry Rathbone and his fiancé take his place
April 14th, 1865 • Booth spends time at the hotel next door and then enters the theater without question • Since he is a well-known actor, he is very knowledgeable about the theater and the play • He waits for a moment during the dialogue when there would be laughter
At the exact moment Booth pulled the trigger, Lincoln turned his head to the left/downward, as if looking to the crowd • This led to the bullet lodging in his head in a particular position that limited bleeding • Many in the theater had no idea what had happened until…
As he stands on the stage he shouts “Sic Semper Tyrannis” • This is the state motto of Virginia • It means, “Thus forever to tyrants” • It was attributed to Brutus at the death of Caesar and was chosen by Virginia as a message to King George
Before jumping, Booth and Rathbone struggled for a few seconds before Booth stabbed the Major in the shoulder and arm • After making his statement, he exits the theater in the back, where he has a horse waiting for him • He should not have been allowed to leave the city due to curfews during the war • A guard, not aware of the news or the identity of Booth, lets him pass into Maryland • All 3 assassins were to meet, along with accomplice David Herold, but not everything went according to plan
The Vice President • George Atzerodt was assigned to kill Johnson • Atzerodt checked in to the same hotel as Johnson and actually had a room just above the VP, but after sitting at the hotel bar for a few hours, left and never carried out the assassination
Seward was in a carriage accident days before the assassination attempt He was bedridden in his Washington home He children, a butler, and guard were home with him Secretary of State William Seward
The Seward Attempt • Pretending to deliver medicine, Lewis Powell knocked on the door of the Seward home with a revolver and knife on him • The butler was suspicious, but let him in • Once inside, he attacked Seward’s 2 sons and daughter—Frederick first • He has major head injuries, but survives
The Seward Attempt • Seward’s other son and daughter are injured, as well as the butler, and a delivery man who was stabbed in the back • The worst injuries were suffered by Seward himself, who was bedridden and unable to move or defend himself
The Seward Attempt • Powell enters his dark bedroom and stabs repeatedly into the bed • Seward was wearing a metal neck brace because of his carriage accident—this probably saved his life • He is stabbed/slashed across his cheek • He falls off the bed and rolls underneath it to save himself
The Seward Attempt • Powell escapes from the house and shouts “I’m mad, I’m mad!” as he gets on his horse (provided by David Herold, who ran away when he heard screams) and rides away
After the attack, Seward preferred to be photographed with only his left side showing William Seward
After being shot, several doctors examined him Because of the location of the wound, it did not bleed much and doctor’s were unsure of his injury He was carried next door to the Petersen House Lincoln
The Aftermath • Immediately, the nation goes on alert to look for Booth and his conspirators • Booth and Herold had passed into Maryland and stopped first at the Surratt Tavern to get weapons and supplies • They next moved on the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd • Mudd offered medical assisstance • Mudd claimed he did know Booth or that he had committed the crime • He would later be arrested and imprisoned
The Aftermath • Booth and Herold hide in a swamp for several days • The are given food and supplies from a southern sympathizer • On April 20, in darkness, they attempt to row across the Potomac to Virginia • The end up landing in Maryland again
the Escape • Fortunately for Booth, he and Herold encounter southern sympathizers in Maryland and are able to stay safe another night before crossing over to Virginia • In Virginia, they stay at the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Quesenberry • The next night, they forcibly remove a free African-American from his home and stay there • Next, he and Herold were taken to Garrett farm, where Booth spent 2 nights, and Herold, 1
the Escape • During this time, the US Army was one step behind • After questioning some of those who had helped Booth escape, a cavalry unit from NY tracked him down at Garrett’s Farm • He refused to come out of the tobacco barn where he was hiding • Herold surrendered and was captured
Boston Corbett Garrett’s Farm and the man who killed Booth
When Booth refuses to leave the barn, it is set on fire Suddenly, a shot is fired Boston Corbett shoots Booth in the neck He is alive, but paralyzed He dies within hours His last words are “Useless, Useless” Booth is Killed
The Other Conspirators • David Herold was captured when Booth was killed • George Atzerodt, Lewis Powell, and Mary Surratt are arrested • Other lesser conspirators, such as Dr. Mudd, and others who helped with Booth’s escape, are also arrested • Aztzerodt, Powell, Herold, and SUrratt are sentenced to hang
