Silas H. Billings Diary
Silas H. Billings was a U.S. Army soldier from Lafayette, New York, wounded at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864. In April 1865 he was a patient at Saterlee Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he learned that John Wilkes Booth had assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Billings then received permission to attend Lincoln's funeral in Philadelphia. Like many people at the time, Billings recorded both newsworthy events, like Lincoln's assassination, and the details of his everyday life together. After the Civil War, Billings became a school teacher and part-time farmhand. His wounds led to his death in 1873, at the age of only 30.
[inside cover]
Silas H. Billings
Wounded at
Winchester Va
Sept 19 1864
[Friday, April 14, 1865]
Abraham Lincoln
is Shot at Fords
Theatre at 9,30 p m and dies at 722 am
Wm H & Fred Seward are stabbed at or
about the same time
[Saturday, April 15, 1865]
my eye is very bad
[Wednesday, April 19, 1865]
Funeral of our Chief
Abraham Lincoln
President of the
U S of America
Recd a Visit from
C F Falch co. "D" 9 ny
Ward 2 Turners Lane
[Saturday, April, 22, 1865]
Recd a pass 2 pm to 9 pm
went downtown to Corner
of Broad & Prime Sts
Funeral Train of the
late President A Lincoln
arrives at 4,30 pm
Procession is formed in
Broad & goes down to
Walnut up to 21st
down to Vine down to
2nd up to Chesnut to
Independence Hall on
Chesnut between 5th & 6th
Marjorie Billings Martinez, great-granddaughter of Silas H. Billings
This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Silas H. Billings. "Silas H. Billings Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed December 26, 2024. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1040
Silas H. Billings
April 14, 1865
Diary from Apr. 14, 1865
Silas H. Billings was a U.S. Army soldier from Lafayette, New York, wounded at the Battle of Winchester in September 1864. In April 1865 he was a patient at Saterlee Hospital in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, when he learned that John Wilkes Booth had assassinated President Abraham Lincoln. Billings then received permission to attend Lincoln's funeral in Philadelphia. Like many people at the time, Billings recorded both newsworthy events, like Lincoln's assassination, and the details of his everyday life together. After the Civil War, Billings became a school teacher and part-time farmhand. His wounds led to his death in 1873, at the age of only 30.
Marjorie Billings Martinez, great-granddaughter of Silas H. Billings
This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.
Silas H. Billings
April 14, 1865