Full Title

Contemporary copy of telegram of H.A. Wise, Chief of Bureau, Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department, Washington City, to Commander Jeffers, U.S.N., Ordnance Yard, Washington, April 17, 1865

Description

States, "The moment the 'Santiago-de-Cuba' arrives at the Yard, report it to Bureau by telegraph. . . ." Relates to the capture of John Wilkes Booth after his assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

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Wise, H. A. (Henry Augustus), 1819-1869. "Contemporary copy of telegram of H.A. Wise, Chief of Bureau, Bureau of Ordnance, Navy Department, Washington City, to Commander Jeffers, U.S.N., Ordnance Yard, Washington, April 17, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/644

Creator

Wise, H. A. (Henry Augustus), 1819-1869

Publisher

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

Full Title

Note signed W.A. Nichols, Asst. Adjt. Genl., War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, to Hon. Geo. Harrington [George Harrington], Asst. Secty. Treasury, April 17, 1865

Description

Informs Harrington that the pallbearers for Lincoln's funeral from the Army will be U.S. Grant, H.W. Halleck, and W.A. Nichols [himself].

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Nichols, W. A.. "Note signed W.A. Nichols, Asst. Adjt. Genl., War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, to Hon. Geo. Harrington [George Harrington], Asst. Secty. Treasury, April 17, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/642

Creator

Nichols, W. A.

Publisher

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

Full Title

Contemporary copy of telegram of F.A. Parker, Navy Dept., to Senior Naval Officer, Off Pt. Lookout, April 17, 1865

Description

States, "Send Nansemond to blockade Patuxent River - without delay. The Murderer has been traced to that River. . . ." Refers to the hunt for John Wilkes Booth after the assassination of President Lincoln.

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Parker, F. A.. "Contemporary copy of telegram of F.A. Parker, Navy Dept., to Senior Naval Officer, Off Pt. Lookout, April 17, 1865". . Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/637

Creator

Parker, F. A.

Publisher

Date

April 17, 1865

Material

Full Title

Mary Henry Diary

Description

Mary Henry, the daughter of the Secretary of the Smithsonian, recorded her thoughts about the death of Lincoln and provided an extensive discussion of the funeral in Washington.

Transcription

[April] 15th. We were awakened this morning by an announcement which almost made our hearts stand still with consternation. The President was shot last night in the Theater. When the morning paper was issued he was still alive although little or no hopes were entertained of his recovery but now the tolling bells tell us he has ceased to breathe. He is dead. Mr. De Bust has just told Hannah he died at ½ 7 o'clock. Deeply must the country mourn this death for although uncouth & ungainly he was true hearted, magnanimous and kind and in the present crisis ready to follow the such a course with the defeated belligerants as would win them back to their allegiance to the Government and subdue the rebellion in their hearts as well as subjugate their aims. The South has lost in him a good & judicious friend. His successor Johnson heartily desires the death of the leaders of the rebellion & is in every way ultra in his views. I have not given the particulars of the disaster. It was announced in the yesterday's papers that the President with Gen Grant would be at Ford's Theater in the evening and a large crowd collected there in consequence. Gen Grant however left the city before night for N.Y. Mrs. Lincoln had not been well & the President went to the place of amusement with reluctance, not wishing to disappoint the audience. He was received with more than usual applause. About 9½ o'clock a shot was heard which was at first supposed to be from the stage and a man leaped from the President's box upon the stage crying, "Sic semper Tyrannis" "I have done it." and making his way to the door mounted a horse & rode off. The shrieks of Madame Lincoln first announced to the petrified audience the catastrophe which had taken place. The President was found to be in a state of insensibility, shot twice through the head. He was immediately conveyed to a house opposite the theatre followed by Mrs. L. escorted by her friends in an almost frantic condition.

At the same time of the accident an attempt was also made upon the life of Sec. Seward. The assasin entered the house upon the plea that he had brought a prescription of Dr. Verde the physician of the Sec. He pushed passed the servant into the room of the sick man & after disabling the attendants inflicted several sabre wounds in his neck & then made his escape. Sec. Stanton it is said was warned of the danger and guarded himself against it. The rain is falling heavily and the bells still toll their melancholy tale.

7 P.M. The sad day of excitement is over. The President's body has been embalmed and lies in state at the White House while the frantic grief of Mrs. Lincoln has settled into an apathetic dejection from which it is impossible to arouse her. The President remained unconcious to the last. The members of the Cabinet, Mrs. & Miss Kinney and Miss Harris surrounded his bed. Dr. Gurley was present & afterwards escorted the bereaved widow to her home. At the request of Mrs. Lincoln, he communicated the mournful intelligence to poor little Tad who was wandering from group to group of the sorrowing attendants endeavoring vainly to find out what was the matter. His cries when he heard that he was Fatherless were exceedingly touching. He has been the most constant companion of the President. Johnson has received the oath of office and seems impressed with the dignity and responsibility of his new office. The assasins have not yet been arrested but the evidence if conclusive that Booth a miserable actor and worthless vagrant, a Son of the great tragedian, committed the deed. That is the murder of the President--the stabbing of Mr. Seward was probably done by an accomplice. Mr. Seward is in a critical position and has not been informed of the death of the President or of the danger of his son, who was so much injured by the assasin that very little hope is entertained of his life. The feeling of resentment at the South as instigating in all probability the murder is deep and I fear will entirely replace the feeling of kindness before entertained for the insurgents. The Southerners if they have countenanced the dreadful deed have fatally mistaken the interest of their cause.

[April] 17th. The sorrow for the President's death is deep and universal as we went to church yesterday we found all the houses draped in black. In front of the studio of Mr. Baumgrass, a large portrait of Mr. Lincoln was suspended surrounded with the marks of mourning. The church was so thronged with stranger we with difficulty made our way into the building and after standing for some time were provided with seats in the isle. The pulpit and gallery was dressed in black and the Presidents pew was closed and clothed with the same emblem. The Dr. in a short introductory address alluded to the terrible calamity which had befallen the Nation and spoke in terms of true affection of the personal qualities of our beloved chief Magistrate. The Assasins have not yet been found. The feeling against the South is exceedingly bitter. Mr. Seward's wounds are not as serious as was at first supposed and he will probably recover. He was informed last night of the death of the President and of the critical condition of his son still remains in a state of insensibility. The funeral ceremonies are expected to take place on Wednesday.

[April] 18th. Have just returned from the Kennedys where I passed the night. I went to see Dr. & Mrs. Gurley yesterday afternoon. The Dr. said he had been called to go to the President about 4 o'clock in the morning. He found him in the house opposite the theatre lying insensible upon a bed with the life blood dripping from the wound in his head upon the clothes on the floor beneath. The several members of the Cabinet & other persons were standing around the deepest sorrow depicted upon their countenances. The Dr. went to the bed side but for a while was too much overcome with his feelings to perform the religious services required of him. He went to Mrs. Lincoln and found her in an almost frantic condition. The President died about 7½ o'clock. Dr. Gurley returned to his bed side a few moments before his decease. He made his way through the sorrowing & silent spectators & found him slowly drawing his breath at long intervals lying as before perfectly motionless. A faint hardly perceptable motion in his throat and all was over. So still was the room that the ticking of the President's watch was distinctly heard. After a solemn & impressive prayer, Dr. Gurley went to break the sad intelligence to Mrs. Lincoln who was in the parlor below. She cried out "Oh why did you not tell me he was dying?" Robert Lincoln showed great self possession & calmness and did all in his power to comfort his sorrow stricken Mother. Dr. Gurley went with her to the White House. Some of her expressions are exceedingly painful. To day remains of the good kind man are deposited in the East Room and from an early hour the streets have been thronged with people going to take their last view of him. Sally & Annie Kennedy asked me to go with them but I thought I would rather remember him as I saw him last at the Capitol at the inaugeration. Carry and I are going out again soon, we feel too restless to remain at home. Father writes that the feeling of resentment against the Southerners in New York is bitter in the extreme. One man for an expression indicating want of sympathy in the general sorrow was thrown over the railing of a ferry boat & instantly crushed by the wheels. We expect Father to night. He heard the news shortly after his arrival in New York on Friday night. Capt. Alexander was here this morning. He says he has no doubt that Boothe is concealed in Baltimore. It will be very difficult to catch him being an actor he is accustomed to assume all disguises. The Capt. is firmly convinced that the assassination and attempted murder of Mr. Seward was a plot to destroy the amicable relations springing up between the North and the South through the humane policy of Mr. Lincoln and by substituting a sterner administration and harsher measures against the rebels with increased bitter feeling to unite the South for further resistance. Seward was Mr. Lincoln's chief supporter in his lenient measures.

The city is in such a state of excitement that the slightest unusual circumstance attracts a crowd immediately. Yesterday afternoon while I was making a call a number of carriages passed the window where I was seated some empty, some filled driving furiously and the street was soon filled with people running eagerly towards N.Y. Ave. not a one of them knowing what was the matter. In a few moments a crowd extending over several squares had collected. After some time it was discovered that two negro women fighting has caused the disturbance. Traces of the assassin have been found and several supposed accomplices in the plot arrested but great fears are entertained that the murderers will escape. A sense of insecurity pervades the community and guards have been placed around the houses of the most prominent citizens.

[April] 19th Wed[nesday]. To day was the funeral of our good kind President. The ceremonies of the White House were conducted by Dr. Gurley, Dr. Hall, Bishop Simpson and one other clergyman whose name I have forgotten, in the East Room. The catafalco was erected in the centre of the appartment graduated semi circular platforms were arranged around this for the accommodation of the invited attendants. The various delegations had each their place assigned. Father was invited to take part with the officers of the Smith. Inst. and I went with him to the Treasury building were he obtained for me a position upon one of the porticos to witness the procession. Only four or five ladies were admitted into the East Room. It was a beautiful day and as the people collected at the corners of the streets, at the windows & upon the roof of the houses, it was difficult to realize we were not preparing for some gala festival instead of the last sad honours to the well beloved dead. The procession left the White House about 2 P.M. We were notified that it had started by the distant booming of guns & the tolling of bells. The sad sweet strains of the funeral march heralded its approach and soon the military escort appeared marching slowly with bent heads & guns reversed. The sad pagent was two hours in passing. The funeral car was heavily draped with black plainly showing the coffin which was adorned with beautiful flowers. The remains were placed in the Capitol & will be open to the view of the public until Friday morning. They are to be conveyed to Springfield.

[April] 26th. The remains of President Lincoln left the city yeste Friday morning. Dr. Gurley has joined the company who escort them. The papers this morning contain a description of the manner in which the cortege has been received. Mrs. Lincoln is quite ill and poor little Tad quite inconsolable. Mercy tempered with a great deal [of] severity is approbated to be the policy of the new President in dealing with the rebels.

Source

Smithsonian Institution Archives

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Mary Henry. "Mary Henry Diary". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/551

Creator

Mary Henry

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

Letter signed D.C. Forney, Daily Morning Chronicle Office, Washington, D.C., to Marshal Lamon, April 18, 1865

Description

States, "The bearer, Mr. Lenley, one of our Reporters, is desirous of procuring a Card of admission for the Presidential Mansion, for to-morrow morning, with a view of preparing a description of the funeral arrangements. Can you oblige us by furnishing him with the means of admission. . . ."

Source

George R. Harrington Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.

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Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

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Forney, D.C.. "Letter signed D.C. Forney, Daily Morning Chronicle Office, Washington, D.C., to Marshal Lamon, April 18, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/541

Creator

Forney, D.C.

Date

April 18, 1865

Full Title

Order of procession of the funeral of the late President [Abraham Lincoln], as directed by order of the Secretary of War, Washington, April 17, 1865

Transcription

Official arrangements at Washington for the funeral solemnities of the late Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, who died at the seat of Government on Saturday the 15th. day of April 1865.

War Department

Adjutant General’s Office

Washington, April 17, 1865

The following order of arrangement is directed.

Order of the Procession.

Funeral escort-in column of march.

One Regiment of Cavalry

Two Batteries of Artillery

Battalion of Marines

Two Regiments of Infantry

Commander of Escort and Staff.

Dismounted officers of Marine Corps, Navy and

Army in the order named.

Mounted officers of Marine Corps, Navy and

Army in the order named.

All military officers to be in uniform with side arms.

Civic Procession

The troops designated to form the escort will assemble in the Avenue, north of the President’s House and form line precisely at 11 o’clock a.m. on Wednesday the 19th instant with the left resting on 15th Street. The procession will move precisely at 2 o’clock P.M. when minute guns will be fired by detachments of Artillery stationed near St. John’s church the City Hall and at the Capitol. At the same hour the bells of the several churches in Washington, Georgetown and Alexandria will be tolled.

As sun-rise on Wednesday the 19th instant a Federal salute will be fired from the military stations in the vicinity of Washington, minute guns between the hours of twelve and three o’clock, and a national salute at the setting of the sun.

The usual badge of mourning will be worn on the left arm and on the hilt of the swords.

By order of the Secretary of War

W. A. Nichols

Assistant Adjutant General.

Source

George R. Harrington Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.

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Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

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Nichols, W. A.. "Order of procession of the funeral of the late President [Abraham Lincoln], as directed by order of the Secretary of War, Washington, April 17, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/539

Creator

Nichols, W. A.

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

Letter signed Jos. B. Steen [Joseph B. Steen], J.R. Duncan et al., Washington, D.C., to Hon. Geo. H. Harrington, April 17, 1865

Description

States that Citizens of Kentucky would like to participate in the funeral ceremonies of Abraham Lincoln.

Transcription

Washington DC
April 17th 1865

Hon. Gen. H. Harrington
Dear Sir,
In obedience
to an adjoined meeting of the citizens
of Kentucky to assemble and make suit.
able arrangements to participate in the
funeral ceremonies of Abraham Lincoln
late president of the United States
the undersigned were appointed a
committee to confer with you and
ascertain whether any particular
pillars of ceremony were resolved upon-
and if so. what was the order of
the same. so as to make our actions
harmonize with. and confess to. the
General Programme,

She therefore request you
will be so good as to give as any
information or directions you may deem
proper on that subject of your
earliest convenience. and oblige

Your [[?]] servant
Jos B Steen
J R Duncan
[[?]]Shaffner
Special Committee


[Transcription Team: Jaeger K., Dwight S., Gabriel Z.]
[New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa]

Source

George R. Harrington Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.

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Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

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Steen, Joseph B.. "Letter signed Jos. B. Steen [Joseph B. Steen], J.R. Duncan et al., Washington, D.C., to Hon. Geo. H. Harrington, April 17, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/538

Creator

Steen, Joseph B.

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

Letter signed W.A. Nichols, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, to Hon. G.W. Harrington, Asst. Secy. of the Treasury, Washington, D.C., April 16, 1865

Description

States, "I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this date, stating that the Secy. of War had designated me as one, on part of the Army, to confer in relation to the funeral ceremonies of the late President. As requested I will be present at the meeting fixed at the hour of 5 O'Clk P.M. to-day. . . ."

Source

George R. Harrington Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.

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Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

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Nichols, W.A.. "Letter signed W.A. Nichols, War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, to Hon. G.W. Harrington, Asst. Secy. of the Treasury, Washington, D.C., April 16, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/537

Creator

Nichols, W.A.

Date

April 16, 1865

Full Title

Letter signed W.A. Nichols, Asst. Adj. Genl., War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, to Hon. Geo. Harrington [George Harrington], Asst. Secty. of U.S. Treasy., April 18, 1865

Description

States, "Will you please inform me at what hour to-day it will most convenient for the officers of the Army to view the remains of the deceased President. . . ."

Source

George R. Harrington Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.

Rights

Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

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Nichols, W. A.. "Letter signed W.A. Nichols, Asst. Adj. Genl., War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, to Hon. Geo. Harrington [George Harrington], Asst. Secty. of U.S. Treasy., April 18, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/535

Creator

Nichols, W. A.

Date

April 18, 1865

Full Title

Letter signed L.W. Owen and N.D. Larner, Committee of City Councils, Treasury Department, to Hon. G. Harrington, Asst. Sec'y. Treas., April 18, 1865

Description

States, "The City Council of this City have been officially notified that the City Councils of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Baltimore, Md. intend to visit this City to-morrow for the purpose of joining in the funeral obsequies of our late President, and on behalf of the City Councils of this City we respectfully request tickets of admission for them to the East Room to-morrow. The number of visitors will be Thirty-nine. . . ."

Source

George R. Harrington Papers, Missouri History Museum Archives, St. Louis.

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Please contact the Missouri History Museum at photo@mohistory.org for permission to publish this resource.

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Owen, L.W.; Larner, N.D.. "Letter signed L.W. Owen and N.D. Larner, Committee of City Councils, Treasury Department, to Hon. G. Harrington, Asst. Sec'y. Treas., April 18, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 3, 2026. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/534

Creator

Owen, L.W.; Larner, N.D.

Date

April 18, 1865