Full Title

Embassy Despatch 936: Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward

Description

Official dispatch from Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, to William H. Seward, Secretary of State, acknowledging receipt of the news of the attacks upon Seward and President Abraham Lincoln, and discussing reaction in London.

Transcription

Aug 13, my [[Lincoln]]
[[tchfy1408]] [[Abe]]
No. 936.

Legation of the United States
London, 28 April, 1865

Sir:
I had the grief to receive the
day before yesterday the telegraphic
Despatches from Mr. Stanton, the
Secretary of War, and from Mr.
Hunter, the Chief Clerk of your
Department, announcing the af-
flicting event of the 14th, Instant
which has thrown our whole
people into such deep distress.
They also give a narrative of the
simultaneously savage onslaught
upon yourself in your sick room
and upon your son, the assistant
Secretary, which had not at the
latest date, and which I yet
permit myself to hope, will not
prove
The Hon: William H. Seward
Secretary of State.
Washington, D.C.

(Next Page)

prove fatal to either you.

I immediately took the
requisite measures to communicate
the intelligence to the different
legislators on the Continent.

It is but consistency that
a rebellion began in
perjury, treachery and fraud
should close with private
assassination.

The whole of the day was
one of the greatest excitements.
Few events of the present century
have created such general
consternation and indignation.
Many people called personally
at the legation to express their
deep sympathy and many more
sent me notes of the same tenor.

The notice taken by the
press are almost all of them
of a most honorable character.

(A. Hancock)

I transmit copies of the
leading newspapers. There
seems at last to be a general
testimony borne to the north noble
qualities

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qualities of the president and
the friendly disposition of the
Secretary of State.

Of all this eulogy he found
mingled with the alloy of
unworthy aspersions of the vice
President who succeeds, he has
abundant consolation in the
reflection that, when his predecessor
began, he was not a whit better
treated. It is a weakness of the
press and the people of this country
not to value some men properly
until they are lost. The cause of
the late Prince Consort is a
unremarkable instance.

The proceedings in the two
Houses of Parliament last evening
mark out the line proposed to
be adopted by the government
on this occasion.

I have the honor to be Sir,
your obedient servant,
Charles Francis Adams

[Transcription Team: Carli G., Summer D., Joslyn P., Tyler R.]
[New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa]

Source

Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State and National Archives, Record Group 84

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Cite this Item

Charles Francis Adams. "Embassy Despatch 936: Charles Francis Adams to William H. Seward". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/745

Creator

Charles Francis Adams

Date

April 28, 1865

Full Title

State Department Instruction 1352: William Hunter to Charles Francis Adams

Description

Official dispatch from William H. Hunter to Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, informing him of Lincoln's assassination and the attempt on Secretary of State William H. Seward's life. Hunter notes that William and Frederick Seward are both expected to recover, but that, in the meanwhile, Hunter is serving as Acting Secretary of State. Because the Transatlantic telegraph cable was no longer functioning, Adams received this dispatch on April 30.

Transcription

Read. 30 Apr. 65.
Circular
No. 1352
Department of state.
Washington. 17th April 1865

Sir:

The melancholy duty devolves
upon me officially to apprise
You of the assassination of the
president at Ford’s theatre in this
city in the evening of the 14th instant.
He died the next morning from
the effects of the wound.

About the same time an
attempt was made to assassinate
the Secretary of State in his own
house where he was in bed &
Suffering from the effects of the
late accident. The attempt failed, but Mr. Seward was
severely cut, on the face especially
it is supposed with a bowie knife.
Mr J; H, Seward was felled by a
blow or blows on the head, from
the assassin, and for some time
afterwards was apparently
Unconscious

Charles Francis Adam, Esquire,

Next page

Unconscious. Both the Secretary
and assistant Secretary are better
especially the former.
Andrew Johnson has formally
entered upon the duties of
President.
I have been authorized
temporarily to act as Ssecretary
of State.

[[?]], Sir
Your obedient servant
W.J. Hunter
Acting Secretary


[Transcription Team: Joshua H., Caleb D., Conner R., Carson B.]
[New Hampton Middle School, New Hampton, Iowa]

Source

Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State and National Archives, Record Group 84

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Cite this Item

William Hunter. "State Department Instruction 1352: William Hunter to Charles Francis Adams". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/744

Creator

William Hunter

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

Dispatch, Edwin Stanton to Charles Francis Adams

Description

The official dispatch from U.S. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton to Charles Francis Adams, U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom, notifying the latter of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Because the Transatlantic telegraph line was no longer operational, Adams did not receive the news for 11 days.

Transcription

Recd. 26 April, 1865
Charles Francis Adams
United States Minister, London
Washington, DC 15 April, 1865
Sir.
It has become my distressing duty to announce to you that last night His Excellency Abraham Lincoln President of The United States, was assassinated, about the hour of half past 10 o’clock, in his private box at Ford’s Theatre, in this city. The President about eight o’clock accompanied Mrs. Lincoln to the theatre. Another lady and gentleman were with them in the box. About half past ten during a pause in the performance, the assassin entered the box, the door of which was unguarded, hastily approached the President from behind, and discharged a pistol at his head. The bullet entered the back of his head, and penetrated nearly through. The assassin then leaped from the box upon the stage, brandishing a large knife or dagger, and exclaiming ‘Sic semper tyrannis!’ and escaped in the rear of the theatre. Immediately upon the discharge the President fell to the floor insensible, and continued in that state until 20 minutes past 7 o’clock this morning when he breathed his last. About the same time the murder was being committed at the Theatre another assassin presented himself at the door of Mr. Seward’s residence, gained admission by representing he had a prescription from Mr. Seward’s physicians which he was directed to see administered and hurried up to the third story chamber where Mr. Seward was lying. He here discovered Mr. Frederick Seward, struck him over the head, inflicting several wounds, and fracturing the skull in two places, inflicting, it is feared mortal wounds. He then rushed into the room where Mr. Seward was in bed, attended by a young daughter and a male nurse. The male attendant was stabbed through the lungs, and it is believed will die. The assassin then struck Mr. Seward with a knife or dagger twice in the throat and twice in the face, inflicting terrible wounds. By this time Major Seward, eldest son of the Secretary, and another attendant reached the room, and rushed to the rescue of the Secretary; they were also wounded in the conflict, and the assassin escaped. No artery or important blood vessel was severed by any of the wounds inflicted upon him, but he was for a long time insensible from the loss of blood. Some hope of his possible recovery is entertained. Immediately upon the death of the President notice was given to Vice President Johnson, who happened to be in the City, and upon whom the office of President now devolves. He will take the office and assume the functions of President to-day. The murderer of the President has been discovered, and evidence obtained that these horrible crimes were committed in execution of conspiracy deliberately planned and set on foot by rebels on pretence of avenging the South and aiding the rebel cause; but it is hoped that the (?) perpetrators will be caught.
The feeling occasioned by these atrocious crimes is so great, sudden, and overwhelming that I cannot at present do more than communicate them to you. At the earliest moment yesterday the late President called a Cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present. He was more cheerful and happy than I had ever seen him, rejoiced at the near prospect of firm and durable peace at home and abroad, manifested in a marked degree the kindness and humanity of his disposition, and the tender and forgiving spirit that so eminently distinguished him. Public notice had been given that he and General Grant, would be present at the Theatre, and the opportunity of adding the Lieutenant General to the number of victims to be murdered was no doubt seized for the fitting occasion of executing the plans that appear to have been in preparation for some weeks, but General Grant was compelled to be absent, and thus escaped the designs upon him. It is needless for me to say anything in regard to the influence which this atrocious murder of the President may exercise upon the affairs of this country, but I will only add that, horrible as are the atrocities that have been resorted to by the enemies of the country, they are not likely in any degree to impair the public spirit, or postpone the complete and final overthrow of the rebellion. In profound grief for the events, which it has become my duty to communicate to you,
I have the honor to be
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servant
Edwin M. Stanton
[Transcription by Dale Anderson.]

Source

Office of the Historian, U.S. Department of State and National Archives, Record Group 84

Rights

This item is in the public domain and may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with proper citation and attribution.

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Edwin Stanton. "Dispatch, Edwin Stanton to Charles Francis Adams". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/743

Creator

Edwin Stanton

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

Letter from Annie to Will, April 30, 1865

Description

Letter from Annie to Will McCarty. William McCarty served in the 97th Ohio during the Civil War. William and Annie corresponded and Annie was interested in marrying Will. Will eventually married another woman, Martha, in 1867. They lived in McLean County, Illinois from 1868 until 1885, when they moved to McPherson County, KS.

Transcription

"I have heard by this time of course, of the death of the President and the attempt on the life of the Sec. also that Booth the murderer has been shot. You are right when you think that the people in the north made a fuss when they recieved the new of Lee's surrender, But oh how their rejoicing was cut short by the sad news of the murder of the Pres. 'So sorrow treads upon the heels of joy' How dreadful will be that punishment of the instigators of this dreadful crime..."

Rights

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (CC-BY-NC-SA)

Tags

Cite this Item

Annie Birket. "Letter from Annie to Will, April 30, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/711

Creator

Annie Birket

Date

April 30, 1865

Full Title

Willie Clark to Ida Clark

Description

Willie Clark, the Petersen House boarder who lived in the room in which President Lincoln died, wrote to his sister four days after Lincoln's death. He described the scene in Washington, including funeral preparations, the hunt for the killers, and, most notably, souvenir hunters who daily came into his room. Clark himself kept some souvenirs, and sent others to his sister.

Transcription

Washington, DC

Wednesday Monday April 19, 1865



Dear Sister Ida.

To day the funeral of Mr. Lincoln takes place, the streets are being crowded at this early hour. (9 A M) and the procession will probably not move for 3 hours. We are moved back into the old building (Cor. 15 1/2.) It having been repaired. Ladies are thronging in here now, I have moved my desk close to my window to secure its use for myself and friends.



The past few days have been of intense excitement. Arrests are numerously made, of any party heard to utter secesh sentiments. The time has come when people cannot say what they please, the people are awfully indignant. Leinency is no longer to be thought of. A new code must be adopted.



They talk of the tyranical administration of Mr. Lincoln, but we have a man now for a president who will teach the south a lesson they will know well how to appreciate.



Since the death of our president hundreds daily call at the house to gain admission into my room.



I was engaged nearly all of Sunday with one of Frank Leslies Special Artist aiding him viz making a correct drawing of the last moments of Mr. Lincoln, as I knew the position of every one present he succeeded in executing a fine sketch, which will appear in their paper the last of this week. He intends, from this same drawing to have some fine large steel engravings executed. He also took a sketch of nearly every article in my room which will appear in their paper. He wished to mention the names of all in the room particularly the pothographs of yourself, Clara and Nannie, but I told him he must not do that, as they were members of my family and I did not wish them to be made so public. He also urged me to give him my picture or at least to allow him to take my sketch, but I could not see that. either.



Everybody has a great desire to obtain some memento from my room so that whoever comes in has to be closely watched for fear they will steal something.



I have a lock of his hair which I have had neatly framed, also a piece of linen with a portion of his brain, the pillow and case upon which he lay when he died and nearly all his wearing apparel but the latter I intend to send to Robt Lincoln as soon as the funeral is over, as I consider him the one most justly entitled to them.



The same matrass is on my bed, and the same coverlit covers me nightly that covered him while dying.



Enclosed you will find a piece of lace that Mrs. Lincoln wore on her head during the evening and was dropped by her while entering my room to see her dying husband It is worth keeping for its historical value.


The cap worked by Clara and the cushion by you, you little dreamed would be so historically connected with such an event.



I received your letter but before I answer it I must see what I can do. With that exception I have not received any letters although you blame me for not writing when to my knowledge I have written four, and you must be aware I am very anxious to hear about mothers health which in your letter you did not mention.



I wrote auntie a letter about a week ago and enclosed a love letter to Ella promising to marry her when I get to be 21.

Remember me to Henry Littlefield. Tell him I shall write him soon. Remember to Mrs . Little and family and all enquiring friends.



Love to father mother

and Clara, and dont forget you have a brother and send me a longer note soon.



I will write again soon.



Your affe. Brother

Willie



Please not give away any of this lace, out of our own family.



Envelope addressed to Miss Ida F. Clark, No. 7 Warren Street,

Boston Mass.

Source

National Park Service, Ford's Theatre National Historic Site; transcription by Richard Sloan, Surratt Courier, April 1991

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Cite this Item

William Clark. "Willie Clark to Ida Clark". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/707

Creator

William Clark

Date

April 19, 1865

Full Title

Edward P. Hudson to James Evans

Description

Captain of Company G, 21st Regiment Veterans Reserve Corps, Edward P. Hudson telegrams Captain James Evans, a provost marshal, to arrest, on orders of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Junius Brutus Booth, the brother of Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth.

Transcription

The American Telegraph Co.

Baltimore and Cincinnati Division,

Connecting With All Lines In The United States And British Provinces.

Terms and Conditions on which this and all Messages are received by this Company,

In order to guard against and correct as much as possible some of the errors arising from atmospheric and other causes appertaining to telegraphy, every important message should be REPEATED, by being sent back from the station at which it is to be received to the station from which it is originally sent. Half the usual price will be charged for repeating the message; and while this Company in good faith will endeavor to send messages correctly and promptly, it will not be responsible for errors or delays in the transmission or delivery, nor for the non-delivery of REPEATED MESSAGES, beyond TWO HUNDRED times the sum paid for sending the message, unless a special agreement for insurance be made in writing, and the amount of risk specified on this agreement, and paid for at the time of sending the message. Nor will the Company be responsible for any error or delay in the transmission or delivery, or for the non-delivery, of ANY UNREPEATED MESSAGE, beyond the amount paid for sending the same, unless in like manner specially insured, and amount of risk stated hereon, and paid for at the time. No liability is assumed for errors in cipher or obscure messages; nor is any liability assumed by this Company for any error or neglect by any other Company over whose lines this message may be sent to reach its destination, and this Company is hereby made the agent of the sender of this message to forward it over the lines extending beyond those of this Company. No agent or employee is allowed to vary these terms, or make any other or verbal agreement, nor any promise as to the time of performance, and no one but a Superintendent is authorized to make a special agreement for insurance. These terms apply through the whole course of this message on all lines by which it may be transmitted.

Cambridge Livingston, Sec'y. 145 Broadway. E. S. Sandford, Pres't.

From Wheeling Dated Apl 25

Rec'd at ____ 186

To Capt. Jas Evans.

P.M

Confidential. The Secy of war directs that Junius Brutus Booth be arrested and sent to Washington City in irons. You will execute this order is said Junius Brutus Booth Can be found in your district

E. P. Hudson

Capt V R C

Actg apt P.M Shal

35 Sr. 145 Call

Source

Edwin P. Hudson Telegram

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Hudson, Edward P.. "Edward P. Hudson to James Evans". Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/706

Creator

Hudson, Edward P.

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

April 25th, 1865

Material

paper and ink

Dimensions

13 x 20 cm

Full Title

B. B. Emory to Unknown

Description

Emory writes to an unnamed doctor, asking for letter of recommendation to Secretary of State William H. Seward for a consular position. In his letter, Emory discusses the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the public mood in Washington, D.C., as well as the actions of President Andrew Johnson.

Transcription

Lincoln Assassination talked with A Johnson

Quartermaster General's Office,

Washington, D. C., April 24th 1865.

My dear Doctor.

Will you do me the favor to give me a note or letter to your old friend Seward, that will secure me a personal interview sometime should he recover, as all the indications are now that he will?

I have thought for the past three years that whenever the war closed, I would like to go out of the country either as Consul or can we elect with some one of our Foreign Legations. You will understand what I want and what kind of letter would facilitate my object.

We have measurably recovered here in the Capitol from the terrible shock of the murder of the President, and the nearly successful attempt upon the life of Sec, Seward: but it will yet be a long while before the city will present all the evidences of hilarity, and pleasure that it did previous to that sad event. News will not banish from the memory the vivid recollectiv of the night in Washington of April 14. 1865. The entry of the Rebel Army into the Capitol and all the Public Buildings in flames would not have created half the consternation among the people that the announcement that the President and his Cabinet had been assassinated did. The murder of the President was so public and witnessed by so many, that for several hours no one would believe, but that Seward and the rest of the Cabinet had shared the same fate. I venture that so many anxious hearts seldom if ever, so longed for the coming of day as the residents of this city did upon that occasion. But the darkness of the terrible deed did not disappear with the darkness of the night. It was considered a crime without a parallell and perhaps will continue to remain so, in all coming time. Johnson seems to start well. moves cautiously as though feeling his way. Confidence in him is increasing among the public men of the government and the people generally and the cloud is gradually lifting I think Johnson is determined to fully recover himself with the country and I believe he will succeed. I saw him and conversed with him half an hour the evening of the day upon which he was inaugurated. I liked his spirit, his humility, and above all his dependence upon God and his earnest desire that the Christian part of the country would give him the same support, that they gave Mr Lincoln.

There is at least one point in his policy that is more than indicated. this country will be made exceedingly unhealthy for leading traitors. The crime of treason, will, under his administration, be much more odious to the people of this country than it would under Mr Lincolns policy. But I am unintentionally writing a long letter. Can I serve you any way, in any capacity here? If so, intimate to me how. I have seen two notices of your last Book, in the Adwente, but the Book I have not seen, the excitement here has been so intense and constant for a month past that nearly everthing else has been overlooked.

What can I do in regard to it?

As Ever

Truly yours.

B. B. Emory

I send two Confederate Bonds, taken from the Treasury Dept in Richmond, the day our troops entered. They are genuine, and were brought dinot to me by my friend Rev J. M. Vincent of Chicago Ill

If any of your Copperhead friends are in a speculating mood I advise you to sell if they will give the face of the Bonds, The Coupons on one as you see was already signed.

Seward is much better. - quite out of danger, but his son is still in a critical condition

E.

April 25, 65

5 OClock. P.M

Source

B. B. Emory Letter

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Emory, B. B.. "B. B. Emory to Unknown". Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/705

Creator

Emory, B. B.

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

April 24th, 1865

Material

paper and ink

Dimensions

39 x 25 cm

Full Title

T. V. Moore to Phineas D. Gurley

Description

T. V. Moore, a popular Presbyterian minister in Richmond, Virginia, writes to fellow minister, Phineas D. Gurley, expressing the shock, sorrow, and consternation in Richmond on the news of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln.

Transcription

Richmond April 17th 1865.

My dear brother - Your very kind & welcome letter by Dr. Fisher, reached me yesterday. in the midst of the gloom caused by that act of atrocious crime & folly that has thrilled a continent with horror. No words can depict the grief & consternation that this foul murder has produced here. We were beginning to hope for Speedy tranquillity, & Know that in Mr. Lincoln we had a man whose policy wd. certainly secure it, & all classes seemed ready to bow, & many to welcome his authority with joy. We felt that in him we had a wise, true & humane ruler, whom we cd trust. And now in the mysterious providence of God he is Struck down by the hand of the assassin. Oh it is unspeakably sad & fearful, & we can only gaze in silence on this new act of sorrow & mystery that opens up. I believe that at no time for two years past wd. the assassination of Davis have caused

----

a hundredth part of the grief here that this has done, for he has long been losing the love & confidence of the people which Mr. Lincoln was with unexampled rapidity gaining it. What the effect will be on this awful struggle, God only Knows. Perhaps as a martyr to his principles it may Canonise them & induce the Continuance of his policy, by wh. tranquillity wd. so soon have been restored, perhaps it may be otherwise, & them who can fortell the end. Oh it is a time for good men to pray as they never prayed before. May God have mercy on our poor, distracted country.

I wish very much I cd. see you, & have a long talk with you. Can't you come down & see me? I had the most sanguine hopes of a Speedy Settlement until this sad event happened, & will still Cherish them. Most of the people of Va. I think regarded the war as ended with Lee's surrender, & wanted peace

----

& were willing to come back on Mr. Lincoln's terms. I hope still that the policy will be such as to Keep up this feeling, & make Va. once more a loyal state. But that is yet to be seen. For myself I am sick & weary of war, secession & tumult, & long for some quiet Spot where I can live & work in peace. Whether I Can remain here is doubtful, as my Congregation is beggared by the fire, & I fear Cannot support me. I will, if permitted, stay as long as I can, & share their struggles. In a few years all will be restored again, but in the interim there must be much suffering. The money I referred to was this. I have been for several years in the habit of doing what I cd. for the U. S. prisoners here, giving & loaning them money, amounting in the aggregate to between 5 & 6000 dollars (Confed.) I took from officers an obligation

----

to refund, at their Convenience, in different ways. Some few have done it. I loaned some to a Josh. Kloppenburg, 1 Lieut, 4th N. Y. Cavalry, a Dane, who said he was on Sheridan's staff. I told him to refund to you. I know not why he has not, nor do I care much. I did these acts not as Speculation, but as a serv. believing that my Master wd repay me, if the prisoners did not, & I dont Expect to lose in the long run, for the Cup of Cold Water has its reward.

Mrs. Rutcliffe has gone to Washn. & will tell you about us all. Judge Scarborough is in Halifax Co. I think. Judge Campell & family here. Baretor I reckon has gone with the govt. D. H. Wood I reckon is in Albimark with his friends. His family are in Larkville S. C. Pugh was with the army, but had gone home on a visit, & may be there still. Dr. Leefburn goes to Washington to-morrow & I may send this by him. - Give my Kindest remembrances to Mrs. Gurley & your daughter if with you. I hope soon to see you here. I live in the same place (Leigh b. 4th & 5th) & if you come come right here, & we will find a place for you, with a hearty welcome. Rev. Dr. Sinly Very truly yours T. V. Moore

Source

T. V. Moore Letter

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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum holds all rights and permissions.

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Cite this Item

Moore, T. V.. "T. V. Moore to Phineas D. Gurley". Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/704

Creator

Moore, T. V.

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

April 17th, 1865

Material

paper and ink

Dimensions

39 x 25 cm

Full Title

R. E. Brown to M. W. Brown

Description

R. E. Brown writes to his sister from Camp Curtain, Pennsylvania, relating news of Lincoln's assassination. Written on April 15, 1865, Brown had just received the news of President Lincoln's death. Brown also relates the widespread but inaccurate rumor that the assassins killed Secretary of State Seward.

Transcription

Apr. 15,.1865

Camp. Curtain

Sister M.W. Brown

I ebrace this op, writing you few a lines to let you know how we are getting along. I am writing under canvas tent, and the rain is comeing down as usual. Olover came to day and D Cook Tom, M. Treble, and too of Alexanders are here the boys are all first rate we have got al our clothing now. There is a report in carry this morning that the President was assainated last night in his private box in the theater and also Secratary Seward I hear now that Lincolin died this morning at 7 oclock this is bad news for us at this time if So. the reb will make their last efort to fre themselves from the present administration

There is all kinds of rumors afloat in Camp.

Have your heard from John lately and has he he heard from hom yet. We wer going to have a great day to day in honor of the recent victory our Company were to act as battery men and we were all uniformed in stile and had our cannon all out and great preparation were being made to have a great day both in camp and town when the news came of the assaination of our President. There no dowt that the assion was bribed to do so we as not orgaized in to a company yet I dont know where we will be sent as we have not been assiged to regiment yet. we may be here for several days yet. we have got no guns yet and canot for a few days we get a loaf of bread in the morning and coffe, meat and coffe for dinner. a slice of bread and a tin of coffee for Supper this a come down from what was at home I see Bill Miller Sam Henry and Ren Kelly almost every day. . . I you write do so soon and direct to Camp Curtain

Care of Capt P. O. Brown

give my respects to all enquiring friends hoping and believeing that that god who has brought me this far wil guid me saf home again.

from your Brother R. E. Brown

Source

R. E. Brown Letter

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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum holds all rights and permissions.

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Brown, R. E.. "R. E. Brown to M. W. Brown". Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/703

Creator

Brown, R. E.

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

April 15th, 1865

Material

paper and ink

Dimensions

25 x 20 cm

Full Title

Helen Augusta Bratt DuBarry to Ann A. Lamoureaux Bratt

Description

Helen DuBarry writes to her mother, providing a detailed account of the assassination of President Lincoln, which Helen witnessed as a member of the audience at Ford's Theatre on the night of April 14, 1865.

Transcription

Washington. D. C.

April 16th/65.

My dear mother

Beck has not come from the Office yet and I have not received your letter but as I have a good deal to write I will begin now. I suppose by tomorrow the mail will go out from Washington no trains left yesterday. What I have to write is with reference to the great tragedy which has caused a nation to mourn. I had the misfortune to be at Ford's Theatre on Friday evening & to hear the shot which deprived us of a President.

It was given out during the day that Mr Lincoln had engaged a "Bop" for the President & Genl Grant and having a desire not only to see them but to see the "American Cousin" performed, we determined to go. Before we went Beck knew that the Genl would not be there as he was to leave for his home in the evening. We went a few moments before the time & waited some time for the President to arrive & as he did not come until late the performances Commenced & we thought we were to be disappointed in not seeing him. In the midst of the 2nd scene there was a great applause & cheering and our attention was directed from the stage to the Dress Circle, close to the wall, walked Miss Harris, Mrs Lincoln, Major Rathbone, a gentleman the President & another gentleman behind him. These two gentleman were watchman in citizens dress who have always accompanied the President since the War commenced We followed him with our eyes until he entered the Box little thinking we were looking for the last time at him. He sat looking on the stage his back to us and out of our sight behind the flags except occasionnally when he would lean forward. Mrs Lincoln was in front of him and we only saw her occasionally. We saw her smile & turn towards him several times. It was while every one's attention was fastened upon the stage that a pistol shot was heard causing every one to jump (as an unexpected shot will) & look up at the President's Box merely because that was the direction of the sound and supposing it to be part of the performance we all looked again on the stage, when a man suddenly vaulted over the railing of the box, turned back & then leaped to the stage, striking on his heels & falling backward but recovered himself in an instant and started across the stage to behind the scenes florishing a knife, the blade of which appeared in the reflection of the bright lights to be half as long as a man's arm, and making use of the expressions you have seen in the Papers. He had nearly disappeared before we could understand what it was or what had happened. We first thought it was a crazy man, When he jumped on to the stage we all jumped to our feet & stood spellbound, as he crossed the stage some few started toward the stage crying, our President! our President is shot! Mrs Harris was seen to lean over the railing for water & that was all that broke the stillness in that box. If those watch had called out as soon as the man jumped to give us an idea of what had happened he could have been caught as he stopped to recover himself after the fall. There was not a sould to be seen in the Box and perfect stillness there, which all added to our bewilderment. One man got up on a chair on hearing that the man was caught & said "take out the ladies & hang him here on the spot". Beck fearing a mob hurried me out, leaving the audience still standing awed & speechless. We waited outside until a young man came out & said He is dead, no doubt about it!"

Before we got out of the door someone said "It was J. Wilkes Booth" and before I got out, the idea that our Chief was gone, almost our sole dependence, overcame me & I could not control myself & sobbed aloud we met several outside the door first coming in asking "For God's sake tell me is it true? as if they had heard already rumors of the great tragedy. The reason that we could not suddenly realize what had occurred was because we could not anticipate that an assassin could be in the Box with the President. His only danger seemed to be from a shot fired by one of the audience

Booth entered the front door and asked some one there if Genl Grant was there that night, then went along to the door of the Box, just where we had seen the President enter, knocked at the door & to the watch who opened it, said he wished to speak to the President, that he had a Communication for him showing an Official envelope & giving him a card with the name of a Senator written on it. The watch stepped aside & the assassin entered & fired immediately while Mr Lincoln was looking on the stage

The excitement that night was intense & a mob of about 2000 went to the Old Capitol Prison to burn it & they called upon the people to come out & see the rebels burn. The Police & troops were out & put a stop to it or it would have been done. The assassin at Sewards first stabbed the nurse through the lungs & killed him I believe, knocked in the skull of Fred Seward with a butt of a pistol & stabbed another son, all had opposed his entrance and the old man hearing the scuffle at the door & thinking it was some one after him, rolled out of bed on to the floor and the assassin had to lean over the bed to stab him so he only had two cuts, on his neck & face, which will not prove serious if he has strength after his former sickness. There is no doubt that it was Booth who killed the President. Laura Keene says she can testify that it was him

The secessionists here have all draped their houses in crape, and acknowledge that it was the worst thing for the South that ever happened. their best friend is gone & Andy J will be more severe than Mr Lincoln was. Andy Johnson joined the Temperance Society after the Inaugaration and every one who saw him at his own Inaugaration were much pleased with his manner as he seemed impressed with the responsibility before him.

There are rumored changes to be made in the Cabinet already there was a strange coincidence at the Theatre Friday evening. In the play the American Cousin won the prize at Archery and on recieving the medal was congratualted. He said he "had but done nothing, all it required was a steady hand a clear eye, to pull the trigger & the mark was hit" as he said it he looked right up at the President

That was in the play & he looked there merely because he was the principal person present but afterwards it struck everyone as a strange coincidence

On Friday Beck recieved a letter from Duane who is a prisoner at Point Lookout begging him to forget the Past & to find out for him if he would be allowed to take the oath of Allegiance to the U. S. that he was sick enough of the Confederacy and very sorry he had ever had any thing to do with it. That afternoon Beck went to the Comd Genl of prisoners but he was out, and of course after the awful tragedy Beck did not feel like interceding for a rebel I do not know what he will do now, he may go to Genl Grant if Hoffman won't do anything Don't say anything about it.

I suppose you have read all I have told you, in the Papers but being there myself I supposed you would like to hear it over just as I saw it. The Authorities think that there is no chance for the assassins to escape but I think it is like hunting for a needle in a haystack. Your letter did not come today and when ever it does not come by Sunday it is because you have left it to tell the latest news of adile and when you wrote last she was a little troubled with her throat. I took a letter from Maggie today

I will send this letter today before getting your's. If you send me word how much cloth it takes for adile's sacque I can buy it here & make it if I had the pattern. I have forgotten how wide the material was that Mrs Foster bought, but if I know the length of her sacque & the width of the half at the bottom I can tell how much it would take when I see Mrs Foster about the width of the material. We are well & send love, with kissess to adile.

Your aff daughter

Helen DuB.

Source

Helen A. Bratt DuBarry Letters

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The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum holds all rights and permissions.

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Cite this Item

DuBarry, Helen Augusta Bratt, 1839-1925. "Helen Augusta Bratt DuBarry to Ann A. Lamoureaux Bratt". Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed April 27, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/702

Creator

DuBarry, Helen Augusta Bratt, 1839-1925

Publisher

Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum

Date

April 16th, 1865

Material

paper and ink

Dimensions

13 x 20 cm