Full Title

American Telegraph Company telegram of Wm. B. Thomas [William B. Thomas], Phila., to Hon. Hugh McCulloch, April 15, 1865

Description

States, "Does the President still live. Please telegraph me at once if he dies. . . ."

Source

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

Rights

Please contact the Missouri History Museumfor permission to publish this resource.

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Thomas, William B.. "American Telegraph Company telegram of Wm. B. Thomas [William B. Thomas], Phila., to Hon. Hugh McCulloch, April 15, 1865". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/518

Creator

Thomas, William B.

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

L'Ere Nouvelle: Journal des idees et des interets Franco-Mexicains

Description

Newspaper article describes the shock people felt upon learning President Lincoln was assassinated and uncertainty about the future of the U.S.

Source

Independent Mexico in newspapers, the 19th century; reel 77

Rights

This item may be reproduced and used for any purpose, including research, teaching, private study, publication, broadcast or commercial use, with the proper citation and attribution. Citation: Independent Mexico in newspapers, the 19th-century (microfilm set). LLILAS Benson Latin American Studies and Collections, the University of Texas at Austin.

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Cite this Item

L'Ere Nouvelle. "L'Ere Nouvelle: Journal des idees et des interets Franco-Mexicains". México : E. Masseras. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/505

Creator

L'Ere Nouvelle

Publisher

México : E. Masseras

Date

April 29, 1865

Full Title

Eugene Carlos Bartholomew Diary Entry

Description

Entry in Eugene Carlos Bartholomew's journal dated Saturday, April 15, 1865.

Transcription

Sat. Apr. 15
Seward is not dead, but Lincoln died this morning.

Source

Austin History Center, FP D.7 A.9, Diary No. 9

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast or commercial use requires written permission. For permission, please contact The Austin History Center at ahc_reference@austintexas.gov. For reproduction information please visit http://library.austintexas.gov/ahc/ordering-photos.

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Eugene Carlos Bartholomew. "Eugene Carlos Bartholomew Diary Entry". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/500

Creator

Eugene Carlos Bartholomew

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

"Death of the president"

Description

Article in the Second Edition of the Daily Morning Chronicle announcing the death of President Abraham Lincoln and commenting on the intensity of the nation's mourning.

Transcription

ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS DEAD!
If tears had audible language, a shriek would go up from these States which would startle the world from its propriety.
Strong men use the impressive language of women - TEARS. Women bow their heads in the dust. Children sleep troubledly.
Words are at this time weak and vain. Let us all, with heart and voice, say that
"This grave shall have a LIVING MONUMENT!"

Source

Washingtoniana Microfilm Collection

Rights

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.

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Cite this Item

Daily Morning Chronicle. ""Death of the president"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/499

Creator

Daily Morning Chronicle

Date

April 15, 1865

Material

newspaper

Full Title

"Assassination! of President Lincoln!!! [...] Secretary Seward Also Assassinated"

Description

The Cleveland Morning Leader reports the details of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, but also, incorrectly, states that Secretary Seward was assassinated.

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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Cleveland Morning Leader. ""Assassination! of President Lincoln!!! [...] Secretary Seward Also Assassinated"". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/464

Creator

Cleveland Morning Leader

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

Letter – To Mary from John, Burkesville Junction April 17 pt 1

Description

A commander of a regiment discussing his location and what is currently going on. The author discusses how they received the news the night before of the assassination of the President. He talks about what a best friend Lincoln was to the soldiers and how much sorrow they are feeling in the wake of his death.

Transcription

Head Quarters 9th

Near Burksville Junction Ver.

April 17th 1865.


My own dear Mary.

Good afternoon: Yes it is a beautiful afternoon just such an one as I should enjoy to spend in New Hampshire with those I love. I hope it will not be very long before I shall be able to do that same thing. For it really looks as though they would not want any of us much longer. Well all I have to say about it is the quicker Uncle Samuel turns me off the better it will suit me. But if he should conclude to keep me till my time is out it will not be but with short time now less than four months. So short a time will pass by quickly. Then I will go home. Settle down and be a steady journey man once more. And then won't we enjoy ourselves: I guess we will don't you?


We are now (this is our regiment) very presently location. In a splendid grove of hard wood. The trees are pretty well leaved our making is very pleasant.

Our houses are not quite equal to those that we occupied all winter, but it is getting to be quite warm so we get along very comfortably.

I expect I shall be relieved of the command of the regiment now in a few days. By our Major for he is on his way now I expect to join us. Well I am really glad of it for I had neither command my own company alone than to command both the regiment and my Co. I expect Captain Allen will be here this evening if nothing happens to delay him.

We received the very sad news last night of the assassination of the President. It fills the heart of every soldier with – sorrow. For they considered him an honest man, and the soldiers best friend. If he was assassinated at the instagation of the rebel leaders, I think they have made a great mistake. For I think he was their best friend. I hope it will turn out for the best, but it seems mighty hard.

What do the people of the North think of it? I suppose the copperheads feel mighty good over it don't they. Well let them feel good when they can for things are working mighty bad, just now, for their Southern brethren.

It is rumored here this afternoon that Genl Johnson has surrendered his army to General Sherman. I hardly think it is so, but still I don't see what he can hope to do by holding on, for his is the only army of any account this side of the Mississippi river. And I should think the sooner he gave up the better it would be for himself and men. I have just now received a dispatch saying that Secretary Seward and his son were improving and that there was hopes that both would recover.

I suppose Lieut Nessleton has arrived at the front, but his regiment is stationed about thirty miles from here,so I have not seen him yet. I reckon as how he will cut a big swath among small folks, but let him go in.

I wish you would send me fifty cents worth of postage stamps besides those I sent for a few days ago. If you can I wish you would send me by mail about half a dozen pairs white Colton gloves, I forget to send by Allen for them, if he has not started you can send them by him. I don't know whether there is any in either my trunks or not. Have them rolled up in as small a compress as possible and when you direct them leave of the Captain. I will close please write often and accept this from

Your affectionate husband

John .
[

Source

Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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John. "Letter – To Mary from John, Burkesville Junction April 17 pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/438

Creator

John

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

Letter – To Frank Sunday April 23 1865 pt 1

Description

Personal letter discussing the happenings in the author’s life at the time of Lincoln's assassination. The letter discusses news of Abraham Lincoln’s death reaching large towns and the reaction to the news.

Transcription

1865
Sunday April 23

Dear Frank
This evening finds me seated in the house of Tom Curt of Cass Co Ill
I left Mothers April the 7 came to Edinburg.
Staid [stayed] Saturday night at phillipses
went to your Fathers Sunday
Staid till Tuesday the 18 had a very fine time
the two boys and Miriam enjoyed themselves the best I ever saw
Childre Amity Miriam and me went to Joes
they sent the horse and buggy for us
we staid all night
went home in the buggy
kept the horse and John went with us to Edinburg
I asked Father to go with us to youngstown
he said he would if he had money to pay his pasage [passage] their [there] and back as his feet are so sore he could not walk
I toald [told] him I would give him the money if he would go and help us to the cars
we started from Edinburg at nine tuesday night
staid on the street till morning
the cars left at six in the morning
got to Cleavland [Cleveland] at ten
Staid till four
got to toledo at ten at night
left at four in the morning
got to Jacksonvill at nine at night
went to the manchion house
had to wait till friday evening
came to Ashland found two letters from you
was glad to hear you are well
Mr Hunter said we could not get across the prairie on foot and that their [there] was wagons sticking in the mud that could not be got out untill the mud would dry up
I did not know what to do
John Jackson was at the store
he said he would take me to auld Samey St Clairs
then he said I would be two miles from Toms
I told him to get my trunk and of we started
it was raining and very cold
it soon comenced [commenced] to snow
we had a great time
the horses could hardley make the trip
the mud is truley awfull
they tell me this is the wettest Spring that ever was
we staid all night at Sameys
in the morning he got his mules hiched [hitched] to the wagon
we came as far as we could by the roads
got in to the field
came as far as we could for the post fence
unloaded the trunk
set it over the fence
he went home
we walked to toms [Tom's] which was half a mile then Tom and his hand went and carried the trunk here
So you see we have made the trip at last
we had a very gloomey journey
it was more like Sunday than aneything else
no buisness [business] going on
Everything your eyes would rest on wore the Emblems of a nations grief
when the word came to the large towns that the president was dead the n---s droped [dropped] on their faces in the streets crying
we have lost our best friend
well it is allmost [almost] dark and I have not got this letter finished
I wrote to Father and to mother to let them know I have got home
Mr tubs was here a short time ago
he is well
Monday morning before breakfast I have a chance to send this and I will do so
I will rite [write] to you shortley and tell you the rest
have to go
good by
I will send you one dollar this time
write soon
S B H F Brian No of letters 1 of

[Transcription by: Mary Cotterman]

Source

Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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Cite this Item

SBHF Brian. "Letter – To Frank Sunday April 23 1865 pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/437

Creator

SBHF Brian

Date

April 23, 1865

Full Title

Letter To Brother David from Rufus

Description

A personal letter, recounting the illumination of the city the night before the assassination of Lincoln. The letter goes on to detail that the author heard that “President Lincoln, Seward, Capt Robert Lincoln, and Secretary Seward’s son were all murdered last night”. The author states they can “hardly believe it but still it may be so”.

Transcription

Martinsburg Va

Apr 14th 1865
Brother David
I received your leter [letter] last night and was going to answer it but had to go to town on a grand review
I tell you you ought to have sean [seen] us
we went through all of the principal streets of the town.
the was a grand illumination last night
the whole force was out on review.
first came our Regt [Regiment] then the first Vet. [Veteran] Md. Infantry then a batery of 32 lb parot [Parrott] guns.
then a brigade of cavalry.
it all passed of in good order
after the perade [parade] was over we went to camp
left our arms and went back to town to have a good time with the rest
I went to call on an aquaintance [acquaintance] of mine.
found him at home and his niece was there
his wife wanted him to go out on the street to the speakers stand with her and the house was all of a blaze with spermacitie candles
so it was not proper to leave it alone.
so you see that someone must be be left in charge and after a while I was prevailed on to stay with the niece and keep everything strate [straight] and in place.
wel by the way the lady was young and hansom [handsome]
her name is Ann Snyder.
she is nineteen years of age and can and does help her mother do the housework
she can get as good meal of victuals as any of our New England girls and can play Yankey doodle Star Spangled baner Hail Columbia and any other tune to perfection.
Apr 15th we herd [heard] this morning that President Lincoln Seward Capt Robert Lincoln and Secretary Sewards son was all murdered last night
we dont [don't] hardly believe it but still it may be so.
we shall hear for sertin [certain] this afternoon.
well now about the cymbols we dont want any
Anderson the man that wanted them herd that a n----r had som that he stowl [stole] from a rebel band so he went to see them and bought them for five dolars [dollars]
they ar [are] the best ones I ever saw
they are 14 inch and cost not less than fifty dolars.
wel [well] cant [can't] think of anything more so I will close
write soon
from your Brother
Rufus Merryan

[Transcription by: Mary Cotterman]

Source

Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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Cite this Item

Rufus Merryan. "Letter To Brother David from Rufus". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/436

Creator

Rufus Merryan

Date

April 15, 1865

Full Title

Letter – Roades April 20 pt 1

Description

Personal letter from C. Roades to their brother and sister discussing the assassination of the President and his subsequent death.

Transcription

Birksill Stations
Va Apr the 20th 65
Dear Brother & Sister

with much pleasure I seat myself in ans [answer] to yours of the 9th which I received last night
was glad to hear from you and that you was well
I am well as could be expected under the presant [present] circumstances
we have had a hard march
we left the Point the 10th
since that I have lost 20 or 25 lbs of flesh

we are encamped in the woods near the station
we are fixing up the camp ground and drilling some.
the boys are all well that you know
yesterday we did not doe [do] ennything [anything]
we had a day of rest on the acount [account] of the death of our President
the most of the Regt lament his loss
some think it all for the best
But there is some that always has been opposed to him and the administration but I dont [don't] think we can get a man that will fill his place as well as he did.
it is the greatest outrage that ever I heard of
Booth is the assassinater
you have perhapse [perhaps] red [read] the particulars before this

Bill you wrote that you had bought another farm.
is it a good time to buy land now
you said you wanted some help in haying and harvesting
I should like varry much to work on a farm this summer but that depends on whether Unkle [Uncle] sam gets throug [through] with me or not
some think we will have to stay over time and others think we will go home within 6 weeks but I dont pretend to know ennything about it
at least a soldier is not supposed to know ennything
when they say go I am ready to go or if I am needed hear I am there [their] man

Bill I have not got the box you sent me yet but hope to get it soon
I got a letter Adel yesterday
they wer all well
I was glad to hear from her as it is the first time since she left home

Bill acording [according] to all acounts that we get the war is over and if so we wont [won't] be needed unless it is to gather up the tools that is scatterd [scattered] about the Country
some think this is what we will doe but I see that Grant is in favor of lessening the expences [expenses] of the Government by disposing a part of the army that is not needed.
I must close for want of time
yours in hast from your affectionate Brother

C Roades

[transcription by: Mary Cotterman]

Source

Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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Cite this Item

C. Roades. "Letter – Roades April 20 pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/435

Creator

C. Roades

Date

April 20, 1865

Full Title

Letter – Grantham April 29th pt 1

Description

Letter from W.C. Colly in Grantham to cousin Dan about goings on in life. The letter discusses the death and funeral of President Abraham Lincoln.

Source

Tucker Collection care of Museum of the Grand Prairie

Rights

Use of this item for research, teaching and private study is permitted with proper citation and attribution to the Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District. Reproduction of this item for publication, broadcast, or commercial use requires written permission. For permission please contact Museum of the Grand Prairie, Champaign County Forest Preserve District.

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Cite this Item

W.C. Colly. "Letter – Grantham April 29th pt 1". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 30, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/433

Creator

W.C. Colly

Date

April 29, 1865