Full Title

Local Matters

Description

This article was published in the Union Vedette, a newspaper published by United States soldiers stationed at Camp Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. It describes the initial reaction to the news of the assassination at Camp Douglas and throughout Salt Lake City. To express their grief and honor the late president, soldiers wore badges of mourning and fired a gun every half hour throughout the day. Citizens closed their business, flags flew at half mast, and Brigham Young's carriage was draped in mourning.

Source

Utah Digital Newspapers Contributed by McKayla Herron, M.A. Student in Public History, West Virginia University

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Union Vedette. "Local Matters". Union Vedette. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1212

Creator

Union Vedette

Publisher

Union Vedette

Date

April 18, 1865

Full Title

Funeral Obsequies of President Lincoln

Description

This article was published in the Union Vedette, a newspaper published by United States soldiers stationed at Camp Douglas in Salt Lake City, Utah. It discusses a meeting in which the Utah territory's federal, civil, and military officials adopted multiple resolutions related to the Lincoln assassination and planned for the city's memorial service. It expresses grief over Lincoln's death and extols his "integrity and ability as a magistrate," while endorsing Andrew Johnson as the new president.

Transcription

Funeral Obsequies of President Lincoln

At a meeting of the Federal, Civil and Military officials of Utah, held at the Executive in Great Salt Lake City, April 18th at two P.M., Hon. J. Duane Doty, Governor, was called to the chair, Capt. C.H Hemstead and T.B. H. Stenhouse, Esq., appointed Secretaries.
After preliminary consultation and expression of feeling over the sad event which called this meeting together, the following resolutions. presented by Hon. Chief Justice Titas, were unanimously adopted:
Whereas, the death by assassination of our beloved President. has wrung the hearts of all good men with grief;
Whereas, the serious wounding, by lawless violence, of our esteemed and honored Secretary of State, and his two sons, mingles with the sorrow of actual bereavement, the painful apprehension of further heart-rending loss and;
Whereas, also, in this our hour of calamity, we may not inappropriately seek that relief which affliction finds in outward expression! Therefore,
Resolved. That we cannot suppress the profound sorrow, with which we lament the untimtely death of our beloved President Abraham Lincoln, whose integrity and ability as a magistrate had secured for him the confidence of his country and whose genial virtues as a man, had endeared him to humanity itself:
Resolved. That with unaffected grief for our lamented President, is mingled the poignant regret, that he has not been spared to see and enjoy the fruition of that peace which has his labors had done so much to secure for his country, and which we believe is not far distant;
Resolved, That while we thus lament for our friend, the exemplary husband and father. we cannot forget the stricken family, but with a feeling of unaffected condolence humbly invoke for them that support, which transcends all human woe, in the divine power of its consolation;
Resolved, That we devotedly hope that the wounds of our able and honored Secretary of State William H. Seward, and his two sons, may none of them prove mortal but that they may all soon be restored to health. and long spared for further useful service, to our common country;
Resolved. That we have the fullest confidence in our President Andrew Johnson, our own and the Nation’s choice, as he was for the second. prepared by labor and trial as he was for the first office in government. and to which he is thus translated by the peration of the Constitution and the permission of a tremendous Providence.
Resolved. That a committee of five be appointed on the part of the Federal offices to confer with a committee of like number on the part of the city authorities. to make arrangements for suitable religious exercises to be held at the Tabernacle, April 19th, at twelve o’-clock, M.
Col. J.C. Little informed the meeting that Elder Amasa M. Lyman had been selected by city authorities to deliver an address at the Tabernacle.
Oh motion, it was unanimously resolved the Rev. Normal McLeod be also invited to deliver an eulogium on the life, character and illustrious services of the late President, on the same occasion and at-the-same place.
In accordance with the foregoing resolutions the following gentlemen were appointed by the Chair as the Committee of Arrangements. viz: Hon. Chief Justice John Titus, Col. O. H. Irish, Capt Chas H. Hempstead, Col. Robt. T. Burton and Col. I C Little.
Following is the committee appointed on behalf of the city authorities. viz: Hon. Mayor Smoot, Alderman Sheets, Alderson Raleigh, Thos. McKeon and N. H. Felt, E-qs.
On motion, the Secretaries were instructed to transmit a copy of the proceedings of this meeting to the City Council, and that public notice be given of the exercises at the Tabernacle.
J. DUANE DOTY, President.
T.B.H. Stenhouse,
Chas H. Hempstead } Secretaries

[Transcription by Alicia B., Ford's Theatre Society, and Janet Scanlon.]

Source

Utah Digital Newspapers Contributed by McKayla Herron, M.A. Student in Public History, West Virginia University

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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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Union Vedette. "Funeral Obsequies of President Lincoln". Union Vedette. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1211

Creator

Union Vedette

Publisher

Union Vedette

Date

April 21, 1865

Full Title

"Our Nation Mourning"

Description

This article was published in Salt Lake City's Deseret News on April 19, 1865. It describes the city's initial reaction to the Lincoln assassination, announcing a memorial service to be held in the Latter-day Saint tabernacle, the suspension of business and entertainment throughout the city, and the decoration of public buildings

Transcription

Upon the reception of the horrifying intelligence that President Lincoln had been assassinated, throughout the city business was generally suspended, flags were draped in mourning at halfmast, stores and other public buildings were closed and craped, the Management of the Theatre announced that the bill for Saturday evening was postponed to Monday, and deep gloom palpably rested upon the minds of the citizens.
On Sunday the stand and organ in the Tabernacle were clad in the habiliments of woe, as were also many members of the congregation, and Elders W. Woodruf, F.D. Richards and George Q. Cannon delivered feeling and appropriate addresses upon the solemn occasion. Monday evening the proscenium boxes of the Theatre and two large national flags arching from the center over the drop curtain were draped in black.
Alas for the times, when our Chief Magistrate can be stricken down by the hands of an assassin!

Source

Utah Digital Newspapers Contributed by McKayla Herron, M.A. Student in Public History, West Virginia University

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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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Deseret News. ""Our Nation Mourning" ". Deseret News. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1209

Creator

Deseret News

Publisher

Deseret News

Date

April 19, 1865

Full Title

From the Legation of His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia

Description

A message from the legation of the Shah of Persia offering condolences on behalf of the leader and the people of Persia. The Shah transmitted this message via telegram to his emissary Suleiman Khan in Paris, who passed it along to the new President as a gesture of goodwill. Such a message demonstrates just how widely felt the impacts of Lincoln's death were.

Transcription

Transcription available through the Department of State Office of the Historian

Source

The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln

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Suleiman Khan. "From the Legation of His Imperial Majesty the Shah of Persia". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1206

Creator

Suleiman Khan

Date

May 09, 1865

Full Title

Inhabitants of Zurich

Description

A letter of condolences written to the US Government by a committee of residents from the Swiss city of Zurich. The committee praises the Union victory over the Confederacy, noting its impacts on not only the United States but also "all mankind". While mourning Lincoln, the document makes comparisons between Lincoln's impact and the previous global political impact of the Revolutionary War and George Washington. This letter provides a window into global reactions to the end of the war, as well as international opinions on what the role of a post-war United States would look like.

Transcription

Transcription is available via the Department of State Office of the Historian.

Source

Tributes to the memory of Abraham Lincoln

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O. Bulle. "Inhabitants of Zurich". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1205

Creator

O. Bulle

Date

May 2, 1865

Full Title

Office of Agent For C.S. Prisoners

Description

Letter sent by a Confederate prisoner of war named WM. S. Hawkins. Hawkins was a Confederate army colonel who was confined to Camp Chase, one of the largest POW camps in the Northern states. Hawkins expresses his regrets in regards to President Lincoln's fate, while voicing a desire for a post-war world in which the country was unified under principles of justice, mercy, and kindness.

Transcription

Office of Agent for C.S Prisoners, Camp Chase, Ohio, April, 18th 1865.

I desire, through your columns, to express my profound abhorrence of the deeds resulting in the death of President Lincoln. I wish also to mention that in passing through the prisons, where are still confined several thousand of my comrades, I heard of no one so fallen from the level of our common humanity as to be in any sense gratified at this atrocious murder. The sentiment on every side was that of indignation at so cowardly an attempt, and of regret at its successful completion.
In the name of Right, let the obloquy and the punishment fall in united horror upon the guilty, but not upon men who have had neither part nor lot in the matter; who, in other affairs, may have erred in judgement, but certainly not in heart, since countless sacrifices attest their sincerity; and whose strength, in case of ultimate Federal success, can be merged once more in the common resources far more readily by the Divine policy of brotherly kindness, than by any exercise of bitter and vindictive feeling.
Over the ark of a wise Government two seraphs bend - one of these is clear-eyed Justice, but the other is warm-hearted Mercy.
I am, sirs, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
WM. S. HAWKINS
Colonel, C.S.A.

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WM. S. Hawkins. "Office of Agent For C.S. Prisoners". The Louisville Daily Journal. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1204

Creator

WM. S. Hawkins

Publisher

The Louisville Daily Journal

Date

April 18, 1865

Full Title

Sermon Preached in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church

Description

Sermon preached by Rev. Jacob Thomas in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, Troy, New York. In this sermon, Rev. Thomas addresses his congregation and praises Lincoln as a true friend of African Americans while discussing what his loss means for the future. Rev. Thomas reflects on the grief of the African American community in regards to the assassination and how this was enhanced by Lincoln's status as a "friend of the oppressed."

Transcription

My friends, we meet at this hour with sad hearts. We have been stricken. The blow has fallen heavily upon us, and a nation mourns to day. Truly a prince and a great man in Israel has fallen. We cannot but weep bitter tears that so great and good a man as Abraham Lincoln, has been cut down in the midst of his usefulness by a death so cruel. At the moment he was about to realize the great results of his four years labor, just as victory had perched upon our banners, he fell a martyr to freedom. We shall never look upon his like again.
A few days ago joy and gladness filled every heart. All who were loyal to the government rejoiced and gave thanks to Almighty God because of the victory won, the downfall of the rebel capital. This intelligence was too glorious to be unalloyed. Ere our joy had subsided, sorrow overtook us. News reached us from Washington of the bloody deed perpetrated there. We would not believe it. It could not be possible that a creature in the form of man could be found so God-forsaken, as to take the life of the man who had malice for none but charity for all! The hours between the first rumor and the confirmation of the report, were hours of dreadful suspense. But the truth came at last. There was no longer room for doubt. It was too true, that on last Friday evening, whilst enjoying at a place of amusement a few moments of relaxation from toil, accompanied by his wife and a few friends, unconscious of danger near, he was brutally murdered — shot down by the cowardly hand of an assassin. Palsied be the tongue, withered be the arm of the guilty, execrable wretch who committed this, the blackest of all crimes. Yes, our dear President is no more. The beloved of his country, the father and friend of the oppressed, the champion of universal freedom, has fallen a victim to southern malice and revenge. Kind heaven weeps to-day over the bloody spectacle.
We, as a people, feel more than all others that we are bereaved. We had learned to love Mr. Lincoln as we have never loved man before. We idolized his very name. We looked up to him as our saviour, our deliverer. His name was familiar with our children, and our prayers ascended to God in his behalf. He had taught us to love him. The interest he manifested in behalf of the oppressed, the weak and those who had none to help them, had won for him a large place in our heart. It was something so new to us to see such sentiments manifested by the chief magistrate of the United States that we could not help but love him. Is it to be wondered at that we mourn today? Nay, we have seen old gray-headed men and young maidens weep because of this affliction. Had disease attacked him and he had passed away according to the natural course of nature, we could have consoled ourselves with the thought that it was God's will it should be so. But falling as he did by the hand of the wicked, we derive our consolation only from the assurance that by his uprightness, his honesty and his principles of Christianity, he is now enjoying that rest that remains for the just.
Our text is a fitting one for the occasion. A great man has fallen. From whatever stand-point we view Mr. Lincoln, we find in him the marks of true greatness. A few years ago this plain, homely lawyer was scarcely known outside of his own state. But how soon did he become the point of attraction. Not only was he the centre of observation in this country, but the civilized world was watching him. He far exceeded the expectations of all men. He became as the ark of safety to his country, the praise and glory of his fellow men. To us as a despised people, he was a second Moses — a second Daniel in wisdom. From a humble position in life he reached the very summit of honor, occupied the highest seat that it was in the power of the American people to give him, and filled that seat as no man ever filled it before him. The mind that conceived and drew up the Proclamation of Emancipation was a great mind. The results of this grand deed are patent to all. He was a philanthropist in the most extensive sense of the word — benevolent, kind, and ever ready to make others happy. One of the most prominent features in the character of our departed friend was his merciful disposition even towards his foes. He was strictly honest; this is admitted by his worst enemies. " Honest Abe," he was familiarly called by all classes. He was honest with his people, honest to himself, honest to his God. This is what God requires of all men, to be honest in heart. The exterior of this great man may have been plain, homely and awkward, but the interior was beautifully finished and furnished with Christian graces. It was his reliance upon God that carried him safely through the storm of four years duration. It was this that has made him blessed in the favor of God, forever.
Yes, Abraham Lincoln is no more, and we mingle our tears with those of the mourning widow and bereaved friend. We feel that in his loss our punishment is more that we can bear, yet in God is our consolation. Let us hope for the best. An all-wise God has permitted this great grief to come upon us. Let us look to him for deliverance in the time of our distress. We are humbled, we are mortified, we are brought very low. Our trust must be in God. Whilst we mourn, he whose, death we deplore, is enjoying the reward of his labor, happy with his God, mingling with those kindred spirits who went before him. The
two truest and greatest men that ever lived on earth, John Brown and Abraham Lincoln, have met in glory, and they cease not to give praise and honor to him that liveth forever and ever. The memory of Abraham Lincoln will ever be dear to us. It is engraved upon our hearts. It can never be effaced. He has been our true friend and we never can forget him. We feel as though God had raised him up for a special purpose, and that having accomplished the labor assigned him, he has gone to his rest. May God protect us and keep us from further evils.

Source

A tribute of respect by the citizens of Troy, to the memory of Abraham Lincoln

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Rev. Jacob Thomas. "Sermon Preached in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church". Young & Benson. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1203

Creator

Rev. Jacob Thomas

Publisher

Young & Benson

Date

1865

Full Title

Mr. Lincoln Was Always Intensely Interested in Affairs of New Mexico

Description

This article features an interview with Francisco Perea, a former member of the House of Representatives from the territory of New Mexico during the Civil War. Perea was present at Ford's Theatre on the night of the assassination, and in this interview he recounts his experiences and the changes he saw in the atmosphere of Washington and it's residents. Perea was also familiar with President Lincoln before the assassination and reflects fondly on their personal and business relations prior to his death.

Source

Library of Congress Chronicling America

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Albuquerque Morning Journal. "Mr. Lincoln Was Always Intensely Interested in Affairs of New Mexico". Library of Congress. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1202

Creator

Albuquerque Morning Journal

Publisher

Library of Congress

Date

February 12, 1909

Full Title

State of Kentucky

Description

Governor Thomas E. Bramlette reacts to the news of Abraham Lincoln's assassination. He also proclaims a day of mourning on April 19th at 12 o'clock for the entire state of Kentucky.

Transcription

State of Kentucky
Executive Department
Frankfort, April 17, 1865
By the hand of an assassin a great grief has been brought upon our country. The Chief Magistrate of the Nation, the President of the United States, ABRAHAM LINCOLN, had fallen a victim to rebellious hate under the vengeful blow of an assassin. He has fallen at a time when his great qualities of humanity were so hopefully invoked for the healing of our National woes! With no stain of vindictive nature upon his soul - with a great heart of generous sympathies and broad humanities - his untimely fall has bowed a Nation's head in mourning.
On WEDNESDAY, the 19th inst., at the hour of 12 o'clock, A.M. (the hour of his funeral), let every church bell be tolled throughout the Commonwealth; and on that day let all business be suspended, and all business houses be closed, the public offices closed, and draped in mourning.
The citizens of Kentucky are invoked to pay that homage to the National grief which such a great calamity inspires.
THOS. E. BRAMLETTE, Governor of Kentucky.

Source

U.S. National Archives, General Records of the Department of Justice

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Thomas E. Bramlette. "State of Kentucky". Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1200

Creator

Thomas E. Bramlette

Date

April 17, 1865

Full Title

General Schultz to Colonel Wagnerd

Description

In light of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, General S. Schultz informs Colonel Louis Wagnerd that a celebratory parade for the end of the war in Pennsylvania would not go on as planned.

Transcription

Head Quarters.
Department of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, Pa. April 15th 1865.
Lt: Col: Louis Wagnerd
Comidg Camp "William Penn"
Chelten HIlls, Penna
Colonel
I am directed by the Commanding General to inform you the proposed parade of of he U.S. Troops in this city will not take place on monday next 17" isnt. on account of the sad news received this morning. You will therefore not be required to furnish the men from your command, for that purpose as requested, by the letter dated from these Head Quarters April 14" 1965.
I am Colonel,
Very Respectfully
Your Ob'd't Servant
Gnl. S. Schultz
Ap't Adj't General

Source

U.S. National Archives, Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau

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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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National Archives. "General Schultz to Colonel Wagnerd". Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau. Remembering Lincoln. Web. Accessed June 15, 2025. https://rememberinglincoln.fords.org/node/1199

Creator

National Archives

Publisher

Records of the Provost Marshal General's Bureau

Date

1865-04-15