Posted on 04/15/2025 7:06:29 AM PDT by Homer_J_Simpson
[OFFICIAL.]
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15 -- 1:30 A.M.
Maj.-Gen. Dix:
This evening at about 9:30 P.M., at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. LINCOLN, Mrs. HARRIS, and Major RATHBURN, was shot by as assassin, who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President.
The assassin then leaped upon the stage, brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the theatre.
The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying.
About the same hour an assassin, whether the same or not, entered Mr. SEWARD's apartments, and under the pretence of having a prescription, was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed, and inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal.
The nurse alarmed Mr. FREDERICK SEWARD, who was in an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father's room, when he met the assasin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery of FREDERICK SEWARD is doubtful.
It is not probable that the President will live throughout the night.
Gen. GRANT and wife were advertised to be at the theatre this evening, but he started to Burlington at 6 o'clock this evening.
At a Cabinet meeting at which Gen. GRANT was present, the subject of the state of the country and the prospect of a speedy peace was discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, and spoke very kindly of Gen. LEE and others of the Confederacy,
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
From what I have read he wasn't a deist, but was an avowed atheist.
He wrote an essay expounding his beliefs and showed it to a friend, who threw it into the fire, warning him of the fatal consequences to his career if that had been published.
This part is exactly right, because he would never have been embraced by a Christian nation if they knew what he really believed.
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