OUR GREAT LOSS: The Assassination of President Lincoln; DETAILS OF THE FEARFUL CRIME (4/17/1865)

New York Times - Times Machine ^ | 4/17/1865

[Homer_J_Simpson]

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15 -- 4:10 A.M.

To Major-Gen. Dix:

The President continues insensible and is sinking.

Secretary SEWARD remains without change.

FREDERICK SEWARD's skull is fractured in two places, besides a severe cut upon the head.

The attendant is still alive, but hopeless. Maj. SEWARD's wound is not dangerous.

It is now ascertained with reasonable certainty that two assassins were engaged in the horrible crime, WILKES BOOTH being the one that shot the President, and the other, a companion of his, whose name is not known, but whose description is so clear that he can hardly escape. It appears from a letter found in BOOTH's trunk that the murder was planned before the 4th of March, but fell through then because the accomplice backed out until "Richmond could be heard from." BOOTH and his accomplice were at the livery stable at 6 o'clock last evening, and left there with their horses about 10 o'clock, or shortly before that hour.

It would seem that they had for several days been seeking their chance, but for some unknown reason it was not carried into effect until last night.

One of them has evidently made his way to Baltimore -- the other has not yet been traced.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15.

Major-Gen. Dix:

ABRAHAM LINCOLN died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven o'clock.

EDWIN M. STANTON,

Secretary of War.

WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15 -- 3 P.M.

Maj.-Gen. Dix, New-York:

Official notice of the death of the late President ABRAHAM LINCOLN, was given by the heads of departments this morning to ANDREW JOHNSON, Vice-President, upon whom the constitution devolved the office of President. Mr. JOHNSON, upon receiving this notice, appeared before the Hon. SALMON P. CHASE, Chief-Justice of the United States,

[Homer_J_Simpson]

Free Republic University, Department of History presents U.S. History, 1861-1865: Seminar and Discussion Forum
The American Civil War, as seen through news reports of the time and later historical accounts

First session: November 21, 2015. Last date to add: May 2025.
Reading: Self-assigned. Recommendations made and welcomed.

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Link to previous New York Times thread

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

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[Homer_J_Simpson]

Our Great Loss: The Assassination of President Lincoln – 2-4
The New President: Inauguration of Andrew Johnson – 4-5
Our National Loss: Voice of the Pulpit in New-York and Vicinity – 5-6
Capture of Mobile: Three Thousand Prisoners Taken – 6
The Attack on Mr. Seward: Condition of Mr. Seward – 6
President Johnson’s Views of the Rebellion: His Speech on the Capture of Richmond – 6
The Siege of Mobile: Spanish Fort Attacked by Our Forces – 6-8
Our Richmond Correspondence: The Surrender of Richmond – 8-9
From Richmond: Order from Maj.-Gen. Ord to the People of Richmond – 9-10
Sherman’s Army: Rumored Surrender of Gen. Johston to Gen. Sherman – 10
The Theatres, &c. – 10
News from Washington – 10
The New President: The Political History and Antecedents of Andrew Johnson – 10-11
Second Inaugural Address of the late President – 11
Editorial: The Nation’s Bereavement – 11-12
Editorial: The Effect of President Lincoln’s Death on National Affairs – 12
Editorial: The Last Address of the President to the Country – 12-13
Characteristic Act of Mr. Lincoln – 13
The Rebellion – 13
Death of Richard Cobden – 13
News of the Day – 13
The Seven-Thirty Loan – 13