“A National Calamity” – Lincoln Presidency Cent

Today, the Lincoln Presidency Cent remembers the events of 150 years ago with news articles from that day.

The American and Commercial Advertiser newspaper of Baltimore published the following in their April 15, 1865 edition:

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A National Calamity
President Lincoln Assassinated
Secretary Seward Wounded

Official Bulletin from Secretary Stanton

War Department, 1:20 am, April 15, 1865.
Major General Dix, New York:

This evening about 9:20 pm, at Ford’s Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris and Major Rathburn, was shot by an 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 another, entered Mr. Seward’s house, and under pretense of having a prescription, was shown to the Secretary’s sick chamber. The Secretary was in bed, a nurse and Miss Seward with him. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed, 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 noise alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who was in an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father’s room, where he met the assassin, 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 through the night.

General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre this evening, but he started to Burlington at six o’clock this evening.

At a cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present, today, the subject of the state of the country and the prospects of a speedy peace were discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, spoke very kindly of General Lee, and others of the Confederacy, and the establishment of government in Virginia.

All the members of the Cabinet, except Mr. Seward, are now in attendance upon the President.

I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious.

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War

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War Department, 3 am, April 15, 1865.
Major General Dix, New York:

The President still breathes, but is quite insensible, as he has been ever since he was shot. He evidently did not see the person who shot him, but was looking on the stage as he was approached behind.

Mr. Seward has rallied, and it is hoped he may live.

Mr. Frederick Seward’s condition is very critical.

The attendant was stabbed through the lungs, and is not expected to live.

The wounds of Major Seward are not serious.

The investigation strongly indicates J. Wilkes Booth as the assassin of the President. Whether it is the same or a different person that attempted to murder Mr. Seward remains in doubt.

Chief Justice Carter is engaged in taking the evidence, and every exertion has been made to prevent the escape of the murderer. His horse has been found on the road near Washington.

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War

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Washington City, No. 458 Tenth Street, 4:10 am, April 15
Major General Dix, New York:

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 his condition is hopeless.

Major Seward’s wounds are 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 β€”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 six o’clock last evening, and left there with their horses about ten 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 been traced.

E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War.

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The Official Announcement

War Department, Washington, April 15, 1865
Major General Dix:

Abraham Lincoln died this morning at twenty-two minutes after seven o’clock.

Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War

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The Closing Scene

Washington, April 15.

The Star extra, just issued, has the following account of the last house of the President’s life: At 22 minutes past 7 o’clock the President breathed his last, closing his eyes as if falling to sleep, while his countenance assumed an expression of perfect serenity. There were no indications of pain, and it was not known that he was dead until the gradually decreasing respiration ceased altogether. Rev. Dr. Gurley, of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church, immediately on its being ascertained that life was extinct, knelt at the bedside and offered prayer, which was responded to by all present. Dr. Gurley then proceeded to the front parlor, where Mrs. Lincoln, Capt. Robert Lincoln, Mr. John Hay, the private secretary, and others were waiting, where he again offered prayer for the consolation of the family.

At 6 o’clock the pulse of the eminent sufferer perceptibly failed, and at half-past 6 it was observed to be more full and the breathing labored. At 7 o’clock there were symptoms of immediate dissolution, and twenty-two minutes past 7 death closed the scene!

Surrounding the death bed of the President were Secretary Stanton, Secretary Welles, Secretary Usher, Attorney General Speed, Postmaster General Dennison, M.B. Field, Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, General Halleck, General Meigs, Senator Sumner, F.R. Andrews of New York, General Todd of Dakotah, John Hay, private Secretary, Governor Oglesby of Illinois, General Farnsworth of Massachusetts and Miss Kenny, Miss Harris, Captain Robert Lincoln, son of the President, and Drs. E. W. Abbott, R.R. Stone, C.D. Gulch, Neal Hall. Secretary McCulloch remained with the President until about five o’clock, and Chief Justice Chase, after several hours’ attendance during the night, returned again early this morning.

A special Cabinet meeting took place immediately after the President’s death. It was called by Secretary Stanton, and held in the room in which the corpse lay. Secretaries Stanton, Welles and Usher, and Postmaster General Dennison and Attorney General Speed were present. The result of the conference is as yet unknown.

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The Lincoln Presidency Cent shows against a background of the Ford’s Theatre, circa 1865.

Lincoln Presidency Cent