Sherman’s March to the Sea Lee Surrenders Lincoln’s Assassination Pgs

Lee Surrenders Lee surrendered his army to Grant at the tiny Virginia town of Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, The war was finally over.

A Plot to Kidnap Lincoln John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor, was a Southern sympathizer who saw Lincoln as the source of the South’s problems. In late 1864, he made plans to kidnap President Lincoln.

The Conspirators John Surratt Mary Surratt (John’s mother) David Herold George Atzerodt Lewis Powell –An attempt to kidnap Lincoln failed on March 17, –John Surratt reconsidered and left the area.

A Failed Plan Reconsidered John Wilkes Booth put together a new plan after the failed kidnapping attempt. –Powell would kill Secretary of State William Henry Seward. –Atzerodt would shoot Vice-President Andrew Johnson. –Booth would kill President Lincoln. –Only Booth was successful.

April 14-15, 1865 About 8:30 p.m., Lincoln along with his guests Major Henry Rathbone and Clara Harris, arrived at Ford’s Theatre to see a performance of Our American Cousin. At 10:15 p.m., John Wilkes Booth entered the Presidential box, shot Lincoln, stabbed Major Rathbone in the left arm, and then jumped onto the stage.

April 14-15, 1865 As he jumped to the stage, he got entangled in the decorations for the Presidential box and landed off balance on the stage. He broke a small bone in his left leg. He hobbled across the stage, mounted his horse in the back alley, and escaped from the city.

April 14-15, 1865 President Lincoln was unconscious and was taken across the street to the Petersen boarding house. His wife Mary Todd and son Captain Robert Todd Lincoln was with him. Lincoln died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865.

What Happened to Booth? After his escape, Booth went to the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd to have his foot set. Booth and David Herold hid in a tobacco barn as Union troops surrounded them. Herold surrendered and Booth was shot and killed while still in the barn. The barn had been set on fire in an effort to force Booth out.

What Happened to the Conspirators? The others were soon arrested. Atzerodt, Herold, Powell, and Mrs. Surratt were given death sentences and hanged July 7, Edman Spangler, a stage hand at Ford’s Theatre, who held Booth’s horse, received a six year sentence. Dr. Mudd was given a life sentence.

Lincoln’s Funeral Lincoln was 56 years old when he died. His body was taken by train to Illinois where he was buried.