The Fathers and Saviors of Our Country: A Presidential Sale

4pp., 8vo (248 x 203 mm), minor discoloration or toning along old folds, two tiny holes at folds, slightly affecting a few letters; original envelope in a calligraphic hand.

A UNION SOLDIER STATIONED IN WASHINGTON WRITES TO HIS SISTER ABOUT LINCOLN’S ASSASSINATION AND THE EVENTS THAT FOLLOWED.

In part: "I rec'd a letter from Susie two or three days ago. I have not answered it yet. President Lincoln is dead. He was shot last night at half past ten at Fords Theatre on tenth st. NW Av. He died towards morning. At the same time an attempt was made to assassinate Secretary Seward at his residence on 15 1/2 St opposite the Park. It is thought he will recover but one of his sons stabbed at same time will not recover. another son was also injured. It is rumored J. Wilkes Booth an actor and the supposed assassin of the President has been caught near Baltimore. Again the rumor is contradicted. Attempts were too supposed to have been made to take the lives of Secretary Stanton & other members of the Cabinet. Grant was reported killed and for a time the wildest rumors prevailed. A citizen asked a soldier the news. The soldier told him "Lincoln was dead." The citizen said "good" where the soldier shot him. The streets are thronged. The people excited and no more dare use disloyal words. Heavy patrols and guards are out. This morning three of the assassinators were caught by some men of the 2nd Co. of our Squadron - a detail from the squadron a few days since having been sent to the Virginia side for Picket duty - while they were trying to escape near Ft Ringgold...

"To day it is raining and drizzling - gloomy dismal rain at intervals. the church bells are tolling. the city is draped in mourning and flags are at half mast and a gloom has settled down over all. I had a night pass last night and it was my intention to go to Grover's Theatre. I was somewhat late and seeing it was crowded turned to go to Fords - where the President was shot - when a large torchlight procession from the Arsenal coming up the Av. with blazing torches transparencies fireworks and music and banners attracted my attention. After I had watched that awhile it was rather late to go to the Theatre and I went to a Concert saloon on the Av. While there a boy came in and told that the President was shot. The saloon was instantly emptied. I could not at first believe it. Cavalry dashing madly down the stony street and infantry hurrying down told it must be so. A sergt belonging to our Command who had been at the theatre coming along told me it was so. I went to the place. Mr. Lincoln had been taken to a house opposite. The street was thronged, guards mounted and infantry, kept back the crowd. Senaters & members of the cabinet & General Angus and staff hastened in. Several arrests were made by the military and the crowd cried to the officer ordering the arrest "that is right." The crowd was deeply moved and grieved, their silence and low consultations as they talked in groups showed that and when a Lady announced that the President could not live I noticed many smote their hands together in grief. Mutterings and threats of vengeance were heard on every side. The soldiers stood together by threes and fours, threatening death to all rebels or their sympathizers, and all expressed their willingness to reinlist again if it was necessary to avenge the President's death. Several unlucky rebel soldiers, Paroled, who were found on the streets by our soldiers, were severely handled. Coming to my quarters on some of the side streets groups of ladies at the windows and balconies and men on the streets talking as late as two in the morning. When I got to my quarters all had left but a few. This morning we were ordered to keep ourselves in readiness to move out any moment. Most probably have to do duty to night. I was on the av. but an hour ago. Vice President Johnson was Inaugurated at 11 am to day as President of the U.S. All saloons are closed. The Theatres are closed and notice put up they will stay so for an indefinite time. As I passed the Presidential mansion I noticed groups of contrabands, sitting along the curb and on the sidewalk and looking through the iron fence at the house - now heavily guarded -wistfully sad and dejected. They have lost a father and they know it and as they pass along the streets they are not afraid to ask a soldier - ask if the President is dead or Mr Seward & why should they not.

"My own feelings last night were gloomy and bitter. I would have joined in any outbreak and like other soldiers felt that I could do most anything, reinlist if necessary to avenge the Presidents death: and to show the traitors North & South that they must come under. No rebel soldiers done this. Men that go openly out and fight even for a wrong cause generally have too much honor to stab in the dark. It is rebel sympathizers and citizens bushwhackers those who at the front sneak up in the night and pick off our pickets who do this. A rebel soldier has no sympathy with them."

A REVEALING FIRST-HAND ACCOUNT DOCUMENTING THE TRAGIC AND CHAOTIC AFTERMATH OF LINCOLN’S ASSASSINATION.