On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth assassinated US President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre, an event that would forever mark the 16th president in history. This tragic act occurred just days after the end of the American Civil War, a tumultuous period for the nation. Intriguingly, at the time of his assassination, Lincoln had several unusual items in his pockets.
Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most notable events in US history. The president had helped lead the nation through the turbulent American Civil War, a time of unparalleled difficulty, and was well loved, especially by the African-American community for his large role in the abolition of slavery.
John Wilkes Booth snuck up behind the US president
Attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, with his wife, Mary Todd, Abraham Lincoln became so engrossed that he was unaware of the approach of his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Booth, a popular figure at the time, due to his successful stage career, had managed to gain entry to the president’s box.
The assassination that shook the United States
Seizing the moment, John Wilkes Booth approached Abraham Lincoln from behind, catching him off guard. He fired a single shot into the back of the president’s head with a .44-caliber Derringer pistol, then made a daring escape from the theater, fleeing on horseback. By the next morning, Lincoln was declared dead, marking a tragic end for one of America’s most revered presidents at the age of 56.
Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
While Abraham Lincoln’s assassination had profound consequences for American history, an intriguing, but mundane detail lies in the contents of the president’s pockets at the time. When he was assassinated, he had a small pocket knife, two pairs of glasses and a pocket watch fob in his pockets. He was also carrying a leather wallet and a linen handkerchief with “A. Lincoln” inscribed in red letters.
Remarkably, one of the pairs of spectacles showed evidence of a small repair done by the president himself.
What else was found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets?
Beyond the ordinary belongings, Abraham Lincoln possessed a collection of newspaper clippings containing commendations about himself. Perhaps the most intriguing item in his possession that night, however, was a $5.00 Confederate bill that was found in his wallet.
Theory surrounding the $5.00 Confederate bill
The presence of enemy currency raises questions as to why the president would carry such an item. While the answer is unknown, researchers at the Library of Congress propose a theory.Clark Evans, the head of Reference Services in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, suggests:
“We don’t know with one hundred percent certainty but just a few days earlier, Richmond had fallen, and Lincoln did actually travel to Richmond and this was likely passed onto him as a souvenir.”
Preserving the items found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
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The remarkable preservation of the possessions carried by Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination is incredible. After his death, the items were entrusted to his eldest son, Robert, and remained in the family’s possession for the next seven decades. Today, these invaluable artifacts can be viewed at the Library of Congress.
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