On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth took the life of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford’s Theatre, an event forever attached with the legacy of the 16th president. This heartbreaking incident occurred just after the conclusion of the American Civil War, a chaotic period in the country’s history. Interestingly, Lincoln carried several unexpected items in his pockets at the time of his death.
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
While attending a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, with his wife, Mary Todd, Abraham Lincoln was completely engrossed in the show, unaware of the approaching danger from his assassin, John Wilkes Booth. Booth, known for his prominent stage career, had managed to slip into the president’s box undetected.
The assassination that shook the United States
Taking advantage of the situation, John Wilkes Booth stealthily approached Abraham Lincoln from behind, catching him entirely unprepared. He fired a single round from a .44-caliber Derringer pistol into the back of the president’s head before boldly fleeing the theater on horseback. By the following morning, Lincoln was pronounced dead, marking a tragic end to the life of one of America’s most esteemed presidents at the age of 56.
Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
While Abraham Lincoln’s assassination left an indelible mark on American history, an intriguing yet ordinary detail lies in the items found in his pockets at the time of his death. Among them were a small pocket knife, two pairs of glasses, and a pocket watch fob. He also had a leather wallet and a linen handkerchief with “A. Lincoln” embroidered in red.
Interestingly, one of the pairs of glasses bore evidence of a small repair done by the president himself.
What else was found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets?
Alongside his usual possessions, Abraham Lincoln maintained a collection of newspaper clippings that lauded him. However, the most fascinating item he had on him that evening was a $5.00 Confederate bill discovered 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.