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On April 14, 1865, only 5 days after the surrender, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth.
Booth, a famous actor, shot President Lincoln at a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C.
He was from Maryland, was a slave holding border state which stayed with the North during the war. Technically he was considered to be a Northerner but he was known to be a "Southern Sympathizer" which means that he thought the South should be able to become another country.
He thought that he would become a great hero to the South by killing Lincoln. He didn't.
The play that the Lincoln was watching was called "Our American Cousin." Booth planned the gunshot to coincide with a moment in the show when the audience was sure to erupt in very loud laughter to mask the sound of the gunshot.
After Booth shot the President in the back of the head, Henry Rathbone, the man attending the play with Lincoln, rushed toward Booth to try to stop him. Booth stabbed him in the shoulder then jumped over the railing of the balcony onto the stage below.
When he landed he yelled "Sic semper tyrannis" which is latin for "Thus always to tyrants."
It is the Virginia state motto. He then ran from the theater and escaped on horseback.
Several soldiers carried Lincoln to a house across the street and placed him on a bed. Vice President Andrew Johnson, members of Lincoln’s cabinet and several of the president’s closest friends stood vigil by Lincoln’s bedside. The Surgeon General arrived and concluded that Lincoln would die during the night. He was officially pronounced dead the following morning at 7:22 am.
"Booth Shot Lincoln"
Singers: The Jolly Tars
1. John Wilkes Booth come from Baltimore. A stage actor was he.
He went on down to Washington, Abe Lincoln for to see;
Was down at Ford's Theater, twas there he worked his plan.
He swore that God Almighty that the Union would not stand.
2. Lee had just surrendered and Richmond laid in ruins.
And on Virginia's bloody battle field brave southern boys laid strewn.
Booth, he vowed avengence: the Southern Cause he'd save.
With steely knife or pistol he'd lay Lincoln in his grave.
3. Amid the jubulation of the northern victory
Old Abe went to the theater, a comedy to see.
At the president's arrival the crowd rose as if one
Lincoln bowed and quickly took his seat for the play had long begun.
4. Then in a short time after as his guard dozed by the door
Booth slipped passed and waited til the crowd began to roar.
It’s then he drew his pistol and he rushed across the room.
He loosed the fatal bullet that sealed the great man’s doom.
5. As Booth shot the president Mary screamed in anguished grief.
He then stabbed Major Rathbone and he leaped down to the stage.
“Sic Semper Tyrannis” he was heard to say
As he stood before the footlights the crowd watched in dismay.
6. He wheeled and dropped his dagger and gained the backstage door.
Then he climbed upon his claybank mare and he quickly pulled away.
He made it out of Washington with little time to spare
Then he rode onto Surattsville and his carnage hidden there.
7. Booth and Davy Harold, accomplice in his shame
Hid by day in swamps and woods 'cause Booth's left leg was lame.
While Union troops searched far and wide along the Potomac's shore
They slipped into Virginia, the recent seed of war.
8. A troop of Yankee horsemen patrolled a near, next day.
Heard of two young strangers that lately passed that way.
One man, dark and handsome and one with hair like coal,
Seeking food and shelter to Garrett's Farm did go.
9. The soldier boys then found them out in Garrett's barn.
They demanded their surrender or by God they'd burn it down.
Davy called for order, came forth with hands held high
But Booth said, resolutely, "They'll not take me alive."
10. And then the barn was fired and on that hellish stage
Booth gave his last performance and met an early grave.
And as for poor Abe Lincoln may the good Lord grant him rest.
"Of all the actors he had seen he loved John Wilkes the best."
Coda:
John Wilkes Booth come from Baltimore. A stage actor was he.
He went on down to Washington, Abe Lincoln for to see.
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