Transcript:
Sent 3 PM
Navy Department
Washington, D.C. April 27 1865
Com. F.A. Parker U.S.A
Comdr. Potomac Flotilla
St Inogoes
Gen. Hancock will have orders to parole the men. You need not trouble them. They are not to cross into Maryland. Booth was killed and captured with Harold yesterday three miles south west of Port Royal Virginia.
Gideon Welles
Citation: Gideon Welles (1802-1878), telegram to Foxhall A. Parker. Washington, D.C.; 27 April 1865. AMs 476/19
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The Funeral Procession in New York
New York, April 25.- A constant stream of people have been passing through the room in the City Hall, where the remains of the late President have been exposed to view, ever since yesterday afternoon. They pass at a rate of eighty per minute.
At midnight the German singers, numbering about one thousand voices, chaunted dirges. Throughout the night the long line of citizens, anxious to view the remains, was kept moving.
Early this morning, it seemed diminished very little, and soon after daylight was lengthened greatly, extending from Warren to John streets on the west side of City Hall, while there was another line of greater length running through the streets on the east side of the hall…
Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, 26 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546
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Head-Quarters Military Division of the Mississippi
In the Field Raleigh Apl. 25th 1865
Dear Julia,
We arrived here yesterday and as I expected to return to-day did not intend to write until I returned. Now however matters have taken such a turn that I suppose Sherman will finish up matters by to-morrow night and I shall wait to see the result.
Raleigh is a very beautiful place. The grounds are large and filled with the most beautiful spreading oaks I ever saw. Nothing has been destroyed and the people are anxious to see peace restored so that further devastation need not take place in the country. The suffering that must exist in the South the next year even with the war ending now, will be beyond conception. People who talk now of further retaliation and punishment, except of the political leaders, either do not conceive of the suffering endured already or they are heartless and unfeeling and wish to stay at home, out of danger, whilst the punishment is being inflicted.
Love and kisses for you and the children.
Ulys.
Citation: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), autograph letter signed to Julia Dent Grant. Raleigh, 25 April 1865. AMs 358/12
Transcript (excerpt):
Our Dead President in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, the birth-place of American Independence, has no day in her history like that of Saturday. At half-past four in the afternoon, the remains of Abraham Lincoln, the gentle and humane President, whom she loved as she loved Washington in other days, arrived within her limits. Half a million of sorrow stricken people were upon the streets. To do honor to all that was left of the man whom they respected, revered and loved with an affection never before bestowed on any other, save the Father of his Country. Universal grief was depicted on the faces of all. Hearts beat quick and fast with the throb of a sorrow which they had never experienced. Young and old alike bowed in solemn reverence before the draped chariot which bore the body of our deceased, assassinated President. The feeling was too deep for expression. The wet cheeks of a strong man, the tearful eyes of the maiden and matron, the hush which pervaded the atmosphere and made it oppressive, the steady measured tread of the military and the civic procession, the mournful dirges of the bands, the dismal tolling of the bells and the boom of the minute guns, told more than it is possible for language to express. Slowly and sadly the funeral cortege moved over the designated route. Everywhere were the emblems of mourning. The flags were all at half-mast and heavily draped, and not a house along the line of procession, indeed, not a house in all this vast city, but exhibited the signs of grief, the weeds of woe. Rome never paid such honors to her dead heroes. Greece never lavished such expressions of sorrow and regret over the remains of her departed great. The day was a day of mourning in Philadelphia. It was a day devoted solely as a mighty tribute of regard to the illustrious dead, and as the funeral car bearing casket which inclosed the precious dust passed along the crowded streets, all felt too much respect could not be given to the dead President, whose every thought, whose every pulsation of his generous heart, and whose only ambition were for the welfare of his poor bleeding country.
The mourning throngs at last realized, what it was so difficult to realize just one week previous, that the noble ruler, who for four years has been striving to secure the perpetuity of our institutions, and preserve the untarnished the luster of our old flag, had passed from life unto death.
Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. 24 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN .P5546
John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.
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I stood in line (Sunday afternoon) for over two hours & was then disappointed, as the line was cut off by others approaching in a different direction. Of course the grand illumination that was to have taken place in honor of our late Victories was postponed on account of the death of Mr. Lincoln.
Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1
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Navy Department
Washington, D.C. April 23 1865
Rear Admiral D.D. Porter,
Comg. M.A.B. Squadron
Hampton Roads Va.
Continue to exercise the utmost vigilance over all vessels departing from the limits of gun command—Booth is endeavoring to escape by water. Send a gun back on some tugs to examine the shores and islands of the eastern shore of Virginia and all rebels in that direction and arrest and seize all suspicious parties. If you have any tugs to spare send them into the Potomac.
Gideon Welles
Citation: Gideon Welles (1802-1878), telegram to David Dixon Porter. Washington, D.C.; 23 April 1865. AMs 476/19
John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.
Transcript:
The Presidents remains were brought to this City this afternoon, on their way to Springfield Ill: The procession surpassed any thing of the kind ever seen in this City. His remains were taken to Independence Hall, there to remain until Monday morning. The rush of the People to see their fallen chief, beggers description, every street leading to the State House was packed for squares.
Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1
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Ten Thousand Dollars Reward Offered for the Arrest of Booth
Proclamation of Governor Curtin.
Harrisburg, April 20.- The following proclamation was issued today:-
In the name and by the authority of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor of the said Commonwealth:-
Whereas, it is rumored that J. Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Lincoln, has, within a day or two, been seen in Pennsylvania, now, therefore, I, Andrew G. Curtin, Governor as aforesaid, do hereby offer a reward of ten thousand (10,000) dollars to be paid to the person or persons who shall apprehend said Booth within this Commonwealth, so that he may be brought to justice; and said reward to be paid immediately after the necessary appropriation shall have been made by the Legislature.
Given under my hand and the great seal of the State, at Harrisburg, this twentieth (20th) day of April, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred an d sixty-five (1865) and of the Commonwealth the eighty-ninth (89th).
By the Governor.
Eli Slifer
Secretary of the Commonwealth
Citation: Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, 21 April 1865. Gift of Steven and Susan Raab. AN.P5446
John Henry Brown was a painter of portrait miniatures, living and working in Philadelphia. He had met Lincoln in August of 1860 when he was commissioned to paint Lincoln’s portrait for a supporter, but although Brown liked Lincoln personally, he did not agree with Republican policies.
Transcript:
Nothing unusual this month to record about the family or my business. At work each day. The month an eventful one in the history of the country, on Monday the 3rd we received news of the fall of Richmond, Va which caused great excitement and general rejoicing. On the 10th received news of the surrender of Gen: Lee with his whole Army to Gen: grant, it produced the wildest excitement and joy, it is regarded as the virtual closing of the War. Great preparations are being made for a grand illumination to take place on Monday evening next, in honor of the many Victories, won by our armies lately, but more especially in honor of that great and bloodless one gained by Grant over Lee. Grants easy and generous terms to Lee & the Presidents approval of them is producing a kindness of feeling amongst all classes which goes far to strengthen the hope of an early peace. I have lately said nothing in this Journal about the War, preferring to wait the development of events. On Saturday morning the 15th we were startled by the shocking news that the President was shot last night about 10 Oclock at Fords theatre, Washington City, by J. Wilkes Booth a rebel Sympathizer. The President lingered unconsciously through the night and died about 7 Oclock in the morning. It is impossible to convey in language the least shadow of the depth of sorrow this news has created. Strong men weep like children. The whole City is in mourning. Every house has exposed the emblems of death. On Wednesday the 19th, the day of the Presidents funeral, all business was suspended the places of worship were all opened for service at 12 Oclock.
For his own glory Mr. Lincoln could not have died at a better time—“He fills a Patriots grave and wears a martyrs crown.” He is now canonized and will henceforth stand by the side of Washington in history.
Time works wonders, little did I think, when I painted Mr Lincolns picture, less than five years ago, that he would ever become so great and ever so loved.
Citation: John Henry Brown, autograph journal/account book. Philadelphia, 1844-1890. AMs 573/14.1
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Navy Department
Washington, 19th Apr. 1865
Com. J.B. Montgomery
Comdr. Navy Yard
Washington. D.C.
Until otherwise ordered, permit no persons to see (or hold communications with) the prisoners confined upon gunboat without a pass signed jointly by the Secretary of War and the Secretary of the Navy. Give this order to officers of the vessel without delay.
Gideon Welles
Secy of the Navy
Citation: Gideon Welles (1802-1878), telegram to John B. Montgomery. Washington, D.C.; 19 April 1865. AMs 476/19