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War History Online
The Surprising Items Lincoln Had in His Pockets on the Night of His Assassination
By Jesse Beckett,
10 hours ago
On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, an event that became inseparably linked to the legacy of the 16th president. This tragic moment took place shortly after the end of the American Civil War, a tumultuous chapter in the nation's history. Interestingly, Lincoln had several unusual items in his pockets when he died.
Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War
US President Abraham Lincoln at his Antietam headquarters. (Photo Credit: Bettmann / Getty Images)
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
John Wilkes Booth. (Photo Credit: GraphicaArtis / Getty Images)
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
John Wilkes Booth preparing to assassinate US President Abraham Lincoln. (Photo Credit: Kean Collection / Getty Images)
Seizing the moment, John Wilkes Booth quietly came up behind Abraham Lincoln, catching him completely off guard. He fired a single shot from a .44-caliber Derringer pistol into the back of the president's head, then daringly escaped from the theater and fled on horseback. By the next morning, Lincoln was declared dead, bringing a tragic conclusion to the life of one of America's most revered presidents at the age of 56.
Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln's pockets
US President Abraham Lincoln had a variety of items in his pockets on the night he was assassinated. (Photo Credit: MPI / Getty Images)
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?
Confederate $5.00 bill found in US President Abraham Lincoln's pocket on the night he was assassinated. (Photo Credit: DREW ANGERER / AFP / Getty Images)
In addition to his regular belongings, Abraham Lincoln kept a collection of newspaper clippings that sang his praises. Yet, the most intriguing item he had that evening was a $5.00 Confederate bill found in his wallet.
Theory surrounding the $5.00 Confederate bill
A sample of the items found in US President Abraham Lincoln's pockets on the night of his assassination. (Photo Credit: Tom Williams / Roll Call / Getty Images)
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
Various items were found in US President Abraham Lincoln's pockets on the night he was assassinated. (Photo Credit: Alex Wong / Getty Images)
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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