What Was in Lincoln's Pockets The Night He Died?

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth carried out the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theatre, an act that would be eternally linked to the 16th president in history. This tragic event took place shortly after the conclusion of the American Civil War, a chaotic chapter in the nation's history. Interestingly, at the time of his death, Lincoln had several odd 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

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

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

Despite the profound effect Abraham Lincoln's assassination had on American history, there's an intriguing yet ordinary detail in the belongings found in his pockets at the time of his death. These included a small pocket knife, two pairs of glasses, and a pocket watch fob. He also had a leather wallet and a linen handkerchief embroidered with the name "A. Lincoln" in red.

Interestingly, one of the pairs of glasses bore evidence of a small repair made 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.