Discover the Mysterious Objects Found in Abraham Lincoln's Pockets After His Assassination

John Wilkes Booth carried out the assassination of US President Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theatre, an incident that would forever etch the 16th president into history. This somber event happened shortly after the conclusion of the American Civil War, a turbulent chapter in the nation's history. Curiously, at the moment of his death, Lincoln carried several peculiar 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 watching a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC, alongside his wife, Mary Todd, Abraham Lincoln was deeply absorbed in the performance, oblivious to the imminent approach of his assassin, John Wilkes Booth . Booth, well-regarded for his flourishing stage career, had successfully infiltrated the president's box.

The assassination that shook the United States

Seizing the moment, John Wilkes Booth approached Abraham Lincoln from behind, catching him off guard. He fired a single shot into the back of the president's head with a .44-caliber Derringer pistol, then made a daring escape from the theater, fleeing on horseback. By the next morning, Lincoln was declared dead, marking a tragic end for one of America's most revered presidents at the age of 56.

Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln's pockets

Although Abraham Lincoln's assassination left a lasting impact on American history, a curious yet ordinary aspect lies in the items found in the president's pockets at the time of his death. Among these were a small pocket knife, two pairs of glasses, and a pocket watch fob. Additionally, he carried a leather wallet and a linen handkerchief bearing his name "A. Lincoln" in red letters.

Notably, one of the pairs of glasses showed signs of a minor repair personally done by the president.

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.