The Assassination Of President Lincoln Analysis
The Assassination of President Lincoln
By: Amelia Austin
April 28, 2013
History 301
Dr. Brian Craig Miller
The Assassination of President Lincoln
The day is April 14, 1865, a day the world will always remember! Abraham Lincoln was the first American President to have been assassinated. In the dynamics of the unfolding events leading to the assassination of “President Lincoln,” there seem to be a magnitude of people that would rather have seen the President dead than alive. In the analysis; “The most extreme wanted Lincoln dead and his supporters terrorized into silence.” ( Pitch, Page 1) Lincoln having been responsible for saving the Union alongside being named the “Great Emancipator” he succeeded the backlash of the ones whom was not in favor of his constitutional objectives towards his paradox political views! Throughout his four years in office, the United States would see change… change that some could not bear to witness to. Unfortutuntly in the end, there was one person who could not pardon the President for the culture shock that was handed down to the South. John …show more content…
Wilkes Booth stepped up to the plate and succeeded what he set out to accomplish, and that was to assassinate President Lincoln.
“Lincoln Shall Not Pass through Baltimore Alive", shouted the angry! As the train gets ready for its route along the Western Railroad, safety measures are in progress to ward off any mishaps that could assassinate the President. Although Lincoln had been informed of all the political violence that was waiting for him, he chose not to take any preventative measures. Through the many stories that were starting to unfold, Lincoln states,“ There is no immediate necessity for employing the proffered help” Aware of the tensions that threatened the Union and perhaps his own life, Lincoln told the well-wishers at Springfield, “ I now leave not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than which rested upon [George] Washington.” ( Pitch, Page 1) Obviously so the secessionist from Maryland that were against Lincoln; all for good reason as they thought it to be, angry and wanting to recoup their land back to the State they were so devoted to, now the slaves that used to be, was no-more; these secessionist felt helpless, feeling as though their land would soon deteriorate with no-one to tend to their fields. “The outcome in Maryland would be key to the future of the nation’s capital. And Lincoln’s train would have to pass through Maryland to reach Washington.” ( Pitch, Page 5) On the day that Lincoln won the second term of his Presidency, there was an outbreak of violence in Washington. Factual gossip started to arise, at the same time it was well noted that General Winfield Scott, along with Lincoln and President James Buchanan lives would be in grave danger by Inauguration Day. Through all the gossipmonger, it was a known fact, that the secessionist had high hopes for a rebellion take over. Make no mistake about it, Maryland held significant measures for the future of the nation’s capital.
Stepping back in time, it was obvious that Lincoln was aware of the attempts on his life, making him a bit uncomfortable, there were letters addressed to the President after the 1860 Republication nomination. Once again he once found humor in the hate mail, finding a way to defuse his adversaries with their extreme dislike towards him. On the contrary through all the hate mail that he received, Lincoln was never able to shudder the ghoulish illusion he had observed while looking in the mirror on the day of his election. “he had glimpsed the double image of his face in a mirror on his desk. One of his faces was normal, but the other, three inches above, looked faded and much paler. ( Pitch, Page 27) Even so, during his first term, he had received an anonymous letter with threats to kill him. “ If they kill me, they will run risk of getting a worse man.” ( Pitch 28)
With much bloodshed over through the years of his 1st term, Lincoln would run again, not expecting victory; with the war seeming to be an ongoing with a battle of fatalities… fatalities coming from Shiloh, Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Murfreesboro, just to name a few. In addition Lincoln had already replaced his best Generals throughout the term of his Presidency. Lastly his new choice was Ulysses S. Grant. In choosing Grant; Lincoln had high hope that Grant would be the one to conquer his opponents. Needless to say, Grant did not succeed!
As the stories became about of those that wanted to assassinate the President, Grant had ordered his military arms to be cautious and be on guard at all times. “We are now in such a state that a dog fight might cause the gutters of the capital to run with blood.” (Pitch, Page 2)
Important to realize, other than General Scott that was in charge for providing security for the President, there seemed to be a number of other men involved to provide security as well. Thomas Hick, known as a true Union man, he employed all he could to ward off the secessionists, Samuel Felton, President of the Philadelphia, Willimington & Baltimore Railroad, he had informed General Scott of the threats he knew of toward Lincoln, not to mention arming his conductors on his trains with ammunition. Having done that; Felt inquired on Marshal George Kane- not knowing if he could truly trust him- Felt asking Kane to investigate the vicious rumors of the threats towards Lincoln… Felt brushed away all the rumors as so to speak hog wash. It was then did the railroad lean on Detective Allan Pinkerton… Pinkerton came up with the brilliant idea to open up shop in Maryland, posing as a stock broker. This enabled Pinkerton to become involved with the 212,000 residents of Baltimore. With all eyes and ears open, Pinkerton had been informed from a local Baltimorean;”If our company would draw lots to see who would kill Lincoln, and the lot should fall on me, I would do it willingly.” (Pitch, Page 7)
Now with so many men that are involved to keep the President safe, who could be trusted and who could not. Upon eavesdropping, Pinkerton learned that the Marshall’s intent was to leave the president open to the elements of gun fire. Not only was the Marshall involved, but he son of the PW&B Railroad had taken a pledge to kill Lincoln. Lincoln now aware of the danger he was in, he states; “I now believed such a plot to be in existence.” (Pitch, Page 12)
Upon the arrival in Baltimore, it appeared that the plotters were trapped themselves. The train had arrived at the early hour of 3:30 AM, making sure the coast was clear. Waiting for Lincoln was William Seward, feeling a sense of relief that the President arrived in Baltimore safe and sound.
The Attempts:
Letter address to General Scott, vowing that he, Lincoln and President James Buchanan would be assassinated by Inauguration Day.
Dorothea Dix- a pioneer advocate passing word of ; Treason, Murder and Sabotage, thus leading to sever all communication for troops to aid the President of any rescue.
Elderly man risking his life to inform the PW& B of the target to blow up the bridge for the attack of Lincoln’s train.
The son of the owner of PW& B had vowed to assassinate the President
Together with all the attempts to assassinate Lincoln, all had failed, all but one! It was apparent that Lincoln’s assassin had a pungent taste in his mouth for Lincoln. Booth having been responsible for the assassination, he had always yearned for a legacy that would have notoriety to his name. For you see, Booth’s views toward blacks was no doubt hateful. “Booth could never forgive the president for undermining the slave holding culture of the South and fomenting expectations among blacks.”(Pitch, Page 42) Having said this, Booth was an avid member of the Know-Nothings- remember it was President Lincoln that denounced his fear “All men are created equal, except negroes, foreigners and catholic.” if the Know-Nothings took control.
By the end of 1864 Booth now even more so was determined to kill Lincoln.
Booth’s first attempt would be scheming up an old college acquaintance Michael O’Laughlin along with Samuel Arnold- asking them both to assist him, needless to say it was not a success. Overtime Booth not giving up…the year 1864, Booth receives a letter from Patrick Martin a prominent physician from Charles County and Dr Samuel Mudd and Dr William Queen. “Both were slaveholding farmers with sentiments rigidly favoring the South. They would be in a position to offer aid and comfort to Booth during the projected flight from Washington to Virginia. They also would be useful in widening Booth’s circle of associates by introducing him to other dependable Charles County residents with like political prejudice.” ( Pitch. Page
51)
Shortly after Lincoln’s second inauguration, there seemed to be more extreme dislike towards Lincoln. Booth now more than ready; April 14, 1865 Booth enters Ford Theater : Booth opened the door, leveled the lightweight Derringer, and fired the single shot behind Lincoln’s left ear.(Pitch, Page 114) Mission accomplished!
The ultimate legacy of Lincoln is his name, from the days of Illinois to the chaotic point in time of the Civil War and his significant role of being responsible for keeping the Union intact, ending slavery and most important his famous “Emancipation Proclamation” Still to this day, Presidents throughout have often used his parables in their speeches, not mention some have said” What Would Lincoln Do!”
In the analysis of the entire scheme leading to the assassination, there will always be myths of who all was involved with the assassination, but given the fact that there are myths and then there is the truth, and the truth to Lincoln’s death is that John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln on April, 14, 1865.
Source Page
Pitch, Anthony. They Have Killed Papa Dead. SteerForth Press
By: Amelia Austin
April 28, 2013
History 301
Dr. Brian Craig Miller
The Assassination of President Lincoln
The day is April 14, 1865, a day the world will always remember! Abraham Lincoln was the first American President to have been assassinated. In the dynamics of the unfolding events leading to the assassination of “President Lincoln,” there seem to be a magnitude of people that would rather have seen the President dead than alive. In the analysis; “The most extreme wanted Lincoln dead and his supporters terrorized into silence.” ( Pitch, Page 1) Lincoln having been responsible for saving the Union alongside being named the “Great Emancipator” he succeeded the backlash of the ones whom was not in favor of his constitutional objectives towards his paradox political views! Throughout his four years in office, the United States would see change… change that some could not bear to witness to. Unfortutuntly in the end, there was one person who could not pardon the President for the culture shock that was handed down to the South. John …show more content…
Wilkes Booth stepped up to the plate and succeeded what he set out to accomplish, and that was to assassinate President Lincoln.
“Lincoln Shall Not Pass through Baltimore Alive", shouted the angry! As the train gets ready for its route along the Western Railroad, safety measures are in progress to ward off any mishaps that could assassinate the President. Although Lincoln had been informed of all the political violence that was waiting for him, he chose not to take any preventative measures. Through the many stories that were starting to unfold, Lincoln states,“ There is no immediate necessity for employing the proffered help” Aware of the tensions that threatened the Union and perhaps his own life, Lincoln told the well-wishers at Springfield, “ I now leave not knowing when, or whether ever, I may return, with a task before me greater than which rested upon [George] Washington.” ( Pitch, Page 1) Obviously so the secessionist from Maryland that were against Lincoln; all for good reason as they thought it to be, angry and wanting to recoup their land back to the State they were so devoted to, now the slaves that used to be, was no-more; these secessionist felt helpless, feeling as though their land would soon deteriorate with no-one to tend to their fields. “The outcome in Maryland would be key to the future of the nation’s capital. And Lincoln’s train would have to pass through Maryland to reach Washington.” ( Pitch, Page 5) On the day that Lincoln won the second term of his Presidency, there was an outbreak of violence in Washington. Factual gossip started to arise, at the same time it was well noted that General Winfield Scott, along with Lincoln and President James Buchanan lives would be in grave danger by Inauguration Day. Through all the gossipmonger, it was a known fact, that the secessionist had high hopes for a rebellion take over. Make no mistake about it, Maryland held significant measures for the future of the nation’s capital.
Stepping back in time, it was obvious that Lincoln was aware of the attempts on his life, making him a bit uncomfortable, there were letters addressed to the President after the 1860 Republication nomination. Once again he once found humor in the hate mail, finding a way to defuse his adversaries with their extreme dislike towards him. On the contrary through all the hate mail that he received, Lincoln was never able to shudder the ghoulish illusion he had observed while looking in the mirror on the day of his election. “he had glimpsed the double image of his face in a mirror on his desk. One of his faces was normal, but the other, three inches above, looked faded and much paler. ( Pitch, Page 27) Even so, during his first term, he had received an anonymous letter with threats to kill him. “ If they kill me, they will run risk of getting a worse man.” ( Pitch 28)
With much bloodshed over through the years of his 1st term, Lincoln would run again, not expecting victory; with the war seeming to be an ongoing with a battle of fatalities… fatalities coming from Shiloh, Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Murfreesboro, just to name a few. In addition Lincoln had already replaced his best Generals throughout the term of his Presidency. Lastly his new choice was Ulysses S. Grant. In choosing Grant; Lincoln had high hope that Grant would be the one to conquer his opponents. Needless to say, Grant did not succeed!
As the stories became about of those that wanted to assassinate the President, Grant had ordered his military arms to be cautious and be on guard at all times. “We are now in such a state that a dog fight might cause the gutters of the capital to run with blood.” (Pitch, Page 2)
Important to realize, other than General Scott that was in charge for providing security for the President, there seemed to be a number of other men involved to provide security as well. Thomas Hick, known as a true Union man, he employed all he could to ward off the secessionists, Samuel Felton, President of the Philadelphia, Willimington & Baltimore Railroad, he had informed General Scott of the threats he knew of toward Lincoln, not to mention arming his conductors on his trains with ammunition. Having done that; Felt inquired on Marshal George Kane- not knowing if he could truly trust him- Felt asking Kane to investigate the vicious rumors of the threats towards Lincoln… Felt brushed away all the rumors as so to speak hog wash. It was then did the railroad lean on Detective Allan Pinkerton… Pinkerton came up with the brilliant idea to open up shop in Maryland, posing as a stock broker. This enabled Pinkerton to become involved with the 212,000 residents of Baltimore. With all eyes and ears open, Pinkerton had been informed from a local Baltimorean;”If our company would draw lots to see who would kill Lincoln, and the lot should fall on me, I would do it willingly.” (Pitch, Page 7)
Now with so many men that are involved to keep the President safe, who could be trusted and who could not. Upon eavesdropping, Pinkerton learned that the Marshall’s intent was to leave the president open to the elements of gun fire. Not only was the Marshall involved, but he son of the PW&B Railroad had taken a pledge to kill Lincoln. Lincoln now aware of the danger he was in, he states; “I now believed such a plot to be in existence.” (Pitch, Page 12)
Upon the arrival in Baltimore, it appeared that the plotters were trapped themselves. The train had arrived at the early hour of 3:30 AM, making sure the coast was clear. Waiting for Lincoln was William Seward, feeling a sense of relief that the President arrived in Baltimore safe and sound.
The Attempts:
Letter address to General Scott, vowing that he, Lincoln and President James Buchanan would be assassinated by Inauguration Day.
Dorothea Dix- a pioneer advocate passing word of ; Treason, Murder and Sabotage, thus leading to sever all communication for troops to aid the President of any rescue.
Elderly man risking his life to inform the PW& B of the target to blow up the bridge for the attack of Lincoln’s train.
The son of the owner of PW& B had vowed to assassinate the President
Together with all the attempts to assassinate Lincoln, all had failed, all but one! It was apparent that Lincoln’s assassin had a pungent taste in his mouth for Lincoln. Booth having been responsible for the assassination, he had always yearned for a legacy that would have notoriety to his name. For you see, Booth’s views toward blacks was no doubt hateful. “Booth could never forgive the president for undermining the slave holding culture of the South and fomenting expectations among blacks.”(Pitch, Page 42) Having said this, Booth was an avid member of the Know-Nothings- remember it was President Lincoln that denounced his fear “All men are created equal, except negroes, foreigners and catholic.” if the Know-Nothings took control.
By the end of 1864 Booth now even more so was determined to kill Lincoln.
Booth’s first attempt would be scheming up an old college acquaintance Michael O’Laughlin along with Samuel Arnold- asking them both to assist him, needless to say it was not a success. Overtime Booth not giving up…the year 1864, Booth receives a letter from Patrick Martin a prominent physician from Charles County and Dr Samuel Mudd and Dr William Queen. “Both were slaveholding farmers with sentiments rigidly favoring the South. They would be in a position to offer aid and comfort to Booth during the projected flight from Washington to Virginia. They also would be useful in widening Booth’s circle of associates by introducing him to other dependable Charles County residents with like political prejudice.” ( Pitch. Page
51)
Shortly after Lincoln’s second inauguration, there seemed to be more extreme dislike towards Lincoln. Booth now more than ready; April 14, 1865 Booth enters Ford Theater : Booth opened the door, leveled the lightweight Derringer, and fired the single shot behind Lincoln’s left ear.(Pitch, Page 114) Mission accomplished!
The ultimate legacy of Lincoln is his name, from the days of Illinois to the chaotic point in time of the Civil War and his significant role of being responsible for keeping the Union intact, ending slavery and most important his famous “Emancipation Proclamation” Still to this day, Presidents throughout have often used his parables in their speeches, not mention some have said” What Would Lincoln Do!”
In the analysis of the entire scheme leading to the assassination, there will always be myths of who all was involved with the assassination, but given the fact that there are myths and then there is the truth, and the truth to Lincoln’s death is that John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Abraham Lincoln on April, 14, 1865.
Source Page
Pitch, Anthony. They Have Killed Papa Dead. SteerForth Press