Major Thomas T. Eckert to Lieutenant-General Ulysses S. Grant, April 15, 1865 — 12:00 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C., April 14, 1865—12 p.m.     

(Sent 12.20 a.m., 15th.)

Lieutenant-General GRANT,

On night train to Burlington:

The President was assassinated at Ford's Theater at 10.30 to-night and cannot live. The wound is a pistol-shot through the head. Secretary Seward and his son Frederick were also assassinated at their residence and are in a dangerous condition. The Secretary of War desires that you return to Washington immediately. Please answer on receipt of this.

THOS. T. ECKERT,

Major, &c.

SOURCE: The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Volume 46, Part 3 (Serial No. 97), p. 744-5