WAR DEPARTMENT,
April 15, 1865
— 1.30 a.m. (Sent
2.15 a.m.)
Major-General DIX,
New York:
Last evening, about 10.30 p.m., at Ford's Theater, the
President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, and
Major Rathbone, was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and
approached behind the President. The assassin then leaped upon the stage,
brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the
theater. The pistol-ball entered the back of the President's head, and
penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been
insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying. About the same hour
an assassin (whether the same or another) entered Mr. Seward's home, and, under
pretense of having a prescription, was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber.
The Secretary was in bed, a nurse and Miss Seward with him. The assassin
immediately rushed to the bed, inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and
two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal; my apprehension is
that they will prove fatal: the noise alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who was in
an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father's room, where he met
the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery
of Frederick Seward is doubtful. It is not probable that the President will
live through the night. General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the
theater this evening, but he started to Burlington at 6 o'clock this evening.
At a Cabinet meeting yesterday, at which General Grant was present, the subject
of the state of the country and the prospects of speedy peace was discussed.
The President was very cheerful and hopeful; spoke very kindly of General Lee
and others of the Confederacy, and the establishment of government in Virginia.
All the members of the Cabinet except Mr. Seward are now in attendance upon the
President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
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. 780
