Private Boston Corbett and his commander, Lieutenant Edward Doherty, of the 16th NY Cavalry, finally run Booth down on April 26 at a Virginia farmhouse owned by Richard Garrett. When Booth refuses to surrender, Corbett shoots him from behind, the bullet entering his neck and severing his spinal cord. He dies in agony two hours later, with final words: “tell my mother I die for my country.”
While the pursuit of the conspirators is under way, Mary Lincoln and the entire nation mourn for the loss of the President. Efforts are made to have Lincoln buried in Washington, but Mary insists that he be taken back to their home in Springfield.
Lincoln’s body is placed in an ornate lead-lined cedar coffin, which is then put on display in the East Room of the White House for public viewing on April 18. The next day, a funeral service is held, before the coffin is transported in a procession down Pennsylvania Avenue to rest for two days in the Capitol Rotunda, where thousands line up to pay their respects.
Warrants are soon issued for Wilkes Booth and six others thought to be involved in the plot. This begins a chase that continues for twelve days over the Maryland and Virginia countryside, with Booth fleeing and US army patrols in pursuit.
Photography Book
A day after the attack, Booth and another conspirator, David Herold, arrive at the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd, who splints the killer’s broken leg and provides crutches before the two men leave. Mudd’s culpability for this medical act remains a matter of dispute to the present.
With Lincoln dead and Seward severely wounded by Lewis Powell, Stanton steps in to run the interim government and bring the conspirators to justice.
Abraham Lincoln