Assassination
Abraham Lincoln entered Richmond, Virginia on April 3rd, 1865. Six days later, the surrender of General Robert E. Lee occured in a farm house at the Village of Appomattox Courthouse. Five days later, Lincoln, who had just won the Civil War, watched the play, Our American Cousin, at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Then, John Wilkes Booth burst through the door of Lincoln's balcony box and shot the President in the head. Lincoln's wife, Mary Todd, tried to protect Lincoln with her body. However, the assassin jumped from the box to the stage. Ten days later, Booth was discovered hiding in a barn. The barn was set on fire and Booth either shot himself or was killed in the shoot-out.
Lincoln's death overshadowed the Civil War victory celebration. After seven days of mourning, Lincoln's coffin was carried on a slow-moving funeral train to Springfield, Illinois. During the journey, people came to pay their respects to the "Great Emancipator." Thousands of Americans witnessed and remembered the sight of the passing funeral train.
Lincoln's death overshadowed the Civil War victory celebration. After seven days of mourning, Lincoln's coffin was carried on a slow-moving funeral train to Springfield, Illinois. During the journey, people came to pay their respects to the "Great Emancipator." Thousands of Americans witnessed and remembered the sight of the passing funeral train.