The 12-Day Chase to Catch Lincoln's Killer, John Wilkes Booth: A Detailed Account of the Manhunt That Shocked the Nation

The assassination of Abraham Lincoln on April 14, 1865, sent shockwaves through the nation. The beloved president had been fatally shot at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., by John Wilkes Booth, a Confederate sympathizer and actor. The crime sent the country into mourning and triggered one of the most intense manhunts in American history.

Booth, a skilled equestrian, managed to escape from the theater and evade pursuers for several hours. He crossed the Potomac River into Virginia, where he encountered Confederate sympathizers who provided him with assistance and supplies.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase to Catch Lincoln's Killer (P.S.)

by James L. Swanson

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8359 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	469 pages

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Meanwhile, a massive manhunt was organized by Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Detectives, soldiers, and civilians scoured the countryside, determined to apprehend Booth before he could flee the country. The pursuit was hampered by Booth's disguise and his ability to blend in with the local population.

As the chase continued, Booth and his accomplice, David Herold, traveled through Maryland and Virginia. They sought refuge in barns, cabins, and even a tobacco plantation. Along the way, they encountered suspicious individuals who reported their presence to the authorities.

On April 24, 1865, 12 days after the assassination, a Union cavalry patrol led by Colonel Lafayette Baker tracked Booth to a barn near Bowling Green, Virginia. After a tense standoff, Booth was shot and killed by Sergeant Boston Corbett. Herold, who was hiding in the barn, was captured and later executed.

The capture and death of John Wilkes Booth brought some measure of closure to the nation, but the wounds inflicted by Lincoln's assassination would never fully heal. The manhunt demonstrated the resilience and determination of the American people in the face of tragedy, and it remains a reminder of the fragility of our democracy.

Day 1: The Assassination and Escape

On April 14, 1865, John Wilkes Booth entered Ford's Theatre and shot President Abraham Lincoln in the head. Lincoln died the following day, and Booth escaped from the theater on horseback.

Booth crossed the Potomac River into Virginia, where he met with Confederate sympathizers who provided him with supplies and a disguise. He then traveled through Maryland and Virginia, seeking refuge in barns and cabins.

Day 2: The Manhunt Begins

As soon as news of Lincoln's assassination reached Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, he organized a massive manhunt. Detectives, soldiers, and civilians joined the search, determined to apprehend Booth before he could flee the country.

The pursuit was hampered by Booth's disguise and his ability to blend in with the local population. He shaved off his beard and mustache, and he wore different hats and coats to avoid detection.

Day 3: Booth Encounters Confederate Sympathizers

As Booth traveled through Maryland and Virginia, he encountered Confederate sympathizers who provided him with assistance and supplies. He met with former Confederate soldiers, who gave him money and clothes.

Booth also encountered a group of Confederate guerrillas led by Captain John Surratt. Surratt provided Booth with a horse and a guide, and he arranged for Booth to stay at the home of his mother, Mary Surratt.

Day 4: Booth Escapes from Union Soldiers

On April 17, 1865, Booth and his accomplice, David Herold, were hiding in a barn near the town of Port Royal, Virginia, when they were discovered by a Union cavalry patrol. Booth and Herold escaped from the barn on horseback, and they were pursued by the Union soldiers.

Booth and Herold managed to escape from the pursuit, but their horses were exhausted. They abandoned the horses and continued on foot, seeking refuge in the nearby woods.

Day 5: Booth Meets with Confederates at Garrett's Farm

On April 18, 1865, Booth and Herold arrived at Garrett's Farm, a plantation owned by Richard Garrett. Garrett was a former Confederate soldier, and he provided Booth and Herold with food and shelter.

Booth and Herold stayed at Garrett's Farm for several days, while they rested and planned their next move. They hoped to make it to the Confederate lines, but the Union Army was closing in on them.

Day 6: Booth and Herold Cross the Rappahannock River

On April 21, 1865, Booth and Herold crossed the Rappahannock River in a small boat. They traveled through Virginia, seeking refuge in barns and cabins. They were often hungry and exhausted, but they remained determined to avoid capture.

Day 7: Booth and Herold Meet with Dr. Mudd

On April 22, 1865, Booth and Herold met with Dr. Samuel Mudd, a Confederate sympathizer who had treated Booth's broken leg. Mudd provided Booth and Herold with new clothes and a disguise, and he arranged for them to stay at the home of a nearby farmer.

Day 8: Booth and Herold Hide at a Tobacco Plantation

On April 23, 1865, Booth and Herold arrived at a tobacco plantation owned by Thomas Jones. Jones was a Confederate sympathizer, and he provided Booth and Herold with food and shelter.

Booth and Herold stayed at the tobacco plantation for several days, while they waited for a chance to escape to the Confederate lines. However, the Union Army was closing in on them, and their chances of escape were dwindling.

Day 9: Booth and Herold are Pursued by Union Cavalry

On April 24, 1865, a Union cavalry patrol led by Colonel Lafayette Baker tracked Booth and Herold to a barn near Bowling Green, Virginia. Baker surrounded the barn and demanded that Booth surrender. Booth refused, and he fired a shot at the Union soldiers.

The Union soldiers returned fire, and Booth was shot and killed by Sergeant Boston Corbett. Herold was captured and later executed.

The Impact of the Manhunt

The manhunt for John Wilkes Booth was one of the most intense in American history. It demonstrated the resilience and determination of the American people in the face of tragedy, and it remains a reminder of the fragility of our democracy.

The capture and death of Booth brought some measure of closure to the nation, but the wounds inflicted by Lincoln's assassination would never fully heal. Lincoln's death was a turning point in American history, and it marked the end of the Civil War and the beginning of a new era.

Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase to Catch Lincoln's Killer (P.S.)

by James L. Swanson

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8359 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	469 pages

FREE