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Abraham Lincoln’s Final Hours: Top 10 Facts about His Tragic Death

President Abraham Lincoln was shot while he was watching a play at the Ford Theater.  The following morning, Lincoln passed away, and of course, it was bizarre that a president who was meant to be guarded was shot. Many questions cropped up, like why wasn’t General Ulysses S. Grant sitting in the theatre box? Where was his bodyguard and how did the assassin manage to get away?

There are many unresolved questions, but we have some facts about Abraham Lincoln’s final hours. 

1. Lincoln almost missed his death

Lincoln was apparently reluctant to attend the play, according to the Times’ initial account of the murder. Even though his wife wasn’t feeling well, he felt obliged to go since General Grant had cancelled. House Speaker Schuyler Colfax refused Lincoln’s request to accompany him.

2. The assassination happened 5 days after the end of the American Civil War

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5 days after the American Civil War ended, Abraham Lincoln was ruthlessly assassinated. At the time, America had a newfound hope that he would continue to help them and save them from the years of instability and bloodshed. His murder was an obvious sign and warning that the country was still on edge with a lot of hate. 

3. He was shot while he was right next to his wife

Imagine how Mary Todd Lincoln felt when her husband was assassinated right next to her? for them, it was a casual evening when they went to watch the play “Our American Cousin” they thought that they’d left for a restful and entertaining night. Still, instead, the evening turned out to be unremarkable and traumatising for his wife, his family and the whole country at the time. 

4. After he was shot Lincoln slumped forward and lost consciousness

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John Wilkes had a job and he didn’t want to miss this is why his shot managed to get through Lincoln’s skull which led to him slumping forward in his own box, this tragic incident led to a terrible injury that actually paralysed his body.

For a few seconds, his body was there lifelessly gone as everyone around him tried to assess the seriousness of the situation. We can only imagine how scary and uneventful the environment must have been.

5. The doctors were shocked at how severe the injuries were

Because Lincoln did not die immediately, there must have been a bit of hope at the time when the doctors thought that they could help him but instead, the doctors realized the gravity of Abraham’s wounds and the reality that hit them was pretty grim.

As they assessed him they noted that the seriousness of the bullet wound would kill him after all it was lodged below Lincoln’s eye. It was evident then that it would be an impossible task to save him.

6. He died at 7:22 a.m. on April 15, 1865

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Abraham Lincoln died on April 15th 1865 at 07:22 a.m. After a brave battle, Lincoln died to his wounds despite passionate prayers and great hope. The country tried to come to terms with the shock of his murder while also feeling a great sense of loss and confusion.

7. Originally Lincoln was meant to be kidnapped

Booth planned to kidnap Lincoln when he arrived back from a theatre at the Campbell Hospital on March 17 after meeting with his accomplices in March 1865. But, Lincoln abruptly reversed his course and attended a military ceremony. After Lincoln left a performance at Ford’s Theater, Booth considered abducting him. Yet following Lee’s resignation, the actor had a change of heart.

8. Abraham’s bodyguard was seen drinking with Booth

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There was an article on this a few years ago in The Smithsonian Magazine. The bodyguard, John Parker, first left his post to see the performance, then went to the saloon next door for a break. Booth had previously been drinking there. Parker was not at the booth’s door, where he usually stood during the assassination; where he should’ve been in the first place.

9. Booth was able to escape Ford’s Theater alive

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While on the run for 12 days with fellow conspirator David Herold, Booth was able to escape the Ford Theater alive. After gathering supplies and visiting Dr Mudd to have Booth’s broken leg fixed, the two travelled through forests and swamps to Virginia. Together with other Confederate enthusiasts, they received assistance from a former Confederate spy.

When they were discovered, a person who could point the military troops to a farm in Virginia was hot on their track. Herold gave up at the Garrett Farm, where Booth suffered a mortal injury.

10. Mary Surratt was hanged for conspiring with Booth

It’s still a hotly contested subject. Having jointly owned land in Maryland with her late husband, Surratt was a fan of the South. In addition, she was friends with Booth and had a house in Washington that was also a boarding house. 

Surratt allegedly ordered the innkeeper to arrange a pair of pistols for guests that night while she was with Booth on the day of the murder. By giving his testimony, the innkeeper put Surratt to death. The choice to hang Surratt—a choice personally supported by President Andrew Johnson—was controversial.

It is saddening to think that such a wonderful leader had to die the way he died, unfortunately, that was the price he paid for abolishing slavery, he gave hope to the hopeless and paved the way for African Americans who could finally fight for their rights.