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George B. Todd letter to his brother

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Title	George B. Todd letter to his brother
Subject	Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Pictorial works. Presidents -- Death and burial Assassinations
Time Period	1860s
Place	Washington D. C.
Description	4 page letter by George B. Todd to his brother detailing his eyewitness account of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at Ford's Theater. The letter was dated April 15, 1865 and was written aboard the Civil War Monitor USS Montauk, Naval Yard, Washington D. C. The letter reads in part "Dear Bro. The few hours that have intervened since that most terrible tragedy of last night have served to give me a little clearer brain, and I believe I am now able to give you a clear account up to this hour... In the evening nearly all of us went to Ford's Theatre. I was very early, and got a seat very near the President's private box, as we heard he was to be there... About 10:25 P.M. a man came in, and walked slowly along the side on which the "Pres" box was and I heard a man say "there's Booth" and I turned my head to look at him. He was still walking very slow, and was near the (President's) box door when he stopped, took a card from his pocket, wrote something on it, and gave it to the usher, who took it to the box. In a minute the door was opened and he walked in- No sooner had the door closed, than I heard the report of a pistol, and on the instant, Booth jumped out of the box onto the stage, holding in his hand a large knife, and shouted so as to be heard all over the house, 'Sic Semper Tyranus" ("so always with tyrants") and fled behind the scenes-- I attempted to get to the box, but I could not, and in an instant the cry was raised "The President is assasinated"...
Creator	Todd, George B.
Date of Original	April 15, 1865
Collection	AV83 Abraham Lincoln Presidental Collection
Format	Manuscripts; letters
Submitting Institution	Ohio Historical Society
Rights	Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information
Full Text	Dear Bro. The few hours that have intervened since that most terrible tragedy of last night have served to give me a little clearer brain, and I believe I am now able to give you a clear account up to this hour. Yesterday about 3 P.M. the President and wife drove down to the Navy Yard and paid our ship a visit, going all over her, accompanied by us all. Both seemed very happy, and so expressed themselves, glad that this war was over, or so near its end. And then drove back to the White House -- In the evening nearly all of us went to Ford's Theatre. I was very early, and got a seat very near the President's private box, as we heard he was to be there. About half past nine he came in with his wife, a Miss Harris and Majr. Reathburn, and was cheered by every one. As soon as there was a silence, the play went on, and I could see that the "Pres" seemed to enjoy it very much. About 10:25 P.M. a man came in, and walked slowly along the side on which the "Pres" box was and I heard a man say "there's Booth" and I turned my head to look at him. He was still walking very slow, and was near the (President's) box door when he stopped, took a card from his pocket, wrote something on it, and gave it to the usher, who took it to the box. In a minute the door was opened and he walked in- No sooner had the door closed, than I heard the report of a pistol, and on the instant, Booth jumped out of the box onto the stage, holding in his hand a large knife, and shouted so as to be heard all over the house, 'Sic Semper Tyranus" ("so always with tyrants") and fled behind the scenes-- I attempted to get to the box, but I could not, and in an instant the cry was raised "The President is assasinated." Such a scene I never saw before. The cry spread to the street, only to be met by another, "So is Mr. Seward" Soldiers, sailors, police, all started in every direction, but the assasin had gone - Some General handed me a note and bid me go to the nearest Telegraph office, and arouse the nation. I ran with all my speed, and in ten minutes the sad news was all over the country - Today all the city is in mourning nearly every house being in black and I have not seen a smile, no business and many a strong man I have seen in tears -- Some reports say Booth is a prisoner, others that he has made his escape - but from orders received here, I believe he is taken, and during the night will be put on a Monitor for safe keeping - as a mob once raised now would know no end - I will not seal this until morning, and I may have some more news -- April 24th, I have had no time to write until now, as I have been a detective. We have now 7 that are implicated. Why don't you write. Love to all, George.
Date created	2011-10-05

Title	George B. Todd letter to his brother, page 1 of 4
Subject	Lincoln, Abraham, 1809-1865--Pictorial works. Presidents -- Death and burial Assassinations
Time Period	1860s
Place	Washington D. C.
Description	Page 1 of a 4-page letter by George B. Todd to his brother detailing his eyewitness account of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The letter was dated April 15, 1865 and was written aboard the Civil War Monitor USS Montauk, Naval Yard, Washington D. C. The letter reads in part "Dear Bro, The few hours that have intervened since the terrible tragedy of last night have served to give me a little clearer brain and I believe I am now able to give you a clear account up to this hour. Yesterday about 3 P.M. the President and wife drove down to the Navy Yard and paid our ship a visit, going all over her, accompanied by us all...In the evening nearly all of us went to Ford's Theatre. I was very early, and got a seat very near the President's private box, as we heard he was to be there. About halfpast nine he came in with his wife...About 10:25 P.M. a man came in and walked slowly along the side on which the "Pres" box was and I heard a man say "there's Booth" and I turned my head to look at him. He was still walking very slow and was near the (President's) box door when he stopped, took a card from his pocket, wrote something on it and gave it to the usher, who took it to the box. In a minute the door was opened and he walked in. No sooner had the door closed, than I heard the report of a pistol...Booth jumped out of the box onto the stage, holding in his hand a large knife and shouting so loud as to be heard all over the house, 'Sic semper Tyranus'..."
Creator	Todd, George B.
Date of Original	April 15, 1865
Collection	AV83 Abraham Lincoln Presidental Collection
Format	Picture
Submitting Institution	Ohio Historical Society
Rights	Online access is provided for research purposes only. For rights and reproduction requests or more information, go to http://www.ohiohistory.org/images/information
Type	StillImage
File Name	AV83_B01F01_005_001.tif
Image Height	7846
Image Width	4897
File Size	115266466 Bytes
Full Text	letter from Dr. George B. Todd preserve carefully. "Montauk" Montauk. April 24. 65 Navy Yard. Wash D.C. 39 April 15th 1865. 9 P.M. Dear Bro. The few hours that have intervened since that most terrible tragedy of last night have served to give me a little clearer brain, and I believe I am now able to give you a clear account up to this hour. Yesterday about 3 P.M. the President and wife drove down to the Navy Yard and paid our ship a visit, going all over her, accompanied by us all. Both seemed very happy, and so expressed themselves, glad that this war was over, or so near its end. And then drove back to the White House --
Date created	2011-02-17

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