Killing Lincoln Production Stills
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Failed Attempt
President Abraham Lincoln, portrayed by Billy Campbell, speaks to a Union soldier, Private John W. Nichols of Company K, about a frightening incident he has just survived—what may have been an assassination attempt. While riding horseback alone one evening, Lincoln was nearly shot by an unknown shooter. It is said that the bullet left a hole in his top hat.
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To Whom It May Concern
In October of 1864, John Wilkes Booth writes a letter addressed "To Whom It May Concern" and leaves it with his sister Asia for safe keeping. "Right or wrong," he writes, "God judge me, not man. For be my motive good or bad, of one thing I am sure, the lasting condemnation of the North."
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Portrait of Father and Son
On February 5, 1865, Lincoln and his son Thaddeus ("Tad") visit Alexander Gardner's photographic studio. The image taken on this day will be the last official portrait ever taken of President Lincoln.
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Ruins of Richmond
On April 4, 1865, Abraham Lincoln lands in Richmond, Virginia, to see the devastated ruins of the former rebel capital city. -
The White House of the Confederacy
Scarcely 36 hours after Jefferson Davis has fled the capital, Abraham Lincoln arrives at the surrendered home of the Confederate president. He requests to sit at Davis' desk.
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Lincoln Visits Seward
On April 9, 1965, unaware of Robert E. Lee’s surrender that day, Lincoln returns to Washington to visit his injured secretary of state, William H. Seward. A carriage accident has left Seward with a broken jaw and a fractured right arm. -
Breakfast With Family
It's Good Friday, April 14, 1865, and with little more than 24 hours to live, Abraham Lincoln joins his family at breakfast . His eldest son, Robert Todd, has just returned from witnessing the surrender at Appomattox.
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Booth Cases the Joint
Shortly before noon on the day of the assassination, Booth visits Ford's Theater, as is his daily custom, to pick up his mail. There, he learns that the Lincolns will be attending that evening's show at Ford's. He quickly adjusts his plan.
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Preparations
During a second visit to Ford's Theater later that afternoon, Booth uses a pen knife to carve a very small peephole in the door of the state box.
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A Familiar Face
The third act of Our American Cousin is under way. At seven minutes after ten, John Wilkes Booth strolls through the front door of Ford's. After a brief conversation, ticket taker John Buckingham, star-struck by the famous actor, lets Booth in for free.
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Waiting for His Cue
Timing is everything. Booth knows the exact moment in the play at which the audience will erupt into laughter, giving him the perfect opportunity to blast his derringer pistol without creating too loud a disturbance.
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The Assassin Approaches
Booth approaches the door leading into the state box where Lincoln and his guests sit. The door is attended by a White House messenger but no bodyguard. After handing the messenger his calling card, Booth passes through the doorway without question.
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Lincoln's Final Moments
Booth awaits in the shadows for his cue. Just four feet away is President Lincoln, sitting in a rocking chair beside his wife. For a moment, the president looks down and to the left, at the audience. And then the line is delivered. "You sockdologizing old man-trap!"
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The President's Been Shot
23-year-old Charles Leale is the first doctor to arrive at the scene. Unable to locate the injury, Dr. Leale has the president laid on the floor. After searching the body for wounds unsuccessfully, he discovers a small blood clot in the president's head, just above and behind the left ear.
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Laura Keene's Bloody Dress
Laura Keene, a critically-acclaimed actress starring in tonight's performance, asks to be allowed to cradle the president's head in her lap. In the aftermath of the assassination, blood-stained fragments of her dress will become highly sought-after collectibles, inspiring hundreds of fakes to be sold off as souvenirs.
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Booth and Herold in Hiding
On April 24, 1865, after 10 days on the run, John Wilkes Booth and David Herold arrive at the farm of Richard Garrett in Virginia. It will be their last hideout. After a day of letting them stay in the house, Garrett, growing more and more suspicious, makes his guests sleep in the tobacco barn. And then he locks them in from the outside.
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Fire at Garrett Farm
At 2:30 a.m. on the morning of April 26th, the tobacco barn at Garrett’s farm is surrounded by 26 members of the 16th New York Cavalry. To force Booth and Herold out of the barn, they set the barn ablaze. Herold surrenders. Booth is shot and captured.
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Booth's Final Moments
The ball that passes through Booth’s neck severs his spinal chord between the 4th and 5th cervical vertebrae, paralyzing him from the neck down. Trying to lift his own hands, a dying Booth mutters, "Useless. Useless." Shortly after dawn on Wednesday, April 26, 1865, John Wilkes Booth draws his last breath. He is just 26 years old.
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Alexander Gardner at Work
On April 27, 1865, Alexander Gardner photographs the six alleged conspirators confined aboard the ironclad monitors USS Saugus and Montauk.
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George A. Atzerodt
George Atzerodt, who simply got drunk and wandered away from the Kirkwood Hotel rather than attempt to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson, is condemned to die. -
Lewis Thornton Powell
After his savage but failed attempt on the life of Secretary of State Seward, Lewis Powell hides in Washington for three days before wandering into Mary Surratt’s boarding house and into the arms of the police. He is sentenced to death by hanging. -
Photographer Alexander Gardner
On April 27, 1865, at the request of Secretary of State Stanton, Alexander Gardner takes one more picture—of the body of John Wilkes Booth. James Wardell, one of Lafayette Baker’s detectives, takes the single glass plate and delivers it to Lafayette Baker. It is presumed that Baker gives it to Secretary of War Stanton. But no one knows. Alexander Gardner’s photograph of the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth has never been found.
Eight men were held on the monitors over the course of thirteen days. Six of those eight men would be sent to trial, joined by two others (Mary Surratt and Dr. Samuel Mudd) who were held separately at the Old Capitol Prison. It is a long held belief that all the photographs taken of the prisoners on the monitors were done on one day (April 27) when it is more likely that they were not. In 2012, a thorough examination of the mugshot photographs was done by the research team of John Elliott and Barry Cauchon who discovered that there was strong evidence to suggest that at least three different photo sessions were performed: April 18 on the USS Saugus, April 25 on the USS Saugas and April 27 on the USS Montauk. On April 27, official documentation shows that Gardner and an assistant were onboard the Montauk. It is assumed that the purpose for this was to photograph the autopsy of John Wilkes Booth. This photograph has never been found. However, while there, Gardner photographed David Herold (captured with Booth the day before) and fellow prisoner Joao Celestino. Thank you. Barry Cauchon (Lincoln Assassination researcher specializing in the incarceration and punishments of the Lincoln conspirators).
That extra in the top right corner of the 19th picture is really handsome! Someone should give him a job or something!