Introduction
"Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reilly is a gripping account of the events leading up to and following the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States. This book takes readers on a journey through the final days of the American Civil War and into the heart of a conspiracy that would forever change the course of American history.
O'Reilly's narrative style brings the historical events to life, painting a vivid picture of the tumultuous times and the key players involved. The book offers a detailed look at the motivations behind Lincoln's assassination, the planning and execution of the plot, and its aftermath.
The End of the Civil War
The Confederate Army's Last Stand
As April 1865 dawned, the American Civil War was drawing to a close. After four long years of brutal conflict, the Confederate forces under General Robert E. Lee were on the brink of defeat. With only 50,000 men remaining, of which a mere 35,000 were fit for combat, Lee's army was exhausted and demoralized.
In contrast, Union General Ulysses S. Grant commanded a force of around 200,000 men, with a significant advantage in artillery. The fall of Richmond, Virginia – the capital of the Confederacy – to Union forces signaled that the end was near for the Confederate cause.
Lee's Desperate Escape Attempt
Despite the overwhelming odds, Lee formulated a plan for his army to escape and continue the fight. His strategy involved marching to Farmville, Virginia, where food supplies awaited them. From there, they would cross High Bridge and burn it behind them, buying precious time to regroup.
However, Union spies had uncovered this plan, and Grant was determined to cut off Lee's escape route. On April 6, 1865 – a day that would become known as Black Thursday for the Confederacy – Union forces intercepted Lee's army before they could reach High Bridge.
The Battle of Black Thursday
The ensuing battle was a devastating blow to the Confederate forces. Nearly 8,000 Confederate soldiers were killed or captured, while the Union suffered only 1,200 casualties. Despite this crushing defeat, Lee continued to retreat for three more days before finally agreeing to surrender.
The Final Surrender
On April 9, 1865, Lee's remaining troops found themselves surrounded by Grant's 60,000-strong force. Their last-ditch attempt to escape by burning High Bridge failed when they discovered the bridge material wouldn't ignite. Left with no other option, Lee rode towards the Union lines waving a white flag, signaling the beginning of surrender negotiations.
The Assassination Plot Takes Shape
Lincoln's Awareness of Danger
As news of the war's end reached Washington, there was much rejoicing among Union supporters. However, President Lincoln was acutely aware of the challenges that lay ahead in reuniting the fractured nation. He also knew that he was a target for those who opposed his policies and vision for the country.
Lincoln was no stranger to death threats. Since the beginning of his presidency, he had been the subject of numerous assassination attempts. Some were as subtle as poisoned fruit baskets sent to the White House, while others were more elaborate, like the Baltimore plot of 1861, which aimed to shoot Lincoln before his first inauguration.
John Wilkes Booth's Motivations
Among those who harbored a deep hatred for Lincoln was John Wilkes Booth, a well-known actor and Confederate sympathizer. Booth was driven by his white supremacist beliefs and a fierce loyalty to the Confederate cause. He saw Lincoln as a tyrant who threatened the Southern way of life, particularly the institution of slavery.
Initially, Booth was part of a conspiracy to kidnap Lincoln. However, after two failed attempts, he decided that more drastic action was necessary. His new plan was to assassinate the president, believing that this would somehow revive the Confederate cause and preserve slavery.
The Perfect Opportunity
On April 14, 1865 – Good Friday – Lincoln and his wife Mary were scheduled to attend a play at Ford's Theater. This news quickly spread and eventually reached Booth, who saw it as the perfect opportunity to carry out his deadly plan.
Booth had hoped to kill not only Lincoln but also General Grant, who had been invited to join the Lincolns at the theater. However, Grant and his wife declined the invitation, leaving Lincoln as the sole target for Booth's murderous intentions.
The Fateful Night
Setting the Stage
As the second act of the play began at Ford's Theater, the Lincolns finally arrived and took their seats in the state box, reserved for dignitaries. Their bodyguard, John Parker, was assigned to guard the single doorway leading to the box. However, boredom and a thirst for ale led Parker to abandon his post, leaving the president vulnerable.
The Assassination
At approximately 10:15 PM, Booth entered the state box unimpeded. He aimed his Derringer pistol at the back of Lincoln's head and fired a single shot. The bullet entered behind Lincoln's left ear, passed through his brain, and lodged above his right eye. The president immediately lost consciousness but was not yet dead.
In the chaos that followed, Booth leaped from the box to the stage below, shouting "Freedom!" to the stunned audience. Despite breaking his leg in the fall, he managed to escape into the night on horseback.
The Aftermath
As word of the shooting spread, Dr. Charles Leale, a young and talented physician who happened to be in the audience, rushed to Lincoln's aid. Recognizing the severity of the wound, Leale knew that the president's chances of survival were slim.
Not wanting Lincoln to die on the theater floor, he was carried across the street to the Petersen House boarding home. There, surrounded by his closest advisors and family, Abraham Lincoln took his last breath at 7:21 AM on April 15, 1865.
The Broader Conspiracy
Attack on Secretary Seward
While Booth was carrying out his plan at Ford's Theater, another part of the conspiracy was unfolding nearby. Lewis Powell, one of Booth's co-conspirators, attempted to assassinate Secretary of State William Seward at his home.
Posing as a delivery man, Powell forced his way into Seward's bedroom. When his gun jammed, he resorted to stabbing Seward in the neck and shoulder. Believing he had completed his mission, Powell fled the scene. Unbeknownst to him, Seward had survived the attack.
The Manhunt Begins
As news of Lincoln's death spread, the nation was plunged into mourning. Flags in Washington were lowered to half-mast, and Ford's Theater, once a place of entertainment, became forever associated with tragedy.
Vice President Andrew Johnson was quickly sworn in as the 17th President of the United States, inheriting the monumental task of healing a nation torn apart by war and now reeling from the loss of its leader.
Meanwhile, a massive manhunt was launched to capture Booth and his accomplices. The authorities were determined to bring those responsible for Lincoln's death to justice.
Booth's Escape and Demise
Flight to Maryland
In the immediate aftermath of the assassination, Booth managed to escape Washington and make his way to the Maryland countryside. He was accompanied by David Herold, another co-conspirator in the plot.
Booth's escape was hampered by the leg injury he sustained during his dramatic leap from the theater box. Moreover, he was dismayed to find that public reaction to Lincoln's death was not what he had anticipated. Instead of being hailed as a hero, Booth was vilified as an enemy of the people.
Capture and Death
For nearly two weeks, Booth and Herold evaded capture, hiding out in various locations in Maryland and Virginia. They relied on the help of Confederate sympathizers, but their luck was running out.
On April 26, 1865, Union soldiers finally caught up with the fugitives at a farm in Virginia. Herold surrendered, but Booth refused to give himself up. After a brief standoff, Sergeant Boston Corbett shot Booth through a crack in the barn where he was hiding. The bullet struck Booth in the neck, severing his spinal cord and paralyzing him.
Booth was dragged from the barn and died a few hours later, bringing an end to one of the most infamous manhunts in American history.
The Aftermath and Legacy
A Nation in Mourning
Lincoln's death sent shockwaves through the nation. Both Northerners and Southerners, despite their recent enmity, were stunned by the assassination. The president who had led the country through its darkest hour was now gone, just as the promise of peace and reconciliation seemed within reach.
The funeral procession for Lincoln was one of the largest in American history. His body was transported by train from Washington D.C. to Springfield, Illinois, with stops in major cities along the way. Millions of Americans lined the railroad tracks to pay their respects to their fallen leader.
The Conspirators' Fate
In the weeks following Lincoln's assassination, the government rounded up those suspected of involvement in the plot. Eight conspirators, including Lewis Powell and David Herold, were eventually put on trial.
After a highly publicized military tribunal, four of the conspirators – Powell, Herold, George Atzerodt, and Mary Surratt (who owned the boarding house where the conspirators met) – were found guilty and executed by hanging. The others received prison sentences of varying lengths.
Impact on Reconstruction
Lincoln's assassination had a profound impact on the course of Reconstruction – the period of rebuilding and reintegration of the Southern states into the Union. Many historians believe that had Lincoln lived, the process of Reconstruction might have been more successful and less divisive.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln as president, lacked Lincoln's political skills and vision for reconciliation. His approach to Reconstruction was more lenient towards the South, which angered many Radical Republicans in Congress and led to increased tensions between the executive and legislative branches.
Long-lasting Effects
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln left an indelible mark on American history and culture. It transformed Lincoln from a controversial wartime president into a martyr for the cause of unity and equality. His death on Good Friday even led some to draw parallels between Lincoln and Jesus Christ, further elevating his status in American mythology.
The event also had lasting effects on presidential security. In the wake of the assassination, measures were put in place to better protect the president, although it would take several more decades and assassinations before the modern Secret Service protection detail was established.
Conclusion
"Killing Lincoln" provides a gripping account of one of the most pivotal moments in American history. Bill O'Reilly's narrative brings to life the tension, drama, and tragedy of Lincoln's final days, offering readers a deeper understanding of the events that shaped the nation during this critical period.
The book serves as a reminder of the fragility of democracy and the impact that a single act of violence can have on the course of history. It also highlights the complex web of motivations – personal, political, and ideological – that led to Lincoln's assassination.
As we reflect on this dark chapter in American history, we are reminded of Lincoln's vision for a united and just nation – a vision that continues to inspire and challenge us today. The story of Lincoln's assassination serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of extremism and the importance of leadership in times of national crisis.
Ultimately, "Killing Lincoln" is not just about the death of a president, but about the resilience of a nation. Despite the trauma of civil war and assassination, the United States emerged from this period as a stronger, more unified country – a testament to the enduring power of Lincoln's ideals and the strength of American democracy.