The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-04-16
DETAILS OF THE CALAMITY.

DETAILS OF THE CALAMITY.
THE HERALD DISPATCHES.
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wAsHnaTos, April 1S-xAo p Il
nm DARx DAT or 1m NATION.
ThA IN sst last night upon jubilant and rejoicing
peoraa Tho whole nation was sxhilaratsd with the
suoce0 which had attended armies In the ned and
the hnh overthrow Of the rebellion But II rose shis
morning upon sorrowstrcken people. The hass which
had waved fron almost every houssop lowered 70
half mast, the sunshine Of yesterday was changed 70
mourning and weeping, and the day st washing-
ton was heralded by the tolling Of bells an
nounoins to . sorowing people the departure
|of the spirit Of him who but yesterday was
the Chief Magistrate Of the nation The Presidential
manson, which had been decorated and festooned with
ags and svegeens was changed TO the sad and solemn
drapery Of mourning The several departments. which
but yesterday were the Of joyous life and activity
day presented the stiffness Of the grave During the
the hand Of the assassin had deprived the nation Of
IL Chief Magistrate and the dagger had been applied 70
PROSTATE form Of the chief member Of the Cabinet
and those Of his Immediate household. For the nrst
time in the annals Of this democratic republican govern
ment the tragic scenes Of the Roman empire and the
almost In sight Of the place whore poss the ashes Of
Father Of this free country. The ship Of state
for brief space Of time was without
10 pilot or helmsman. New hands were called
upon 10 guide her in the Storm and only hope and
pray that the Ruler Of al things may grant that she
may safely outrde the storm and escape the rock upon
which other nations have been wrecked, and make her
onward voyage upon . calm and peaceful sea- The
scenes inangurated were % new, unexpected and
startling TO this country that the public appalled, at
the shocking tragedy We have read accounts Of similar
scenes in the history Of other nations but they b.
fore never brought homo to doora II Is not there
FORE at all to be wondered at that the people almost
dumbfounded ~ the startling intelligence spread over
the city that the assassin had carried out his hesh plot
upon the Of the President Of the United satea
THE PRESIDENTIAL PARTY FOE THE rHEATR8 FORMED
was announced in the afternoon papers here yester
day that the President and Mrs Lincoln and General
Grant would attend Fords theatre in tho evening, to
witness the representation of the American Cousin
When the public saw this announcement they had mol
idea Of the result that TO follow General Grant left
In the evening train with his wife, for Burlington New
Jersey Both the President and Mrs. Lincoln rcuc
ant TO attend the theatre but the thought they
had better Co. for the that General Grant would
not be there, and the public would be disappointed IL
having been 80 prominently announced) II they did not
attend II the intention Of Secretary Stanton to
join them st the theatre bat pressing business prevented
his going
rm LAST WORDS FROM I,Hooix's PIN.
Az about half.past seven p N. Hon George Ashmun|
called at the White House, and ushered into tho par
lor whore Schuyler Collar seated waiting for short
interview with the President business which had y
bearing upon his proposed overland trip few moments
elapsed, when President Lincoln entered the ROOM and
short Conversation took place. touching upon vasous
mattesA The President in happy and jovial frame
Of mind. Mr. Ashmun desiring to see him on special
business and there being time attend 10 II then
the President took out card and placing on his knee
wrote on Il - foliows:-
Allow NJ. Ashmua .nA -ssts.A y com. y..s mns
4 n. tomorrow. A. LINCOLN
APRIL II, '66.
These were the Iase words that hs penned. was the
lest time that hs signed his 70 any ORDER docu
mont message The last words written by him we're
thus making engagement for the morrowan engage
meni which he was not allowed to meet Before the
hour had arrived he was no more q
THE DEPARTURE ZOE THE rHxAnM
Mr. Lincoln finally stated that he must 20 to the thea
tre and wasmy prsssed Speaker Cofax and Mr. Ashmun
70 accompany him; but they excused themselves the
score Of previous engagements A. about eight p n
Mr. and Mrs Lincoln started for the carriage the latter
taking the arm Of Mr. Ashmun and the President and
Mr.. Coifax walking together. A the
President and Mra Lincoln seated In the
carriage the latter gave orders 10 the coach
man 10 drive around 10 Senator Harris resi-
dcncs for Mrs Harris. As the carriage rolled away
they both said "Goodby, goodby," to Messrs Ash
mum and Coax, and the carriage had in moment more
disappeared from the ground in front Of the White
House few moments later the Presidential party of
four pcrsons-namey, the President and Mrs. Lincoln,
Miss Harris and Mr.. Rathbon, Of Albany, sepson of
uarrf iveda nd thaI
front and left hand upper private boz.
QUIET NIGHT RuDnY
The tranquil but joyous which had charsc-
terized the national capital for several days past
were everywhere manifest in the streets Bands
of music performing pleasant airs In all di
rections, and ther was nothing In tho appear
Of the city which indicated that any unusual
10 ranspirc much less that the tragic events
which followed would take place. The city fast
settling down into the quiet Of repose Most OF the ci
had sought the quiet OF their residences The
theatres the only places which presented any e
when the quiet broken by the report flying like
magic all the city that the President and Secretary
Seward had been assassnsted The reports were
Trajectory, and the opposite statements Of men
who claimed to be eye witnesses rendered It impossible
TO get at the real facts for many hours The following
however, the most authentic accounts, and in the
main substantially correct, at least DO
obtained up 70 the present moment Of writing:-
ASSASSINATION.
But moment before the attack was made, the Presi
dent leaning forward resting his head his hand
In his accustomed careless way, his eyes bent upon the
stage, and enjoying hearty laugh. noise heard,
and the form Of aperson descended from the box
pied by the President With leap he planted himself
upon the stage and assumed agical POSTURE flourish
cd dagger, turned and faced the audience, shouting
"sic sempr tru~rs" also .The South is avenged" in
tone sufficiently distinct 10 be heard n all parts Of the
theatre. The audience Of course, were shocked and
dumbfounded- The suddenness Of the affair and the
melodramaiic manner In which the desperate went
through his performance gave 10 the whole thing the
appearance Of being part Of the play As quick fash
he disappeared at the Of the stage followed by
Stewart lawyer Of this oity, who only missed him by
about four feet ~ tho door was closed by the assassin In
Stewards face The delay In getting Il open again gave
him n fsv secondQ, Start and ha u,oda HE .u~acs