Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1865-04-20
ASSASSINATION
PRESD'T LINCOLN SHOT
Secretary Seward Stabbed
WAR DEPARTMENT.

WASHINGTON, April l5-l:30 An
TO lNaj Gen. Dir:
This evening about $50 A. NJ, while
at Ford's Theatre, the President while
sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lin
coin, Mrs Rogers and Major Rathburn,
was shot by an assassin who suddenly
entered the box and approached behind
I the President. The assassin then leaped
upon the stage, brandishing large dag
ger or knife and made his escape in the
rear of the theatre.
The pistol balls all entered the back
of the Presidents head, and penetrated
nearly through the head The wound
is mortal The President has been in
sensible ever since the wound was in
ficted, and is now about dying.
About the same hour an assassin,
! whether the same or not is not known,
sentered Mr. Stewards apartments, and
sunder pretence of having prescription,
was shown to the Secretarys private
chamber. The assassin Immediately
rushed to the bed and inflicted two or
sthree stabs on the throat, and two on
] the face.
! 1t is hoped that the wounds may not
be mortal. My apprehension is that
they will prove fatal.
The nurse alarmed Mr.. Fred. Seward
who was in the adjoining room, and
! fastened to the door Of his fathers
apartment, where he met the assassin,
] who inflicted upon him one or more
dangerous wounds.
The recovery of Mr.. Fred Seward is
doubtful. It is not probable that the
President will live through the night.
Gen. Grant and wife were advertised
to be at the theatre this evening, but he
started to Burlington, N. j., at clock
this evening
At the cabinet meeting, at wnich
Gen. Grant was present, the subject Of
the state of the country and the pros
! pect of a speedy peace was discussed.
The President was cheerful and hope
sful, and spoke very kindly Of Gen. Lee
and others of the Confederacy, and also
of the establishment Of government in
Virginia
All the members Of the cabinet except
Mr.. Seward are now in attendance upon
the President.
I have seen Mr. Seward, but both he
/ and Fred. were unconscious.
(Signed) E. II. STANTON,
Secretaryof War.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, April l5-4:10 A. NJ.
/ To INaj. Gen. Die:
The President continues insensible,
! land is sinking.
3 Secretary Seward remains without
achange Frederick Stewards skull is
fractured in two places, besides severe
cut on the head The attendant is still
salive, but hopeless. Maj. Seward
gwound is not dangerous.
1t is now ascertained with reasonable
certainty that two assassins were en-
gagged in the horrible crimes Wilks
Booth being the one that shot the Presi-
sdent, and the other an accomplice whose
name is not known, but whose descrip-
stion is SO clear that he can hardly es-
scape.
1t appears from letter found in
Booths trunk that the murder was
PLANNED before the 4th of March, but
fell through then because the accom-
I plice backed out until Richmond could
be heard from. Booth and his accom-
plice were at the livery stable at six
o'clock last evening, and left there with
] their horses about ten clock, or shortly
Sbefore that hour.
1t seems that the assassins had for
several days been watching their chance
! but for some unknown reason it was not
acarried into effect until last night. One
sof them has evidently made his way to
Baltimore the other has not yet been
traced.
I (Signed) EDWIN NJ. STANTON,
Secretary of War.