Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-26
Mr. LfncOIn's Own Account Of His Flight
Through Baltimore.

From LosSIDss history OF the Late War.
While in Washington city, early in December,
1864, the writer called the President with Isaac
N. Arnold, member of Congress from Chicago, one
Of Mr.. Lnooln's most trusted personal friends We
found him alone in the room wherein the Cabinet
meetings are held. lin the White House, whose win
dOws overlook the Potomac and tho Washington
Monument. At the request of the writer the Presi-
dent related the circumstances of his clandestine
journey between Philadelphia and Washington.
The narrative is here given substantially in his own
words. as follows:
II arrived at Philadelphia on the 2lst. 1 agreed
to stop over night and on the following morning
hoist the fag over independence Hall. In the even
lug there was great crowd, where I received my
friends. at the Continental Hotel. Mr.. Judd. a
warm personal friend from Chicago, sent for me to
come to his room. ! went and found there Mr.. Pin
kerton skilful police detective, also from Chicago
who had been employed for some days in Baltimore
watching or searching for suspicious persons there
Pinkerton informed that plan had been laid for
gG afEGSsIpatlon the exact time when expected to
well informed as to the plan 6ti lid noCRuJa
the conspirators would have pluck enoughto execute
it: He urged me to go right through with him to
made engagements to visit Harrisburg and 60 from
there to Baltimore and resolved to do ! could
not believe that there was a plot to murder me.
made arrangements. however, with Mr. judd for my
return to Philadelphia the next night if should be
convinced that there was danger in going through
Baltimore. told him that if should meet at Har-
rsburg, as had at other places delegation to go
with me to the next place then Baltimore) should
feel sale, ana 20 on,
When was making my way back to my room.
through crowds of people, met Frederick Seward.
We went together to my room, when he told tina
he had been sent at the instance of his father and
General Scott. to inform that their detectives in
Baltimore had discovered plot there to assassi-
nate me. They knew nothing of Pinkerton's move.
ments. l now believed such plot to be in ex-
istsPSS. sRSs ro,t - r,,ono.
dence Hall, and then went on to Harrisburg with
Mr.. Sumner, Major now GeneraD Hunter, Mr.. Judd
Mr.. Lamon. and others. There met the Legisla-
appointed for me to leave. In the mean time Mr..
Judd had so secured the telegraph that communi-
cation could pass to Baltimore and give the conspra-
tors knowledge of change in my plans.
In New York some friend had given me new
beaver hat. in box, and in it had placed soft wool
hat had never worn one of the latter in my life.
had this box in my room. Having informed very
few friends of the secret Of my movements and
the cause, put on old overcoat that l had with
NE, and putting the soft hat in my pocket walked
out of the house at aback door, bareheaded without
exciting any special curiosity.
Then put on the soft hat and joined my friends
without being recognized by strangers, for not
the Same Sumner and Ii unter wished to accom-
pany me. | said no; you are known. and your pres
ence might betray me. Twill only take Lamon, NOW
marshal of this district. WHOM nobody knew and
Mr.. judd Sumner and Hunter felt hurt.
I'VE went back to Philadelphia, and found mes
sage there from PnkertOn, who had returned to Bal
timore. that the conspirators had held Their final
meeting that evening, and it doubtful whether
they had the to attempt the execution of their
purpose. went on, however as the arrangement
had been made in a special train. We were q long
time in the station at Baltimore; heard people talk
ing around but no one particularly observed me. At
an early hour on Saturday morning, at about the
time was expected to leave Harrisburg arrived
in Washington"