Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-02-08
MISCELLANEOUS.
History of Hsr. E4incOln's Journey
from Harrisburg TO Washing
ton in 1861.

History OF Wr. EincOln'S .BONrney
Eroni Harrisburg TO Washing
tor, in 1861.
The story Of the passage of Abraham Lin
coin from Harrisburg via Philadelphia t.
I Washington, in 1861, is one of continue
interest TO the citizens Of this State Certain
4 New York authorities having claimed t.
have conducted the affair throughout, Mr.
Pinkcrton, of the National Police agency
has published an account OF the transaction
brief synopsis Of which We present, to
gether with portion of the letters which ht
adduces in support of his statement:
! About the middle of January, 1861, was
| in Philadelphia, and had an interview or
other matters with 5. NJ. FELTON,, Esq, al
! that time president of the Philadelphia
/ Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, ir
which Mr.. FELTON, mentioned that he haC
! suspicious that the secessionists of Mary lane
were bound to injure his road either by de
stroying the ferry. boat which carried the
trains across the Susquehanra river at Havre
de Grace, or by the destruction of the rail
road bridges over the Gunpowder river and
other streams. Mr.. FELTON, felt very desirous
| to protect his road from injury or obstruc
tion by the "seccssionists,n as they were al
| that time called but afterwards more famil
| iarly known as "rebels," who were then
husily engaged in plotting the treason which
shortly afterwards eliminated in open rebel
lion. Mr.. FELTON, well knew that the Phila
delphia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad
was the only connecting link between tho
great commercial emporium of the United
States and the capital of the nation, and
appreciated fully the necessity of keeping
that link unbroken. He desired that
would consider the matter fully, and, prom
! isug 20 do 50, returned to my home in
Chicago.
On the 27th of January, 1861, wrote to
Mr. FELTON, my views upon this subject
They were not given in connection with Sc
cession, but MS to what detective ability
might do to discover the plots and plans OF
those who might be contemplating the de-
struction of any portion of this great and
important link between New York and
Washington.
On the both of January l received tcle
gram from Mr.. FELTON,, requesting me tC
come to Philadelphia, and take with mt
such of my force as might be necessary, will
II view to commencing the detective opera
tions to which had alluded in my letter tc
him of the 27th
On the lst of February, 1861, according
ly left Chicago with such of my detective
force, male and female, as l thought ade
quare for the purpose required. We duly
arrived in Philadelphia, and after consulta
tiOn with Messrs. FELTON, and S.earns, of thu
Philadelphia, Wilmington and Batimor,
Railroad, | repaired with my force to Bulti
more and there established my headquarters
While engaged in the investigation
spoken of, as relating to the safety of tn,
Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimor,
Railroad track, myself and dectives acciden
tally acquired the knowledge that plot wa
in existence for the assassination of Mr.
Lincoln on his passage through Baltimore Il
Washington to be inaugurated as President
The plot was well conceived, and would,
am convinced, have been effective for th
purpose designed. This information was
acquired by me Willie in the service of th
| Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
| kairoad, who were paying me for my ser
vices, and although felt impelled by IN.
sense of duty, and my long friendship 70
lir. Lincoln 1--WE both being old citizens o
illinois,, To impart the same to him, yet
knowing the loyalty of Mr. FELTON,, desired
his acquiescence in doing so. accordingly
impaired the information of the plot to MI
olcarns, and through him to Mr. FELTON,, an,
received from both those gentlemen til
authority to impart the facts to Hon. Nor
man b. Judd, the warm and intimate pei
sonal friend of Mr.. Lincoln, who was &C
companying the President elect on the tou
from Springfield to Washington.
With this statement, l herewith suhjoi
the following letters, which are proof of m
participation in the passage of Mr.. Lincol
from Harrisburg, via Philadelphia, 10 Wash
ington, on the night of the 22d of February
1861. AS have before said, it was III
necessary that Mr.. Kennedy should kno'
aught of the movement that was going or
and did not advise him of it; although
am informed that he was on the same trai
and occupied the third berth in the sam
sleeping car from that where Mr. Lincoln la
on that eventful night of his passage t
Washington from Philadelphia.