PDF Summary:Killing Lincoln, by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

In Killing Lincoln, Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard recount the events surrounding the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. You'll learn about the conspiracy plot John Wilkes Booth formulated, beginning with his intentions to kidnap Lincoln, which later escalated into plans to murder him. The authors detail Booth's recruitment of accomplices and the specific roles they played in the assassination attempt.

The book also covers the immediate chaos that erupted after Lincoln's death, the pursuit of Booth and his co-conspirators, and the fallout and widespread grief that swept the nation. O'Reilly and Dugard explore the lasting impact Lincoln's assassination had on the course of Reconstruction and his enduring legacy in American history.

(continued)...

The pursuit of apprehending the strategist

The investigation following the tragic demise of President Lincoln was marked by thorough investigative efforts and serendipitous events.

An inquiry into the incident was promptly initiated.

The violent act sparked chaos throughout the capital of the United States.

Washington, D.C. was plunged into chaos after Lincoln's assassination. The country mourned its departed leader, with flags flown at half-mast, a suspension of alcohol sales, and crowds assembling at the previous home of Petersen. The military established a perimeter around the city and began an exhaustive search within its confines, extending to the nearby areas. John Parker, the absent bodyguard, and Frederick Seward, who inadvertently guided Powell towards his intended victim, found themselves engulfed in the ensuing chaos.

Initial steps were taken to identify the person behind the plot.

Authorities detained multiple individuals while meticulously examining the evidence to determine who was accountable for the plot. Lafayette Baker took part in the investigation, along with other security agents, making strategic use of telegraphs to maintain open channels of communication. During the pursuit of the escapees, a pivotal piece of evidence surfaced at the residence of Dr. Samuel Mudd, where a boot inscribed with "J. Wilkes" was found, irrefutably linking the guest to the notorious assassin, thereby intertwining Mudd's fate with that of the notorious figure.

The participants of the conspiracy were pursued without respite until they were captured.

Powell and his associate were apprehended.

John Wilkes Booth's determination to elude capture was matched only by the unyielding efforts to track him down. Silas T. Cobb became unintentionally entangled in the chase. Dr. Samuel Mudd rendered aid to Booth, who was escaping alongside David Herold while injured. The fugitives fell into the trap set by the U.S. cavalry, which ultimately led to the apprehension of George Atzerodt, who, after failing in his assigned assassination, compounded his mistakes by discussing Lincoln's death over a meal.

The chase for the fugitive entailed piecing together his path starting at the location where he crossed the Potomac River, which included assistance from a Confederate sympathizer, Thomas Jones, following a thorough examination of the wetlands and comprehensive questioning. Sergeant Boston Corbett's action at Garrett's barn concluded the pursuit as Booth suffered mortal wounds, and confirmation of his identity followed postmortem.

The individual involved in the plot underwent interrogation and was officially examined by the judiciary.

The provided content briefly touches on the questioning methods and the legal proceedings, yet it clearly demonstrates the government's determination to hasten the settlement of the issue. An extensive hearing was conducted where a variety of witnesses were called upon to provide their accounts. The incarceration conditions were tough, with hoods, shackles, and medical neglect mentioned. Mary Surratt was among the four individuals convicted and subsequently faced execution. Others received life sentences, and some eventually garnered pardons.

Mary Surratt's execution marks a grim chapter in United States history, with her level of involvement still being a subject of debate. The wider interrogation and incarceration of suspects reflected a nation grappling with grief and demanding justice for an unprecedented crime.

The fallout from Lincoln's murder.

The author delves into the profound consequences and subsequent events that unfolded after President Abraham Lincoln was tragically killed.

The period of grief and the subsequent burial ceremonies

After Abraham Lincoln's death, the nation was immersed in a period of mourning, depicted with remarkable clarity and detail.

Lincoln's remains were conveyed by rail to Illinois.

The country, steeped in sorrow, respectfully honored the memory of Lincoln while his body was conveyed by rail to Illinois. Public gatherings such as funeral services and viewings offer the community a chance to collectively partake in the mourning process. The extraordinary cortege, following the route Lincoln had traversed five years prior to assume the presidency, paused in twelve cities and passed through 444 towns, becoming recognized as the country's most intricate and elaborate memorial homage.

The nation mourned openly, demonstrating the deep impact his death had on all.

The entire country is in a state of mourning, with people from the north voicing their anger, and individuals throughout the southern areas experiencing a sense of comfort. Emotional responses to events vary widely, with some individuals experiencing deep sorrow while others may exhibit more subdued grief, illustrated by Mary Lincoln's decision to dress solely in black from that point on. The nation deeply felt the loss of Lincoln, evident in the mournful and pleading expressions on the faces of the onlookers as his body was paraded.

The consequences and subsequent influence.

The writer explores the impact of the premature passing of Lincoln on both the Reconstruction era and his lasting legacy.

The impact on the nation's restoration and unification.

Lincoln's death comes at a critical juncture in America's history, leaving the nation with the arduous task of healing post-Civil War wounds. The future of the country is enveloped in ambiguity, characterized by palpable unease and the fear of possible resurgent conflicts. The slaying of Lincoln took place in a period fraught with the possibility of vengeance and chaos.

The lasting heritage and legacy associated with Lincoln.

The narrative progresses, detailing the events following the assassination, which include continuous debates and conjecture regarding secret schemes, the deliberate handling of the events following Booth's death to avert public uproar, and the various approaches to Reconstruction taken by Lincoln's successor. The lasting impact of Lincoln is further cemented through the responses to his death and the decisions made by those who continued his legacy. His impact is discernible through the decisions made by political leaders and the consequential waves created by major occurrences like the acquisition of Alaska. The enduring legacy of Lincoln, akin to the influence of Julius Caesar, has significantly shaped the trajectory of American history.