[The following is part of a contemporary account of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, written by Peter Doyle, who was present for the event. In particular, the following relates the immediate moments following the act, and the assassin’s escape.]
A moment’s hush, incredulous – a scream – the cry of Murder - Mrs. Lincoln leaning out of the box, with ashy cheeks and lips, with involuntary cry, pointing to the retreating figure, He has killed the President… And still a moment’s strange, incredulous suspense and then the deluge! – then that mixture of horror, noises, uncertainty – (the sound, somewhere back, of a horse’s hoofs clattering with speed) – the people burst through chairs and railings, and break them up – that noise adds to the queerness of the scene – there is inextricable confusion and terror – women faint – quite feeble persons fall, and are trampled on – many cries of agony are heard – the broad stage suddenly fills to suffocation with a dense and motley crowd, like some horrible carnival – the audience rush generally upon it – at least the strong men do – the actors and actresses are all there in their play costumes and painted faces, with mortal fright showing through the rouge, some trembling – some in tears – the screams and calls, confused talk redoubled, trebled – two or three manage to pass up water from the stage to the President’s box – others try to clamber up – etc., etc., etc.
In the midst of all this, the soldiers of the President’s Guard, with others, suddenly drawn to the scene, burst in – (some two hundred altogether) – they storm the house, through all the tiers, especially the upper ones, inflamed with fury, literally charging the audience with fixed bayonets, muskets and pistols, shouting Clear out! clear out! you sons of bitches!… Such the wild scene, or a suggestion of it rather, inside the playhouse that night.
Source:
Stephens, John Richard. “Eyewitness Reports.” Weird History 101: Tales of Intrigue, Mayhem, and Outrageous Behavior. New York: Barnes & Noble, 2006. 32. Print.
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