In the early hours of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was fatally shot by actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth while watching a play at Ford’s Theatre. Coming just days after the Civil War had all but ended, the assassination stunned a nation still reeling from years of bloodshed. As the country mourned its fallen leader, one lesser-known detail from that fateful night emerged—what Lincoln had been carrying in his pockets. These seemingly ordinary objects offer a rare and intimate glimpse into the personal life of the man who had led America through its most harrowing crisis.
Abraham Lincoln and the American Civil War
The assassination of Abraham Lincoln remains one of the most notable events in US history. The president had helped lead the nation through the turbulent American Civil War, a time of unparalleled difficulty, and was well loved, especially by the African-American community for his large role in the abolition of slavery.
John Wilkes Booth snuck up behind the US president
Abraham Lincoln was watching a play at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, with his wife, Mary Todd, and was completely focused on the show, unaware of the danger that John Wilkes Booth, his assassin, was about to bring. Booth, who was famous for his acting career, had quietly slipped into the president’s box without anyone noticing.
The assassination that shook the United States
John Wilkes Booth took advantage of the moment, stealthily moving up behind President Abraham Lincoln and catching him off guard. With a single shot from his .44-caliber Derringer pistol, Booth struck Lincoln in the back of the head before swiftly fleeing on horseback. By dawn the next day, Lincoln had died from his wound, bringing a tragic close to the life of one of America’s most esteemed presidents at the age of 56.
Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
Though Abraham Lincoln’s assassination became a defining chapter in American history, the modest contents of his pockets that night offer a rare, humanizing portrait of the man behind the presidency. Inside were simple, practical items: a small pocketknife, two pairs of eyeglasses, a watch fob, a leather wallet, and a linen handkerchief stitched with “A. Lincoln” in red thread.
One particularly telling item was a pair of spectacles that had been carefully mended—likely by Lincoln himself. This quiet detail speaks volumes about his self-reliant and unpretentious character, revealing a leader who approached life’s small tasks with the same thoughtful care as its greatest challenges.
What else was found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets?
Alongside his everyday belongings, Abraham Lincoln also carried a collection of newspaper clippings that praised him. However, the most unexpected item he had with him that evening was a $5.00 Confederate bill discovered in his wallet.
Theory surrounding the $5.00 Confederate bill
The discovery of enemy currency raises questions about why the president might have had it in his possession. While the answer isn’t definitive, researchers at the Library of Congress propose a theory. Clark Evans, head of Reference Services in the Rare Book and Special Collections Division, proposes:
“We don’t know with one hundred percent certainty but just a few days earlier, Richmond had fallen, and Lincoln did actually travel to Richmond and this was likely passed onto him as a souvenir.”
Preserving the items found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
The remarkable preservation of the possessions carried by Abraham Lincoln on the night of his assassination is incredible. After his death, the items were entrusted to his eldest son, Robert, and remained in the family’s possession for the next seven decades. Today, these invaluable artifacts can be viewed at the Library of Congress.