On the night of April 14, 1865, President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, an actor with Confederate sympathies, while watching a performance at Ford’s Theatre. The attack occurred mere days after the Civil War had effectively concluded, plunging the nation into grief and disbelief. Amid the sorrow, historians have noted a curious detail: the personal items Lincoln had in his pockets that evening. Though modest, these belongings offer a unique window into the private life of the president who had steered the country through its most trying times.
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
Taking advantage of the moment, John Wilkes Booth crept up behind President Abraham Lincoln and discharged a single .44-caliber Derringer round into the back of his head. Booth then mounted his horse and fled, vanishing into the darkness. Despite frantic attempts to save him, Lincoln died the next morning, cutting short the life of one of America’s most esteemed leaders at the age of 56.
Ordinary items were found in Abraham Lincoln’s pockets
While Abraham Lincoln’s assassination stands as a pivotal moment in American history, the humble items he carried that evening provide a strikingly personal glimpse of the man behind the office. His pockets held practical, everyday belongings: a small pocketknife, two sets of eyeglasses, a watch fob, a leather wallet, and a linen handkerchief embroidered with “A. Lincoln” in red thread.
Among these objects, a pair of carefully repaired spectacles stands out—likely mended by Lincoln himself. This simple act reflects his resourceful and unpretentious nature, offering insight into a leader who treated life’s ordinary tasks with the same deliberate care he applied to the nation’s most critical affairs.
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.