Transcript
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Lindsey Graham (0:23)
It's April 25, 1865, and the American Civil War has been over for less than two weeks. On a tobacco farm in Virginia, a swarm of Union troops and detectives encircle a small barn that has a wanted man inside. Detective Everton Conger, a former Union officer, creeps toward the barn and tosses a flaming torch onto a pile of kindling his men placed around the exterior of the barn moments ago. The pine needles, twigs and hay quickly catch fire and soon flames engulf the wooden timbers of the barn. Illuminated by the fiery glow, Conger can see the silhouette of the fugitive inside. He has a clear shot. But Conger. Conger and his men are under strict orders to take this criminal alive. So Conger and his officers creep to the door of the barn ready to make an arrest. They know it's only a matter of time before the fugitive makes run for it. The wind is wailing and the fire has been whipped into a roaring inferno. No one could withstand the heat and smoke for long. But then, amidst the roar of the fire, a shot rings out. Conger looks through the wooden slats to see the fugitive fall to his knees. Conger is furious. One of his men disobeyed orders, but there's no time to deal with that right now. Conger bursts into the burning barn and drags the wounded criminal away from the inferno. The soldiers and detectives place the fugitive beneath a nearby locust tree. And there, as the life drains from his eyes, the actor John Wilkes Booth, assassin of President Abraham Lincoln, utters his final words. Useless. Useless. When John Wilkes Booth shot and ultimately killed President Lincoln, the Union was devastated. But while many mourned the death of their president, one man took control. Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. Stanton immediately declared martial law and then presided over the largest manhunt in US history that eventually led to Booth's dramatic death and the capture of his many co conspirators. But Booth's actions also set the table for one of the greatest political showdowns in American history. On one side stands Lincoln's successor, President Andrew Johnson, a notorious drunk who is sympathetic to the South. On the other side, Edwin Stanton, who wants to secure Lincoln's legacy and protect the 4 million freed slaves in the South. The battle between these two titans of history will climb climax with the first impeachment of a US President on February 24, 1868. Before we get on with the show another update on my live tour. First, the Dallas show is filling up fast right now. The three best sections are all sold out, plus one half of the balcony, which is fantastic. But if you haven't bought your tickets yet, you might want to soon. Also, more cities are being added, though we haven't finalized anything, so I'm not going to jinx it by saying much. Just know that it looks like we'll be on the road this year and I can't wait. So to be the first to know. When we do announce new dates, go to historydailylive.com to register for details. That's historydailylive.com