Episode Title: The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln: Manhunt for the Killer (Part 2)

Podcast: The Rest Is History
Hosts: Tom Holland & Dominic Sandbrook
Release Date: August 13, 2025

1. Recap and Setting the Scene (00:00 - 06:07)

The episode opens with Dominic Sandbrook expressing gratitude to listeners and briefly recaps the previous episode, highlighting John Wilkes Booth's dramatic entrance into President Lincoln's box at Ford's Theatre. He shares a poignant excerpt from Booth's journal, revealing Booth's conflicted self-perception and justifications for assassinating Lincoln:

"I do not repent the blow I struck I may before my God."
(00:00) - Dominic Sandbrook

Tom Holland sets the stage by emphasizing the profound impact of Lincoln's assassination on American history, pondering how subsequent events—particularly in race relations—might have unfolded differently had Lincoln survived.

2. The Assassination at Ford's Theatre (04:11 - 17:35)

Detailed Account of the Night:

• Atmosphere at Ford's Theatre: The evening of April 14, 1865, was one of celebration following Robert E. Lee's surrender at Appomattox. The theatre was abuzz with politicians, tourists, and Union soldiers, many of whom had recently served at Appomattox and were now on leave. President Lincoln and his wife, Mary, were in the presidential box, enjoying a British comedy.

• Booth's Entry and Attack: John Wilkes Booth, a renowned Shakespearean actor and Confederate sympathizer, entered the box during a humorous exchange on stage. Dominic narrates the event with dramatic flair:

  "He takes a Derringer pistol from his pocket. He takes a single step towards Abraham Lincoln's rocking chair. He levels it at the back of Lincoln's head and he fires."
  (12:48) - Dominic Sandbrook

  The assassination was swift and brutal. Major Rathbone, sitting with the Lincolns, was violently attacked, and Booth executed his act of violence before making a daring leap from the box to the stage, fracturing his leg in the process.

• Immediate Reactions: The audience was initially bewildered, attributing the chaos to part of the play or a stage malfunction. Mary Lincoln's profound grief is poignantly described:

  "Mary Lincoln is bent over her husband. She's sobbing, she's saying, talk to me, talk to me."
  (17:16) - Dominic Sandbrook

3. The Aftermath and Medical Response (17:35 - 23:51)

Efforts to Save Lincoln:

• Medical Examination: Dr. Charles Leal, a young doctor, and Dr. Charles Taft, an army surgeon, attempted to save Lincoln. Initially mistaking the gunshot for a stab wound, they eventually identified the fatal bullet wound.

• Decision to Move Lincoln: Understanding the gravity of the situation, Dr. Taft advised against transporting Lincoln to the White House. Instead, they arranged for Lincoln to be moved discreetly to a nearby lodging house owned by William Peterson.

• Emotional Toll: Mary Lincoln's heartbreak is further explored, highlighting her deep sorrow and the complexities of her grief. Her eventual actions, including the removal of personal belongings from the White House, are discussed with a touch of humor and sympathy from the hosts.

"He was a man of whom a nation has a right to be proud. He was a saint of humanity whose name will live thousands of years in the legends of future generations."
(65:34) - William Tolstoy (Quoted by Dominic Sandbrook)

4. The Conspiracy and Manhunt (23:51 - 57:32)

Executing the Conspiracy:

• Booth's Plan: John Wilkes Booth's conspiracy aimed to decapitate the Northern leadership by assassinating Vice President Andrew Johnson and Secretary of State William Seward alongside Lincoln. However, not all conspirators succeeded in their missions.

• Booth's Flight: After the assassination, Booth fled Ford's Theatre, commandeering a horse and riding through the night despite his injured leg. The Union Army initiated an extensive manhunt, with a substantial reward offered for his capture.

• Encounters and Arrests:

  • Ned Spangler and Peanut Burrows: Booth sought refuge in the theatre’s premises but ended up abandoning his horse due to discomfort, leading to a series of missteps in his escape.
  • Crossing the Anacostia River: Booth and his associate, David Herold, attempted to cross into Virginia but were constrained by wartime curfews, leading to their eventual interaction with Sergeant Silas Cobb.

• Conspirator Downfalls: George Azerot failed to assassinate Vice President Johnson, while David Herold managed to attack Secretary Seward but was caught shortly after.

5. Booth’s Final Moments and Death (57:32 - 62:40)

The Confrontation at Locust Hill:

• Booth’s Captured State: Severely injured, Booth sought refuge at Richard Garrett's Locust Hill Farm in Virginia. Despite initial hospitality, Garrett's family grew suspicious of Booth's erratic behavior and false claims of being a Confederate soldier.

• Raid and Capture: Union detectives, led by Luther Byron Baker, surrounded the farm. After a tense standoff involving threats to burn the barn, Booth attempted to surrender but was fatally shot by Sergeant Boston Corbett.

• Booth’s Last Words: As he lay dying, Booth whispered:

  "Tell my mother that I did it for my country."
  (55:56) - John Wilkes Booth

Sergeant Boston Corbett’s Role:

• Background: Corbett, a former Confederate soldier turned Union trooper, had a troubled past, including self-castration and time in a Confederate prison camp. His definitive shot ended Booth’s life.

6. Reflections on Lincoln’s Legacy and Impact (62:40 - End)

Debating the "What Ifs":

Tom and Dominic delve into the counterfactual scenario of Lincoln surviving the assassination, challenging the popular narrative that his continued leadership would have averted significant negative developments in American history, such as the Vietnam War and entrenched segregation.

• Critique of Mythologizing Lincoln: Dominic argues that attributing Lincoln’s survival to a universally positive trajectory oversimplifies historical complexities.

• Lincoln’s True Legacy: Despite his imperfections and political struggles, Lincoln is lauded for his moral vision and pragmatic leadership. The conversation highlights Tolstoy’s high praise of Lincoln as a "saint of humanity."

"Lincoln was a man of whom a nation has a right to be proud... He lived and died a hero and is a great character. He will live as long as the world lives."
(65:34) - William Tolstoy (Quoted by Dominic Sandbrook)

Final Thoughts:

The hosts conclude by affirming Lincoln's rightful reputation as a pivotal and virtuous leader, while acknowledging the nuanced and multifaceted aspects of his presidency and assassination's impact on American history.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Dominic Sandbrook on Booth’s Justification:

  "I do not repent the blow I struck I may before my God."
  (00:00)

• John Wilkes Booth’s Last Words:

  "Tell my mother that I did it for my country."
  (55:56)

• William Tolstoy’s Praise of Lincoln:

  "Of all the great national heroes and statesmen of history, Lincoln is the only real giant... He was a saint of humanity whose name will live thousands of years in the legends of future generations."
  (65:34)

Conclusion

In this comprehensive exploration of Abraham Lincoln's assassination and its immediate aftermath, Tom Holland and Dominic Sandbrook provide a vivid, detailed narration enriched with analysis and reflective insights. The episode not only recounts the historical events with precision but also engages with the enduring questions about Lincoln's legacy and the broader implications of his untimely death on the trajectory of the United States.