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1st Co. 1st Squadron [illegible] Cav.
Saturday April 15/65
Washington DC.
Dearest Henrietta.
I recd a letter from Susie two or three days ago. I have not answered it yet. President Lincoln is dead. he was shot last night at half past ten at Fords Theatre on tenth st. [near?] Av. he died towards morning. at the same time an attempt was made to assassinate Secretary Seward at his residence on 15 1/2 St opposite the Park. it is thought he will recover but one of his sons stabbed at same time will not recover. another son was also injured. It is rumored J. Wilkes Booth an actor & the supposed assassin of the President has been caught near Baltimore. again the rumor is contradicted. attempts were too supposed to have been made to take the lives of Secretary Stanton & other members of the Cabinet. Grant was reported killed. & for a time the wildest rumors prevailed. a citizen asked a soldier the news. the soldier told him "Lincoln was dead" the citizen said "good" when the soldier shot him. the streets are thronged the people excited & no more dare use disloyal words. heavy patrols & guards are out. This morning three of the assassinators were caught by some men of the 2nd Co. of our Squadron - a detail from the squadron a few days since having been sent to the Virginia side for Picket duty - while they were trying to escape near Ft Ringgold - one of our men in taking them was shot in the arm and men remaining here were called out & on duty all last night. I am not on to day but think will have to
go on to night. For almost two weeks past victory has followed upon victory. the roar of artillery firing each succeding salute, was heard through the city gladdning the hearts of the Loyal. the city was night after night illuminated. rockets were thrown up & fireworks blazed all over the city. the streets were thronged with joyous crowds. transparencies mottoes & evergreen wreaths were displayed from Private as well as Public buildings. the Govt. & Military Depts. were hung & festooned with flags. battle Corps. Division, Artillery, Navy, Signal & Cavalry guidons & Standards & at the Principal places. Bands playing right before dark jubilant over Lees surrender was most brilliant of all - a full moon rode in a clear sky. the entire city was one blaze of Light. the display of fireworks was spendid & gay & happy throngs crowded the streets until late at night. yesterday was the anniversary of the fall of Ft Sumter & at the same time the anniversary of it recapture & the restoration of the National flag on its walls [&?] it was talked of making in future one of our festal days & at its close it is by a midnight murder of our President turned into a day of mourning. yesterday was a warm bright spring day & though clouds were gathering the moon still shone bright as I turned towards my quarters from near the Theatre where I staid until about two oclock. To day it is raining & drizzling - gloomy dismal rain at intervals. the church bells are tolling. the city is draped in mourning & flags are at half mast &
a gloom has settled down over all. I had a night pass last night & it was my intention to go to Grovers Theatre. I was somewhat late & seeing it was crowded turned to go to Fords - where the President was shot - when a large torchlight procession from the Arsenal coming up the Av. with blazing torches transparencies fireworks & music & banners attracted my attention. after I had watched that awhile it was rather late to go to the Theatre & I went to a Concert saloon on the Av. While there a boy came in & told that the President was shot. the saloon was instantly emptied. I could not at first believe it. Cavalry dashing madly down the [stony?] street & infantry hurrying down told it must be so. a sergt belonging to our Command who had been at the theatre coming along told me it was so. I went to the place. Mr Lincoln had been taken to a house opposite. the street was thronged, guards mounted & infantry, kept back the crowd. Senaters & members of the cabinet & General Angus & staff hastened in. several arrests were made by the military & the crowd cried to the officer ordering the arrest "that is right" the crowd was deeply moved & grieved, their silence & low consultations as the talked in groups showed that & when a Lady announced that the President could not live I noticed many smote their hands together in grief. mutterings & threats of vengence were heard on every side. the soldiers stood together by threes & fours, threatening death to all rebels or their sympathizers - & all expressed their willingness to reinlist again if it was necessary to avenge the President's death. several unlucky rebel soldiers, Paroled, who were
found on the streets by our soldiers, were severly handled. coming to my quarters on some of the side streets groups of ladies at the windows & balconies & men on the streets talking as late as two in the morning. when I got to my quarters all had left but a few. this morning we were ordered to keep ourselves in readiness to move out any moment. most probaly have to do duty to night. I was on the av. but an hour ago. Vice President Johnson was Inagurated at 11 am to day as President of the U.S. All saloons are closed. the Theatres are closed & notice put up they will stay so for an indefinite time. as I passed the Presidential mansion I noticed groups of contrabands, sitting along the curb & on the sidewalk & looking through the iron fence at the house - now heavily guarded -wistfully sad & dejected. they have lost a father & they know it & as they pass along the streets they are not afraid to ask a soldier - ask if the President is dead or Mr Seward & why should they not. My own feelings last night were gloomy and bitter. I would have joined in any outbreak & like other soldiers felt that I could do most anything reinlist if necessary to avenge the Presidents death: & to show the traitors North & South that they must [come?] [under?] no rebel soldiers done this. men that go openly out & fight even for a wrong cause generally have too much honor to stab in the dark. it is rebel sympathizers & citizens bushwhackers those who at the front sneak up in the night & pick off our pickets who do this. a rebel soldier has no sympathy with them
Your brother J Thoman
Miss Henrietta Thoman
Crestline
Ohio