From the Pundit Review Archives, May 2009….
If you are a Lincoln buff then you must read Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln’s Killer by James L. Swanson. This book is riveting and it reads like a novel. The book is really sensational. Large portions are dedicated to the assassination itself, obviously, and Ford’s Theater and the Petersen House across the street where Lincoln died are central characters in the story.
I had some time to kill yesterday in Washington DC so I did what any good history buff/political junkie would do. Sightseeing! One of the few things left in Washington DC that I had not seen was the Ford Theater and Petersen House.
Ford’s Theater
The President’s Box
Here is a portion of the tour guides description of events on that terrible evening
This photo below was taken directly in front of the Ford Theater facing the Petersen House, the red brick building. Realizing that Lincoln’s wounds were mortal, they were simply looking for a place where he could rest in peace. The Petersen House at that time was a boarding house and the owner heard the commotion following the assassination and was on those front steps and called for Lincoln to be brought into the home, which he was. He died there some eight hours later.
You’ll notice the long line of people waiting to get in. By a stroke of good fortune, I was walking by between tours and started chatting up the tour guide. We talked a bit about the book Manhunt and I learned that like me, she was a Massachusetts native, originally from Lowell. Since the house was empty, she agreed to give me a personal tour. It was very cool. It was also kind of creppy to be in the same place where such a monumental and horrible event took place. The lighting gets worse in each successive room, apologies.
Here is the first room, immediately to the left of the door. This is forever known as Mary’s waiting room. She stayed in this room for most of the evening, only a few feet away from her mortally wounded husband.
Only a few feet away is the room which became The Temporary Seat of Government. In this room, Lincoln’s cabinet waited, prayed and started the investigation into the assassination. It is just stunning to actually see how small and close together these rooms are.
The third and final room on the first floor is the bedroom at the end of the hall where the greatest American who ever lived, died.
And here is a replica of the bed where Lincoln drew his last breath,
“And now he belongs to the ages.”
Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War