The Civil War Book

On this day in the Civil War, Lincoln’s funeral train arrives in Cleveland, Ohio, where over 50,000 citizens view the President’s body.

Lincoln’s Funeral Train

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, a steam-powered riverboat, the Sultana, catches fire and burns after one of its boilers explodes. On board are 2,031 passengers, mostly recently released Federal prisoners of war. At least 1,238 die in the accident.

The Sultana

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, Federal soldiers surround the barn where Booth and Herold are hiding and call for them to surrender. Herold agrees to exit the barn but Booth refuses. The soldiers proceed to set fire to the barn and a shot is fired. Booth is mortally wounded. He is pulled from the barn and dies soon after.

John Wilkes Booth

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, Federal soldiers trace Booth and Herold to a farm south of the Rappahannock River in Virginia.

On this day in the Civil War, Federal troops, under the direction of Secretary of War Stanton, continue their search for Booth and anyone else connected with the assassination of Lincoln.

Secretary of War 

Edwin Stanton

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)

On this day in the Civil War, some cavalry troops continue fighting, with clashes occurring in both North Carolina and Alabama.

On this day in the Civil War, after several days of hiding, John Wilkes Booth and fellow conspirator David Herold cross the Potomac River.

David Herold

(Photo Credit: Library of Congress)