Page:The New York Times, 1865-04-15.pdf/1

 

VOL. XIV. NO. 4230

 

The Deed Done at Ford's Theatre Last Night.

THE ACT OF A DESPERATE REBEL

The President Still Alive at Last Accounts.

No Hopes Entertained of His Recovery.

Attempted Assassination of Secretary Seward.

DETAILS OF THE DREADFUL TRAGEDY.

[OFFICIAL.]

, April 15—1:30 A.M.

''Maj.-Gen. Dis:''

This evening at about 9:30 P.M., at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs., Mrs. , and Major , was shot by an assassin, who suddenly entered the box and approached behind the President.

The assassin then leaped upon the stage, brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape in the rear of the theatre.

The pistol ball entered the back of the President's head and penetrated nearly through the head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying.

About the same hour an assassin, whether the same or not, entered Mr. 's apartment, and under the pretence of having a prescription, was shown to the Secretary's sick chamber. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed, and inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal.

The nurse alarmed Mr., who was in an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father's room, when he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery of is doubtful.

It is not probable that the President will live throughout the night.

Gen. and wife were advertised to be at the theatre this evening, but he started to Burlington at 6 o'clock this evening.

At a Cabinet meeting at which Gen. was present, the subject of the state of the country and the prospect of a speedy peace was discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, and spoke very kindly of Gen. and others of the Confederacy, and of the establishment of government in Virginia.

All the members of the Cabinet except Mr., are now in attendance upon the President.

I have seen Mr., but he and were both unconscious.

EDWIN M. STANTON, Secretary of War.

, Friday, April 14—12:30 A.M.

The President was shot in a theatre tonight, and is, perhaps, mortally wounded.

Secretary was also assassinated.

, Friday, April 4.

President and wife, with other friends, this evening visited Ford's Theatre for the purpose of witnessing the performance of the "American Cousin."

It was announced in the papers that Gen. would also be present, but he took the late train of cars for New-Jersey.

The theatre was densely crowded, and everybody seemed delighted with the scene before them. During the third set, and while there was a temporary pause for one of the actors to enter, a sharp report of a pistol was heard, which merely attracted attention, but suggesting nothing serious, until a man rushed to the front of the President's box, waving a long dagger in his right hand, and exclaiming "Sic semper tyrannis," and immediately leaped from the box, which was in the second tier, to the stage beneath, and ran across to the opposite side, making his escape amid the bewilderment of the audience from the rear of the theatre, and, mounting a horse, fled.

The screams of Mrs. first disclosed the fact to the audience that the President had been shot, when all present rose to their feet, rushing toward the stage, many exclaiming "Hang him! hang him!"

The excitement was of the wildest possible description, and of course there was an abrupt termination of the theatrical performance.

There was a rush toward the President's box, when cries were heard: "Stand back and give him air." "Has any one stimulants." On a hasty examination, it was found that the President had been shot through the head, above and back of the temporal bone, and that some of the brain was oozing out. He was removed to a private house opposite to the theatre, and the Surgeon-General of the army, and other surgeons sent for to attend to his condition.

On an examination of the private box blood was discovered on the back of the cushioned rocking chair on which the President had been sitting, also on the partition and on the floor. A common single-barreled pocket pistol was found on the carpet.

A military guard was placed in front of the private residence to which the President had been conveyed. An immense crowd was in front of it, all deeply anxious to learn the condition of the President. It had been previously announced that the wound was mortal, but all hoped otherwise. The shock to the community was terrible.

The President was in a state of syncope, totally insensible, and breathing slowly. The blood oozed from the wound at the back of his head. The surgeons exhausted every effort of medical skill, but all hope was gone. The parting of his family with the dying President is too sad for description.

At midnight, the Cabinet, with Messrs., , and , Judge , Gov. , Gen. , Col. , and a few personal friends, with Surgeon-General and his immediate assistants, were around his bedside.

The President and Mrs. did not start for the theatre until fifteen minutes after eight o'clock. Speaker was at the White House at the time, and the President stated to him that he was going, although Mrs. had not been well, because the papers had announced that Gen. and they were to be present, and, as Gen. had gone North, he did not wish the audience to be disappointed.

He went with apparent reluctance and urged Mr. to go with him; but that gentleman had made other engagements, and with Mr., of Massachusetts, bid him good bye.

When the excitement at the theatre was at its wildest height, reports were circulated that Secretary had also been assassinated.

On reaching this gentleman's residence a crowd and a military guard were found at the door, and on entering it was ascertained that the reports were based on truth.

Everybody there was so excited that scarcely an intelligible word could be gathered, but the facts are substantially as follows:

About 10 o'clock a man rang the bell, and the call having been answered by a colored servant, he said he had come from Dr., Secretary 's family physician, with a prescription, at the same time holding in his hand a small piece of folded paper, and saying in answer to a refusal that he must see the Secretary, as he was entrusted with particular directions concerning the medicine.

He still insisted on going up, although repeatedly informed that no one could enter the chamber. The man pushed the servant aside, and walked heavily toward the Secretary's room, and was then met by Mr., of whom he demanded to see the Secretary, making the same representation which he did to the servant. What further passed in the way of colloquy is not known, but the man struck him on the head with a "billy," severely injuring the skull and felling him almost senseless. The assassin then rushed into the chamber and attacked Major, Paymaster of the United States army and Mr. , a messenger of the State Department and two male nurses, disabling them all, he then rushed upon the Secretary, who was lying in bed in the same room, and inflicted three stabs in the neck, but severing, it is thought and hoped, no arteries, though he bled profusely.

The assassin then rushed down stairs, mounted his horse at the door, and rode off before an alarm could be sounded, and in the same manner as the assassin of the President.

It is believed that the injuries of the Secretary are not fatal, nor those of either of the others, although both the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary are very seriously injured.

Secretaries and, and other prominent officers of the government, called at Secretary 's house to inquire into his condition, and there heard of the assassination of the President.

They then proceeded to the house where he was lying, exhibiting of course intense anxiety and solicitude. An immense crowd was gathered in front of the President's house, and a strong guard was also stationed there, many persons evidently supposing he would be brought to his home.

The entire city to-night presents a scene of wild excitement, accompanied by violent expressions of indignation, and the profoundest sorrow—many shed tears. The military authorities have dispatched mounted patrols in every direction, in order, if possible, to arrest the assassins. The whole metropolitan police are likewise vigilant for the same purpose.

The attacks, both at the theatre and at Secretary 's house, took place at about the same hour—10 o'clock—thus showing a preconcerted plan to assassinate those gentlemen. Some evidence of the guilt of the party who attacked the President are in the possession of the police.

Vice-President is in the city, and his headquarters are guarded by troops.

, Friday, April 14, 11:15 P.M.

A stroke from Heaven laying the whole of the city in instant ruins could not have startled us as did the word that broke from Ford's Theatre a half hour ago that the President had been shot. It flew everywhere in five minutes, and set five thousand people in swift and excited motion on the instant.

It is impossible to get at the full facts of the case, but it appears that a young man entered the President's box from the theatre, during the last act of the play of "Our American Cousin," with a pistol in hand. He shot the President in the head and instantly jumped from the box upon the stage, and immediately disappeared through the side scenes and rear of the theatre, brandishing a dirk knife and dropping a kid glove on the stage.

The audience heard the shot, but supposing it fired in the regular course of the play, did not heed it till Mrs. 's screams drew their attention. The whole affair occupied scarcely half a minute, and then the assassin was gone. As yet he had not been found.

The President's wound is reported mortal. He was at once taken into the house opposite the theatre.

As if this horror was not enough, almost the same moment the story ran through the city that Mr. had been murdered in his bed.

Inquiry showed this to be so far true also. It appears a man wearing a light coat, dark pants, slouch hat, called and asked to see Mr., and was shown to his room. He delivered to Major, who sat near his father, what purported to be a physician's prescription, turned, and with one stroke cut Mr. 's throat as he lay on his bed, inflicting a horrible wound, but not severing the jugular vein, and not producing a mortal wound.

In the struggle that followed, Major was also badly, but not seriously, wounded in several places. The assassin rushed down stairs, mounted the fleet horse on which he came, drove his spurs into him, and dashed away before any one could stop him.

Reports have prevailed that an attempt was also made on the life of Mr..

The President is reported dead. Cavalry and infantry are scouring the city in every direction for the murderous assassins, and the city is overwhelmed with excitement. Who the assassins were no one knows, though every body supposes them to have been rebels.

The person who shot the President is represented as about 30 years of age, five feet nine inches in height, sparely built, of light complexion, dressed in dark clothing, and having a genteel appearance. He entered the box, which is known as the State box, being the upper box on the right hand side from the dress-circle in the regular manner, and shot the President from behind, the ball entering the skull about in the middle, behind, and going in the direction of the left eye; it did not pass through, but apparently broke the frontal bone and forced out the brain to some extent. The President is not yet dead, but is wholly insensible, and the Surgeon-General says he cannot live till day-break. The assassin was followed across the stage by a gentleman, who sprang out from an orchestra chair. He rushed through the side door into an alley, thence to the avenue and mounted a dark bay horse, which he apparently received from the hand of an accomplice, dashed up, toward the back part of the city. The escape was so sudden that he effectually eluded pursuit. The assassin cried "sic sempre" in a sharp, clear voice, as he jumped to the stage, and dropped his hat and a glove.

Two or three officers were in the box with the President and Mrs., who made efforts to stop the assassin, but were unsuccessful, and received some bruises. The whole affair, from his entrance into the box to his escape from the theatre, occupied scarcely a minute, and the strongest of the action found everybody wholy unprepared. The assault upon Mr. appears to have been made almost at the same moment as that upon the President. Mr. 's wound is not dangerous in itself, but may prove so in connection with his recent injuries. The two assassins have both endeavored to leave the city to the northwest, apparently not expecting to strike the river. Even so low down as Chain Bridge, cavalry have been sent in every direction to intercept them.

, 1:30 o'clock A.M.

The President still lies insensible. Messrs., , , , and are with him, as also the Vice-President, the Surgeon-General, and other Surgeons.

There is a great throng about the house, even at this hour.

2 o'clock A.M.

The President still lives, but lies insensible, as he has since the first moment, and no hopes are entertained that he can survive.

The most extravagant stories prevail, among which one is to effect, that Gen. was shot while on his wasway [sic] to PhilaphiaPhiladelphia [sic], of course this is not true.

Another is, that every member of Mr. 's family was wounded in the struggle with the assassin there. This also is untrue. Mr., the Assistant Secretary, and Major , of the army, were wounded, neither of them dangerously.

, April 15—2:12 A.M.

The President is still alive; but he is growing weaker. The ball is lodged in his brain, three inches from where it entered the skull. He remains insensible, and his condition is utterly hopeless.

The Vice-President has been to see him; but all company, except the members of the Cabinet and of the family, is rigidly excluded.

Large crowds still continue in the street, as near to the house as the line of guards allows.

 

, Saturday, April 8, via, Friday, April 14.

A special dispatch to the New-Orleans Times, from the Spanish Fort, dated April 5, says:

"A furious fire was opened on the rebel forts last night from our entire line. During the bombardment a small magazine in the Spanish Fort exploded. The damage is unknown. Quiet prevailed on the 5th. Deserters report from 18,000 to 20,000 troops in and about Mobile, including all the State Reserves, and about 2,000 in the Spanish Fort. The loss outside the Spanish Fort up to the 4th instant amounted to about 500 killed and wounded. The rebel loss exceeds ours."

Adjt.-Gen. arrived at New-Orleans on the morning of the 7th.

Mobile papers of the 4th inst. announce the capture of Selma, Alabama, with 23 pieces of artillery, and a large amount of Government property.

  , Me., Friday, April 14.

The restoration of the Old Flag to Fort Sumter was celebrated here to-day by a national salute at noon, by a display of all the flags on public and private buildings, and by the raising of the Stars and StripsStripes [sic] one thousand feet above the city by means of a monster kite bearing the name of.

 

TWO DAYS LATER BY THE EUROPA.

The Insult to Our Cruisers by Portugal.

The American Minister at Lisbon Demands Satisfaction.

Dismissal of the Commander of Fort Belan Requested.

Further Advance in Five-Twenties.

FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL.

, Friday, April 14.

The steamship Europa, from Liverpool on the 1st, via Queenstown on the 2d inst., arrived here at 2 o'clock this morning. She has 43 passengers for this port, and 30 for Boston. Her dates are two days later than those already received.

The steamship Cuba, from New-York, arrived at Liverpool at noon on the 1st inst.

A Lisbon dispatch, of the 31st of March, says that the American Minister at Lisbon has demanded satidfaction of the Portuguese Government for the firing upon the Niagara and Sacramento by the Portuguest forts. He also requests the dismissal of the Commander of Fort Belan, and a salute of twenty-one guns to the American flag.

Nothing as yet has been decided in regard to the matter.

The correspondent of the London Times, writing from Richmond on the 4th of March, says:

"I am daily more convinced that if Richmond falls and and  are driven from the field, it is but the first stage of this colossal revolution which will then be completed. There will ensue a time when every important town of the South will require to be held by a Yankee garrison, when exultation in New-York will be exchanged for soberness and right reason, and when it will be realized that the closing scenes of this mightiest revolutionary drama will not be played out, save in the times of our children's children."

Parliamentary proceedings on the 30th ult. were unimportant.

In the House of Commons, on the 31st, Lord C. said that the Admiralty had received no proposal for sanctioning or supporting any fresh attempt to reach the North Pole. He was, therefore, unable to say what course the government would take if such a proposal were made.

Mr. put some questions as to the idea of the Pope taking up his residence in England, as indicated in some foreign journals.

Lord replied that the government respected the Pope personally very much, but for him to come to England would be both an anachronism and a solecism.

The revenue returns for the financial year, ending March 31, show a new increase of over £104,000 on the year. Notwithstanding the great reductions to taxation, the revenue exceeds by nearly half a million sterling the estimates of Mr..

Messrs. 's circular says that large business has been done in 5-20 bonds, and that prices advanced early in the week to 57$1/2$@58, but have since relapsed to 56$1/2$@57—the demand being chiefly from the continent.

On Friday, the telegrams per the steamship Cuba were received, and 5-20s again advanced to 57$3/4$@58$1/4$. Erie and Illinois Central Shares have also attracted attention, and have again advanced.

The Bank of England on the 30th ult. reduced the rate of discount to 4 per cent., at which there is a fair demand for money. This movement strengthened the English funds, and Consols are buoyant and advancing.

, East India and general merchants, have suspended payment. Their liabilities are estimated at £900,000 sterling.

Another provincial bank has suspended, the Portsmouth and South Hants Banking Company. Their liabilities are about £170,000 sterling.

The Birmingham and Joint Stock Banking Company had agreed to take up the business of Atwood & Spooner's Bank, which lately suspended at Birmingham, and to pay the creditors 11s. 3d. on the pount.

The West India Mail steamer had arrived, with over two and a quarter millions of dollars in specie. She also brought several Captains of blockade-runners, whose occupations were gone.

The French Government will probably send one or two steamers to accompany the two that are sent by the English Government with the Great Eastern across the Atlantic, at the time of laying the Atlantic cable, and it is hoped that the United States Government will do the same.

Weekly returns from the Bank of France show an increase of cash on hand of over ten and a half millions francs.

In the Franch Chamber of the 30th, M. spoke upon the necessity for political liberty, but was interrupted by the President and declined to finish his speech. The amendment was rejected.

The amendment in favor of the liberty of the press was debated, but rejected by a large majority.

It is states that will leave Paris early in May, not returning until November. His physicians have recommended seven months' absence in the country air.

The Bourse is firm, 67.45.

The Epoca states that the Minister of War tendered his resignation, and that Gen. refused to placereplace [sic] him.

A later dispatch says the Minister of War resigned from ill health.

Gen. succeeded to the office.

The King relieved M., Minister of Justice, of his functions. represented the alliance between the Reactionary and extreme Democratic parties. It is supposed that all member of the late Cabinet will return to their posts.

In the allocutions delivered at the last consistory the Pope expressed surprise and sorrow at the sad events which have recently taken place in Mexico. His Holiness hoped would abandon the course upon which he had entered, and satisfy the just desires of the Holy See. The Pope further thanked the Bishops of the Catholic world, especially those of Italy, for defending the religion and liberties of the Church, despite the decrease of the secular authorities.

In the Military Committee of Chambers, the Deputies amendment was introduced with the object of effecting a reconciliation between the government and chamber, and proposing a maximum strength of the army at 180,000 men, which was rejected by 11 to 8. The committee also rejected the general military estimates and navy estimates and amendments, thus refusing the whole military and naval proposals of the government.

Count had made some ministerial explanation in the Lower House Reichsrath. He said the views of the government on the question of the Duchies would be communicated in the Federal Diet on the 6th of April.

As regards relations with Italy, he said the government desired to promote the material interests of the two countries, but that Italy maintained a hostile attitude to the government. He desired to economize, but must maintain the position of Austria as a great Power.

A private Calcutta telegram of March 27 reports commercial affairs in much the same state as on the 25th, when slight improvements had taken place.

, Sunday, April 2.

The Brazillian mail has reached Lisbon, bringing the following rates:

, Saturday, March 11.

Exchange 25$1/2$@26$1/4$.

.—Sales of good firsts at 65106. Shipments 100,000 bags. Stock, 100,000 bags. Freights 50162$1/2$.

, Saturday, March 11.

Exchange 26$1/4$.

Cotton nominal.

, Saturday, March 11.

Exchange 26$1/2$@27.

Montivedeo has surrendered to Gen. . The Brazilians now occupy the city.

, Saturday Evening, April 1, 1865.

The Times to-day has an editorial on the amended tariff law of the United States. It says:

"It is impossible to find an excuse for it. Tried by the light of reason or by the results of experience it is alike condemned."

It ironically credits the framers of the scheme with peculiar wisdom in selecting the 1st of April for its inauguration.

The Army & Navy Gazette says: "The work of the United States Navy has now been accomplished, and it must be confessed that in the hands of and  the high reputation which the officers and seamen of that Power established soon after the national existence of itself, has been greatly enhanced."

, Saturday, April 1.

There is no news of importance this morning.

, Friday, March 31—P. M.

The Bourse is steady. The Rentes closed at 67f. 20c.

, April 31.—Evening.

The Market report was recieved per Moravian.

.—The stock of Cotton in port is 580,000 bales by actual count, being 13,000 bales below the estimates, of which amount 48,000 bales are American.

The Manchester market was firmer with an upward tendency.

—The market is easier. Messrs., and others, report: Flour dull and easier. Wheat quiet and quotations are barely maintained; red Western 8s.@8s. 3d. Corn inactive; mixed 27s. 6d.

—The market is downward. , and others report: Beef has a downward tendence. Pork heavy and declined 2s. 6d. Bacon firmer and holders demand an advance. Lard dull and easier at 58s.@61s. Butter flat and declining. Tallow downward.

.—Ashes easier at 28s. 6d. for Pots, and 30s. for Pearls. Sugar, flat. Coffee, quiet and steady. Rice, quiet and steady. Clover Seed, firmer. Jute, 10s.@30s. lower. Cod Oil, quiet at 57s. Sperl Oil, no sales. Linseed Oil, steady. Resin, very dull. Spirits Turpentine, quiet at 66s.@66s.

— report: Petroleum firm, at 1s. 11d.@2s. for refined; no crude in market.

firm; steady. advancing; bars and rails, £6 10s.@£6 15s.; Scotch pig, 52s. 3d. inactive. active at a decline of 1s.@2s. steady at 10$1/2$d. for common Congou. steady. firm at 67s. steady at £18 for crude, 2s. for refined. nominal at £82, downward, at 40s.@43s. flat.

, Saturday, April 1—Evening.

—Sales to-day 6,000 bales, including 2,000 bales to speculators and exporters. The market is less firm but quiet and unchanged.

—The market is quiet and steady.

—The market is dull.

—The market is quiet and steady. Petroleum firm at 2s.@2s. 0$1/2$d. for refined.

, Saturday, April 1—Evening.

closed at 89$7/8$@90. for money.

—Illinois Central Railroad 61$3/4$@62$1/4$; Erie Railroad 36$1/4$@36$3/4$; United States Five-twenties 57$3/4$@58$1/4$.

The Madrid Bolsa says if the Pope should leave Rome, Spain would confer upon him the Balearic Isles.

The Politics says the Pope would rather inhabit the Montpensier Palace at Seville.

  , Friday, April 14.

The Richmond Whig of yesterday contains little of importance. It announces the arrival of Gen. on the night previous.

The Whig publishes the oath of allegiance, which it says citizens will be required to swear and subscribe to. The Provost-Marshal's office is crowded with people anxious to take it, and the only questions among citizens seems to be who shall be first to renew their citizenship.

  , Friday, April 14.

Business was entirely suspended to-day. The city was universally decorated with flags, and great enthusiasm prevailed. The procession was an immense affair, comprising the entire police force, Gens. and, with their staffs, four regiments of National Guards, discharged veterans, ward organisations, the Fenian Brotherhood, the Fire Department, and a large number of colored citizens. All the bells in the city were rung, and salutes were fired at 6 o'clock this evening. To-night the city is brilliantly illuminated, and there is generally a display of fireworks.

  , N.Y., Friday, April 14.

The cabinet warehouse of, of this city, was partially destroyed by fire this morning. The stocks of, stove dealers, , paper dealers, , saddlery and hardware dealers, and the agency of the American Tract Society, were damaged. Total loss, $30,000; insurance, $20,000. The origin of the fire is unknown.

<section end="Fire" /> <section begin="The Funeral of Gen. T. A. Smyth" /> , Del., Friday, April 14.

The remains of Brig.-Gen. arrived here to-day at 1 o'clock, and will be interred on Monday afternoon with appropriate ceremonies.

<section end="The Funeral of Gen. T. A. Smyth" /> <section begin="An Unseaworthy War Steamer" /> To the Editor of the New-York Times: ,, Va., Wednesday, April 12, 1865.

This vessel has returned to this port, having made her fourth attempt to make a cruise to the Pacific. On each occasion she has proved herself to be an unsafe sea boat. On her last trial she narrowly escaped being lost in the Guilf Stream. Inclosed you will find a list of her officers; please publish. Respectfully, &c.

ARTHUR BURTIS, Jr., Paymaster.

List of officers attached to the U.S. steamer Muscoota, one thousand tons, 10 guns:

Commander, Lieut. Thos. S. Spencer, Ass't Paymaster Arthur Burtis, Jr., Ass't Surgeon Danl. McMurtrie, Act'g Master Geo. R. Durand, Act'g Ensigns Robt. M. Clark, Jas. Courtney, John D. Thomas, Chas. A. Stewart, Second Ass't Engineers Robert H. Gunnell, Jas. H. Grasmer, Henry Snyder, Act'g Third Ass't Engineers Robt. L. Case, Geo. Taylor, Geo. Westinghouse, Jr., Masters Fred'k. A. Beatie, A. L. Spinney, Wm. Merrill, Captain's Clerk Geo. S. Dana, Paymasters Clerk P. B. Hathaway.

<section end="An Unseaworthy War Steamer" /> <section begin="Arrivals in the City" />

Gov. Jos. A. Gilmore, Concord, N.H., is stopping at the Fifth-avenue Hotel.

Hon. O. N. Shannon, Cincinnati; Gen. B. P. Stringfellow, Atchison; Dr. N. Greene, Louisville, and Wm. D. Griswold, Terre Haute, are stopping at the Metropolitan Hotel.

<section end="Arrivals in the City" /> <section begin="Collision" />.—The steamship La Favorete, while returning from a trial trip and passing up the East River, collided with the Catherine Ferry-boat Manhassett, as she was entering her slip on the Brooklyn side, doing considerable damage to the Manhassett, by tearing away a portion of the gentlemen's cable, and somewhat injuring the hull. Fortunately nobody was hurt. <section end="Collision" />