A Civil War Veteran’s Account of Lincoln’s Assassination

A Civil War Veteran’s Account of Lincoln’s Assassination

In the annals of American history, few events have left such a profound mark on the national consciousness as the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. On April 14, 1865, just days after the end of the Civil War, Lincoln was shot and killed by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. The nation was plunged into mourning, and the assassination remains a pivotal moment in American history.

One of the most poignant accounts of Lincoln’s assassination comes from Julius Franklin Howell, a Civil War veteran who was just 19 years old when the tragedy occurred. In 1947, when Howell was 101 years old, he was interviewed by the Library of Congress and recounted his experience hearing about the assassination. The recording, which has been remastered for clarity, provides a unique and deeply personal perspective on this pivotal event.

Howell, a Confederate soldier, was imprisoned in a Union camp in Maryland when he learned of Lincoln’s death. In the recording, he describes the shock and disbelief that swept through the camp when the news arrived. He remembers the somber mood that settled over the soldiers, many of whom had been fighting for the cause that Lincoln represented.

“I was in a Union prison camp in Maryland when we heard the news,” Howell says in the recording. “The guards came in and told us that President Lincoln had been shot. We couldn’t believe it. Everyone was in shock. We all knew that Lincoln was a great man, a man of peace, and we couldn’t understand why anyone would want to kill him.”

Howell’s account highlights the deep impact that Lincoln’s assassination had on both sides of the Civil War. Even in the midst of conflict and animosity, Lincoln was seen as a symbol of hope and unity. His death was a profound loss for the nation, regardless of one’s political beliefs.

In the years since Lincoln’s assassination, countless books, films, and documentaries have been made about the event. However, few accounts are as personal and moving as Howell’s. His firsthand experience, recounted from the perspective of a young man who lived through this pivotal moment in American history, provides a powerful reminder of the lasting impact of Lincoln’s assassination.

The Library of Congress recording of Julius Franklin Howell’s account is a valuable historical artifact. It offers a glimpse into the immediate aftermath of Lincoln’s assassination, as seen through the eyes of a young man who was deeply affected by the tragedy. Howell’s story is a testament to the power of personal narratives to illuminate history and connect us to the past.

Further Resources

• Library of Congress: https://www.loc.gov/
• The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum: https://www.alplm.org/