Blood on the Moon

1. Lincoln's Assassination: A Tragedy Rooted in Slavery and Sectionalism

The underpinning of the plot to assassinate Lincoln was the institution of slavery.

Abolition as a catalyst. The assassination of Abraham Lincoln was not an isolated event but the culmination of decades of escalating tensions surrounding slavery. Lincoln's election in 1860, fueled by his anti-slavery stance, triggered the secession of Southern states, setting the stage for the Civil War and ultimately, his murder.

Sectional divide. The nation was deeply divided, with many in the South viewing Lincoln as a tyrant threatening their way of life. This sentiment fueled hatred and created an environment where assassination was seen by some as a justifiable act of tyrannicide. The institution of slavery was not just an economic system, but a cultural and social cornerstone for the South, and Lincoln's policies directly threatened its existence.

A long and dangerous course. The seeds of Lincoln's assassination were sown with the first arrival of enslaved Africans in the Americas. The shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery set the nation on a perilous path, culminating in the violent act that forever altered the course of American history.

2. The Confederacy's Escalating Black Flag Warfare

The effect of the raid removed whatever restraints had existed on “black flag warfare.”

From capture to assassination. Initially, Confederate plans focused on capturing Lincoln to use as a bargaining chip. However, the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren raid, with its alleged orders to kill Jefferson Davis and burn Richmond, shifted the conflict into "black flag warfare," where civilian leaders became legitimate targets.

Retaliation and justification. Confederate leaders felt Lincoln had violated the civilized laws of war, justifying retaliatory actions. This shift in mindset, combined with the Emancipation Proclamation, which was seen as inciting slave rebellion, created a climate where Lincoln's assassination became a conceivable act of war.

Biological warfare. The Confederacy even explored the use of biological warfare, with Dr. Luke Pryor Blackburn's plot to spread yellow fever in the North. This further illustrates the Confederacy's descent into desperate measures and the erosion of moral constraints during the later stages of the war.

3. John Wilkes Booth: From Celebrated Actor to Assassin

This country was formed for the white not for the black man.

A star consumed by passion. John Wilkes Booth was a celebrated actor from a famous theatrical family, but his passion for the Confederacy and hatred of Lincoln overshadowed his artistic pursuits. He was a white supremacist who viewed Lincoln's emancipation policies as a threat to the Southern way of life.

Early influences. Booth's upbringing in a pro-Southern household, coupled with his exposure to racial prejudice and the violence surrounding the slavery issue, shaped his worldview. The Christiana Riot, where a schoolboy friend's father was killed while trying to recapture runaway slaves, deeply affected him.

A fateful decision. By 1864, Booth's acting career was waning, and his political fervor was intensifying. He saw Lincoln as a tyrant and believed that his assassination was necessary to save the South. This conviction led him down a path of conspiracy and ultimately, to his act of murder.

4. The Conspiracy Unfolds: Recruitment and Shifting Motives

The South wants justice, has waited for it long. She will wait no longer.

Assembling the team. Booth recruited a group of co-conspirators, including Samuel Arnold, Michael O'Laughlen, and later, Lewis Powell and George Atzerodt. These men shared Booth's Confederate sympathies and were willing to participate in a plot to capture Lincoln.

The key connection. Dr. Samuel Mudd played a crucial role in connecting Booth to the Confederate underground in southern Maryland. Mudd's network provided Booth with safe houses, supplies, and guides for his planned escape.

From capture to assassination. The initial plan was to kidnap Lincoln and exchange him for Confederate prisoners. However, as the Confederacy's fortunes declined, Booth's motives shifted towards assassination, believing it would create chaos and give the South a chance to regroup.

5. Ford's Theatre: The Stage for a Nation's Grief

At approximately twenty minutes past ten o’clock on that fateful night of April 14, 1865, the famous actor John Wilkes Booth entered the box above you and fired a bullet from a small derringer pistol into the brain of Abraham Lincoln.

A night of celebration turned to tragedy. Ford's Theatre, a popular venue for Lincoln, became the site of his assassination. The lack of security and Booth's familiarity with the theater allowed him easy access to the presidential box.

The fatal shot. During a performance of "Our American Cousin," Booth entered the box and shot Lincoln in the back of the head. He then leaped onto the stage, shouting "Sic semper tyrannis!" before fleeing.

A nation mourns. Lincoln was carried to a nearby house, where he died the following morning. His death plunged the nation into grief, with millions mourning the loss of their leader.

6. The Manhunt: Desperation and Capture

I struck boldly and not as the papers say. I walked with a firm step through a thousand of his friends, was stopped, but pushed on.

Escape and pursuit. Booth and Herold fled Washington, relying on the Confederate underground for assistance. They sought refuge at Dr. Mudd's house, where Booth's broken leg was treated.

Betrayal and capture. As the manhunt intensified, Booth and Herold were eventually cornered in a tobacco barn on the Garrett farm in Virginia. Herold surrendered, but Booth refused, and was shot by Union soldier Boston Corbett.

The end of the line. Booth died several hours later, uttering his last words, "Tell Mother I die for my country." His death marked the end of the most intense manhunt in American history.

7. Justice and Remembrance: The Trial and Legacy

Now he belongs to the ages.

Military tribunal. The conspirators were tried by a military commission, a decision that sparked controversy. Critics argued that the trial was unfair and that the defendants should have been tried in civilian courts.

Guilt and punishment. Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold, and George Atzerodt were found guilty and sentenced to death by hanging. Samuel Mudd, Samuel Arnold, and Michael O'Laughlen were sentenced to life in prison, while Edman Spangler received a six-year sentence.

A lasting impact. Lincoln's assassination had a profound impact on American history, shaping the course of Reconstruction and leaving a legacy of grief and division. The event continues to fascinate and inspire debate, reminding us of the fragility of democracy and the enduring power of hate.

Last updated: April 14, 2025