[BOOTH, John Wilkes (1838-1865)]. Nashville Daily Press Extra. 27 April 1865.

Single broadsheet; 13 x 8 1/4 in. (330 x 209 mm). Printed newspaper extra in two columns, headed "J. Wilkes Booth Shot & Killed. Harrold (sic) Captured", announcing the death of John Wilkes Booth and the apprehension of his co-conspirator, David Herold. Creasing; scattered spotting; small chips to edges.

The official War Department report from Edwin Stanton reproduced here reads, "J. Wilkes Booth, and Harrold's men were chased from the swamp in St. Mary's county, Maryland, to Grant's farm, near Port Royal, on the Rappahannock, by Col. Baker's force. The barn in which they took refuge was fired, Booth was shot and killed, and Harrold captured. Booth's body and Harrold are now here."

Also included is coverage of the negotiations between Union General William Tecumseh Sherman and Confederate States Army General Joseph E. Johnston regarding the latter's surrender. Relying on reportage from other Raleigh-based correspondents, the Daily Press details meetings between the two men, including one at which Sherman communicated the assassination of Lincoln "to the rebels, who appeared to have the profoundest regret at the event."

Additionally reported here are the protective measures put in place to ensure the safety of the current president, Andrew Johnson, including the continuance of Lincoln's body guard, a force of about 100 men screening any visitors and remaining near to the president and any building occupied by him.

Provenance:

Louise Taper, Beverly Hills, California

Property from the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Foundation