The Nations Honor Is Saved, But Alas Our Chief Is Gone

At the end of April 1865 and into May, Philip is relieved at the capture and death of John Wilkes Booth and he is looking forward to the day he can go home as the armies gather and prepare for the Grand Review. Philip is obviously still greatly affected by the loss of Abraham Lincoln as he describes the first day of the Grand Review on May 22^nd.

On Wednesday, April 26^th, detectives and Union soldiers of the 16th New York Cavalry arrived at the Richard Garrett farm located near Port Royal Virginia after receiving a tip that John Wilkes Booth was sheltering there. As the soldiers were roughing up Richard, his son ran over and told the soldiers that Booth and co-conspirator David Herold were in the tobacco barn. When the fugitives refused to come out, the soldiers set fire to the barn. Herold surrendered and Booth was shot in the neck while attempting to put out the flames. He was pulled to the farmhouse where he later died.

Philip reports that the disposition of Booth’s body is unknown. The official account is that following an autopsy, Booth’s body was buried beneath the dirt floor of a storage room at the Washington Arsenal. In 1867, the storage building over Booth’s grave was to be demolished. Booth’s body was exhumed and reinterred at another warehouse at the arsenal alongside the bodies of his four co-conspirators. In 1869, permission was granted to move Booth’s body for final burial at Green Mount Cemetery in Baltimore, Maryland. Booth’s brother, Edwin, accompanied the body to an undertaker in Baltimore where the body was positively identified before the final burial at the family plot.

In May 10, 1865, President Johnson declared that the armed resistance was “virtually at an end”, although the final land battle would not be fought until May 13^th in Texas. Johnson also made plans for a formal review to honor the troops and to help change the mood in Washington, D.C which was still mourning the loss of President Lincoln. The Grand Review of the Armies was scheduled for May 23 – May 24, 1865. Although, Philip’s states that the review is to take place on the 22^nd and 23^rd.

The Grand Review of 1865

Source: The Warfare History Network

Sources:

National Park Service: The Assassin’s Escape

American Funeral Director: The Burials of John Wilkes Booth

____________

APRIL 30^TH

There has been much news here during the week. The rebel General Johnson (Joseph E. Johnston) surrendered his command to General Sherman on the 26^th just in the same terms that was accorded to Lee. The murderer Booth was caught in the swamp of Virginia near Rappahannock River in Garrets farm. He was shot through the neck before he was taken and died in a few hours afterwards. His body was brought to Washington by Colonel Baker, Chief Detective of the United States. What was done with it will never be known. The night of the 27^th of April, two men with a small row boat was seen at the Navy Yard. They took the body out in the darkness, never to be looked upon again by any human being.

We was mustered this PM, April 30^th, by Colonel Whistler. There has been an order from the war department to discharge all soldiers in hospital or on furlough. I think that we will soon follow.

MAY 31^ST, 1865

(Philip definitely wrote May 31^st but I assume Philip meant April 31^st because his later entries are dated May. He possibly added the date at a later time and wrote the wrong month).

There has been a great deal of work been done during the month. General Mead’s headquarters arrived and camped near Fort Craig. On the 6^th, the Army of the Potomac came.... The Army of Georgia came shortly after, General W.T. Sherman commanding and camped in the vicinity of Alexandria. Seen many old acquaintances in the army. The men are preparing for the grand review which is to take place on the 22^nd and 23^rd …by the President and General Grant.

MAY 20^TH

Nothing of much importance has transpired since the army came here. The men are very anxious to get home. The discharge of troops will take place immediately after the review. There has been nothing decided upon regarding the discharge of veterans.

MAY 22^ND

The Army of the Potomac was reviewed this day by President Johnson, Generals Grant, Mead, Hancock, Sheridan and diplomatic corps, the Cabinet and other persons of note. The soldiers all looked well as they marched through the streets of Washington with their tattered and war-worn colors born proudly aloft. Their uniforms were in rags which plainly told the history of themselves. A look in the face of proud and victorious men which seemed to say our work is now done and well done at that. The nations honor is saved, but alas our Chief is gone. Oh had the noble Lincoln been spared to witness this scene. How his noble heart would have swelled with gratitude toward those battle scarred veterans, they have so nobly battled for our country…rights. But alas, that could not be. He who we loved so well is gone today. His weary form to rest with the good. Lincoln is dead but his spirit is still with us and watches over us with the care of a parent that loves his children.