ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States, was assassinated by
JOHN WILKES BOOTH on the night of April 14, 1865, at Ford's Theater,
Washington, D. C. This night, fraught with woe to the peoples of two
continents, sombered by its halo of diabolism, must forever remain the
Golgotha of American history.
At the threshold of the temple of peace--the High Priest was stricken
down--and the great heart whose every throb was a pulsation of love for
his country's enemies, was robed in silence. In company with Mrs.
LINCOLN, Miss HARRIS, and Major RATHBONE, Mr. LINCOLN had sought a brief
respite from the iron wheel of State toil, and in the search, through
the medium of the assassin's bullet, found a respite for all time.
Immediately after the fatal shot was fired, and under direction of
Assistant-Surgeons LEALE and TAFT, he was removed to a private house,
and placed upon a couch in a small bedroom. ROBERT LINCOLN, General
TODD, and Dr. TODD, cousins of Mrs. LINCOLN, and other personal friends,
speedily arrived. His family physician, Dr. STONE, and Surgeon-General
BARNES, accompanied by Asst.-Surgeon General CRANE, were in early
attendance, and later he was visited by Drs. HALL and LIEBERMANN, and
other eminent physicians, all of whom agreed that the wound was unto
death. The bullet had entered the back of his head, and lodged behind
the right eye.
Mr. LINCOLN was visited during the night by Vice-President JOHNSON and
the entire cabinet, except Mr. SEWARD, including Secretaries MCCULLOCH,
STANTON, WELLES, and USHER. Postmaster-General DENNISON, and
Attorney-General SPEED, together with Asst.-Secretaries FIELD, ECKERT,
and OTTO. There were also present Speaker COLFAX, Chief-Justice CARTTER,
Senator WILSON, Representatives FARNSWORTH, ARNOLD, MARSTON, and
ROLLINS, Governor OGLESBY, accompanied by Adjutant-General HAYNIE, Major
HAY, Generals AUGER, MEIGS, and HALLECK, Ex-Governor FARWELL, Rev. Dr.
GURLEY, and Commissioner FRENCH, Colonels VINCENT PELOUZE and
RUTHERFORD, and Major ROCKWELL. Early in the night Mrs. LINCOLN sent for
Mrs. Senator DIXON, who was accompanied by her sister and niece, Mrs.
KINNEY and daughter. There were also a few others present during the
night, but never more than half of those represented on the painting at
any one time.
By the publicity of the assassination it was soon known throughout the
city, and thousands crowded the avenues leading to the house where the
President lay.
The news of this tragic event flashed with the speed of lightning
throughout the land. From Maine to California consternation reigned, and
feelings of surprise and grief were depicted on every face. The great
man now martyred had for more than four years held the highest place in
the gift of the American people, and on him their hopes had centered.
The designer of the painting of
"THE LAST HOURS OF LINCOLN,"
JNO. B. BACHELDER, arrived in Washington on the night of his death, and
being impressed with the historic importance of the event, at once
determined to collect such materials as should be necessary for an
historical picture commemorating that sad scene, and should the demand
warrant it, to publishing a steel-plate engraving from it. The design
for the painting was soon completed, and arrangements having been made
with BRADY & CO., Photographers, as soon as the remains of the President
left the city each of the persons represented were visited, and at their
convenience were _posed_ and photographed in the position which they now
occupy in the painting. It being important that the best possible
original should be had for the engraver's use, the design was placed in
the hands of ALONZO CHAPEL, Esq., the historical painter, to whose
genius the painting is to be credited. Much of its completeness is due
to the kindness and attention of the persons represented; as all
cheerfully gave their time for frequent sittings, both to the designer
and painter.
No expense has been spared to produce a work worthy the scene it
represents, and the high encomiums given it by eminent judges is the
best proof of the result.
To publish any thing now short of a first-class copy of such a painting
would be a breach of confidence to those who have so kindly aided in its
production. The proprietor has therefore decided to have this picture
engraved in the finest style of line and stipple, the engraved surface
of the plate to be 18 x 31 inches; believing that nothing short of a
_genuine work of art_ will meet the approval, and secure the patronage
of the American people, and to those interested the proprietor can most
confidently promise a suitable memento of their departed chief.
The engraving is being executed by H. B. HALL, Jr., Esq., the eminent
engraver upon steel.
PRICE OF ENGRAVINGS.--PRINTS, =$15.00=; PLAIN PROOFS, =$35.00=; INDIA
PROOFS, =$60.00=; ARTIST'S PROOFS (limited to 200 copies which will be
numbered and signed by the artist and engraver), =$100.00=.
A beautiful engraved and photographic _Key_ to the Engraving will be
presented to the subscribers. It is a complete picture of itself, and
may be had in advance _by subscribers only_.
JOHN B. BACHELDER, PUBLISHER, _59 Beekman Street. New York_.
[Illustration: The Last Hours of Lincoln