Chasing Lincoln's Killer

Booth and his conspirators plan to kidnap Lincoln.

The Civil War ends with General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at the Appomattox courthouse.

Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth at Ford’s Theater, and Secretary of State Edward Stanton is wounded at his home by Booth’s co-conspirator Lewis Powell.

Booth and Herold arrive at the house of Dr. Samuel Mudd. In the early hours, Lincoln is pronounced officially dead. Later that day, the conspirators depart Mudd’s home and proceed toward the Potomac River.

Easter Sunday, this day is declared a national day of mourning.

The manhunt makes headway, as Lewis Powell is arrested as well as Michael O’Laughlen, Edman Spangler, Samuel Arnold, and Mary Surratt.

Lincoln’s funeral takes place.

George Atzerodt is captured in Maryland. To speed the hunt, Secretary of State Edwin Stanton issues a $100,000 reward.

Abraham Lincoln’s funeral train begins a twelve-day tour around the country.

With the help of Thomas Jones, the fugitives cross the Potomac. Soon thereafter, they meet up with sympathetic Confederate soldiers. The same day, Mudd is arrested by manhunters who suspect his close association with Booth.

The manhunters catch up with Booth and Herold at the Garrett farm. Herold is captured, but Booth is shot by Sergeant Boston Corbett.

The trial for the conspirators takes place. Eight are convicted: four are condemned to execution, while the others are sent to a prison on the Dry Tortugas.

The executions of Herold, Mary Surratt, Powell, and Atzerodt take place.