Newspaper Page Text
The Savannah Daily Herald
BY 8. W. MASON AND CO.
SAVANNAH, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1£«.
THE ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT
LINCOLN.
Too dreadful to believe without the strong
est evidence, but forcing itself upon us lb
spite of inclination, comes the appalling
news of the assassination of the beloved
President of the United States, and of the
attempted murder of the respected head of
the State Department of the nation. The
whole loyal population mourns, and all those
in rebellion should mourn. The first have
lost a Chief Magistrate elected by their suf
frages, by virtue of rare merits, of honesty,
faithfulness, and unswerving devotion to
the high duties of his responsible office. —
The disloyal class are deprived of a friend
who has always plead their cause, and ex
tended to them such clemency as is rare
among ruler* towards subjects in rebellion.
Mr. Seward has also, more than most Se
cretaries of State, acquired the confidence of
his constituents, for his able and successful
foreign policy, for his ability as the head of a
most important buieau of a powerful nation,
in its most critical emergencies ; and he
should deserve the love as well as the respect
of the rebellious South, for his course towards
them, and his mild counsels in the Cabi
net consultations, which have led to intima
tions from over-zealous loyalists, that he was
improperly conservative and given to an im
politic mercifulness.
The investigation into the causes of this
sad disaster to the whole country, have pro
duced as yet but meagre and unsatisfactory
results. We know not the motive of the
assassins—whether over-weeniDg zeal for
the wicked cause of Rebellion, or some pri
vate hostility incomprehensible to us, or the
strange freaks of insanity. But the weight
of evidence so far taken indicates deliberate
design, and systematic combination. If the
murders were the result of Confederate dic
tation, and are ti part of the policy to be
pursued by a despairing government in re
bellion, as seems to be indicated by the se
lection -of a time when Gen. Grant was
supposed to be exposed to the plot, they will
prove even more destructive to the object
intended than they have been to the murder
ed men themselves. . The desperation of an
excited and indignant victorious army, and
of a people flushed with success, and the
loss to the conspirators of the vciy men
from whose authority and influence they
could expect most mercy, can scarcely fail
to prove ruinous to their hopes and to their
cause.
Unless the moat convincing proof of non
complicity in these desperate deeds can be
shown by the rebel leaders, it will be very
difficult to disconnect this greatest of na
tional afflictions from the original at
tempt to ruin the government, destroy
the nation, and reduce Republicanism to a
vagary. But for the thorough organization
and discipline of our army, and the full
control over it by its Generals, we should
fear imprudent excesses with the first indig
nation excited by tins lamentable occurrence;
but the authority of those true men
whose first duty is the preservation
of order, and the suppression of all
wantonness, with the good sense so no
ticeably prevalent In the service, will, we
are sure,cause all to await the official decision
as to where the responsibility belongs, and
then to rest content with the punishment
which is sure to be meted out..
Aside from the abstract importance of the
calamity, the event will bring especial sad
ness as occurring at a time more than any
other inopportune, when seeds of fraternal
feeling between the North and South were
commencing to germinate, and when many,
who were not regarded as over sanguine,
began to predict a speedy and complete re
conciliation.
Whatever may be the extent of our afflic -
tion-tliat we may be enabled to endure it
with the proper spirit, and that those on
whom the great responsibilities of the Na
tion’s welfare shall fall, Jmay be granted
wisdom adequate to their trust, should be
the prayer of every true patriot, North and
South.
First Provost Court— Yesterday, the 18th
inst., the charge of treason brought against
John Ryan, on the 4th inst., by David R.
Dillon, was finally dismissed, and Mr. Ryan
honorably discharged.
Tub Mails axd Files of Papers from tht
steamship Fulton have not yet arrived, but
probably reach here this morning.
! DREADFUL CALAMITY.
PRESIDENT LINCOLN FATALLY
SHOT BY AN ASSASSIN !
Sect’ry Seward Mortally Stabbed
In his Bed*
Frederick Seward\VoAnded,aud Probably]
Killed.
Evideui Design to Murder QenJ
Grant.
jlfltJlODOlS EXCITEMENT IN THE NOftTH.
PARTICULARS, ©to., eto.
ARRIVAL OF THE FULTON AT HILTON
HEAD.
New York Dates to tlx© IS tlx.
UNCIAL BUM*ATCH 10 THE SAVANNAH DAILY RIBALD.]
Hilton Head, April 18, 1865.
The steamship Fulton arrived here early
this afternoon.
I hasten to inform you of the terrible ca
lamity that has befallen the nation, withhold
ing your other despatches till this get3
through.
War Department,")
Washington, April 15, 1.30 A. M. >
Maj. General Dix New York :
Thi9 evening at about 9.30 p. m.,at Ford’s
Theatre, the President while sitting in his
private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Mrs. Harris
and Maj. Rathbum, was shot by an assassinwho
suddenly entered the box and approached
behind the President. The assassin then
leaped upon the stage brandishing a large
dagger or knife, and made his escape in the
rear of the Theatre.
The pistol ball entered the back of the
President’s head and penetrated nearly thro’
the head. The wound is mortal, The Pres
ident has been insensible ever since it was
inflicted, and is now dying. About
the same hour an assassin, whether
the same or not, entered Mr. Seward’s apart
ment, and, under pretence of having a pre
scription, wa9 shown to the Secretary’s sick
chamber. The assassin immediately rushed
to the bed, and inflicted two or tlfree 9tabs
on the throat and two on the face.
It is hoped that the wounds may not
be mortal. My apprehension is that they
will prove fatal. The nurse alarmed Mr.
Frederick Seward, who was In an adjoining
room, and he hastened to the door of his fa
ther’s room, where he met the assassin, who
inflicted upon him one or more dangerous
wounds. The recovery of Frederick Seward
is doubtful. j
It is not probable that the President will
live through the night. j
Gen. Grant and wife were advertised to be
[at the theatre this evening, but he started to
[Burlington at six o’clockjtkis evening. At a
[cabinet meeting at which Gen. Grant was
[present, the subject of the State of the coun
try and the prospect of a speedy peace, were
[discussed. The President wa9 very
[ckeerfttl and hopeful, and spoke very kindly
lof Gen. Lee and others of the Confederacy,
and of the establishment of Government in
Virginia. All the members of the Cabinet
except Mr. Seward are now in attendance
[upon the President. I have seen Mr. Sew
[ard, but he and Frederick were both uncon-
Icious.
I [Signed] Edwin M. Stanton,
I Secretary of War.
H 3 o’clock, a it.
1 There is up to this time no material change
■in the President’s condition.
I THE PRESS DESPATCH.
| Washington, April 15—2:12.
U The President is still alive, but he is grow-
Hiug weaker. The ball is lodged in his brain
■three inches from where it entered the skull.
■He remains insensible, and his condition is
■utterly hopeless. The Vice President has
■been to see him, but all company, except the
■members of the Cabinet and of the family, is
■rigidly excluded.
j Large crowds still continue iu the street, as
■near the house as the line of guards allow.
SECRETARY STANTON’S LATEST DESPATCH TO
GEN. DIX.
War Department, >
Washington, April 15, v 3 a. m.)
Major General Drx, New York:
The President still breathes, but is quite
insensible, as he has been ever since he
was shot. He evidently did not see the per
son who shot him, but was looking on the
stage, as he was approached from behind.
Mr. Seward has rallied, and it is hoped he mayl
live. Fred. Seward’s condition is very critical, J
[the attendant who was present was shot
through the lungs and is not expected to
live. The wounds of Major Seward are not
serious. Investigation strongly indicates J.
Wilkes Booth as the assassin of the Presi
dent.
Whether it was the same of a different per
son that attempted to muriler Mr. Seward
[remains £doubt.
| Chief Justice Carlter is engaged in taking
[the evidence. Every exertion has been made
to prevent the escape of the murderer. His
horse has been found on the road near Wash
ington. Edwin M. Stanton,
Secretary of War.
DEATH OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN
Flags at Hilton Head Flying at
Half-Mast.
Hilton Head, April 18.
Flags are all flying at hall-mast here. The
last news is as follows:
The President breathed his last at 7 1-2
o’clock, a. m., on the 16th lust. There was
a report at the sailing of the Fulton, att 11
o’clock, a. m., that the assassin had been
captured.
Tiie Latest.
The latest despatch we have with regard
to thi9 terrible catastrophe is to the effect that
4 the President died at 22 minutes pa9t 7
o’clock on the morning of Saturday last, the
16th.”
Preparations were being made for the fu
neral on a scale which should, so far as such
sad ceremonies may, testify the heartfelt
grief of a weeping nation.
THE ASSASSINS.
fSpecial Despatch to the Savannah Herald.]
Hilton Head, April 18th.
Booth shot the President; another person
made the attack on Mr. Seward—neither are
arrested yet.
The feeling at the North is of course very
intense and universal sorrow overshadows
the land.
By the intelligent friends of the South,jin
the Northern cities, the event is deplored as
being even a greater calamity to the Confed
erate cause, than to the Unionists.
Though, it is said, that at last accounts,
not one of the assassins had as yet been ar
rested, yet the Police and the citizens were
so instantaneousiy on the alert that every
avenue of escape had been closed, and it
only remained to institute a thorough search
of the city to secure the criminals.
Even when they are firmly secured, their
capture will probably not be immediately
made known, until the prisoners are safely
bestowed in some secure Fortress or Prison,
where they may be protected from the fury
of the mob.
*
THE NEWS OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN’S D£ATH
| How It Was Received.
Good Behavior of the Soldiers.
In the United States army there is scarcely
an officer or a soldier who did not love Presi
dent Lincoln—who does not feel a thrill of
not only sorrow’, but of horror, at the dread
ful death of their commander-in-chief. WheD
the telegrams first reached here a manifest
excitement was prevalent. The news spread
like wildfire, but, with characteristic pru
dence, the troops waited for the official ac
counts. Gen. Grover wisely requested the
papers to withhold the information until this
morfcing, and in consequence, with, also, the
consideration of proper respect to the
lamented dead, neither the Herald or Re
publican issued extras, as is customary. In
the meantime every precaution necessary
was taken to prevent any improper demon
strations, and the city was as quiet as at any
time, although every soldier and every citi
zen, every Southron and every Yankee, every
man and every woman, manifested the great
est interest in learning the facts, and the
greatest earnestness in discussing the subject.
We feel confident that we can assure the
citizens of Savannah against any impropei
manifestions of their'iudignation, so over
whelmed with grief 89 it is, by soldiers oi
civilians; while at the same time we cannol
fail to concur in the great retribution whicl
is faithfully promised and threatened againsl
the real authors of this atrocious crime.
For the Savannah Daily Herald.
Rev. S. W. Magill, of the American Mis
sionary Association, has been appointed bj
Gen. Saxton Superintendent of Schools foi
the Freedmen in Eastern Georgia, embracing
the citv of Savannah and vicinity.
Mr. M. with the aid of eight young ladiet
from the North, has now iu operation, in this
city, schools numbering some 600 childrer
and youth, and 200 women : and he proposes
to greatly enlarge the number of both teach
ers and pupils in the early fall; and to ex
tend his system of schools into the country
on both the mainland and the islands, so as tc
meet as far as possible the desire for educa
tion which prevails so remarkably among the
Freedmen. It would seem that none who
I are at all imbued with the sentiment of hu
manity or religion could fail to be interested
in a work of such obvious benevolence and
and fundamental importance.
Johnston’sArmyßetreating Sonth
ward.
JEFF. DAVIS AT BANVZUS
HIB I.ABT APPEAL.
North Carolina Officially Advised to Submit.
Two of Lee’s Generals Refuse to
I Surrender.
&e., Ac., Ac.
fSPECIAL DISPATCH VIA HILTON HEAD.]
New York, April-15.
General Johnston is reported to have re
treated Southward toward South Carolina.
On hearing of the surrender of Lee’s Army,
I have hastened to send you further news
and stop your private despatches sent from
New York which arc not important.
Jefferson Davis was at last accounts at
Danville. Hi3 latest appeal to his deluded
followers has been heard from. He attempts
to persuade them that the fall of Richmond
is “a blessing iu disguise,” as it leaves the
Rebel armies free to move from point to point.
He solemnly promises to hold Virginia at all
hazards. Lee and his army were supposed
to be safe.
•Breckenridge and the rest of the Confed
erate Cabinet, reached Danville in safety.
The organ of Governor Vance of North
Carolina advises the submission of the Rebels
to President Lincoln’s terms
The army of Gen. Grant is taking position
along the Southside Railroad.
Gen. Lee is in Richmond. Rosser and
Fitzhugli Lee refuse to be surrendered by
Gen. Lee.
Sherman had commenced his movement
on the 9th inst.
Johnston’s army was somewhere west
of Raleigh, his cavalry only holding the
place. He is reported to be endeavoring to
form a junction with Lee.
The Ram Albemarle had been raised and
was in good condition.
Murfreesboro N. C. had been occupied by
our fleet.
Recruiting and Drafting Discon
tinued in Yew York.
CIRCULAR NO. 47.
New York, April 14, 1865.
In compliance with instructions received
from the Bureau of the Provost Marshal
General of the United States,[the business of
recruiting and draftiug will be discontinued
in the district until further orders.
By'order of
Brevet Lt. Col. Richard Dodge.
THE SURRENDER 'OF LEE.
Interesting Resume of Grant’s
Grand Par suit.
[DESPATCH FBOM OCR special hew yoke cobbespondent.
New York, April 15th.
The following is a comprehensive digest of
Grant’s grand pursuit, which resulted in the
defeat and surrender of Lee and his whole
army, after the latter’s retreat from Peters
burg and Richmond. The purpose of Gen.
Grant in striking Lee from the south was to
push him northward, so that whatever part
of the rebel army got away from Richmond
diverged more and more from its true base,
and away from its reinforcements. The suc
cess of this strategy was announced in de
spatches on Monday, the 3d of April, when
we were told that Lee had been forced north
of the Appomattox, along the northern bank
of which stream lay his only line of retreat.
Our troops followed him along the southern
bank, but the course of the Appomattox i9
from northwest to southeast, and the further
Lee fled, the farther north he found himself.
Grant did not lose one hour, but sent Sheri
dan’s cavalry in pursuit of the . flying foe
without delay. Lee crossed the river near
Appomattox Station, and there concentrated
his scattered forces and got the remain* of
his army in hanp.
While the enemy were thus forced to a
circuitous route, Sheridan, with his cavalry
and the Fifth Corps, led the advance in pur
suit by way of the Mamosin and Deep Creek
road, a nearly straight line to a point on the
Richmond and Danville R. R., two or three
miles southwest of and below Jettersville.
Tired, worn and hungry, our brave troops
marched sixteen miles the first day, Monday,
April 3d, and by 4 in the p. m. of the second
day, Tuesday, they had marched twenty
miles more, and lay at their appointed place
upon the Danville. Lee’s retreat was by
this time fatally compromised. In the pur
suit our cavalry continually skirmished with
and chased the enemy’s, which Lee had left
upon this lower line to retard our pursuit
and to drive up stragglers. Lee’s cavalry
was, however, of small account, and oui
losses in the pursuit were small; The roads
were everywhere littered with arms, caissons
and other material of war. Our cavalry
joined the Fifth Corps near Jettersville dur
ing the night of the 4th, and preparations
were made to meet Lee’s lame body
Meantime on the Bd, (Wednesday) a train
of 300 wagons with five cannon and a thou
sand men, which had been cut off by these
operations, was captured without a blow be
ing struck. The 24th Corps meantime had
marched out along the line of the Petersburg
I and Lynchburg Railroad, some 10 miles
south of the road, followed by the Cavalry
and Fifth Corps. Gen. Grant accompanied
the 24th Corps, which reached Wilson’s Bta
tion Tuesday evening ; Black and Whites on
Wednesday a. m. ; and Notoway C. H. about
8 miles from Burkes Station during the early
afternoon of Wednesday. A. F. L *
EUBQPEAJf TVF.yyQ^
TWO DATS LATER BY THE EtfROPA.
The insult to our Cruisers By Portugal.
New York, April lsth
The American Minister at Lisbon has de
manded satisfaction and requests the dismis
sal of the commander of Foit Belan.
The Niagara and Sacramento had gone
to sea lying in wait for the Confederate ram
Two English failures for one million sterling
are reported. 6
OTHER NEWS FROM THE NORTH.
New York, 15xh.
Monas.
A fierce bombardment of Spanish Fort is
reported. Two iron-clads are said to hare
been blown up.
WASHINGTON.
The Cabinet had been in session on the re
construction question. The passes to the
Virginia rebel leaders were revoked| by the
President. General Weitzel has been re
lieved from command in Richmond.
gOOKS ! BOOKS 1 1 BOOKS!! I
SCHOOL AND CHILDRENS’ TOY BOOKS,
PRIMERS,
SPELLERS,
READERS,
ARITHMETICS.
GRAMMARS,
ALGEBRA?,
HISTORIES,
GEOGRAPHIES,
SPEAKERS,
FRENCH BOOKS,
LATIN BOOKS,
RELIGIOUS WORKS,
COPY BOOKS,
TOY BOOKS*
PRAYER BOOKS,
HYMN BOOKS.
ENVELOPES,
SLATES AND PENCILS,
PAPER,
PENS, (GillotM 80S,)
LEAD PENCILS, 4
INK,
POCKET MAPS,
VISITING cards;
a
POCKET INKSTANDS.
MUCILAGE.
CARMINE INK.
NEW MUSIC,
AT
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BOOK AND MUSIC STORE,
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apt 9 ts
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lorSree®'witttaS ’* econdeastof Prlce > «» Tfl r*
timin'; 01 * ,io " bi '
an r i9 2 ‘ d - T - THOMAS, Broker,
p No. 117 Bay atreet.
gWEATNAM’S VARIETIES. *
(Formerly St. Andrew’* Hall.)
»w*ATNAjiAw>7nnuw Leasee* and Manager*
OPEN EVERY NIQHTt
SINGING,
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drama.
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