The Hour of Peril

[Joe Di Cola]

(02-06-2013 07:24 PM)L Verge Wrote:  The other day, I mentioned a new book about the 1861 Baltimore Plot to assassinate Lincoln. Entitled The Hour of Peril: The Secret Plot to Murder Lincoln Before the Civil War, my copy arrived today. The author is Daniel Stashower, and it looks quite good with my cursory skimming.

It is based, it appears, on the Pinkerton version of the plot and the maneuvering to save the President. As some of you know, Ward Hill Lamon refuted Pinkerton's claims; and this has led to disagreement among some historians as to whether or not the Baltimore Plot even existed, or if it did, how well-organized it was.

I like one of the ending sentences in the book: In Lamon's manuscript, he writes, "There was never an hour from the time he entered Washington on the 23rd of February, 1861, to the 15th of April, 1865, that he [Lincoln] was not in danger of his life from violence...."

Lamon's daughter, Dorothy, later made a small, but telling, alteration: "It is now an acknowledged fact that there never was a moment from the day he [Lincoln] crossed the Maryland line, up to the time of his assassination, that he was not in danger of death by violence..."

I now have to find the time to read the book in its entirety. If someone beats me to it, please give a book report.

Laurie,

I saw the book advertised in the NY Times Book Review last Sunday. Before I purchase it, I would most welcome your remarks on the book since I value and trust your judgment.

Joe