I thought the flag in question was the Treasury Guards' flag and that it was on a staff???

Jerry's comment about Booth's instinct would be to grab the staff and lower himself gently to the stage is immediately what I thought of also when I read this. The dagger would be in his right hand, so grabbing for the staff would have to be done with his left -- seems awkward, unless he stood on the railing briefly and reached over to the staff.

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If the box is decorated today exactly like it was that night, the photos show the Treasury flag on a staff in the center and a U.S. flag on staff at either end of the two boxes. The limited space in those two boxes called for bunched-up furniture, so getting to either of the end flags would be difficult. The Treasury flag is the likely culprit, either as the tripper or the staff provider. Personally, I have always assumed that Booth placed his left hand on the railing and vaulted over. That would have swung his legs out in close proximity to the Treasury Guard flag and the engraving of Washington.

It depends on where this flag was. In my minds eye, if it was on a staff, it would have had to be hanging between Lincoln's box and the box below. Any higher or lower would have obstructed the view of the patrons. If James Ferguson's account was correct and the flag was stretched out BELOW the others then forget about the pictures of the box after the event. The flags had to be below Lincoln's box. (although I can't imagine what State Flag would be hanging in a Washington DC theater).

I used to think the 'flag' coming down was actually the bunting around the box but if Hawke was actually describing a flag with a staff then I was wrong.

When witnesses say Booth jumped from the front of the box, where is that? Was it just to the right of Mary or the left of Lincoln? Did Rathbone describe exactly where he attacked Booth?

From what I've read, Booth brushed into Mary on his way to the rail and was pulled back by the coat by Rathbone. He was seen to have slashed backwards, put both hands on the rail and jumped over. I put a lot of stock in Ferguson's account because of his vantage point and the fact he was watching the box intently. He stated what he called a "State flag", which had to be the Treasury Guards flag, was hung below those placed on the rails and Booth snagged it as he dropped. I guess he could have snagged it if it was on a staff, but it makes more sense to me that it was strectched open below the others. The Kundhardts also reported this is where it was in Twenty Days. If someone could post Ferguson's account, he makes a good case for the flags location.

It sounds like for the safety of the document- it cant be risked to be loaned out. Interesting to note that one of the Emancipation Proclamation copies went on tour for a brief period a few years ago. Wasnt it just as fragile?

Joe, I had this in my files. I think it comes from what Ferguson told Tanner at the Petersen House.

"I then heard the report of the pistol and saw Mrs. Lincoln catch him around the neck. I saw him throw up his right arm at the same time I saw Booth with his hand in his side and pull a knife and move between Mrs. Lincoln and a lady in the same box. He put his hands in the cushion of the box and threw his feet right over. As he jumped over he pulled part of a state flag off and had part of it under his feet when he fell on the stage. The very moment he struck he exclaimed "Sic Semper Tyrannis." As he came across the stage facing me he looked me right up in the face and it alarmed me and I pulled the lady who was with me down behind the banister. I looked right down at him and he stopped as he said, “I have done it” and shook the knife."

(09-21-2013 09:00 PM)Anita Wrote:  When witnesses say Booth jumped from the front of the box, where is that? Was it just to the right of Mary or the left of Lincoln? Did Rathbone describe exactly where he attacked Booth?

As for Rathbone, was Booth able to see through the spy-hole he had drilled who was in the box with Lincoln? Did he drill it to find that out? Was he able to see Major Rathbone? He just knew the Grants would not be there, but since the Lincolns' mostly found someone to accompany them (instead), Booth must have taken in consideration that he would possibly even face more than one male companion and thus the risk of being restrained.

BTW, is it true O'Laughlen boarded the same train to Philadelphia as the Grants?

Is Ferguson the only one to testify about Mary catching him around the neck? Did Mary ever mention this?

When the play/assassination was re-created for the trial, which of the eyewitness accounts of Booth's attack and jump from the box did did they follow?

IF the flags are displayed today in the same fashion as that night, the Treasury Guard flag was on the same (or slightly higher) level as the two U.S. flags on each end. The engraving of Washington is hung so that the bottom of the frame appears to be supported by the molding that trims the wall that abuts the floorboards inside the box. The Treasury Guard flag is positioned above it at a height where the fringe of the flag is right at the top of the frame. That flag would be hanging so that it would not be readily evident what kind of flag it was - a state one or a governmental one. I seriously doubt that James Ferguson would have known one state flag from another.

I remember reading that Mrs. Lincoln was holding her husband upright in the chair when Dr. Leale arrived, and it would certainly seem that it would be instinctive for a wife and mother to do that. I still hold my right arm out to protect my daughter (age 40) or my grandson (age 13), both of whom are in seatbelts in the front passenger seat when I have to slam on brakes...

When you look at how close Mrs. Lincoln's chair was to her husband's rocker, however, and take into consideration the breadth of her hoops and Clara's in that confined space, it is a wonder that Booth didn't get tangled up in their skirts and get taken down by Rathbone! I'm still trying to figure out which railing Booth went over - the one for Box 7 or the one for Box 8.

There is still a debate as to who drilled the "spy" hole. I think most historians believe Booth did it earlier in the day. I don't think he really cared who else was in the box once he learned Grant had left town. I also believe that, at that point, he was in such a fever pitch that a suma wrestler would not have deterred him from his mission.

As for who was thought to be on Grant's train, it was rumored at first to be Surratt, but no one ever panned out. There is a theory that O'Laughlen was seen at Stanton's house.

I have never seen a description of the re-enactment of the play done for the trial. Does one exist?

(09-22-2013 01:24 PM)Eva Elisabeth Wrote:  

(09-21-2013 09:00 PM)Anita Wrote:  When witnesses say Booth jumped from the front of the box, where is that? Was it just to the right of Mary or the left of Lincoln? Did Rathbone describe exactly where he attacked Booth?

As for Rathbone, was Booth able to see through the spy-hole he had drilled who was in the box with Lincoln? Did he drill it to find that out? Was he able to see Major Rathbone? He just knew the Grants would not be there, but since the Lincolns' mostly found someone to accompany them (instead), Booth must have taken in consideration that he would possibly even face more than one male companion and thus the risk of being restrained.

BTW, is it true O'Laughlen boarded the same train to Philadelphia as the Grants?

Eva, it's not known for sure who put the hole in the door but Booth would have used it to his advantage. There are a number of accounts. Rathbone's testimony says door 8 was open the entire time. http://boothiebarn.com/2012/06/10/though...-rathbone/

Booth had planned to shoot Lincoln and stab Grant. He depended on surprise and his ability to do the job before others had a chance to react. His ego was great and he was determined. I don't think he entertained failure.

I believe O'Laughlen boarded the same train the Grants took to Philadelphia but the Grants had a private locked car so no attack took place. Others on this forum know more about this than me.

I believe Ford had the hole drilled for the guard well before the night of the assassination.
I also believe the man on Grant's train was Donelson.

(09-22-2013 03:13 PM)L Verge Wrote:  There is a theory that O'Laughlen was seen at Stanton's house.

I think the prosecution tried to show O'Laughlen was after Grant, but the incident actually happened at Stanton's house. On the night of April 13 the Stantons were having a reception, and Grant was present. Twice during the reception a "mysterious man" alleged to be O'Laughlen showed up at the door and was denied entrance both times. One time he said he wanted to see Stanton and the other time to see Grant. I don't think the prosecution's effort to show the mystery man was O'Laughlen worked. Also, Grant may not even have still been there when the mystery man arrived. He left the reception early and departed for the White House to see the Grand Illumination with Mary Lincoln.

Anita, I have never read that O'Laughlen was on the train with the Grants. Do you possibly recall where you saw that? I would like to check that out. Many thanks.

(09-22-2013 03:13 PM)L Verge Wrote:  I also believe that, at that point, he was in such a fever pitch that a suma wrestler would not have deterred him from his mission.

I don't doubt that, although I'm just trying to imagine this scene. I just wanted to figure out how prepared he was.

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(09-23-2013 04:13 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Anita, I have never read that O'Laughlen was on the train with the Grants. Do you recall where you read that? I would like to check that out. Many thanks.

Roger, I've brought this up (but maybe Anita has another source). I read this:

"There is evidence to suggest that either Booth or his fellow conspirator Michael O'Laughlen, who looked similar, followed Grant and his wife Julia to Union Station late that afternoon and discovered that Grant would not be at the theater that night. Apparently, O'Laughlen boarded the same train the Grants took to Philadelphia in order to kill Grant. An alleged attack during the evening took place; however, the assailant was unsuccessful since the private car that the Grants were riding in had been locked and guarded by porters.[21]"
here:
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassina...am_Lincoln

and the source [21] given is: Mc Feely (2002), Grant: A biography, pp.224-225.

(09-22-2013 09:04 PM)JMadonna Wrote:  I believe Ford had the hole drilled for the guard well before the night of the assassination.

I've also read this. Ford's son Frank in his letter, said his father drilled the hole so the President's guard could see Lincoln without disturbing him.

What I find strange is Lincoln went to Ford's theater nine times prior to April 14. He was there on Dec. 19, 1864. None of the guards who accompanied him at those times verified there was a hole was there to monitor the President.

So why was the hole only put there for this performance? Was it Ford's idea or could it have been suggested to Ford by an employee and Ford drilled it himself, or he gave the okay thinking it a good idea? That way the hole could be drilled without without causing suspicion?

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(09-23-2013 04:13 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(09-22-2013 03:13 PM)L Verge Wrote:  There is a theory that O'Laughlen was seen at Stanton's house.

I think the prosecution tried to show O'Laughlen was after Grant, but the incident actually happened at Stanton's house. On the night of April 13 the Stantons were having a reception, and Grant was present. Twice during the reception a "mysterious man" alleged to be O'Laughlen showed up at the door and was denied entrance both times. One time he said he wanted to see Stanton and the other time to see Grant. I don't think the prosecution's effort to show the mystery man was O'Laughlen worked. Also, Grant may not even have still been there when the mystery man arrived. He left the reception early and departed for the White House to see the Grand Illumination with Mary Lincoln.

Anita, I have never read that O'Laughlen was on the train with the Grants. Do you possibly recall where you saw that? I would like to check that out. Many thanks.

Roger, I saw it in J.F. Downs book "A Country Divided" pub.2013
http://tinyurl.com/pf3ulsu

Then I read that at his trial "Cox also argued that the evidence showed persuasively that O'Laughlen did nothing to further the assassination on the night of the fourteenth, which he spent drinking at Lichau House before departing for Baltimore the next day."

Where did the train story originate?

I am simply adding one more bit of information to the mystery of who actually drilled the hole. G. W. Bunker, a clerk at the National Hotel, testified at the conspiracy trial that a gimlet with an iron handle was found in Booth's trunk.