Assassination Trivia

[Steve Whitlock]

Roger, or anyone,
I see that Mike Kauffman may mention John T. Bolton in his book "American Brutus". Do you have a copy to verify what Mr. Kauffman says about Bolton that might verify his presence at Ford Theatre 14 Apr 1865?

Yes, Mike K. mentions Bolton being at Ford's and in the box, but he includes the following endnote:

"John T. Bolton's recollections were not published until nearly fifty years after the fact, so take them for what they are worth. He appears to be the officer mentioned in several contemporary accounts. Norfolk (Virginia) Ledger-Dispatch January 28, 1911. Hereinafter Bolton, Ledger-Dispatch. Thanks to James O. Hall."

So it looks like Mike was using information very much like the account in Good's book. Good writes, "Bolton's actions in the presidential box cannot be confirmed..."

I have census records and his 1863 CW Draft Reg in NJ. I will put them here if anyone wants to see them. John T. Bolton was born circa 1838 in NJ and died in Norfolk, VA in 1916. Here are some news clips of interest.

Also, he and wife, Emily, had a daughter who seems to have died before 1900, and no other children. There are only 2 Family Trees that show him, but they know nothing whatsoever about him. He should have living relatives. His brother, Thomas Bolton is in the same CW Draft Reg with him.

The 4th attachment proves Lt John Bolton was in the DC area 3 Mar 1865.

The last attachment may be of interest as the certificate assigning John T. Bolton as a 2nd Lt, signed by Abraham Lincoln. It is from the following:

Lot 380 - Lincoln (Abraham). The Assassination of
Dec 11, 2019 — ... a military commission, appointing John T. Bolton Second Lieutenant in the ... President Lincoln and the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton, a little soiling and ... John T. Bolton was a respected soldier who was present when ...
https://www.dominicwinter.co.uk/Auction/...ot=353320#
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There is some writing I can't read vertically in the top left. The whole document is very hard to read, but it is for John T. Bolton assigned 2nd Lt. in Veteran Reserve Corps, 12 May 1864. I can read some of the words in the top left, such as Adjutant General, but I have no idea why the writing is there.
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Something else to consider comes from John T. Bolton's Find-a-grave memorial and the 1890 Vets Schedule.

Capt John T Bolton
Birth 1838
Death 3 Jul 1916 (aged 77–78)
Norfolk City, Virginia, USA
Burial
Forest Lawn Cemetery
Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia, USA Show Map
Plot South Center
Memorial ID 93031801 · View Source
Civil War Union Army Officer.
Served during the Civil War in the 28th NJ Infantry, the 10th NJ Infantry and in the 7th Veterans Reserve Corps. He was brevetted Captain, US Volunteers.
On July 3, 1890 he filed for a US Army Invalid Veteran Pension (Application #786265, Certificate #1125763).
On August 5, 1916 his wife, Emily Bolton, filed for a US army Widow's Pension (Application #1070140, Certificate #827185).
Family Members
Spouse
Emily T Bolton
unknown–1926
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John T Bolton
in the 1890 Veterans Schedules of the U.S. Federal Census
Search for John T Bolton in the Civil War Pension Index
Name: John T Bolton
Gender: Male
Rank: Sergeant
Role: Veteran
Residence Date: Jun 1890
Residence Place: Norfolk, Norfolk City, Virginia, USA
Enumeration District: 82
Enlistment Date: 10 Sep 1862
Discharge Date: 1864 [Shows he was wounded in the left leg}
Regiment or Vessel: 28 New Jersey Reg
Company: K
Household:
Name Role
John T Bolton
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It seems that Sgt Bolton was wounded severely enough in his left leg to be discharged in 1864, at which time he was made a brevet 2nd Lt and assigned to the 7th Reg. Federal Reserve Corps.

One wonders how bad the leg was, and whether he was able to climb up, with assistance, into the Lincoln theatre box. Perhaps the leg just precluded him marching, or running, in battle; therefore, relegating him to the "Invalid Corps".

Now I'll concentrate on the rest of his story for fact or fiction. There is sufficient probability, for me, he was present in some capacity.