When Booth Shot Lincoln - Great Graphic

[BettyO]

I found this photo from Killing Lincoln extremely interesting and "Artsy" - it almost looks like a painting -

   

[DKEast]

I found this photo from Killing Lincoln extremely interesting and "Artsy" - it almost looks like a painting -

indeed - although the picture - more accurately - would have him to the right as it looks like he is shooting Lincoln square in the back of the head. I read where he sidled up to the wall closest to Lincoln and shot him from the angle which caused the bullet to go left to right.

[Houmes]

I found this photo from Killing Lincoln extremely interesting and "Artsy" - it almost looks like a painting -

indeed - although the picture - more accurately - would have him to the right as it looks like he is shooting Lincoln square in the back of the head. I read where he sidled up to the wall closest to Lincoln and shot him from the angle which caused the bullet to go left to right.

Of all the reports written on the path of the bullet (including the reports by Dr. Woodward and Dr. Curtis--and they were the ones doing the actual cutting) only one report was being scribbled down during the autopsy, while the doctors were actually seeing and discussing the wound. This was recorded by Dr. Robert K. Stone, and he clearly stated the bullet took an almost direct path on the left side, ending up near the midline above the left eye. The later autopsy report by Dr. Woodward and the letter Dr. Curtis wrote later to his mother both agree. Since that time too many authors and speakers have relied on the wrong reports, written later and dependent upon memory rather than second by second direct observation and recording.

[DKEast]

Okay perhaps I stand corrected then.

[RobertLC]

I agree that it might be more art than fact, but it is a great image. Powerful and haunting at the same time.

[LincolnToddFan]

Which one of the president's eyes began to blacken and swell during the death struggle at the Petersen House? I've always read that it was the right eye, because the bullet was lodged behind it? Or was it the left eye that bulged?

(It must have been a horrible sight for the people attending Lincoln. No wonder poor MTL screamed and fainted!)

[RJNorton]

Toia, Dr. Taft wrote:

"The wound was there examined, the finger being used as a probe, aad the ball found to have passed beyond the reach of the finger into the brain. The respiration now become labored; pulse 44, feeble, eyes entirely closed, the left pupil much contracted, the right widely dilated; total insensibility to light in both. The left upper eyelid was swollen and dark from effused blood; this was observed a few minutes after his removal from the theatre. About 30 minutes after he was placed upon the bed, discoloration from the effusion began in the internal canthus of the right eye, which became discolored and swollen with great protrusion of the eye."

[LincolnToddFan]

So both eyes were bruised and swollen? And if the right eye had "great protusion" as well wouldn't that possibly point to the bullet lodging behind it?

Thanks Roger!