James Swanson’s book “Chasing Lincoln’s Kiler” describes the twelve-day hunt for John Wilkes Booth, who was responsible for the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Booth is a murderer who killed Abraham Lincoln. Lincoln and his North allies did not know what was coming. The bloody Civil War was about to end. Union would prevail, and South would have rebuild. While the North celebrated, planned parades, and lit fireworks, South Carolina was thinking of ways to win the war. John Wilkes Booth realised that four days following the Union celebrations the war had ended and he only had to remove Lincoln. He and a friend were drinking at a saloon discussing Abe. Booth was suddenly fisted a table, expressing regret for having missed the chance to assist the Confederates. “What a fantastic opportunity I would have had to kill President Lincoln on Inauguration. I was as close to him as you are to me.
Robert E. Lee and his Confederates surrendered their forces to U.S. Grant in Appomattox, Virginia, on the 9th of April 1865. Booth knew the South was going to win if Lincoln had been killed during Lincoln’s inauguration. Lincoln delivered a final speech on the 11th of April. He wanted the people to understand that North-South cooperation would be the key in rebuilding the South. Booth was right there in front. John Wilkes Booth turned to his friend, told him all the things he disliked about Lincoln’s speech, and then added, “Now I’ll make him go through it…that is the final speech he’ll ever give.” Booth was unable to sleep as the North continued their celebration. John Wilkes Booth, six South-Americans known to him and themselves were planning the abduction of Lincoln. John Wilkes begins the day at National Hotel with breakfast. He then walks along Pennsylvania Avenue about a half-block. He walks to Ford’s Theater where he receives his daily mail. Lincoln’s widow sent a message to Ford Theater three weeks before the planned kidnapping. She announced that Grant and Lincoln would be attending a live comedy at Ford Theater. John knew that he had a chance to avenge himself. The plan for his abduction was in place and now was the time to make it happen.
Booth, a well-known actor, knew the theater and play very well. J.W.B. In a few short minutes, J.W.B. Booth was familiar with the plays, loud noises, stage clearings, etc. I think that if the decision was made to kill the president immediately, J.W.B. J.W.B. He knew everything. He believed that his plan, which involved Lincoln being abducted in order to escape, would succeed. Booth was prepared to risk his entire life, regardless of whether he succeeded in his crime. He didn’t give a hoot if it meant losing his fame or money, his family, or his life. He knew he’d be remembered even if he lost his fame. On April 14, everything that happened would forever alter the history of America. In this instance, the prey approached the predator. J. Wilkes Booth left a note at Vice President Johnson’s hotel room, which was unguarded. The note read: “Don’t want to bother you.” Next stop, a boardinghouse a couple of blocks from the theater. Booth, who had previously paid Mary Surratt a fee to “do a job”, asked Mary if she would deliver a package at her tavern in Maryland on the day he left Washington. Booth would then ride his horse into Maryland to pick up the package and ammunition that Mary’s son had prepared. He would prepare mentally and physically for the night. He selected his single-shot.44 caliber pistol. Booth was going shoot Lincoln. Powell was going after Secretary of state William H. Seward.
Atzerodt wanted to kill Andrew Johnson, Vice President. But he pulled out. Harold, the spy and support man, was there to help him. He didn’t want to be known as a bad person. He was there to support. The Lincolns’ schedule was running late. The Lincolns’ private carriage was just arriving. Booth needed to get behind the stage in order to reach the other side to climb the small stairs to the balconies. He was forced to exit the saloon through a hidden trap door. At around 10 p.m., he would have one final drink. Booth went from the bar to the lobby of the theatre. Booth was on time and the time was right. Booth secretly climbed the curved steps, and landed right at the top in front a door that led him to President Obama’s balcony. He was surprised that there were no guards standing by the door. Booth was able to predict that the audience would be roaring with laughter in just moments. Booth squeezed a trigger. He said, “You’re sockdologizing ol’ mantrap”, to make all laugh.
The box glowed as though a bolt of lightning had struck the balcony. A bullet struck the lower right side of his skull. Booth jumped down from the balcony to the stage. Booth escaped with only a fractured fibula. Booth said “Sic sempertyrannis!” which is “Thus always Tyrants”. Lincoln died at 7:02 the morning after Booth shot him. Powell and Herold were still required to perform their duties. Powell, pretending to deliver medicine as a doctor’s assistant, entered the estate of Secretary Seaward. The servants and guards inside did not want to let him go upstairs. Powell kept repeating “I have to go up. I have to go up.” After ten minutes, the servant and guard finally allowed Powell to ascend. He was not going to let him enter the secretary’s room. Powell then pretended that he had given up. He walked down and ran up the steps with his gun. The trigger was pulled and nothing happened. Because he was using a.36, he had five extra bullets. The gun broke after he shot the second time. He forced his entry into Seward’s room and attacked him.
Seward died on October 10, 1872. The Union army found Booth 12 days later. In Virginia, Booth was discovered in a barn belonging to a farmer. Boston Corbett, a Union soldier, killed J. Wilkes Booth in April 1865. This book gets an 8 out of 10. The book was easy to read and extremely interesting. It was a very detailed book. It was annoying that the author would suddenly share flashbacks or events that happened without any warning. The book only added details and people to what I already knew. This book would be suitable for those in the 7th and 8th grades. This is a great non-fiction book.
