THE GUN THAT KILLED LINCOLN

THE GUN THAT KILLED LINCOLN

A PERSONAL ACCOUNT

 

Allow me to start by describing myself. I am a silver-inlaid model Derringer pocket pistol. I fired the bullet that killed Lincoln! My characteristics are a single shot, concealability and a short barrel. I currently reside in a case in Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C.

It was on April 14, 1865 at 10:45 P.M. during a performance of “Our American Cousin” that my owner, John Wilkes Booth, snuck up behind the president and fired a bullet, entering the back of his head. I later heard that the president died at 7:30 A.M. the next morning.

After, he jumped to the stage below, I heard him exclaim, “Sic Semper Tyrannis” (the motto of Virginia – “thus always to tyrants”).

Booth and I were then trapped in a tobacco barn in Port Royal, Virginia on April 26, by union troops. They set fire to the shed and then a shot rang out, allegedly fired by a union soldier, fatally wounding Booth. I know better. It was me who received my revenge for killing Lincoln as Booth took his own life.

I remained in storage until 1956. The bullet that exited my barrel that killed Lincoln is in the Museum of Health and Medicine in Washington to this day.

My plight started when I was purchased by a man who was just plain deranged. Many adored him for what he did. I condemn him and always will.

As a victim of circumstance, please forgive me.