Lincoln
.BirHipla.ce-

HISTORY AND EVIDENCE

OF THE

Passage of Abraham Lincoln

HARRISBURG, PA., TO WASHINGTON, D. C.

ON THE

4
22d and 23d of FEBRUARY,

l86l.

1892.
PlNKERTON'S NATIONAL DETECTIVE AGENCY.
Founded by Aldan Pinkerton, 1850.

ROBT. A. PINKERTON, NEW YORK,! Ge0- D- BanGS,
f-PRINCIPALS. GEN'L SUPT.
WM. A. PINKERTON, CHICAGO. j NEWYORK.
D. ROBERTSON, Asst. Qen'l Supt., fliddle Division, Chicago.
JAS. McPARLAND, Asst. Qen'l Supt., Western Division, Denver.

OFFICES:

BOSTON, 42 &. 44 COURT ST., JOHN CORNISH, SUPT.
NEW YORK, 66 Exchange PLACE, W. J. LOADER, SUPT.
PHILADELPHIA, 441 CHESTNUT ST., E. S. GAYLOR, SUPT.
CHICAGO, 199 &, 201 FIFTH AVE., FRANK MURRAY, SUPT.
ST. PAUL, GERMANIA BANK BUILDING, JOHN C. McGINN, SUPT.
KANSAS CITY, 105 &. 107 W. 6TH ST., - C. H. EPPELSHEIMER, SUPT.
DENVER, OPERA HOUSE Block, JAS. McPARLAND, SUPT.
PORTLAND, ORE., Marquam BLOCK, H. W. MINSTER, SUPT.

ATTORNEYS FOR THE AGENCY:
CLARENCE A. SEWARD, GEO. S. GRAHAM, D. W. MUNN,
NEW YORK. PHILADELPHIA. CHICAGO.

This Agency is independent of Government or Municipal control,
and is prepared to undertake all proper Detective business entrusted
to it by Railroad or other Corporations, Banks, Mercantile Houses,
Attorneys or Private Individuals. It does not operate for Rewards
nor engage in Divorce Cases.

1868.

PlNKERTON'S NATIONAL DETECTIVE AgENGY

ALLAN PINKERTON, Principal. GEO. H. BANGS, General Supt.

To the People of the United States:
Chicago, Jan. 8, 1S6S.
The question of the passage of Mr. Lincoln, on the
night of *2*2d of February, 1861, from Harrisburg, Penn., to
Washington, D. C, the Capitol of the United States, is one
of marked interest in historj*, and one upon which the
people of this country and the world ought to have correct
information. Hitherto I have kept silent upon this subject,
and probably might have continued so much longer, but
that liistorians are now writing up the important events of
the last seven years — a period the most exciting in the life
time of this Nation — up to the present stage of its exist
ence, and I deem it proper to lay the following brief state
ment before the public in connection with this event. I
^> am induced, moreover, to take this step from the fact of the

"9

publication, in the second volume of Lossing's History of
the War of the Rebellion, of a letter from John A. Ken
nedy, Esq , Superintendent of the Metropolitan Police of
New York City, dated New York, August 13, 1867, in
which Mr. Kennedy speaks of the acts .of himself and his
detective force, in discovering the plot for the assassination
of President Lincoln, on his passage through Baltimore, en
route to Washington, for inauguration as President. This
letter has had so wide a circulation in the press of the
United States that it will be unnecessary for me to insert
the whole of it here. I merely desire to call attention to
the following words : —
" I know nothing of any connection of Mr. Pinkerton
with the matter."
That is to say, Mr. Kennedy knew nothing of my con
nection with the passage of Mr. Lincoln from Harrisburg,
via Philadelphia, to Washington, on the 22d of February,
1861. In this respect Mr. Kennedy spoke the truth; he
did not know of my connection with the passage of Mr. Lin
coln, nor was it my intention that he should know of it.
Secrecy is the one thing most necessary to the success of
the detective, and when a secret is to be kept, the fewer
who know of it the better. It was unnecessary for Mr.
Kennedy to know of my connection with that passage, and
hence he was not apprised of it. I am aware that Mr.
Kennedy is a loyal man, and has done much service for the
Union cause ; but it was not necessary that every Unionist
should be informed that Mr. Lincoln was about to make an
important movement. Therefore the secret was imparted
4

only to those whom it was necessary should know it. With
this preface my statement will be brief.
About the middle of January, 1861, I was in Philadel
phia, and had an interview on other matters with S. M.
Felton, Esq., at that time President of the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, in which Mr. Felton
mentioned that he had suspicions that the secessionists of
Maryland were bound to injure his road, either by destroy
ing the ferry boat which carried the trains across the Sus
quehanna River at Havre de Grace, or by the destruction
of the railroad bridges over the Gunpowder River and
other streams. Mr. Felton felt very desirous to protect his
road from injury or obstruction by the " secessionists," as
they were at that time called, but afterwards more famil
iarly known as " rebels," who were then busily engaged in
plotting the treason which shortly afterwards culminated
in open rebellion. Mr. Felton well knew that the Philadel
phia, Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad was the only
connecting link between the great commercial emporium of
the United States and the Capital of the Nation, and appre
ciated fully the necessity of keeping that link unbroken.
He desired that I would consider the matter fully, and,
promising to do so, I returned to my home in Chicago.
On the 27th of January, 1861, 1 wrote to Mr. Felton my
views upon this subject. They were not given in connec
tion with secession, but as to what detective ability might
do to discover the plots and plans of those who might be
contemplating the destruction of any portion of this great
and important link between New York and Washington.
5

On the 30th of January I received a telegram from
Mr. Felton, requesting me to come to Philadelphia, and take
with me such of my force as might be necessary, with a view
to commencing the detective operations to which I had al
luded in my letter to him of the 27th.
On the 1st of February, 1861, I accordingly left
Chicago with such of my detective force, male and female,
as I thought adequate for the purpose required. We duly
arrived in Philadelphia, and after consultation with Messrs.
Felton and Stearns, of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore Railroad, I repaired with my force to Baltimore
and there established my headquarters.
While engaged in the investigations spoken of, as re
lating to the safety of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore Railroad track, myself and detectives accidentally
acquired the knowledge that a plot was in existence for the
assassination of Mr. Lincoln on his passage through Balti
more to Washington, to be inaugurated as President. The
plot was well conceived, and would, I am convinced, have
been effective for the purpose designed. This information
was acquired by me while in-the service of the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad, who were paying me
for my services, and although I felt impelled, by my sense of
duty and my long friendship for Mr. Lincoln (we both
being old citizens of Illinois), to impart the same to him,
yet, knowing the loyalty of Mr. Felton, I desired his acqui
escence in doing so. I accordingly imparted the information
of the plot to Mr. Stearns, and through him to Mr. Felton,
and received from both those gentlemen the authority to
6

impart the facts to Hon. Norman B. Judd, the warm and
intimate personal friend of Mr. Lincoln, who was accom
panying the President elect on the tour from Springfield
to Washington. Nothing further I believe is necessary from myself on
this affair, as the evidence which accompanies this statement
. is all that is necessary to show how far I speak truthfully.
It would be egotistical on my part to parade before the
public my acts. I hold proofs in addition to those, which
are now furnished to the public, in my possession. A few
words more, and those only in relation to one who is now
dead, a martyr to the cause of the Union, who lies in
unhallowed soil, "Unwept, unhonored and unsung."
I allude to Timothy Webster, one of my detective force,
who accompanied me upon this eventful occasion. He
served faithfully as a detective amongst the secessionists of
Maryland, and acquired many valuable and important
secrets. He, amongst all of the force who went with me,
deserves the credit of saving the life of Mr. Lincoln, even
more than I do. He was a native of Princeton, New Jersey,
a life-long Democrat, but felt and realized, with Jackson, that
the Union must and should be preserved. He continued in
my detective service, and after I assumed charge of the
secret service of the Army of the Potomac, under Major
General McClellan, Mr. Webster was most of the time
within the rebel lines. True, he was called a spy, and
martial law says that a spy, when convicted, shall die. Still
7

spies are necessary in war, ever have been and ever will be.
Timothy Webster was arrested in Richmond , and upon the
testimony of members of a secesh family in Washington,
named Levi, for whom I had done some acts of kindness, he
was convicted as a spy, and executed by order of Jefferson
Davis, on the 30th of April, 1862. His name is unknown
to fame ; but few were truer or more devoted to the Union
cause than was Timothy Webster.
With this statement I herewith subjoin the following
letters, which are proof of my participation in the passage
of Mr. Lincoln from Harrisburg, via Philadelphia, to
Washington, on the night of the 22d of February, 1861.
As I have before said, it was unnecessary that Mr. Kennedy
should know aught of the movement that was going on,
and I did not advise him of it; although I am informed
that he was on the same train and occupied the third berth
in the same sleeping car from that where Mr. Lincoln lay
on that eventful night of his passage to Washington from
Philadelphia.
ALLAN PINKERTON.

MR. LINCOLN'S STATEHENT.
Extract from Lossing's History of the War, Vol. 1,
Page 278.
" Mr. Judd, a warm personal friend from Chicago, sent
for me to come to his room (at the Continental Hotel,
Philadelphia, February 21st). I went, and found there Mr.
Pinkerton, a skillful police detective, also from Chicago,
who had been employed for some days in Baltimore watch
ing or searching for suspicious persons there. Pinkerton
informed me that a plan had been laid for my assassination,
the exact time when I expected to go through Baltimore
being publicly known. He was well informed as to the
plan, but did not know that the conspirators would have
pluck enough to execute it. He urged me to go right
through with him to Washington that night. I didn't like
that. I had made engagements to visit Harrisburg and go
from there to Baltimore, and I resolved to do so. I could
not believe that there was a plot to murder me. I made
arrangements, however, with Mr. Judd for my return to
Philadelphia the next night, if I should be convinced that
there was danger in going through Baltimore. I told him

that if I should meet at Harrisburg, as I had at other
places, a delegation to go with me to the next place (Balti
more), I should feel safe and go on. When I was making
my way back to my room, through crowds of people, I met
Frederick Seward. We went together to my room, when
he told me that he had been sent, at the instance of his
father and General Scott, to inform me that their detectives
in Baltimore had discovered a plot there to assassinate me.
They knew nothing of Mr. Pinkerton 's movements. I now be
lieved such a plot to be in existence."

LETTERS

LETTER OF S. M. FELTON, ESQ.
Thurlow, Dec. 31st, 1867.
AlXAN PlMKEETON, ESQ.
Dear Sir: — In answer to your inquiries as to your
agency in ferreting out the plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln,
on his first journey to Washington, and in aiding him on
his journey to the Capitol, prior to his inauguration in
1861, 1 have to say, that early in that year, and while I was
President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad, I employed you as a detective to ascertain the
truth or falsity of certain rumors that had come to my ear
as to the designs of the Secessionists upon our road, etc. I
told you only a part of the rumors that I had heard, and
only sufficient to put you on the track. You employed a
force of some eight or nine assistants, and among other
things, made certain to my mind that there was a thor
oughly matured plot to assassinate the President elect on
his journey to Washington. After which I met you at a
hotel, in Philadelphia, on the evening of Mr. Lincoln's
arrival there, in company with Mr. Judd, Mr. Lincoln's
intimate friend, when the whole plot was made known to
him. After which Mr. Lincoln was seen by you and Mr.
Judd and made acquainted with all the facts. He declined
to go to Washington in our sleeping car that night, as was
my advice, but said that after going to Harrisburg the next
day he would put himself in our hands. It was then
11

arranged that he should be brought from Harrisburg to
Philadelphia the next night by special train, and then go to
Washington by our night line in the sleeping car, accom
panied by yourself and one or two of his friends. The
telegraph lines in all directions were cut, so that no tidings
of his movements could be sent from Harrisburg, and all
was carried out successfully.
In all these movements you were the only detective
employed by me, and the only one who was conversant
with Mr. Lincoln's movements, so far as I knew. All the
movements of the train in which Mr. Lincoln went from
Philadelphia were under my directions, and no other de
tective than yourself had any connection with them in any
way, unless it might have been as an ordinary passenger.
You certainly were the only one who gave me any
information upon the subject, or who had anything to do
with the planning of the journey, or who had accompanied
Mr. Lincoln as a detective officer and quasi guard.
Mr. George Stearns, then Roadmaster, and Mr. William
Stearns, then Superintendent, went with you, one to Balti
more, and the other from Baltimore to Washington.
I have written a full account of the events prior to
Mr. Lincoln's first journey, of the journey itself, and of the
events immediately subsequent to the same, for Mr. Lossing,
and have detailed therein more fully the part you had in
them all, and I refer you to that when published for all the
particulars. Yours truly, S. M. FELTON.

VI

LETTER OF HON. N. B. JUDD.
Chicago, III., Nov. 3d, 1867.

Mk. Allan Pinkerton.

Sir : — Yours of the 31st ult., enclosing a letter of Mr.
Kennedy to Mr. Lossing, relating to the conspiracy to assas
sinate Mr. Lincoln on his passage through Baltimore in
February, 1861, and printed in the second volume of Mr.
Lossing's " History of the War," I found on my table last
evening, on my return from the country. Notwithstanding
the various publications in the papers, purporting to give
accounts of that matter, some of which were grossly in
accurate, I have refrained from publishing anything in re
lation thereto; but the historian is making a permanent
record, and I can not, in justice to you, refuse to make a
statement of the facts within my personal knowledge.
As you suggest, I was one of the party who accom
panied Mr. Lincoln from Springfield to Washington. When
the party reached Cincinnati I received a letter from you,
dated at Baltimore, stating that there was a plot on foot to
assassinate Mr. Lincoln on his passage through that city,
and that you would communicate further as the party pro
gressed eastward.
Knowing that you were at that point, with your detect
ive force, for the purpose of protecting the Philadelphia and
Baltimore Railroad against the attempt by the traitors to
destroy the same, the information thus sent made a deep
impression upon me, but to avoid causing anxiety on the
part of Mr. Lincoln, or any of the party, I kept this in
formation to myself. At Buffalo I received a second brief
note from you saying that the evidence was accumulating.
No further communication on that subject was received
until we arrived in the city of New York. In the evening
13

of the day of our arrival at the Astor House, a servant came
to my room and informed me that there was a lady in
No. , who wished to see me. Gen. Pope was in my room
at the time. I followed the servant to one of the upper
rooms of the hotel, where, upon entering, I found a lady
seated at a table with some papers before her. She arose as
I entered and said, " Mr. Judd, I presume," and I responded
" Yes, madam," and she handed me a letter from you, intro
ducing her as Mrs. Warne, superintendent of the female de
tective department of your police force. She stated that you
did not like to trust the mail in so important a matter, and
that she had been sent to arrange for a personal interview
between yourself and me, at which all the proofs relating to
the conspiracy could be submitted to me. It was according
ly arranged that, immediately after the arrival of the party
in Philadelphia, you should notify me at what place I
should meet you. I informed her that I should be in the
carriage with Mr. Lincoln from the depot to the Continental
Hotel. During this interview with Mrs. Warne, Col. E. S.
Sanford, President of the American Telegraph Company,
called and Mrs. Warne introduced him to me. He showed
me a letter from you to him relating to this affair, and ten
dered me the use of his lines for any communication I
might have to make, and also his personal service if needed.
At Philadelphia, while riding from the depot to the
hotel, in the carriage with Mr. Lincoln, a file of policemen
being on each side of the carriage, I saw a young man
walking on the outside of the line of policemen who was
evidently trying to attract my attention. At about the
corner of Broad and Chestnut Sts. the young man crowded
through the line of policemen, nearly upsetting two of them
came to the side of the carriage and handed me a piece of
paper on which was written, " St. Louis Hotel ; ask for J. H.
14

Hutchinson." I afterwards ascertained that this messenger
was Mr. Burns, one of Col. Sanford's telegraphic force.
Immediately after the arrival of the carriage at the
Continental, I went to the St. Louis Hotel, and being shown
up to Hutchinson's room I found you and Mr. S. M. Felton,
President of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and Baltimore
Railroad Company, together awaiting my arrival. An hour
and more was spent in examining and analyzing the proofs
upon which you based your belief in the plot, and the result
was a perfect conviction, on the part of Mr. Felton and my
self, that the plot was a reality, and that Mr. Lincoln's safety-
required him to proceed to Washington that evening in the
eleven o'clock train. I expressed the opinion that Mr.
Lincoln would not go that night, but I proposed that you
should immediately accompany me to the Continental Hotel
and lay the proofs before Mr. Lincoln, as he was an old
acquaintance and friend of yours, and to my knowledge
had occasion before this time to test your reliability and
prudence. On proceeding to the hotel we found the people
assembled in such masses that our only* means of entrance
was through the rear by the servant's door. We went to my
room, which was on the same floor with the ladies' parlor,
and sent for Mr. Lincoln. He was then in one of the large
parlors, surrounded by ladies and gentlemen. I think Mr.
Nicolay, his private secretary, took the message to him.
Mr. Lincoln came to my room, forcing his way" through the
crowd, and all the proofs and facts were laid before him in
detail, he canvassing them and subjecting y*ou to a thorough
cross-examination. After this had been done, I stated to him
the conclusion to which Mr. Felton, yourself and myself had
arrived. " But," I added, " the proofs that have now been
laid before you can not be published," as it would involve
the lives of several of Mr. Pinkerton's force, and especially
15

that of poor Tim Webster, who was then serving in a rebel
cavalry company, under drill at Perryman's in Maryland.
I further remarked to Mr. Lincoln, " If you follow the course
suggested — of proceeding to Washington to-night — you will
necessarily be subjected to the scoffs and sneers of your
enemies, and the disapproval of your friends, who can not
be made to believe in the existence of so desperate a plot."
Mr. Lincoln replied, that he " appreciated these suggest
ions," but that he " could stand anything that was necessary."
Then rising from his seat, he said " I can not go to-night.
I have promised to raise the flag over Independence Hall,
to-morrow morning, and to visit the Legislature at Harris
burg; beyond that I have no engagements. Any plan that
may be adopted that will enable me to fulfill these two
promises I will carry out, and you can tell me what is con
cluded upon to-morrow." Mr. Lincoln then left the room,
without any apparent agitation. During this interview Col.
Ward H. Lamon entered the room, but left immediately.
A few minutes after, Mr. Henry Sanford, as the representa
tive of Col. E. S. Sanford, President of the American Tele
graph Co., came into the room. You then left for the
purpose of finding Thomas A. Scott, Esq., Vice-President of
the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and also to notify Mr.
Felton, who was waiting at the La Pierre House, of your
report of the interview with Mr. Lincoln.
About twelve o'clock you returned, bringing with you
Mr. G. C. Franciscus, General Manager of the Pennsylvania
( 'entral Railroad, saying that you were not able to find Mr.
Scott, who was out of town.
A full discussion of the entire matter was had between
us, the party consisting of Mr. Franciscus, Mr. Sanford
yourself and myself. After all the contingencies that could
be imagined had been discussed, the following programme
16

was adopted : That after the reception at Harrisburg, a
special train should leave the latter place at six P. M., con
sisting of a baggage-car and one passenger car, to convey
Mr. Lincoln and one companion back to Philadelphia;
that that train was to be under the control of Mr. Fran
ciscus and Mr. Enoch Lewis, General Superintendent ; that
the track was to be cleared of everything between Harris
burg and Philadelphia from half past five until after the
passage of the special train ; that Mr. Felton should detain
the eleven o'clock P. M. Baltimore train until the arrival of
the special train from Harrisburg ; that Mrs. Warne should
engage berths in the sleeping car bound for Baltimore ; that
you should meet Mr. Lincoln with a carriage at West Phila
delphia on the arrival of the special train, and carry him to
the Baltimore train ; that Mr. Sanford was to make it perfect
ly certain that no telegraphic message should pass over the
wires from six o'clock the next evening until Mr. Lincoln's
arrival in Washington was known ; that Ward H. Lamon
should accompany Mr. Lincoln.
Every supposed possible contingency was discussed and
re-discussed, and the party separated at half past four that
morning to carry out the programme agreed upon. At six
that morning Mr. Lincoln fulfilled his promise by raising
the flag over Independence Hall, and I have always believed
that the tinge of sadness which pervaded his remarks on that
occasion, and the reference to sacrificing himself for his coun
try, were induced by the incidents of the night preceding.
Later in the morning— and I think about eight o'clock
— Mr. Lincoln sent for me to come to his room. I went and
found Mr. Frederick H. Seward with Mr. Lincoln. Mr.
Lincoln said to me that Mr. Seward had been sent from
Washington by his father to warn him of danger in passing
through Baltimore, and to urge him to come directly to
17

Washington. I do not think that Mr. Seward stated to me
the facts upon which his father's convictions were founded,
but the knowledge, that from an entirely independent line
of testimony to that which you had furnished the preceding
night, had led Gov. Seward to the same conclusion, that
there was danger, strengthened my own convictions of the
propriety of the course marked out. I told Mr. Seward that
he could say to his father that all had been arranged, and
that so far as human foresight could predict, Mr. Lincoln
would be in Washington at six A. M. the next day ; that he
understood the absolute necessity for secrecy in the matter.
I do not think I gave him any of the details, but I am not
positive on that point.
After the train left Philadelphia for Harrisburg, and as
soon as I could get a word with Mr. Lincoln alone, I told
him the proposed plan of operations, and that I felt exceed
ingly the responsibility, as no member of the party had
been informed of anything connected with the matter, and
that it was due to the gentlemen of the party that they
should be advised with and consulted in so important a
step. It is proper to add, that Col. Lamon, Mr. Nicolay and
Col. Ellsworth knew that something was on foot, but very
judiciously refrained from asking questions. To the above
suggestion Mr. Lincoln assented, adding, " I reckon they*
will laugh at us Judd, but you had better get them together."
It was arranged that after the reception at the State House,
and before dinner, the matter should be fully- laid before the
following gentlemen of the party : Judge David Davis, Col.
Sumner, Major David Hunter, Capt. John Pope, Ward H.
Lamon and John G. Nicolay.
. The meeting thus arranged took place in the parlor of
the hotel, Mr. Lincoln being present. The facts were laid
before them by me, together with the details of the proposed
18

plan of action. There was a diversity of opinion and some
warm discussion, and I was subjected to a very rigid cross-
examination. Judge Davis, who had expressed no opinion,
but contented himself with asking rather pointed questions,
turned to Mr. Lincoln, who had been listening to the whole
discussion, and said, " Well, Mr. Lincoln, what is your own
judgment upon this matter?" Mr. Lincoln replied, "I have
thought over this matter considerably since I went over the
ground with Pinkerton last night. The appearance of Mr.
Frederick Seward, with warning from another source, con
firms my belief in Mr. Pinkerton's statement. Unless there
are some other reasons, besides fear of ridicule, I am disposed
to carry out Judd's plan." Judge Davis then said, " That
settles the matter, gentlemen." Col. Sumner said, " So be it,
gentlemen. It is against my judgment, but I have under
taken to go to Washington with Mr. Lincoln and I shall do
it." I tried to convince him that every- additional person
added to the risk, but the spirit of the gallant old soldier
was up, and debate was useless.
The party separated about four P. M., the others to go
to the dinner table, and myself to go to the railroad station
and telegraph office. At a quarter to six, I was back at the
hotel, and Mr. Lincoln was still at the table. In a few
moments the carriage drove up to the side door of the hotel.
Either Mr. Nicolay or Mr. Lamon called Mr. Lincoln from
the table. He went to his room, changed his dinner dress
for a traveling suit, and came down with a soft hat sticking
in his pocket, and his shawl on his arm. As the party
passed through the hall, I said in a low tone, "Lamon, go
ahead. As soon as Mr. Lincoln is in the carriage drive off.
The crowd must not be allowed to identify him." Mr.
Lamon went first to the carriage. Col. Sumner was follow
ing close after Mr. Lincoln. I put my hand gently on his
19

shoulder. He turned round to see what was wanted, and
before I had time to explain the carriage was off. The
situation was a little awkward, to use no stronger terms, for
a few moments. I said to the Colonel, " When we get to
Washington Mr. Lincoln shall determine what apology is
due to you." Mr. Franciscus and Mr. Lewis, in charge of
that special train, took Mr. Lincoln and Mr. Lamon safely
to West Philadelphia, and at that station you met them with
a carriage and took them to the Baltimore train, and Mr.
Lincoln immediately retired to his berth in the sleeping car.
No one but the persons herein named, not even his own
family-, knew where Mr. Lincoln was, until the next morn
ing's telegraph announced that he was in Washington. To get
away from questioning, I went to my room about nine o'clock
and staid there until about one, when a dispatch reached me
from Philadelphia saying that to that point all was right.
Mr. Kennedy can test the accuracy of these facts, as to
whom credit is due for arranging for the safety of Mr.
Lincoln, by reference to the gentlemen named herein, and I
have purposely given these in detail so that any doubting
person can verify or contradict them.
On our journey to Washington I had seen how utterly
helpless the party were, even amongst friends and with a
loyal police force, as Gen. Hunter had his shoulders broken
in Buffalo in the crowd and jam.
The same spirit that slaughtered the Massachusetts
soldiers at Baltimore ; that laid low, by the hand of an as
sassin, that great and good man at the commencement of
his second term, had prepared to do that deed to prevent his
first inauguration, and I know that the first warning of dan
ger that Mr. Lincoln received came from you, and that his
passage, in safety, through Baltimore, was accomplished in
'the manner above described.
Respectfully yours, N. B. JUDD.
20

LETTER OF WILLIAM STEARNS.
Philadelphia, Penn., Dec. 4th, 1867.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir : — In the early part of January, 1861, I had a
conversation with Mr. Felton in relation to our road. I was,
at that time, Master Machinist of the road. We had re
ceived some reports that our road would be destroyed by
Southern secessionists, and thus cut Washington off from
railroad communication with the North. In conversation
with Col. Bingham, Superintendent Adams Express, he ad
vised Mr. Felton to see you in regard to the matter. Mr.
Felton wrote to you upon the subject with a view to secur
ing your services and those of your force that might be
deemed advisable, in ascertaining if the secessionists had
any designs upon our road, and if so, what they were. In
the meantime I went to Baltimore on several different
occasions and still heard these reports about the destruction
of our road. In the meantime you arrived from Chicago
with part of your force which was stationed between Balti
more and Havre De Grace. I learned of two companies be
ing formed, one at Perrymansville and one at Bell Air; from
information I received, I was satisfied they were formed for
the purpose of destroying our road. Mr. Felton and myself
met you in Baltimore after you became established in that
city and arranged for a cypher to be used between us in the
transmission of messages.
On the night of Feb. 9th I sent you a letter as follows :
" Yours of the 6th inst. received. I am informed that a son
of a distinguished citizen of Maryland said he had taken an
oath with others to assassinate Mr. Lincoln before he gets to
Washington, and they may attempt to do it while he is pass
ing over our road. I think you had better look after this
21

man if possible. This information is perfectly reliable. I
have nothing more to say at this time. I shall try and see
you in a few days."
On Feb. 17th, 1861, I sent a telegram to you requesting
you to meet me at the President Street Depot, in Baltimore,
at 4.30 P. M. On the 18th you telegraphed me in reply that
you had so much to say to me that it would take considera
ble time, and asking me if I would not remain over night
in Baltimore, as you inferred from my dispatch that it was
my intention to arrive on the 4.30 P. M. train, and leave
on the 5.15 P. M. train. On the 18th of February I sent
you another dispatch, saying that if we did not get through
with our interview I would remain over.
On my arrival at Baltimore at the time specified, you
informed me that you had received much valuable infor
mation, and had learned that my information was correct
in regard to the plot to assassinate Mr. Lincoln. And you
gave me what information you had acquired with regard
to the plot. I felt very solicitous for the safety of Mr. Lin
coln ; but there was a delicacy with me in relation to the
matter, in regard to the action to be taken, inasmuch as the
programme of the route of Mr. Lincoln to Washington was
published as via Northern Central Railroad, from Harris
burg to Baltimore, and that road was considered, to some
extent, as a competing road to our road from North to
South. But it was finally concluded that it was best that
you should communicate at once with Mr. Judd, a personal
friend of Mr. Lincoln's, upon this subject, and that you
should see Mr. Felton, on the 21st, in Philadelphia. You
accordingly wrote me that you had written Mr Judd, in
forming him of the particulars of the plot, and had sent it
to him, in New York, by a trusty messenger.
On the 21st of February you met Mr. Felton in Phila-
22

delphia, and he informed you that he had received from me
all the information you had given me while in Baltimore.
On the 22d of February you met Mr. Felton, my
brother George, Mr. Kenney, and myself at Mr. Felton's
office, in the depot at Philadelphia. After considerable
discussion as to what course to pursue, it was finally deter
mined that I should go to Baltimore and make arrange
ments for the holding of the train from there to Washing
ton, should that be necessary, as it had been determined on
the night of the 21st by Mr. Lincoln, that he would go to
Harrisburg on the morning of the 22d and return to Phila
delphia on the same night, and take our night train from
there to Baltimore and thence to Washington. And in case
that train should be delayed, the Washington train from
Baltimore would be kept until it arrived, and my brother
George was directed to telegraph me from Wilmington
when the train passed there, as it was deemed unsafe to do
so from Philadelphia. The arrangement also was that if
the train was likely to arrive in Baltimore on time I should
say nothing to the officers of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road about the matter.
On the night of the 22d of February, 1861, Mr. Kenney
and yourself met Mr. Lincoln at the West Philadelphia
Depot, and took him in a carriage over to the Philadelphia,
Wilmington and Baltimore Railroad Depot. Mr. Lincoln
took a berth in the sleeping car, and at eleven P. M. the
train left the depot for Washington. I met y7ou in our depot
at Baltimore, went into the sleeping car and whispered in
your ear "all is right," which seemed to be welcome news
to you — it certainly was to me. Mr. Lincoln arrived in
Washington without even the officers of the train knowing
that he was aboard.
On the arrival of Mr. Lincoln in Washington I fol-
23

lowed him and yourself and saw you safely in a carriage
bound for Willard's hotel.
On the 26th of February I met you at the President
Street Depot in Baltimore, where we talked over what had
transpired — the disappointment of the secessionists, and
the failure of their plans to assassinate the President. I
then informed you that Mr. Felton desired that you should
remain in Baltimore or Washington, as the case might be,
until after the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln, and that you
should keep Mr. Judd informed of any attempt that might
be made to assassinate Mr. Lincoln on the day of his inau
guration. After such services being rendered to the satis
faction of the officers of the Philadelphia, Wilmington and
Baltimore Railroad Company, your bill was paid by the
Railroad Company. Yours truly, WILLIAM STEARNS.

LETTER OF H. F. KENNEY, ESQ.
Philada., Wilming. and Balt. R. R. Co., |
Philadelphia, Dec. 23d, 1867. J
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir: — The pressure of my office duties has been
such as to place it out of my power to reply sooner to your
letter of 13th inst., expressing a wish for a more detailed
statement than I gave you in mine of the 10th inst., re
specting the journey of President Lincoln from this city to
Washington, on the night of February 22d, 1861.
You and I met for the first time on the afternoon of
that day in the office of Mr. S. M. Felton, the President of
this company, Mr. Felton, himself and Mr. William Stearns,
24

then Master Mechanic of this road, being present. These
conclusions were arrived at, as to the best arrangement
that could be made for getting President Lincoln to Wash
ington in such a way as to defeat the plans which were
believed to have been matured for the assassination, and
to baffle the vigilance with which his movements were
watched by those concerned in that nefarious project.
The arrangements having been decided upon, I pro
ceeded to carry out the portion of them assigned to myself.
In so doing I gave orders to the conductor (Mr. John Litz-
enberg) of the 10.50 P. M. train of that night, not to start
his train until he had instructions to do so from myself in
person. By way of precluding surmises as to the reason
for this order, Mr. Litzenberg was informed that he would
receive from my own hand an important parcel which
President Felton desired should be delivered early in the
morning to Mr. E. J. Allen, at Willard's Hotel in
Washington. Then at a late hour I was to meet you at depot of the
Pennsylvania Railroad Company-, at West Philadelphia, in
order to bring President Lincoln from that point to our
depot, so timing his arrival at the latter place as to secure,
as far as possible, against his presence there being noticed.
Accordingly, I proceeded to the West Philadelphia depot,
and we met there at about 10 P. M. We had to wait but a
short time when a special train arrived with but one pas
senger car attached, from which President Lincoln, with
Mr. Ward H. Lamon and a few other gentlemen, officers of
the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, alighted. Upon
their alighting I had the honor of being introduced by
you to President Lincoln, and he, with Mr. Lamon, forth
with got into the carriage which had been provided by
you, and the driver of which was placed by you under my
25

directions as to his movements, so that these might be
regulated with a view of reaching our depot a few minutes
after the regular starting time of our train. This required
that we should while away time ; for the train from Har
risburg had arrived considerably earlier than was antici
pated. Accordingly, after you had taken your seat in the
carriage with President Lincoln and Mr. Lamon, I took
mine alongside of the driver, and directing him first down
Market Street as far as Nineteenth, then up that street as
far as Vine Street, and thence to Seventeenth Street, re
quested him to proceed down that street slowly as if on the
lookout for some one, towards our depot. Upon reaching
the immediate neighborhood of the depot, the carriage was
turned into the nearest cross street (Carpenter), so that its
occupants might alight in the shadow of the yard fence
there. The President and Mr. Lamon under your guid
ance then entered the depot and passed through to the
sleeping car, where you had secured berths for them. I
followed at a short distance, and delivering to the con
ductor the parcel he was to wait for, gave orders for the
train to start. It was at once put in motion, the time being
10.55 P. M., five minutes after the regular time for starting.
These are the particulars so far as my agency was in
volved in carrying out the programme.
Very truly yours, H. F. KENNEY, Superintendent.

26

LETTER OF G. C. FRANCISCUS, Esq.
Pennsylvania Railroad Company, x
Office of General Agent, 3003 Market St. I
West Philadelphia, November 5th, 1867. >
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir : — In reply to yours of the 31st ult., I submit
the following statement :
On the night of February 21st, 1861, between 11 and
12 o'clock, you called at my office at West Philadelphia and
requested me to accompany you to the Continental Hotel.
On my way there you stated that a plot existed to assassi
nate Mr. Lincoln, whilst on his way- through Baltimore, and
you desired to arrange for a special train to bring him from
Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on the following night, Febru
ary 22d, to leave the former place about dark, and arrive
here in time to take the 11 P. M. train for Washington. I
replied that it could be done. When we reached the hotel
you conducted me to a room where we found Mr. Judd and
several others. The details of the proposed trip were dis
cussed and arranged conditionally. Mr. Lincoln, not having
fully decided to yield to the wishes of his friends, reserved
his final decision until morning.
On the following morning, February 22d, after we had
left West Philadelphia with Mr. Lincoln and party, Mr.
Judd said to me, " Mr. Frederick Seward arrived from
Washington, bringing a note from his father and General
Scott, the contents of which have decided Mr. Lincoln, and
the trip will be made as arranged by Mr. Pinkerton last
night." Mr. Enoch Lewis (our General Superintendent at that
time) being on the train, I informed him of the arrange-
27

ments made with you, and he joined me in perfecting and
carrying them out.
We left Harrisburg, between 5 and 6 P. M., with Mr.
Lincoln, and on arrival at West Philadelphia found you
waiting with a carriage to take him to the Baltimore depot.
In regard to the mode of Mr. Lincoln's leaving the
hotel at Harrisburg, I will state that I called at Coverly's
with a carriage at the hour agreed upon, and found him
dining with a large company, which it was difficult for him
to leave without attracting attention. After several unsuc
cessful attempts he finally rose, took Governor Curtin's arm,
and walked out the front hall door, across the pavement
into the carriage, dressed just as he left the table, with the
single exception of a soft wool hat that he drew from his
coat pocket and put on ; he had neither cloak, overcoat nor
shawl, but as we approached Philadelphia I gave him my
overcoat, which he wore until he was seated with you and
Mr. Lamon in the carriage.
Referring to your last question, I would say that
nothing unusual occurred on the trip from Harrisburg to
Philadelphia. The party in the car consisted of Mr. Lincoln, Mr. La
mon, Mr. Enoch Lewis, John Pitcairn, Jr., and myself.
Yours respectfully, G. C. FRANCISCUS,
General Agent Pennsylvania Railroad.

28

LETTER FROM ENOCH LEWIS, Esq.
Philadelphia, Penn a., November 7th, 1867.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir: — In reply to .your favor of the 31st ult., I
would say that on the 21st of February, 1861, I was in
Philadelphia in the way of business as General Superin
tendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to arrange for the
movement of Mr. Lincoln, then President elect of the
United States, by special train from Philadelphia to Harris
burg, on the 22d inst. ; it being understood that he was to
proceed on the 23d from Harrisburg, by the Northern Cen
tral Railroad to Baltimore and thence to Washington. On
that evening (the 21st) I met Mr. Judd in Philadelphia by
appointment, in company with Mr. G. C. Franciscus, Super
intendent of the Philadelphia Division, Pennsylvania Rail
road, and was informed by him that, in consequence of the
apprehended danger of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln
whilst passing through Baltimore, it was desired to change
his route to the capitol, and to bring him back privately
from Harrisburg to Philadelphia on the evening of the 22d,
and to take him by the regular night train from Philadel
phia to Washington through Baltimore. I of course agreed
to make any necessary arrangements so far as our road was
concerned. On the 22d of February I accompanied Mr.
Lincoln in the special train from Philadelphia to Harris
burg; arrangements were quietly made for a special train,
ostensibly to take Division Superintendent and myself back
to the city-; it was stationed just below the town soon after
dark, where I awaited the coming of Mr. Lincoln. Early
in the evening Mr. Franciscus brought Mr. Lincoln, accom
panied only by Ward H. Lamon, to it. We started, and
29

without interruption reached Philadelphia in lime for the
night train to Washington. The only persons on the train
which was run from Harrisburg to Philadelphia on the
evening of the 22d. besides the engineer and fireman, were
Messrs. Lincoln, and Ward H. Lamon. G. C. Franciscus.
Division Superintendent : John Pitcairn. Jr., in charge of
telegraph instrument : T. E. Garrett. General Baggage
Agent, and myself. When the train reached West Phila
delphia you met us at the platform and escorted Messrs.
Lincoln and Lamon to a carriage into which I saw you
three get and drive rapidly away in the direction of the
Baltimore Depot.
I saw no change in Mr. Lincoln's costume except that
during the day- he wore a silk or beaver hat. and in the
evening one of soft felt.
Respectfully, ENOCH LEWIS.
Formerly Gen. S»pt. Penna. R. R.

LETTER OF JOHN PITCAIRN, Jr., Esq.
Philadelphia and Erie Railroad.
Superintendent's Office. Middle Die.
Renovo. Penna.. Nov. 23d, 1S67.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq.
Dear Sir: — Your favor of the 9th inst.. asking me for
a statement in regard to the passage of Mr. Lincoln from
Harrisburg to Philadelphia on the night of the 22d of Feb
ruary. 1861. is at hand. I was on the special train which
conveyed the Presidential party from Philadelphia to Har-
30

risburg, having with me a telegraphic instrument in order
to connect with the wires should an accident occur making
it necessary. Shortly after the arrival of the train at Harrisburg,
Mr. G. C. Franciscus, Superintendent, directed me to pro
ceed with a locomotive and passenger car to a road-crossing
at the lower end of Harrisburg, and there to await his
coming. About dusk a carriage was driven up and Messrs. G. C.
Franciscus, Enoch Lewis,  Lamon and finally Mr. Lin
coln stepped out and entered the passenger car, the signal
was given to the engineer, and we were on our way to
Philadelphia. The lamps of the car were not lighted, and in darkness
we went swiftly along until we reached Downingtown,
where we stopped for water for the locomotive.
At this place all the gentlemen excepting Mr. Lincoln
got out of the car for a lunch. A cup of tea and a roll was
taken to him in the car.
We were soon again on our way to Philadelphia, where
we arrived between ten and eleven o'clock.
A carriage was found waiting, into which Mr. Lincoln
and Mr. Lamon stepped, and were driven rapidly- off with
out attracting the least attention, not even the engineer or
fireman of the train knowing of the illustrious passenger
they had conveyed from Harrisburg to Philadelphia.
Mr. Lincoln on this occasion wore a light felt hat and
had a gentleman's shawl thrown over his shoulders when
he stepped from the carriage to the car at Harrisburg. He
did not, however, wear the shawl in stepping out of the car
at Philadelphia. This is all that I know personally in regard to the
matter. 81

I afterwards learned, however, from Mr. Franciscus
that you had an interview with Mr. Lincoln at the Con
tinental Hotel the evening previous, and had informed him
of the probability of his assassination in Baltimore, and
after considerable difficulty he was persuaded to go to
Washington incognito in the manner stated.
Yours truly, JOHN PITCAIRN, Jr.

LETTER OF GEO. R. DUNN, ESQ.
The New Jersey Express Co., Supt's. Office,
Newark, N. J., November 7th, 1867.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Pinkerton's National Police
Agency, Chicago, 111.
My Dear Sir: — Your letter of the 31st ult., covering
some printed extracts from Lossing's History, did not reach
me until the evening of the 5th inst., owing to my absence
on business. On reading your letter and the extracts, I was some
what surprised to see that others were trying to take the
credit of Mr. Lincoln's trip from Philadelphia to Washington,
when it does not belong to them.
My recollection of the facts is perfectly plain, and as
facts seem to be much wanted in this matter, I will relate
them. I distinctly recollect that February morning, when you
entered my office, Chestnut Street near Third, Philadelphia,
about 6.30, and said you desired my assistance immediately
in an important matter ; it was imperative that I should go
to Baltimore in the 8 A. M. train, when at Baltimore to pro-
32

ceed to a given place and meet some party to whom I was
directed by you. After seeing this party, and communi
cating my business, I was to telegraph you, and return by
the afternoon train to Philadelphia, and communicate with
Mrs. Warne, whom I knew by sight, and whom I would
find in the ladies' room at the Baltimore Depot. In my
conversation with Mrs. Warne, whom I met according to
agreement, she told me that you desired me to purchase
tickets and sleeping-car berths for an invalid friend, you
and herself, and to make such arrangements for getting the
party into the car quietly, as quiet was necessary for the
invalid — also to stay until you arrived. In turning the
matter over in my mind, I thought the best berths under
the circumstances would be the rear ones, so I got the tickets
for them and made an arrangement with the person in
charge of the sleeping car to have the rear door opened
when I desired. This person's name was Knox. At first
he declined, but an explanation of the fact that it was for
the accommodation of an invalid, who would arrive late and
did not desire to be carried through the narrow passage-way
of the crowded car, he consented to the arrangement. After
this was effected, I waited on Mrs. Warne. in the ladies'
room, told her what I had done, at which she expressed her
satisfaction, and requested to be shown to her berth in the
car, which was done.
I then took my position on the platform, and waited
until yourself and party arrived, which you did, about five
minutes before eleven. That party consisted of Mr. Lincoln,
yourself and another, whom I was subsequently informed
was a Mr. Lamon. Mr. Lincoln was dressed in an ordinary-
sack overcoat, felt hat — I think they were called Kossuth
hats — with a muffler around his throat, and carried a travel
ing bag in his hand. So soon as the party was on the train
33

the cars were started. I think the railroad officers who de
tained that train for the special purpose, could bear testimony
as to whose instigation the train was delayed, and give
evidence of your part of the transaction.
There may be some points that I have left out, but the
facts of this letter are not to be denied.
Respectfully yours, GEO. R. DUNN.

LETTER OF GOV. CURTIN.
Bellefonte, December 8th, 1867.
Sir : — You ask me in your letter of the 11th of Novem
ber last to " give you a statement of what transpired between
yourself and Mr. Lincoln upon the night prior to his leav
ing Harrisburg, and as to whether Mr. Lincoln was in any
disguise at the time."
Mr. Lincoln arrived in Harrisburg about noon on the
22d of February, 1861, and as previously arranged I met
him at the entrance of the Jones House, on the corner of
the Market Square, of the city. We passed up stairs and
then to a balcony, where he replied to some words of wel
come which I addressed to him. He was then taken in a
carriage to the hall of the House of Representatives, when
he was addressed by the Speaker and made a reply. On
our way back to the hotel he asked me to dine with him,
and after we entered the house communicated to me private
ly the fact that a conspiracy had been discovered to assassi
nate him in Baltimore on his way through that city the next
day. I remember quite well that Mr. Lincoln mentioned
your name in connection with information he received on
the way, and my impression is that he stated he met you in
34

Philadelphia, and there received the information from you.
He said at the same time that definite information had been
sent to him from Wm. H. Seward by his son Frederick.
He then said his friends were anxious that he should go by
way of Philadelphia as privately as possible, and that those
who were informed of the conspiracy were extremely solicit
ous that he would not expose himself to the threatened dan
ger in Baltimore. He seemed pained and surprised that a
design to take his life existed, and although much concerned
for his personal safety as well as for the peace of the country,
he was very calm, and neither in his conversation or manner
exhibited alarm or fear.
When he had determined to go to Washington by
Philadelphia, and the arrangements were made, he put on
his overcoat and hat (it was a felt hat such as were in
common use at that time) and taking my arm we passed
through the hall of the hotel and down stairs to a carriage
in waiting at the door. We drove down the street and by
the house in which I lived to the train. The halls, stair
ways, and pavement in front of the house were much
crowded, and no doubt the impression prevailed that Mr.
Lincoln was going to the Executive Mansion with me. To
avoid inquiries I remained in the house when repeated calls
were made by persons who supposed he was there. It was
regarded as eminently proper that it should not be generally
known that Mr. Lincoln had left Harrisburg, but he neither
assumed nor suggested any disguise of any kind.
No doubt the gentlemen who accompanied Mr. Lincoln
were privy to all the arrangements made in reference to his
journey. I had no conversation with any of them that
occurs to me now on the subject. He gave me all the
knowledge I had, and what was done was discussed before
it occurred. 35

You thus have substantially the circumstances attend
ing his visit to Harrisburg and his departure for Washing
ton so far as I had any connection with the events.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
A. G. CURTIN.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq.

LETTER OF H. E. THAYER, ESQ.
Philadelphia, Nov. 3d, 1867.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Principal National Police Asso
ciation, Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir : — I am in receipt of yours of 31st ult., enclos
ing " Extracts from Lossing's History of the War," one of
which is a copy of a letter from John A. Kennedy, General
Superintendent Metropolitan Police, New York, in which
Mr. Kennedy claims for himself and David S. Bookstaver,
of the Metropolitan Police, the honor of having prevented
the assassination of Mr. Lincoln at Baltimore in February,
1861. In your letter you request a statement of my connec
tion in the matter, and what I know of it, viz. : The passage
of Mr. Lincoln from Harrisburg to Washington via Phila
delphia and Baltimore on the night of February 22d, 1861.
In February, 1861, I was Manager of the American
Telegraph Office in this city. On the morning of the 22d
of February I was introduced, at my office by Mr. W. P.
Westervelt, Superintendent, to Geo. H. Burns, Confidential
Agent of E. S. Sanford, Esq., President of the American
Telegraph Company, who informed me that a plot had
been discovered in Baltimore to assassinate the President-
36

elect on his passage through that city, and it had been
arranged that Mr. Lincoln should go through from Harris
burg to Washington privately on the night of the 22d, and
it was desired to prevent any possibility of the fact of the
President's departure from Harrisburg being telegraphed
from Harrisburg to Baltimore ; that the telegraph wires on
the line of the Northern Central Railroad, from Harrisburg
to Baltimore, should be cut, so as to prevent communica
tion from passing by that route, and asked if I had a trusty
man to do the work. I replied that I had, and detailed
Andrew Wynne, my line man, for the service, provided
him with a coil of copper wire and gave him instructions
to attach a ground wire to each of the two line wires at the
back of a pole, and if possible to cut the line wires and
make the ground connection on both sides and leaving the
line attached to the pole so that parties who might be sent
out to hunt the difficulty would not discover the trouble
for some time, at least until long after Mr. Lincoln should
have arrived at Washington.
W. P. Westervelt, Esq., Superintendent, was to accom
pany Mr. Wynne to Harrisburg. They can speak for them
selves as to how the work was done. Mr. Wynne reported
on the 23d having successfully accomplished his mission,
having cut and grounded both wires.
On the morning of the 22d I also promised Mr. Burns
that I would myself be on duty at my office during the
night and until Mr. Lincoln's arrival in Washington, to see
that no dispatches passed over the wires from Harrisburg
to Baltimore, giving information, and also to receive and
deliver to the St. Louis Hotel any dispatches that might
come for "J. H. Hutchinson." I was on guard on that
eventful night all night. Early in the evening a dispatch
came from Harrisburg for "J. H. Hutchinson," I think
37

from Burns, announcing the departure. No dispatches
came from Harrisburg to Baltimore.
Early on the morning of the 23d a dispatch was re
ceived, announcing the arrival of Mr. Lincoln in Washing
ton, and that he was met at the depot by Hon. W. H.
Seward. I then left the operating room and went home.
Mr. Burns afterwards informed me that Allan Pinker
ton had saved Mr. Lincoln's life, and subsequently intro
duced me to you as Allan Pinkerton, alias J. H. Hutchinson.
This is the substance of my knowledge of the matter.
I have always believed, and in fact know, that you took
Mr. Lincoln from Philadelphia to Washington on that
eventful night, and to you is due the honor of having
saved the life of Mr. Lincoln, and the country its President-
Yours truly, H. E. THAYER.

LETTER OF ANDREW WYNNE, ESQ.
Philadelphia, Nov. 3d, 1867.
A. Pinkerton, Esq.
Dear Sir : — Your note of October 31st received, and
in reply have to state that I am the person who cut
the wires between Harrisburg and Baltimore, for the pur
pose of preventing the report of Mr. Lincoln's departure on
that occasion. The facts of the case are as follows : —
On the morning of February 22d, 1861, I was em
ployed in the office of the American Telegraph Company,
Philadelphia, and received orders from H. E. Thayer, Man
ager, to hold myself in readiness for important duty in the
course of an hour. Before that time had expired, Mr.
Thayer asked me if I had any objections to fix the wires of
38

another company so as to prevent any communications
passing over them. I answered I would not in some cases.
Mr. Thayer then stated that the life of President Lincoln
was in great danger, and that he (Mr. Thayer) wanted some
good man he could depend upon to cut the wires between
Harrisburg and Baltimore. I replied, under that circum
stance I would. He then gave me orders to proceed to
Harrisburg in •the next train in company with W. P.
Westervelt, Superintendent. We proceeded to Harrisburg
with necessary tools, fine copper wire, etc. Arriving in
Harrisburg, we met Capt. Burns. We three then pro
ceeded to the office of the telegraph company, and I traced
the wires through the city and found the wires that were
necessary to cut. Capt. Burns, W. P. Westervelt and myself
walked south of the city about two miles. I then climbed
the pole and put fine copper ground wire on wires between
Harrisburg and Baltimore, which prevented all communi
cation passing over them. I then returned to telegraph
office in Harrisburg and asked the operator there to send a
message for me to Baltimore, when the operator stated he
could not, as all communication with Baltimore was cut
off. I reported the fact to Capt. Burns and W. P. Wester
velt. They thanked me, and requested me to stay in Har
risburg that night and return to Philadelphia next morn
ing, which I did. When I returned I met Mr. Thayer.
He told me he had been on duty all night, so as to prevent
any communication passing over the wires of the American
Company. I received his thanks for the part which I had
taken. The foregoing is a truthful statement of what passed.
Yours respectfully, ANDREW WYNNE.

39

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

Gift of
STUART W.JACKSON
Yale 1898