Abraham Lincoln's Assassination
By: Giuliana Rokke
The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Convicted Conspirator's Execution
Illustration of Lincoln's Assassination
Secretary of War, Edwin Stanton
Stanton's Involvment
Days before Lincoln was to attend the show at Ford's Theator, he requested for Thomas Eckert to be his bodyguard. Stanton refused, countering that Eckert had an assignment that night and wouldn't be available. Later, it was discovered that Thomas Eckert had no assignment scheduled for that night. (Patel, 1996). Instead, and inexperienced bodyguard was put in charge of Lincoln's protection. However, he left the president's box halfway through the show and sat down in the audience to watch. After, he wasn't punished for neglecting his duties.
Another suspicious action by Edwin Stanton was his security. Every bridge and road was closed off to prevent the escape of Booth after shooting. Except one. Counsidentally, Booth somehow managed to go straight to the one spot without authorities. (Ito, 1997).