take the pen from his hand to give it the direction. As soon as he recovered from the immediate danger of this attack he labored, as he had done for years before, constantly at his task, rising at daylight, and writing incessantly, with the exception of the hour he usually devoted to his afternoon ride on his horse, which he seemed to think was a benefit to him, and at this labor he continued from day to day until about a week before his death, when, no longer able to rise from weakness, he wrote in his bed, and when no longer able to do that dictated his views to others. "Thus, it may be truly said of him, he literally died in harness, battling steadily, from day to day, with the most formidable malady that afflicts humanity, his intellect unclouded, and his iron will sustaining him in the execution of his great national work to the last moment of his existence." Thus ended the life of one of the ablest and most distinguished men of his day. I have given place to these interesting accounts of his last hours because such detailed descriptions of the closing scenes in the lives of great personages always possess a charm for me, more especially as they offer encouragement in that I think I behold in bold relief the stamp of immortality upon souls thus animated as they pass out of mortal sight. Colonel Benton was born in Hillsborough, N. C., March 14, 1782, and consequently was in his seventy-seventh year when he died. He was a student at Chapel Hill College, in that State, studied law in William and Mary College, Virginia, served one or two years as lieutenant-colonel in the army, and in 1811 commenced the practice of the law at Nashville, Tenn., removing finally to St. Louis about the year 1815. He was elected Senator from Missouri in 1820, anterior to the formal admission of that State into the Union. He retired from the Senate in 1851, but subsequently served as a Representative from the St. Louis district in the ThirtyThird Congress. At the beginning of his senatorial career he was a member of the Committee on Military Affairs, of which General Jackson was chairman. When a resident of Tennessee there had been a serious encounter between them, but, being brought together upon this committee, "their friendly intercourse was here renewed." We are also assured that "the early alienation was never alluded to between the two friends, until one or two evenings before General Jackson's departure from Washington for the Hermitage, in March, 1838, when a very solemn and affecting conversation occurred, the nature of which we may well conjecture, but which, of course, has never transpired." But for the fact that almost a new generation has grown up since we had the happiness in this country to pay for our daily marketing in gold coin, it would doubtless still be fresh in the memory of all that the pet name for such money was "Benton mint-drops," in acknowledgment of his known character and influence as a "hard-money man," himself being not unfrequently spoken of as "Old Bullion." He became famous, likewise, for his celebrated declaration, "Solitary and alone I set this ball in motion." This he made in the Senate on the 17th of January, 1837, at the close of the debate on his resolution for expunging from the "Journal of the Senate" Mr. Clay's resolution of three years before condemning General Jackson for the removal of the public deposits from the old Bank of the United States. I could add many more interesting incidents in the life of Colonel Benton, but my article is already sufficiently lengthy. Although of a proud and ostentatious bearing, in social intercourse he was usually mild and fascinatingly agreeable. Especially fond of his family, he was a most devoted husband and father. His wife preceded him to the tomb but a short time, and his son-in-law, William Carey Jones, has been dead several years, while the demise of his youngest daughter, Madame Boileau, occurred in France only a few months ago. In conclusion, let me say that in referring to the Kansas trouble and to ex-President Buchanan's remark about the elder Mr. Blair, it is far from my purpose to revive any controversy relating to differences growing out of the exciting subject of slavery, or to reflect upon any person whomsoever. The feeling among the parties concerned arose, no doubt, out of political considerations alone, and I have sought to give truly and fairly only what each has said for himself. August 2, 1874. CHAPTER V. ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN. Terrible Shock and Intense Excitement at the Shooting of the President and Murderous Attack on Secretary Seward and his Son-Official Bulletins of the Fearful Particulars-Death of the PresidentTroops in the District of Columbia ordered out-Rewards offered for Arrest of the Assassins-The Cabinet notifies Vice-President Johnson-Ceremony of his Inauguration-The Assassin Payne's Arrest, and with Atzerodt, Herold, and Surratt condemned to Death -Evidence of Guilt of Mrs. Surratt and Others-Stanton's Impressive Remarks when the President ceased to breathe. WERE it possible to photograph the scenes which took place on the night of the 14th of April, 1865, and the succeeding several days in the city of Washington, it would make a picture surpassing in horror and consequent excitement anything of the kind, perhaps, in the history of the world. A correspondent of the Boston Advertiser, under date of Washington, April 14, 11.15 P.M., truthfully wrote: "A shock from heaven, laying half the city in ruins, would not have startled us as did the word that started out from Ford's Theatre half an hour ago, that the President had been shot. It flew everywhere in five minutes, and set five thousand feet in swift and excited motion on the instant." The description of the shooting is familiar to most readers, but no person, not present in the city, could possibly form any true conception of the horror, mingled with apprehension of threatened danger, which prevailed here at the time. No sooner was the terrible report of the assassination of President Lincoln spread abroad than the rumor came that attempts had been made also upon the lives of members of his Cabinet and of Vice-President Johnson. The early morning of the 15th was full of these and kindred startling rumors, and every one was holding his breath, not knowing what next to expect. Some relief was felt on learning that the members of the Cabinet, as well as the Vice-President, were all safe, except Mr. Seward, Secretary of State, who, with his son Frederick, it was feared, had been fatally wounded. Major Augustus Seward, an older son, and George F. Robinson, a soldier, nurse of Secretary Seward, were also reported as seriously wounded. The following official bulletins, varying in no essential particular from the actual facts, will always possess an historical interest: "WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, April 15, 1.30 A.M. "MAJOR-GENERAL DIX, New York. "Last evening, at 10.30 P.M., at Ford's Theatre, the President, while sitting in his private box with Mrs. Lincoln, Miss Harris, and Major Rathburn, was shot by an assassin who suddenly entered the box. He approached behind the President. The assassin then leaped upon the stage, brandishing a large dagger or knife, and made his escape by the rear of the theatre. The pistol-ball entered the back of the President's head. The wound is mortal. The President has been insensible ever since it was inflicted, and is now dying. 66 About the same hour an assassin, either the same or another, entered Mr. Seward's house, and, under pretence of having a prescription, was shown to the Secretary's chamber. The Secretary was in bed, a nurse and Miss Seward with him. The assassin immediately rushed to the bed, inflicted two or three stabs on the throat and two on the face. It is hoped the wounds may not be mortal. My apprehension is that they will prove fatal. The nurse alarmed Mr. Frederick Seward, who was in an adjoining room, and hastened to the door of his father's room, where he met the assassin, who inflicted upon him one or more dangerous wounds. The recovery of Frederick Seward is doubtful. "It is not probable that the President will live through the night. "General Grant and wife were advertised to be at the theatre this evening, but the latter started for Burlington at six o'clock, last evening. "At a Cabinet meeting, at which General Grant was present, to-day, the subject of the state of the country, and the prospects of speedy peace, was discussed. The President was very cheerful and hopeful, spoke very kindly of General Lee and others of the Confederacy, and the establishment of government in Virginia. All the members of the Cabinet, except Mr. Seward, are now in attendance upon the President. I have seen Mr. Seward, but he and Frederick were both unconscious. "EDWIN M. STANTON, "WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., 3 A.M., April 15. "MAJOR-GENERAL DIX, New York. "The President still breathes, but is quite insensible, as he has been ever since he was shot. He evidently did not see the person who shot him, but was looking on the stage, as he was approached behind. "Mr. Seward has rallied, and it is hoped he may live. Frederick Seward's condition is very critical. The attendant who was present was stabbed through the lungs, and is not expected to live. The wounds of Major Seward are not serious. "Investigation strongly indicates J. Wilkes Booth as the assassin of the President. Whether it was the same or a different person that attempted to murder Mr. Seward remains in doubt. "Chief-Justice Cartter is engaged in taking the evidence. Every exertion has been made to prevent the escape of the murderer. His horse has been found on the road near Washington. "EDWIN M. STANTON, "WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, D. C., April 15, 4.10 A.M. "MAJOR-GENERAL DIX, New York. "The President continues insensible, and is sinking. Secretary Seward remains without change. Frederick Seward's skull is fractured in two places, besides a severe cut upon the head. The attendant is still alive, but hopeless. "Major Seward's wounds are not dangerous. It is now ascertained with reasonable certainty that two assassins were engaged in the horrible crime: Wilkes Booth being the one that shot the President; the other, |