![[LINCOLN ASSASSINATION] BAKER, Luther Byron (1830-1896). Autograph letter signed ("L.B. Baker"), his retained copy of his letter to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, [ca. December 1865]. 21 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.) concerning shares in the reward money offered for the capture of the conspirators; —BAKER, Luther Byron. Autograph letter signed (“L. B. Baker”) to E. D. Townsend, Washington, 6 December 1865, his retained copy of his request for his claim for the reward money. 3 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.); —BAKER, Luther Byron. Autograph manuscript, [n.p., n.d.]. 25 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.), being his personal narrative of the capture of Booth and Herold; —GARRETT, John M. Autograph manuscript, n.p., n.d. [ca. May 1865] docketed in Baker’s hand on verso: “Statement Young Garrett. In reference to the Capture of J. W. Booth and Harrold.” 4 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.) detailing his account of the capture of Booth and Herold. [With:] Several](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2016/NYR/2016_NYR_12262_0384_000(lincoln_assassination_baker_luther_byron_autograph_letter_signed_his_r110138).jpg?w=1)
PROPERTY OF A GENTLEMAN
[LINCOLN ASSASSINATION] BAKER, Luther Byron (1830-1896). Autograph letter signed ("L.B. Baker"), his retained copy of his letter to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, [ca. December 1865]. 21 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.) concerning shares in the reward money offered for the capture of the conspirators; —BAKER, Luther Byron. Autograph letter signed (“L. B. Baker”) to E. D. Townsend, Washington, 6 December 1865, his retained copy of his request for his claim for the reward money. 3 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.); —BAKER, Luther Byron. Autograph manuscript, [n.p., n.d.]. 25 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.), being his personal narrative of the capture of Booth and Herold; —GARRETT, John M. Autograph manuscript, n.p., n.d. [ca. May 1865] docketed in Baker’s hand on verso: “Statement Young Garrett. In reference to the Capture of J. W. Booth and Harrold.” 4 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.) detailing his account of the capture of Booth and Herold. [With:] Several additional documents concerning Baker’s service in the Union Army including his muster-in and muster-out rolls, and his discharge, one of which has been endorsed by Baker’s cousin, Lafayette C. BAKER (1826-1868), as colonel of the 1st D.C. Cavalry, who supervised the manhunt for the assassins.
An important archive documenting detective Luther B. Baker’s pursuit and capture of the assassins John Wilkes Booth and David Herold, featuring retained copies of his letters to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and E.D. Townsend claiming his share of the reward money; his personal, 25-page narrative of his pursuit of the conspirators. The archive also features an original, manuscript statement by John M. Garrett, the son of Richard Garrett, the owner of the Virginia farm Booth and Herold used as their final refuge before their capture.
The intense manhunt for Booth, Herold and the other conspirators was followed by an equally-intense scramble for the reward money. In his quest to maximize his return, Baker stressed the importance of his involvement over those of others who were present at Booth’s capture on the Garret Farm. In his letter to Stanton, Baker observed that “Lieut Dougherty took no part in the communications with Booth or Harrold [sic] and was absent from the door when Harrold Surrendered and also when Booth was shot.” Initially, his efforts were successful, securing $5,000 for himself while Dougherty, who commanded the 16th New York Cavalry that surrounded the tobacco house where Booth and Harold were cornered, only received $2,500. However, after a loud public outcry protesting their allocations (and those of Baker’s cousin, Lafayette C. Baker, who was awarded $17,500, despite the fact he wasn’t present at the Garrett Farm), Congress examined the claims. Following their investigation, Dougherty’s share went up to $5,000, while Baker’s was reduced to $3,000. (See Swanson, Manhunt. 2006, 357-358).
Baker’s lengthy letters and personal narrative offer a superb first-hand account of the intense manhunt for the assassin and his accomplice. His letter to Stanton, as well as his personal narrative, recounts, in tremendous detail, all of the dead-end leads encountered as they closed in on John Wilkes Booth and David Herold. Baker finally caught up with Booth and Herold before dawn on 26 April at the Garret Farm in Port Royal, Virginia, where they were hidden in a tobacco house. Baker recounts the negotiations with the cornered fugitives and recounts the final moments of Booth’s life, worth quoting at some length: “...As a more effectual way to secure the capture of Booth it was finally determined to set the building on fire... Col Conger drew out some straw twisted it set it on fire and instantly the whole mass was in flames... Booth approached the fire with a Carbine in both hands as if to fire, and hurriedly cast his eyes up and down the opening between the boards, but with the intense light - between him and the opening, and the darkness without it was impossible for him to see any thing out side. He paused drop[p]ing his hands. His head fell as if in thought -- he then turned and went toward the door. Col. Conger then started around the building to reach the same point when on his way he heard the report of a Pistol and upon going around he found Laf. Baker standing over the body of Booth... Sargt. Boston Corbit [sic] who fired the shot had been placed by Col. Conger about thirty feet from the Barn with orders not to leave his post on any pretext - yet he did leave it and approached the Barn, when without orders... he shot Booth...”
John M. Garret’s statement offers an alternative perspective on the events of 26 April. His father, Richard, had initially denied that the fugitives were on his property. When he first encountered Baker and Conger on the porch of the house interrogating his father, “I asked who they were in pursuit of. & one of...them mentioned... some men. I told them at once there were to men who I thought very suspicious characters in the Tobacco house. go with me & I will show you where they are...” Garrett recounted his negotiations with the cornered fugitives as well as Booth’s final moments. After Herold surrendered, “Lt. Baker locked the door again. The next thing I remember a light sprung up in the north corner of the house & just then I heard a report as if from a pistol. Lt. Baker & myself rushed in the house & w[h]en we eneter[ed] Booth was in the act of falling in the opposite direction from the fire he turned over & his head fell on one side after we got in the house. Lt Baker went directly to him... The next time I saw them Booth was lying in my Father’s porch Lt Baker & Col conger were around him...”
细节
[LINCOLN ASSASSINATION] BAKER, Luther Byron (1830-1896). Autograph letter signed ("L.B. Baker"), his retained copy of his letter to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, [ca. December 1865]. 21 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.) concerning shares in the reward money offered for the capture of the conspirators; —BAKER, Luther Byron. Autograph letter signed (“L. B. Baker”) to E. D. Townsend, Washington, 6 December 1865, his retained copy of his request for his claim for the reward money. 3 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.); —BAKER, Luther Byron. Autograph manuscript, [n.p., n.d.]. 25 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.), being his personal narrative of the capture of Booth and Herold; —GARRETT, John M. Autograph manuscript, n.p., n.d. [ca. May 1865] docketed in Baker’s hand on verso: “Statement Young Garrett. In reference to the Capture of J. W. Booth and Harrold.” 4 pages, legal folio (320 x 205 mm.) detailing his account of the capture of Booth and Herold. [With:] Several additional documents concerning Baker’s service in the Union Army including his muster-in and muster-out rolls, and his discharge, one of which has been endorsed by Baker’s cousin, Lafayette C. BAKER (1826-1868), as colonel of the 1st D.C. Cavalry, who supervised the manhunt for the assassins.
An important archive documenting detective Luther B. Baker’s pursuit and capture of the assassins John Wilkes Booth and David Herold, featuring retained copies of his letters to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and E.D. Townsend claiming his share of the reward money; his personal, 25-page narrative of his pursuit of the conspirators. The archive also features an original, manuscript statement by John M. Garrett, the son of Richard Garrett, the owner of the Virginia farm Booth and Herold used as their final refuge before their capture.
The intense manhunt for Booth, Herold and the other conspirators was followed by an equally-intense scramble for the reward money. In his quest to maximize his return, Baker stressed the importance of his involvement over those of others who were present at Booth’s capture on the Garret Farm. In his letter to Stanton, Baker observed that “Lieut Dougherty took no part in the communications with Booth or Harrold [sic] and was absent from the door when Harrold Surrendered and also when Booth was shot.” Initially, his efforts were successful, securing $5,000 for himself while Dougherty, who commanded the 16th New York Cavalry that surrounded the tobacco house where Booth and Harold were cornered, only received $2,500. However, after a loud public outcry protesting their allocations (and those of Baker’s cousin, Lafayette C. Baker, who was awarded $17,500, despite the fact he wasn’t present at the Garrett Farm), Congress examined the claims. Following their investigation, Dougherty’s share went up to $5,000, while Baker’s was reduced to $3,000. (See Swanson, Manhunt. 2006, 357-358).
Baker’s lengthy letters and personal narrative offer a superb first-hand account of the intense manhunt for the assassin and his accomplice. His letter to Stanton, as well as his personal narrative, recounts, in tremendous detail, all of the dead-end leads encountered as they closed in on John Wilkes Booth and David Herold. Baker finally caught up with Booth and Herold before dawn on 26 April at the Garret Farm in Port Royal, Virginia, where they were hidden in a tobacco house. Baker recounts the negotiations with the cornered fugitives and recounts the final moments of Booth’s life, worth quoting at some length: “...As a more effectual way to secure the capture of Booth it was finally determined to set the building on fire... Col Conger drew out some straw twisted it set it on fire and instantly the whole mass was in flames... Booth approached the fire with a Carbine in both hands as if to fire, and hurriedly cast his eyes up and down the opening between the boards, but with the intense light - between him and the opening, and the darkness without it was impossible for him to see any thing out side. He paused drop[p]ing his hands. His head fell as if in thought -- he then turned and went toward the door. Col. Conger then started around the building to reach the same point when on his way he heard the report of a Pistol and upon going around he found Laf. Baker standing over the body of Booth... Sargt. Boston Corbit [sic] who fired the shot had been placed by Col. Conger about thirty feet from the Barn with orders not to leave his post on any pretext - yet he did leave it and approached the Barn, when without orders... he shot Booth...”
John M. Garret’s statement offers an alternative perspective on the events of 26 April. His father, Richard, had initially denied that the fugitives were on his property. When he first encountered Baker and Conger on the porch of the house interrogating his father, “I asked who they were in pursuit of. & one of...them mentioned... some men. I told them at once there were to men who I thought very suspicious characters in the Tobacco house. go with me & I will show you where they are...” Garrett recounted his negotiations with the cornered fugitives as well as Booth’s final moments. After Herold surrendered, “Lt. Baker locked the door again. The next thing I remember a light sprung up in the north corner of the house & just then I heard a report as if from a pistol. Lt. Baker & myself rushed in the house & w[h]en we eneter[ed] Booth was in the act of falling in the opposite direction from the fire he turned over & his head fell on one side after we got in the house. Lt Baker went directly to him... The next time I saw them Booth was lying in my Father’s porch Lt Baker & Col conger were around him...”
An important archive documenting detective Luther B. Baker’s pursuit and capture of the assassins John Wilkes Booth and David Herold, featuring retained copies of his letters to Secretary of War Edwin Stanton and E.D. Townsend claiming his share of the reward money; his personal, 25-page narrative of his pursuit of the conspirators. The archive also features an original, manuscript statement by John M. Garrett, the son of Richard Garrett, the owner of the Virginia farm Booth and Herold used as their final refuge before their capture.
The intense manhunt for Booth, Herold and the other conspirators was followed by an equally-intense scramble for the reward money. In his quest to maximize his return, Baker stressed the importance of his involvement over those of others who were present at Booth’s capture on the Garret Farm. In his letter to Stanton, Baker observed that “Lieut Dougherty took no part in the communications with Booth or Harrold [sic] and was absent from the door when Harrold Surrendered and also when Booth was shot.” Initially, his efforts were successful, securing $5,000 for himself while Dougherty, who commanded the 16th New York Cavalry that surrounded the tobacco house where Booth and Harold were cornered, only received $2,500. However, after a loud public outcry protesting their allocations (and those of Baker’s cousin, Lafayette C. Baker, who was awarded $17,500, despite the fact he wasn’t present at the Garrett Farm), Congress examined the claims. Following their investigation, Dougherty’s share went up to $5,000, while Baker’s was reduced to $3,000. (See Swanson, Manhunt. 2006, 357-358).
Baker’s lengthy letters and personal narrative offer a superb first-hand account of the intense manhunt for the assassin and his accomplice. His letter to Stanton, as well as his personal narrative, recounts, in tremendous detail, all of the dead-end leads encountered as they closed in on John Wilkes Booth and David Herold. Baker finally caught up with Booth and Herold before dawn on 26 April at the Garret Farm in Port Royal, Virginia, where they were hidden in a tobacco house. Baker recounts the negotiations with the cornered fugitives and recounts the final moments of Booth’s life, worth quoting at some length: “...As a more effectual way to secure the capture of Booth it was finally determined to set the building on fire... Col Conger drew out some straw twisted it set it on fire and instantly the whole mass was in flames... Booth approached the fire with a Carbine in both hands as if to fire, and hurriedly cast his eyes up and down the opening between the boards, but with the intense light - between him and the opening, and the darkness without it was impossible for him to see any thing out side. He paused drop[p]ing his hands. His head fell as if in thought -- he then turned and went toward the door. Col. Conger then started around the building to reach the same point when on his way he heard the report of a Pistol and upon going around he found Laf. Baker standing over the body of Booth... Sargt. Boston Corbit [sic] who fired the shot had been placed by Col. Conger about thirty feet from the Barn with orders not to leave his post on any pretext - yet he did leave it and approached the Barn, when without orders... he shot Booth...”
John M. Garret’s statement offers an alternative perspective on the events of 26 April. His father, Richard, had initially denied that the fugitives were on his property. When he first encountered Baker and Conger on the porch of the house interrogating his father, “I asked who they were in pursuit of. & one of...them mentioned... some men. I told them at once there were to men who I thought very suspicious characters in the Tobacco house. go with me & I will show you where they are...” Garrett recounted his negotiations with the cornered fugitives as well as Booth’s final moments. After Herold surrendered, “Lt. Baker locked the door again. The next thing I remember a light sprung up in the north corner of the house & just then I heard a report as if from a pistol. Lt. Baker & myself rushed in the house & w[h]en we eneter[ed] Booth was in the act of falling in the opposite direction from the fire he turned over & his head fell on one side after we got in the house. Lt Baker went directly to him... The next time I saw them Booth was lying in my Father’s porch Lt Baker & Col conger were around him...”