Superb Content Abraham Lincoln Assassin Related Letter "the assassin of the President will attempt to escape disguised... in woman’s clothing."
April 24, 1865-Dated, Extraordinary Official Military Autographed Letter by Union General John Dunlap Stevenson, and Signed, “J. D. Stevenson - Brig. Genl.,” Regarding the search for the Assassins of President Abraham Lincoln, Choice Very Fine.
This is an original military letter, measuring 9.5” x 7.5” is written upon official letterhead, “Headquarters First Brigade, Third Division, Department of West Virginia, Martinsburg, Va., dated April 24, 1865. This historic, simple and well written one page letter is to Major John Townsend Daniel, being sent by General John Dunlap Stevenson. This remarkable letter reads, in full:

"The following Telegram has been received at these Hdqters: Harpers Ferry Va., April 23, 1865. 9:15 AM, To Colonel Cook. Notify all subordinate Commanders along line of railroad, that there is reason to believe, that the assassin of the President will attempt to escape disguised through the lines along the B.& O. R.R. Examine critically all persons who attempt to pass the lines. Look out for a disguise in woman's clothing. Signed J.S. Stevenson Brig. Genl". Also signed "C.S. Ilsley" (Charles Stillman Ilsely).”

The date this letter was dispatched President Lincoln's body was being viewed at the New York City Funeral. While his assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was hiding at the Garrett Farm just south of Port Royal, Virginia. While the authorities had some leads, Booth and his accomplice David Herold still had eluded capture since his assassination of the President some 10 days earlier.

The hope of the government was that Booth had not yet left the Washington, D.C. and greater Virginia area, and that he would soon be captured. This incredible, original letter points to that fact. The pursuing Union soldiers were guarding not only the area roads and bridges, but were also carefully searching the railroad lines as well as a possible route of escape for Booth.

Of most interest is the fact that the authorities thought that Booth might be dressed in woman's clothing to elude capture, such as was related to the capture of Confederate President Jefferson Davis! This important, historic fact has not quite made it into the modern history books regarding Booth. A truly important and superb Abraham Lincoln Assassination related letter, directly involving the efforts to capture John Wilkes Booth.
On the evening of May 9, 1865, his escape detected by Union soldiers, Confederate President Jefferson Davis made a quick dash to escape his pursuers. He had thrown his wife's raglan, or overcoat, on his shoulders. This led to the persistent rumor that he attempted to flee in women's clothes. A popular song of the era was "Jeff in Petticoats," and the major tabloids featured artists' renderings of the fallen leader dressed in everything from a wig to a hoop skirt.

A zealous member of the Michigan detail quickly apprehended Davis, and he was transported to Fortress Monroe, Virginia, where he remained a prisoner for more than two years.