Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth were not complicated men but rather it was the events of America’s History that made the two men reach their individual focus on the complexities that brought philosophical differences driven to a joint destiny. Lincoln Booth the Final Days cover many events that lead to that fateful night at the Ford Theater on April 14, 1865.

Our story starts by reviewing the brave surrender of Robert E. Lee Commander of the Confederate Army to Ulysses S. Grant Commander of the Union Army at Appomattox Court, Virginia. The two had served side by side in the Mexican War during 1846-1848 as junior officers. In the final days of the Civil War Lee grew more excepting of its final chapter. Grant encouraged him in the last days of conflict by suggesting that the loss of life and property was no-longer worth the prolonged conflict separating nation and for all purpose the war was over. Lee respected Grant and had the same admiration for Lee. On April 9th, 1865, Lee would surrender to Grant just six days before Booth would mortally wound and end the Life of Abraham Lincoln.

John Wilkes Booth a prominent actor from a family of the same had not only philosophical differences with Lincoln but an obsessive hatred for Lincoln and likened him to an arrogant King who believed that his vision of America was without question, right. Booth was enraged with Lincoln’s belief that free slaves would share the same Constitutional rights as white citizens.  Booth belief the intrusion of the Federal Government in the choice’s made by The Confederate States to preserve their tradition and economy was an abuse of power by Lincoln. 

The story continues with Booth’s relationship with the Stewart Family including many of the co-conspirators that followed Booth to his end.  A plot of which there were many, to kidnap Lincoln at Hospital stage performance just outside Washington was foiled after much planning by Booth once Lincoln decided not to attend that evening. The screenplay traces the meeting held in Washington close to the White House and Lincoln at cafes with both Booth and his conspirators.

The hiding of weapons, the lack of security and Lincoln’s choice not to yield to public pressure and post war concerns gave Booth even greater reason to carry out his plan of assassination even if it meant single handedly. The events day to day detail and unfold as though the density in final chapter of Lincoln’s life approached. In addition the story touches on the relationship between Lincoln and his wife Mary Todd and their reliance on each other’s strength to endure the life the Lincoln choose. Lincolns own views of a war that needed to end with a freedom of slaves we may find conflicting with his concerns of post war issues regarding a plan to deal with free slave population in way that few of us might not expect. Lincoln Booth the Final Days is sure will tell a story of conflict and intrigue with new details leading up to the most shocking assassinations in American History.

  © 2019 Mike Koontz