Title
“We should have killed them all”: The violent reaction of Union soldiers to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Department/School
History and Philosophy
Abstract
Challenges the notion that the reaction of Union soldiers to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln was limited to shows of public grief punctuated by only a few acts of retribution. Violence was more common than previously thought. Many soldiers threatened violence against Confederates and any person thought to support the assassination. In several cases, mob violence by angry soldiers was only prevented by the vigorous action of military authorities. Some soldiers put threats into action, attacking and beating Confederate prisoners as well as fellow soldiers and civilians who supported Lincoln's death. More than 15 soldiers were court-martialed for expressing sympathy with the assassins. Killings of assassination sympathizers were reported in Chicago, Nashville, New Orleans, and Washington, D.C. These violent actions were largely supported by the civilian population, and prosecutions of military offenders were rare.
Recommended Citation
Ramold, S. J. (2007). “We should have killed them all”: The violent reaction of Union soldiers to the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Journal of Illinois History, 10(1), 27–48.