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Retracing the Manhunt for John Wilkes Booth
When John Wilkes Booth assassinated Abraham Lincoln on April 14th, 1865, his act sparked the largest manhunt in the nation’s history. The 26-year-old gunman fled south through rural Maryland, hoping to find sanctuary in Confederate territory and then possibly safe passage to Mexico. After 12 days on horseback, boat and foot, Booth was cornered and shot dead by Union troops at Garrett Farm in northern Virginia.