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pillowcase and towel fragments
- Creator:
- unknown
- Location:
- unknown
- Origin Date:
- Unknown
- Materials:
- cloth, paper
- Measurements:
- overall: 1 3/4 in x 3 in
- Item ID:
- 71.2009.082.0112a-b
- Holding Institution:
- Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum
- Available for Viewing:
- No
- Category:
- Textiles
Description
a) Stained white cotton pillowcase fragment folded and creased. b) White towel fragment features a woven figure-eight pattern and is folded and creased. A stream of blood is dried on the towel. These blood-stained items were sent by a Civil War soldier, Albert Daggett, to his sister along with an eye witness account describing the scene of Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865. One is a small piece of the pillowcase upon which Lincoln's head rested in the bed at the Petersen House. The other is a small piece of a towel which had been wrapped around Lincoln's head. For more information on these items see "Lincoln Lore" number 1478, April 1961. Go to www.lincolncollection.org and search for "Daggett" to see three letters Albert Daggett wrote to his mother and sisters describing the events of April 14-15, 1865, and later when the conspirators are caught. Part of the Lincoln Financial Foundation Collection, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum