21 September 2011
Letter From Enoch Lewis, former Supt PRR to Allan Pinkerton, November 7, 1867
Philadelphia, Penn., November 7th, 1867.
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir:
In reply to your favor of the 31st ult. I would say that on the 21st of Feb., 1861, I was in Philadelphia in the way of business as General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to arrange for the movement of Mr. Lincoln, then President-elect of the United States, by special train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, on the 22d. inst.; it being understood that he was to proceed on the 23d from Harrisburg, by the Northern Central Railroad to Baltimore and thence to Washington.
On that evening (the 21st) I met Mr. Judd in Philadelphia by appointment, in company with Mr. G. C. Franciscus, Superintendent of the Philadelphia Division, Pennsylvania Railroad, and was informed that in consequence of the apprehended danger of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln whilst passing through Baltimore, it was desired to change his route to the capitol, and to bring him back privately from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on the evening of the 22d, and to take him by the regular night train from Philadelphia to Washington, through Baltimore. I, of course, agreed to make any necessary arrangements so far as our road was concerned.
On the 22d of February, I accompanied Mr. Lincoln in the special train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg; arrangements were quietly made for a special train, ostensibly to take Division Superintendent and myself back to the city; it was stationed just below town soon after dark, where I awaited the coming of Mr. Lincoln. Early in the evening Mr. Franciscus brought Mr. Lincoln, accompanied by Ward H. Lamon, to it. We started, and without interruption reached Philadelphia in time for the night train to Washington. The only persons on the train which was run from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on the evening of the 22d, besides the engineer and fireman, were Messrs. Lincoln and Ward H. Lamon, G. C. Franciscus, Division Superintendent; John Pitcairn, Jr., in charge of telegraph instrument; T. E. Garrett. General Baggage Agent, and myself. When the train reached West Philadelphia you met us at the platform and escorted Messrs Lincoln and Lamon to a carriage into which I saw you three get, and drive rapidly away in the direction of the Baltimore Depot.
I saw no change in Mr. Lincoln’s costume except that during the day he wore a silk or beaver hat, and in the evening one of soft felt.
Respectfully,
ENOCH LEWIS,
Formerly Gen. Supt. Penn. R. R." ¶ 9/21/2011 12:31:00 PM
Allan Pinkerton, Esq., Chicago, 111.
Dear Sir:
In reply to your favor of the 31st ult. I would say that on the 21st of Feb., 1861, I was in Philadelphia in the way of business as General Superintendent of the Pennsylvania Railroad, to arrange for the movement of Mr. Lincoln, then President-elect of the United States, by special train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg, on the 22d. inst.; it being understood that he was to proceed on the 23d from Harrisburg, by the Northern Central Railroad to Baltimore and thence to Washington.
On that evening (the 21st) I met Mr. Judd in Philadelphia by appointment, in company with Mr. G. C. Franciscus, Superintendent of the Philadelphia Division, Pennsylvania Railroad, and was informed that in consequence of the apprehended danger of the assassination of Mr. Lincoln whilst passing through Baltimore, it was desired to change his route to the capitol, and to bring him back privately from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on the evening of the 22d, and to take him by the regular night train from Philadelphia to Washington, through Baltimore. I, of course, agreed to make any necessary arrangements so far as our road was concerned.
On the 22d of February, I accompanied Mr. Lincoln in the special train from Philadelphia to Harrisburg; arrangements were quietly made for a special train, ostensibly to take Division Superintendent and myself back to the city; it was stationed just below town soon after dark, where I awaited the coming of Mr. Lincoln. Early in the evening Mr. Franciscus brought Mr. Lincoln, accompanied by Ward H. Lamon, to it. We started, and without interruption reached Philadelphia in time for the night train to Washington. The only persons on the train which was run from Harrisburg to Philadelphia, on the evening of the 22d, besides the engineer and fireman, were Messrs. Lincoln and Ward H. Lamon, G. C. Franciscus, Division Superintendent; John Pitcairn, Jr., in charge of telegraph instrument; T. E. Garrett. General Baggage Agent, and myself. When the train reached West Philadelphia you met us at the platform and escorted Messrs Lincoln and Lamon to a carriage into which I saw you three get, and drive rapidly away in the direction of the Baltimore Depot.
I saw no change in Mr. Lincoln’s costume except that during the day he wore a silk or beaver hat, and in the evening one of soft felt.
Respectfully,
ENOCH LEWIS,
Formerly Gen. Supt. Penn. R. R." ¶ 9/21/2011 12:31:00 PM
