2. Booth fled into Maryland and the safety of his allies
Booth rode through the streets of Washington past the Navy Yard, arriving at the bridge to Maryland just minutes after shooting the President. The bridge was closed to all but those on official business, but Booth, who gave his real name to the sentry, was allowed to pass. He vanished into the darkness, and his whereabouts would not be known, other than to those aiding him, for twelve days. Shortly after Booth was allowed to pass another rider, David Herold, arrived at the bridge. The lenient sentry allowed him to pass too. Herold met with Booth on the Maryland side of the bridge, and the two men headed towards Surratt’s Tavern, a venue with which both of them were familiar.
In Washington, the report of an attack on Secretary of State Seward was added to that of the assassination of the President. Seward was attacked in his home (he was bedridden from injuries sustained in a carriage accident, the supportive iron frame he was wearing saved his life), brutally slashed with a knife. His son and a caretaker were injured in the attack by an assailant who escaped while shouting “I’m mad”. Secretary of War Edwin Stanton took charge, ordered the city sealed, and had the identity of the President’s assailant announced, as Lincoln lay dying in the Petersen House, across the street from the theater in which he had been shot.