When the Grants’ train arrived in Philadelphia at the Broad Street Station, a messenger waited with a telegram from the War Department. Grant read it in silence: THE PRESIDENT WAS ASSASSINATED AT FORD’S THEATRE AT 10:30 TONIGHT & CANNOT LIVE, THE WOUND IS A PISTOL THROUGH THE HEAD. SECRETARY SEWARD & HIS SON FREDERICK WERE ALSO ASSASSINATED AT THEIR RESIDENCE & ARE IN A DANGEROUS CONDITION. THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES THAT YOU RETURN TO WASHINGTON IMMEDIATELY.
