Booth Escapes DC

The Navy Yard Bridge connected the Anacostia Area with the navy yard and downtown D.C.

Library of Congress Photo

The Navy Yard Bridge

Anacostia Park is rich in history. In fact, one of the darkest days of American history has ties to Anacostia Park. After assassinating President Lincoln, the infamous John Wilkes Booth escaped the city by using the Navy Yard Bridge that went from 11th street in downtown DC across the Anacostia River to Good Hope Road in the Anacostia community.

On Friday night, April 14th 1865, the famous actor John Wilkes Booth entered Ford’s Theatre which is located just a few blocks from the White House. As a recognized actor, his attendance was not out of the ordinary. At approximately 10:25pm, Booth entered President Lincolns balcony box and shot the president. Booth quickly fled the theatre by jumping off the balcony, and racing out the door to get on his horse that a stagehand was holding for him outside. He raced through downtown DC, past the national mall where the Washington Monument was being constructed.

 

John Wilkes Booth assassinated President Lincoln on April 14th, 1865 at Ford's Theatre in downtown Washington D.C.

Library of Congress

He fled towards the Anacostia River down 11^th street to the Navy Yard Bridge. The Navy Yard Bridge was opened in 1819 and connected the Anacostia Community to the Navy Yard and downtown DC. As DC was still under Civil War protections, the bridge was always guarded by soldiers. That night the sentry was Sergeant Silas Cobb of the 3^rd Massachusetts Heavy Artillery. News had not reached Sergeant Cobb about the assassination. However, the bridge was closed to non-essential traffic at 9pm. Only military officers and those with a countersign (password) and a pass were supposed to be allowed to cross. Booth arrived around 10:45 pm. As a trained actor, Booth was able to calmly explain to Sergeant Cobb that he was running late and intended to go straight home. Although he did not have a pass, Booth knew the password that was required to cross the bridge. Sergeant Cobb reluctantly let Booth pass, and Booth eventually fled into Maryland.

 

John Wilkes Booth was on the run throughout the DC/Maryland/Viriginia area.

NPS

President Lincoln died from the gunshot wound on April 15^th at 7:22am. The largest ever force of federal, state and volunteer forces were searching for Booth and the other conspirators. Booth evaded capture for 12 days. He was finally caught near Port Royal Virginia on April 26^th. Refusing to surrender, Booth was shot and killed.

The Navy Yard Bridge was replaced in 1874 and again in 1905. In 1965 as people and traffic continued to increase in Washington DC, a more modern 4-lane bridge was built, followed by a tandem bridge in 1969 which allowed for one way traffic. In 2012 the current modern 11^th street bridges were open and completed. The 11^th Street Bridge Park is in the works and will be a fantastic destination for community recreation when completed.

 

Sources:“The Assassin’s Escape - Ford’s Theatre (U.S. National Park Service).” Www.nps.gov, The National Park Service , 17 Apr. 2023, www.nps.gov/foth/learn/historyculture/the-assassin-s-escape.htm. Accessed 25 Jan. 2024.Pohl, Robert .
“Lost Capitol Hill: The Navy Yard Bridge.” The Hill Is Home, 18 June 2012, thehillishome.com/2012/06/lost-capitol-hill-the-navy-yard-bridge/. Accessed 25 Jan. 2024.