


<b>The surrender of General Robert E. Lee�s Army and the Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln</b>


1865 Diary of George W. Lukens. 2 1/2 x 3 3/4, leather covered pocket diary, with latch tab. Published Annually by Kiggins & Kellogg, 123 & 125 William Street, New York, 1864. Contents: Almanac, Banking Table, Calendar with times of sun rise and set sets, list of important events in history, cash account for every month, and a space for writing memoranda for every day in the year. Imprint on each page including the day of the week, month, day and year. The diary has been completely filled out in ink for every day of the year from Sunday, January 1, 1865, to Sunday December 31, 1865. The diary is identified inside of the back cover, Geo. W. Lukens, who was a resident of Lewisburg, Pa. Light wear, scattered staining, and aging. Gold gilt page ends. Although he never mentions his age, based on the content, I believe George W. Lukens was probably in his late teens.  


Some of the things he writes about in his diary are pertaining to his school activities; he mentions that he received a nice gold pen and holder that he is proud of; talks about ice skating and sleighing during the winter seasons; the snow and cold weather; attending prayer meetings and church; news of the death of various people and their funerals; his family; having his photograph taken in Lewisburg; receiving letters from a &quot;soldier boy;&quot; the superintendent visiting his school; playing checkers; Christmas; his job and responsibilities as a clerk in a store, election news, death of a soldier; soldiers returning from the war, and more.


Some of the important content in the diary regards the surrender of General Robert E. Lee�s Army to General Ulysses S. Grant; the Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln and the attack of Secretary of State William H. Seward; the mourning for President Lincoln; and the mention of John Wilkes Booth.


April 3, 1865: Reported that Richmond is taken.


April 7, 1865: Report of the capture of Lee�s Army. Great excitement in town this evening- large gathering in the Diamond.


April 8, 1865: The news of Lee�s Army being captured is contradicted today- sorry to hear it.


April 10, 1865: The news of Lee�s surrender came again, but true this time- bully news. Hurrah for Grant.


April 11, 1865: No more good news from the Army today, only the news of yesterday confirmed. 


April 12, 1865: Still good news coming in hourly. I think peace is pretty night at hand.


April 13, 1865: Repairing and fixing up for the celebration tomorrow.


April 14, 1865: Day of celebration today- middling nice affair.


April 15, 1865: Received the news of the murder of A. Lincoln and Seward & son. Bad news- Lincoln and Seward not expected to live.


April 17, 1865: The news of three men being killed in D.C. & Booth being arrested & three players of the theatre being arrested on suspicion.


April 18, 1865: The news of Seward�s assassin being captured, but not Lincoln�s assassin. Arrangements of the funeral.


April 19, 1865: The day set apart for the mourning of Abe Lincoln- all business closed from 11 A.M. to 6 P.M.


April 20, 1865: No news of any interest from the assassination.


May 4, 1865: Sixty soldiers came into town this eve, who have been in Clearfield taking deserters.


June 3, 1865: Some of the soldiers returned today back to Lewisburg- they look hard, but brave.


A very desirable 1865 diary relating the news of the surrender of General Robert E. Lee�s Army, and the Assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. 

