Today, it looks just like any other creepy, desolate alley in Washington, D.C.-- But would it interest you to know it was once an assassin's escape route? Follow along with me today as I uncover the secrets of this forgotten hideaway...
This is Baptist Alley, my fellow history buffs. It's located along F Street in Washington, D.C.-- and unless you keep your eyes open you're likeIy to miss the historical marker that's located just outside of it. In fact, hundreds of people walk past Baptist Alley every single day on their way down F Street and never even notice it. But trust me when I tell you there's actually a rich history connected with this particular alley. In fact, if you take a quick walk down it--you'll find that it leads you right to the backdoor of Ford's Theatre....
If you've guessed Baptist Alley's historical connection pertains to the Lincoln assassination--you'd be correct. Allow me to give you some insight:
Prior to Lincoln's assassination, John Wilkes Booth was one of the most celebrated actors of his day. Having traveled across the United States on countless acting engagements, Booth was a well-known star, earning roughly 20,000 dollars a year (a significant amount of money at the time) and filling theaters in cities like Boston, Cincinnati, Chicago, St. Louis, and most notably Washington, D.C.
Booth was a longtime friend of the Ford brothers who owned and operated Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C., and Booth even performed in a play at Ford's in November 1863 (a performance which was attended by none other than Abraham Lincoln himself). Because of Booth's long-standing relationship with the Ford brothers, he knew the theatre by heart--and he basically had the run of the place--no questions asked. So this makes sense that on the night of the assassination, Booth could easily plan his attack without looking suspicious--and he knew the perfect escape route.
After shooting Lincoln at roughly 10:15pm, Booth dropped his derringer pistol on the floor in the Presidential Box (it would be found by a civilian bystander later that night) and scuffled briefly with the Lincoln's guest, Major Henry Rathbone, who tried to stop Booth from getting away. But Booth, who was also carrying a large bowie knife, quickly stabbed Major Rathbone, then immediately swung his legs over the banister of the Presidential Box and jumped down onto the stage 12 feet below. A stunned audience had no idea what was happening--and many thought it was simply part of the play.
As Booth ran across the stage, he stopped halfway, raised his bloody dagger, and shouted ''Sic Semper Tyrannis!''-- the Latin phrase meaning, "Thus always to tyrants." Some of the audience members thought Booth also shouted, "I have done it!" though these claims vary, as Booth's brief presence on stage only lasted for roughly 8 seconds before he quickly disappeared into the darkness backstage.
As Booth, high on adrenaline, ran backstage shouting "Let me pass!" Ford's Theatre orchestra conductor, William Withers, just so happened to be standing in the assassin's way. Booth, still gripping the bloody dagger he had used on Major Rathbone, sliced at Wither's neck--but only managed to cut Wither's jacket. (Today, Wither's jacket is on display at Ford's Theatre).
As Mrs. Lincoln's shrill cries echoed through the theatre, one at a time audience members began to realize what happened. One audience member, who was sitting in the front row, was perhaps the first to realize that Lincoln had been shot, and quickly hoisted himself onto the stage and chased after Booth. But, as fate would have it, he was just seconds too late--as Booth had already existed the theatre's backdoor and rushed outside where his getaway horse was waiting.
This is the back of Ford's Theatre today (seen here when I lectured a tour group). Obviously, the exact door has changed since 1865, but it's still in the same location as the original door would have been when Booth used it just moments after shooting President Lincoln on the night of April 14, 1865.
Booth had prearranged for his getaway horse to be waiting outside for him. Though he had originally asked his friend and Ford's Theatre scene shifter, Ned Spangler, to hold the high-spirited animal, Spangler was too busy and ultimately passed the job off on a 12-year-old boy who went by the nickname "Peanut John."
As screams and panic echoed from inside the theatre, Booth frantically shoved the frightened Peanut John aside, mounted his horse, and darted up Baptist Alley--which led him out to F Street and ultimately out of the city--enabling him to make the remarkably fast, not to mention effective, getaway that he so crucially needed, especially after committing a crime that was literally witnessed by over a thousand people who could have tried to stop him. And so, the 12 day manhunt for John Wilkes Booth had begun.
Indeed, while many of us are familiar with what happened inside Ford's Theatre, perhaps it's time to pay an equal amount of attention to what happened in the moments after Booth exited the building. And without Baptist Alley, Booth's escape might not have been possible, and maybe--just maybe--history would have played out differently...
So the next time you find yourself along F Street in Washington, D.C.--take a minute to walk down Baptist Alley (like I did with this tour group) and try to picture what it must have been like on that chilly Friday night in 1865, as the sound of an assassin's galloping horse darted up this forgotten passageway and disappeared into the darkness. Indeed, Baptist Alley is still a fascinating place, my friends--All it requires is just a little bit of your imagination.