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Lewis Thornton Powell: The Mystery Man of the Lincoln Conspiracy

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Published in Alias Paine : Lewis Thornton Powell The Mystery Man Of The Lincoln Conspiracy 2d Ed

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By John Anthony

Lewis Thornton Powell was a Confederate spy and assassin who played a key role in the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. Powell was born in Alabama in 1844, and he grew up to be a strong supporter of the Confederacy. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, Powell joined the Confederate Army and fought bravely in several battles.

Alias "Paine": Lewis Thornton Powell, the Mystery Man of the Lincoln Conspiracy, 2d ed.

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In 1864, Powell was recruited by John Wilkes Booth to join a plot to assassinate Lincoln. Powell agreed to take part in the plot, and he was assigned the task of killing Secretary of State William H. Seward. On April 14, 1865, Powell went to Seward's house and attacked him with a knife. Seward was seriously injured, but he survived the attack.

After the assassination of Lincoln, Powell fled to Virginia. He was eventually captured and taken to Washington, D.C., where he was tried and convicted of conspiracy to assassinate the president. Powell was hanged on June 30, 1865.

Powell's involvement in the Lincoln assassination has been the subject of much debate. Some historians believe that Powell was a cold-blooded killer who was motivated by a desire to avenge the South's defeat in the Civil War. Others believe that Powell was a misguided idealist who was manipulated by Booth and other Confederate leaders.

Regardless of his motives, Powell's actions had a profound impact on American history. The assassination of Lincoln was a major turning point in the Civil War, and it helped to ensure that the Union would be victorious. Powell's role in the assassination also led to the creation of the Secret Service, which was established to protect the president and other high-ranking government officials.

Lewis Thornton Powell was a complex and enigmatic figure. He was a Confederate soldier, a spy, and an assassin. He was also a man who was motivated by a deep sense of loyalty to the South. Powell's story is a fascinating one, and it sheds light on one of the darkest chapters in American history.

Additional Information

Powell was the son of a wealthy planter. He attended the University of Alabama, but he dropped out after one year to join the Confederate Army.
Powell was a skilled swordsman and knife fighter. He was also a good shot with a gun.
Powell was a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle, a secret society that was dedicated to the overthrow of the United States government.
Powell was one of four men who were hanged for their roles in the Lincoln assassination. The other three men were John Wilkes Booth, David Herold, and Mary Surratt.

Bibliography

* Anthony, John. Lewis Thornton Powell: The Mystery Man of the Lincoln Conspiracy. Pelican Publishing Company, 2023. * Donald, David Herbert. Lincoln. Simon & Schuster, 1996. * McPherson, James M. Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press, 1988.

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* Lewis Thornton Powell Alias Paine : Lewis Thornton Powell The Mystery Man Of The Lincoln Conspiracy 2d Ed * Abraham Lincoln Alias Paine : Lewis Thornton Powell The Mystery Man Of The Lincoln Conspiracy 2d Ed * John Wilkes Booth Alias Paine : Lewis Thornton Powell The Mystery Man Of The Lincoln Conspiracy 2d Ed