A Night at the Theatre: Dr. Charles A. Leale & Lincoln's Final Hours
Charles Augustus Leale (March 26, 1842 – June 13, 1932) was a surgeon in the Union Army during the American Civil War and the first doctor to arrive at the presidential box at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865 after John Wilkes Booth fatally shot President Abraham Lincoln in the head. His prompt treatment allowed Lincoln to live until the next morning. Leale continued to serve in the army until 1866, after which he returned to his home town of New York City where he established a successful private practice and became involved in charitable medical care. One of the last surviving witnesses to Lincoln's death, Leale died in 1932 at the age of 90.
In history classes across America, whenever Lincoln's assassination is taught, little to no information is included about Dr. Leale. Not only should more information be taught about Dr. Leale's efforts that fateful night in Washington, D.C., but also about his later medical work. Dr. Charles Leale was a thoughtful and compassionate doctor, traits rarely found today in the medical world, who gave his services to the poor in the Asiatic cholera outbreak of 1866. He was the author of several technical books and papers and he contributed to New York a system by which thousands of mothers and sick children were given salt water baths on floating hospitals. ln addition, he held office in numerous medical, scientific and philanthropic societies and published essays on medical surgical and scientific subjects. He also suggested to Mayor William Strong, the mayor of New York City from 1895 to 1897, that municipal piers be used for recreational purposes.
Dr. Charles Leale was not only the first doctor to treat President Abraham Lincoln on the night he was shot but he was also simply a doctor trying to help those in need. Charles wore other hats as well, such as that of a husband, a father, and a grandfather. Leale's story, hidden history that has remained long forgotten, is the story of a young American doctor caught up in an inconceivable situation and a visionary President with only hours left to live.
For the rest of Charles Leale's story, please check out the audio link provided for EPISODE THREE of our new podcast, Hidden History:
LISTEN NOW: A Night at the Theatre: Dr. Charles A. Leale & Lincoln's Final Hours
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Images and Newspaper Articles
Charles A. Leale, a surgeon in the Union Army
during the American Civil War.
The White House, ca. 1860s.
White House Historical Association
Ford's Old Theater, 1865.
John Wilkes Booth leaping to the stage after assassinating President Lincoln.
Library of Congress
The Petersen House, Washington, D.C., 1865.
Ostendorf Collection
Lincoln's Deathbed. Dr. Leale is depicted sitting next to the bedside, third from the right (with his back to the artist)
Library of Congress
President Lincoln's Funeral Carriage, Washington, D.C.
New York Times, Tuesday, July 9, 1895.
The Yonkers Statesman, Thursday, February 11, 1909.
Dr. Charles A. Leale, circa 1910.
Article about Dr. Leale's upcoming 90th birthday.
NY Evening Post, Friday, March 25, 1932.
NY Sun, Monday, June 13, 1932.
Buffalo, NY Courier Express, Tuesday, June 14, 1932.
The final resting place of Dr. Charles A. Leale.
Photo taken on September 11, 2022 by Hidden History team.
Prison Hoods of the Abraham Lincoln Conspirators.
Transfer from the War Department to Smithsonian
One of two flags that flew from the locomotive of the Lincoln funeral train on the route between Albany and Utica, New York.
Gift of Walter McCulloch, 1926.
Dr. Charles Leale saved the bloodstained cuffs of his shirt after treating the wounded Lincoln.
They remained in the family until his granddaughter donated them to the National Museum of American History in 2017.
Ford's Theatre.
Photo taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
Entering the theatre.
Photo taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
Presidential Box where President Lincoln was shot.
Photo taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
Photos taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
The Petersen House.
Photo taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
Inside the Petersen House. The bed is a replica.
Photos taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.
Photo taken on December 20, 2018 by Hidden History team.
Reading Material
If you would like to read Dr. Leale's full account of the night President Lincoln was shot, given in February 1909, please click the button below: (provided by the Project Gutenberg)
The White House Historical Association
A great article put together by the White House Historical Association about President Lincoln's White House:
Resources
- Leale, Charles A. Lincoln's Last Hours (ADDRESS delivered before the COMMANDERY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, February 1909).
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https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/john-wilkes-booth
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https://www.nps.gov/foth/learn/historyculture/dr-charles-leale.htm
- https://collections.nlm.nih.gov/catalog/nlm:nlmuid-101421354-img
Comments
Imagine being that young and having to try and save the POTUS? Dr. Leale gave Lincoln a few more hours to live & we thank him ❤️🇺🇸
Great information on Lincoln! Definitely one of my favorite episodes
Such an interesting man. What he did for Lincoln in his last remaining hours on this earth should be taught more. Leale was a patriot, God Bless.
Currently in medical school, needed a break from reality and stumbled upon this website. This episode about Dr. Leale is extremely informative. Any fan of President Lincoln should check this episode out.
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