Lincoln Shirt Fragment

Collage of material relating to John C. Weaver, a Civil War veteran from Philadelphia, created by his daughter, Ella Millen.

After President Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theatre, on April 15, 1865, he was taken to the Petersen House, where he died. Under the command of General Daniel Ruck, six Quartermaster Corps soldiers transported President Lincoln’s body to the White House, where a Union surgeon performed an autopsy and prepared the body for the long journey to Springfield, Illinois. In recognition of the extraordinary task performed by these soldiers, General Rucker cut six pieces of the white linen undershirt that President Lincoln was wearing when he was shot and gave a piece to each soldier. The shirt fragment given to John C. Weaver is part of the collage. Note the dirt, creases, and pin holes on the shirt fragment; Weaver would fold and pin the fragment on the inside of his jacket to cover his heart when he buttoned it.

In 2007, League member Ralph Burnard, the great-grandson of Weaver, presented his family’s heirloom to then The Abraham Lincoln Foundation of The Union League of Philadelphia (now Founding Forward).

“It has always been a source of pride to me to know that I was one of the six men detailed to carry the body of our martyred President to the White House. The burden was not only felt physically, but also in the heart. For what Union man did not love him. You will pardon the above sentiment, but I cannot help telling you what was my feeling at that and this time.”

John C. Weaver, December 11, 1893