Southerners' Reaction to Lincoln's Assassination

 Southerners' Reaction to Lincoln's Assassination

While some in the South were glad, there were those who realized what a catastrophe it was for the South. The latter group included Lee and Davis.

Jefferson Davis’s wife, Varina Davis believed that Johnson was a "bitter enemy." She said Lincoln was a "kindly man" and that his assassination would have "most unfortunate" results for Southerners. Her husband Jefferson Davis agreed, predicting how Lincoln's death all but guaranteed Reconstruction would be hard on the South. He said, "I fear it will be disastrous for our people."

According to Southerner Belle Boyd, Confederate General Robert E. Lee mourned the assassinated president: "When our noble, old chieftain General Lee heard of the assassination, he covered his face, and refused to listen to the details of the murder."