Executive Summary
In February 1861, President-elect Abraham Lincoln was the target of an alleged assassination plot known as the Baltimore Plot. This conspiracy, uncovered during Lincoln’s journey to Washington, D.C. for his inauguration, involved plans to ambush and murder him during a scheduled public appearance in Baltimore, Maryland. The plot was ultimately foiled through intelligence gathered by private detective Allan Pinkerton and others. Lincoln was rerouted in secrecy through Baltimore under heavy disguise, arriving safely in the capital. Though no one was arrested or tried, the incident revealed the deep and violent divisions already threatening national stability.
Historical Background
Following his election in November 1860, Lincoln embarked on a multi-state train journey from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C., delivering speeches and greeting supporters along the way. Tensions were high. Several Southern states had already seceded from the Union, and the nation teetered on the brink of civil war. Lincoln was a polarizing figure; his anti-slavery platform had incited fury among pro-slavery factions, especially in border states like Maryland.
Political and Social Context
Maryland in early 1861 was a volatile mix of Unionist and Southern sympathies. Baltimore, a key urban center, was rife with anti-Lincoln sentiment. The city had a violent political culture, with past elections marred by gangs, intimidation, and street fights. In this climate, Lincoln’s passage through the city was seen by some as a provocation. It was not just his politics, but his physical presence that could inflame tensions. Assassination, for extremist factions, became a serious option to prevent his presidency.
The Plot
The so-called Baltimore Plot was allegedly a conspiracy involving multiple individuals planning to assassinate Lincoln during a transfer between rail stations in Baltimore on February 23, 1861. Because Baltimore lacked a through line for trains traveling southward, passengers had to disembark and travel by carriage across the city. It was during this vulnerable interval that the ambush was planned.
Private detective Allan Pinkerton, working with railroad officials and tipped off by informants, discovered intelligence suggesting a coordinated plan to stab Lincoln as he passed through the city. Pinkerton infiltrated secessionist circles and reported that multiple conspirators would create a diversion, while one assassin attacked Lincoln in the crowd.
Timeline
- Feb 11, 1861: Lincoln departs Springfield, Illinois.
- Feb 21, 1861: Pinkerton arrives in Baltimore to investigate rumors of a plot.
- Feb 22, 1861: Lincoln delivers speeches in Philadelphia; Pinkerton advises rerouting.
- Late Night, Feb 22–Early Morning, Feb 23, 1861: Lincoln boards a secret train, traveling incognito with only a few confidants, including Pinkerton.
- Feb 23, 1861, 6:00 a.m.: Lincoln arrives safely in Washington, D.C., ahead of schedule.
The Assassination
There was no assassination attempt carried out, due to the successful subversion of the original travel plan. Lincoln’s public appearance in Baltimore was canceled, and he passed through the city in disguise—reportedly wearing a soft felt cap and a shawl to obscure his identity. The rerouting and secrecy infuriated some political observers, who viewed the decision as cowardly or melodramatic, though the threat was judged credible at the time.
Immediate Aftermath
News of the foiled plot leaked within days, and criticism was swift. Some newspapers mocked Lincoln for allegedly skulking into the capital. Nonetheless, his safety was preserved, and the inauguration proceeded as planned on March 4, 1861. The episode heightened awareness of Lincoln’s vulnerability and foreshadowed the intense hostility he would face throughout his presidency.
Investigation and Arrests
No arrests were ever made. The precise details and even the existence of a fully-formed assassination conspiracy remain debated. Pinkerton and his operatives compiled written reports, but no definitive list of conspirators emerged. Some later accounts questioned the seriousness of the threat, suggesting exaggeration by Pinkerton to elevate his own role.
Trial and Legal Proceedings
As no one was formally charged, no legal proceedings took place. Congressional leaders were briefed, and private discussions with Lincoln’s inner circle reinforced the need for heightened security going forward.
Punishments and Legacy of the Conspirators
Without any confirmed conspirators, there were no punishments. The Baltimore Plot, however, solidified Pinkerton’s reputation and led to his continued involvement in federal security matters, including during the Civil War.
Long-Term Impact on the Nation
The attempt marked the beginning of a new era in presidential security. It demonstrated that assassination was no longer a distant European concern, but a real threat in the fracturing United States. It also exposed the fault lines between North and South, and the dangers of domestic extremism.
Controversies and Conspiracy Theories
Historians continue to debate whether the Baltimore Plot was a genuine threat or an overstated intelligence coup by Pinkerton. Some argue that Pinkerton inflated the danger to enhance his status. Others suggest that the plot was very real, but intentionally downplayed afterward to prevent panic. Later authors have speculated that secessionist groups in Baltimore did have violent intentions, though the absence of concrete evidence leaves the matter unresolved.
Primary Source Appendix
- Allan Pinkerton’s official reports to railroad executives and to Lincoln’s staff.
- Telegrams between railroad officials coordinating alternate routes.
- Newspaper coverage from February 1861, including The New York Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, and The Baltimore Sun.
- Personal correspondence from Ward Hill Lamon, Lincoln’s bodyguard and friend, describing the journey.