Assassination Quote by Bill O'Reilly
““In reference to the search for Lincoln's killers as it took to the Maryland swamps: "The method of searching the swamps is simple yet arduous. First, the troops assemble on the edge of bogs with names like Allen’s Creek, Scrub Swamp, and Atchall’s Swamp, standing at loose attention in the shade of a thick forest of beech, dogwood, and gum trees. Then they form two lines and march straight forward, from one side to the other. As absurd as it seems to the soldiers, marching headlong into cold mucky water, there is no other way of locating Booth and Herold. Incredibly, eighty-seven of these brave men will drown in their painstaking weeklong search for the killers.””
About This Quote
Source Speech: Historical Narrative on Lincoln Assassination Search, 1865
The Union troops faced a grueling swamp search for Booth and Herold, sacrificing many lives due to the harsh terrain and lack of alternatives.
In simple terms: Swamp search was hard and deadly.
Recognize the cost of difficult missions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- military planning
- search and rescue
- historical education
- leadership training
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What alternatives could have reduced casualties?
- How does this story shape our view of perseverance?
The narrative may romanticize the effort, overlooking strategic errors.