We continue this month’s series of diary entries from Isabella Wunderly Campbell, who became Wyoming’s first lady in 1872. Isabella was a 19 year old living in Washington, D.C., during the eventful April of 1865. Her daily diary entries give insight into her experiences during the final days of the Civil War, which ended 150 years ago this month.
April 2-9
April 10
April 11
April 12
April 13
April 14, 1865
(WSA Isabella C. Wunderly diary, Campbell Collection, C-1049)
Friday, April 14, 1865
Mother and I started out and made some calls. Went to Mrs. Lucks and brought Aunt home with us. Mother and I went to see St. Patricks. The sepulcher was very pretty and the flowers beautiful. Went to church at 4 ½, the lecture was in anticipation of the Communion or Sabbath. Heard a very nice lecture and returned home, called on Mrs. Smith also stopped a few minutes at Judge Peck’s. Genl. Grant is in the city and expects to visit Ford’s Theatre tonight with President and Mrs. Lincoln. How I should like to see him.
Despite warning that he should not attend such public events, President Lincoln made it a point to attend the play at Ford’s Theatre saying it was important for people to see him. The Grants declined the invitation to attend the play in favor of visiting his children in New Jersey. The theatre is now a National Historic Site, open to the public for tours as well as performances.
Wyoming Postscripts 