1889 – United States Secret Service – Baker | First Edition, Civil War History

A beautiful, decorative first edition of the history of The United States Secret Service This book, by General La Fayette Baker, deals with the interactions in the American government as well as Baker’s views on the role slavery played in the Civil War. Other important events discussed include: Wilson’s Raid, Abraham Lincoln speeches, organization of the First District Cavalry, role of women in the Civil War and more.

The most interesting chapter, however, is the chapter on famous assassinations throughout history including:

• Eglon, King of Moab
• Julius Caesar
• James I of England
• Marat, the French Revolution leader
• Alexander of Russia
• Abraham Lincoln

The portion on Abraham Lincoln features an engraving of John Wilkes Booth, Lincoln’s assassin, being killed in a tobacco barn by Richard Garrett. Other engravings relating to Booth include him crossing the Potomac and his secret burial. This book also settled many disputes that arose during the Civil War.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: The United States Secret Service in the Late War: Comprising the Author’s Introduction to the Leading Men at Washington
• Author(s): La Fayette C. Baker
• Publisher: Philadelphia: John E. Potter
• Edition: First Edition, 1889.
• Binding: hardcover
• Format: (8vo), single volume
• Size:  9.5in x 6.75in (24cm x 17cm)
• Collation: 398 pages
• Illustrations: 23 plates
• Contents Include:
  • Origin of the United States Secret Service Bureau
  • Abraham Lincoln
  • Wilson’s Raid
  • First District Cavalry
  • Role of women during the Civil War
  • Slavery and the Civil War
  • John Wilkes Booth
  • Lincoln assassination
  • Famous assassinations throughout history
  • Julius Caesar
  • Marat
  • Alexander of Russia
• Reference(s): Sabin 2841

Condition:

Good. Pictorial cloth binding remains tight and secure. Edges and corners show notable wear. Light staining and age toning are present on the preliminary leaves. No major loss or tears noted.

Why Collect This?

• First edition by the founder of the Secret Service Bureau
• Important Civil War memoir and intelligence history

Item Number: # 50592