Washington Navy Yard, D.C. David E. Herold, A Conspirator (U.S. Civil War) Black Coffee Mug

The Washington Navy Yard is a United States Navy installation located in Washington, D.C., with a rich historical background dating back to 1799. During the U.S. Civil War, one notable event associated with the yard involved David E. Herold, a Confederate courier and an accomplice of John Wilkes Booth, the assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Herold is known for his role in the escape plot following Lincoln's assassination. After Booth fatally shot Lincoln at Ford's Theatre on April 14, 1865, Herold assisted in transporting Lincoln's body from Washington to Richmond, Virginia. Later, Herold was captured near the Washington Navy Yard and taken into custody. This historical event highlights the Washington Navy Yard's importance as a strategic location during the U.S. Civil War and underscores its connection with significant events in American history. The David E. Herold association serves as a reminder of the navy yard's role in the nation's capital, particularly in the context of the tumultuous period of the Civil War.