alternatehistory.com

John Wilkes Booth's conspiracy included assassinating President Lincoln (which he succeeded in doing), Vice President Andrew Johnson, and Secretary of State William H. Seward. George Atzerodt, the intended assassin for Andrew Johnson got drunk that night and did not fulfill his role. Had Atzerodt assassinated Andrew Johnson, Speaker of the House Schuyler Colfax would have assumed the presidency. Colfax was controversial as Grant's vice president because he was caught up in so many scandals. When Grant ran for reelection, he replaced Colfax with Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson.
Top