After President Lincoln passed away his body was placed in a temporary coffin covered with an American flag, and returned by hearse to the White House, accompanied by a cavalry escort. At the White House, an autopsy was performed by Army Surgeons Edward Curtis and Joseph Janvier Woodward. Also in attendance were Surgeon General Joseph K. Barnes and a few military officers, medical men and friends. During the autopsy Mary Todd sent a messenger to request a lock of hair; a tuft was clipped from the head for her.
At the National Museum of American History are these two displays of instruments used at that autopsy.
CAFFEINATED POLITICS 