Powell attempted to shoot whose son during his attack?

Powell attempted to shoot whose son during his attack?

• A. Seward's son, Frederick
• B. The President, Abraham Lincoln
• C. Dr. Charles Leale
• D. Major Rathbone

Answer: (A)

Powell’s role in the assassination plot was to strike at the Secretary of State, William H. Seward, during his assault at Seward’s residence. While trying to carry out that plan, Powell attempted to shoot Frederick Seward, the Secretary’s son, in addition to attacking Seward himself. This distinguishes the Seward attack from the other events of that night: Lincoln was the target in Ford’s Theatre (shot by Booth), Dr. Leale was the surgeon who tended to Lincoln, and Major Rathbone was the man who confronted Booth in the presidential box. So the person Powell tried to shoot was Frederick Seward.

Powell’s role in the assassination plot was to strike at the Secretary of State, William H. Seward, during his assault at Seward’s residence. While trying to carry out that plan, Powell attempted to shoot Frederick Seward, the Secretary’s son, in addition to attacking Seward himself. This distinguishes the Seward attack from the other events of that night: Lincoln was the target in Ford’s Theatre (shot by Booth), Dr. Leale was the surgeon who tended to Lincoln, and Major Rathbone was the man who confronted Booth in the presidential box. So the person Powell tried to shoot was Frederick Seward.