The collection contains the manuscript "The Burial of John Wilkes and Tale of the Lincoln Conspirators as Told by James L. Lucas to Paul S. Lucas." In the manuscript, James Lucas describes the American political scene in the 1850s and the coming of the Civil War. He gives an eyewitness account of Washington, D. C. in the war years, including a detailed description of President Abraham Lincoln. Lucas spent three years with the 12th Veteran Reserve Corps, who served as guards for the Old Capitol Prison, where the Lincoln conspirators were held. Lucas also served as a court messenger during the prisoners' trial, and he describes the conspirators as well as the trial itself. In addition, Lucas tells of guarding the body of John Wilkes Booth on the monitor "Montauk" and of the secret burial of the assassin's body in the Old Capitol prison. This manuscript has been scanned and placed online at http://civilwar.archives.msu.edu/collection/7-1C-24/lucas/.