Watch LookMovie. Though the end of the United States Civil War gave the nation much to celebrate, there were nonetheless those unpleased with the North's victory, the key example, perhaps, being John Wilkes Booth. Eager to declare one definitive "victory" for the South, Booth shot and killed President Abraham Lincoln in front of thousands of witnesses. However, despite one of the largest manhunts in US history, Booth was able to evade capture for nearly two weeks. This program offers an in-depth look at exactly how Booth nearly escaped successfully after assassinating the President of the United States.