Lincoln's older son
Robert Todd Lincoln arrived at about 11 pm, but twelve-year-old
Tad Lincoln, who was watching a play of
Aladdin at Grover's Theater when he learned of his father's assassination, was kept away.
Secretary of the Navy Gideon Welles and
Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton arrived. Stanton insisted that the sobbing Mrs. Lincoln leave the sick room, then for the rest of the night he essentially ran the United States government from the house, including directing the hunt for Booth and the other conspirators. Guards kept the public away, but numerous officials and physicians were admitted to pay their respects.