History Detectives Season 2 Episode 6 Preston Brook's Riding Crop; Home of Lincoln Assassination Plot; Revolutionary War Cannon

On this episode of History Detectives, the team delves into three intriguing and mysterious historical artifacts. The first item, a riding crop, belonged to a Union soldier named Preston Brooks who fought in the Civil War. But this isn't just any ordinary riding crop - it's rumored to have been used to beat Senator Charles Sumner nearly to death back in 1856. The team investigates the authenticity of the crop, seeking out experts and examining historical records to find out if this was indeed the infamous object used in that now-infamous assault.

Next, the detectives explore a historic home in Baltimore that's said to have been a key location in Abraham Lincoln's assassination plot. The house itself was once owned by an ardent Confederate sympathizer named Dr. Samuel Mudd, who was convicted of conspiring with John Wilkes Booth to plan the assassination. But did the assassination actually happen here? The team pores over letters, old maps, and photographs to piece together the evidence and determine if this history-soaked home really is connected to one of America's most notorious assassinations.

Lastly, the History Detectives take a closer look at a Revolutionary War-era cannon discovered deep in a Georgia swamp. The cannon is said to be an important relic of the Battle of Kettle Creek, a little-known but pivotal engagement in the Revolutionary War that took place in 1779. The team brings in experts to examine the cannon's markings and construction, piecing together the history of one of America's most formative conflicts.

With their characteristic attention to detail and expert deductive skills, the History Detectives take viewers on a journey through America's fascinating and often murky past. Join them as they uncover the secrets behind these three remarkable historical artifacts, shedding new light on the events and people that have shaped our nation.