Meaning: The quote "Tell mother, tell mother, I died for my country... useless... useless" is attributed to John Wilkes Booth, the infamous actor and assassin who killed President Abraham Lincoln. This quote is said to have been uttered by Booth as he made his escape after assassinating Lincoln at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. on April 14, 1865.

John Wilkes Booth was a well-known actor in the 19th century and a fervent supporter of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. He was vehemently opposed to the abolition of slavery and the policies of President Abraham Lincoln, whom he viewed as a tyrant. Motivated by his passionate Confederate sympathies and his desire to strike a blow for the South, Booth meticulously planned and executed the assassination of President Lincoln.

The quote "Tell mother, tell mother, I died for my country... useless... useless" is a chilling and poignant expression of Booth's mindset at the time of the assassination. The repetition of the phrase "Tell mother" suggests a sense of desperation and a desire to justify his actions to his family and loved ones. The word "useless" repeated twice further underscores the futility and despair that Booth may have felt in the aftermath of the assassination. It conveys a sense of disillusionment and regret, as if Booth had come to realize the ultimate futility of his actions and the devastating consequences they would have for himself and the nation.

The quote also raises questions about the motives and beliefs that drove Booth to commit such a heinous act. It reveals the internal conflict and turmoil that he may have experienced as he grappled with the enormity of his actions and their consequences. It offers a glimpse into the psyche of a man who was willing to sacrifice everything, including his own life, in the service of his misguided cause.

In the broader context of American history, the quote serves as a haunting reminder of the deep divisions and conflicts that tore the nation apart during the Civil War. It underscores the profound impact of that conflict on the individuals who were caught up in its tumult, driving some to commit desperate and tragic acts in the name of their beliefs.

The quote has been immortalized in historical accounts, literature, and popular culture, becoming a symbol of the turmoil and tragedy of the Civil War era. It continues to evoke strong emotions and provoke contemplation about the complexities of human nature and the enduring legacy of that tumultuous period in American history.

In conclusion, the quote "Tell mother, tell mother, I died for my country... useless... useless" by John Wilkes Booth encapsulates the conflicted and tragic mindset of a man who committed one of the most infamous acts of political violence in American history. It serves as a poignant and haunting reminder of the profound impact of the Civil War and the complex motivations that drove individuals to extreme and devastating actions.