Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-04-29
EVENING STAR.
". d. wALLACH, Edit.r and Proprietor.
WARRINGTON CITY,
SATURDAY. APRIL 90, 1865 4.
The Assassination Plot.



There no longer remains any doubt that
Booth fractured his leg when he sprang from
the Presidents box upon the stage. 1t being
one of the small bones, 1t is not probable that
he discovered the extent of the injury until
next day. On the night of the Assassination
the confederates of Booth were actively en-.
gagged in meas ures to divert pursuit from the
right direction, and number OF horses were
turned loose, with no other OBJECT than TO con-
yey the idea that the assassins were still in
the city. The report Of Booths being seen in
PENNSYLVANIA, was also started by his friends,
1t is believed; but all such canards were ne
elected, the detectives steadily and surely
tracing the murderer in all his wanderings
through Maryland Early Saturday morning
the detectives and military were sent across
the Eastern Branch, others following in quick
succession. until Prince Georges, Charles
and st. Mary's counties were fully envel-
opeo. Col. Ludington, Chief u uartermaster
OF this. Department., was called on to furnish
horses, and at one time there was not left at
headquarters a single wagon or available
horse. The first reliable Information concern
ing Booth was obtained Saturday morning, at
Suratt's tavern, about ten miles from the city,
on the road TO Bryantswn. The military first
called at this place, but failed to get any def
mite statement, until the detectives came up.
The tavern is owned by Mrs. Suratt and
leased to the old man who Keeps it. Upon
a close examination, he stated that Mrs. Su-
raft had been there on Friday afternoon,
and left word that two men would ar
rive during the night who were to be
generously provided for. She also directed
that two carbines suspended by string be.
tween the plasteriDg OF a partition should be
given them. Booth and Herold arrived as ex-
pected, and remained until some time Satur-
day forenoon; but on leaving Booth declined to
TAX carbIne, stating that he was too lame 70
carry ii. HeroId, howe yer, took one, and the
two set out for the lower counties. Upon
reaching the neighborhood of ryanto wn, near
Port Tobacco, Booths leg became too painful
TO proceed further, and the services Of DIR.
Mudd, of that vicinity, were called into re.
QUESTION. After the fracture had been dressed
and Booth had left, the detectives arrested
Mudd, who denied all knowledge OF the
character OF his patient. The boot, how
ever, which had been cut Off from Booths
foot, the Inflammation rendering it i'm
possible to draw il of, was found, and In it
was written with Ink, 81. Wilkes" the word
sBootb" EVIDENTLY having been scratched out
with a knife. Why any portion OF the name
was left is mystery, unless sudden alarm
hurried Of the party before the completion OF
the erasuIe. The next place Booth and Herold
~eTc DtaIu iIOm was at tue mousse OF q
Coke. The latter upon being questioned de-
med having seen any such parties, but safd
that three paroled rebel soldiers had applied
there for accommodations, and had been sent
away. Coxe's servants, howeve all asserted
that the two men had siaid there over night
that their N aster had entertained them in the
most hospitable manner, and upon their de.
parture ntAt morning gave each quantity of
whissey.
The detectives next came upon the fugitiyes
near the Sachiar Swamp, in Charles county
There they found a dilapidated shanty occu.
pied by an old colored woman, who stated
that on that morning two men, enc Of them
with crutch, had come out Of the woods
and asked for something to eat, offering
70 pay any sum for it. She being afraid Of
them told them she had nothing, that there
were no white people around there, and that
they could get nothing to eat in that vicinity.
The lame man had then inquired the direction
TO the great swamp, which she gave, and the
two went of. The shanty stands in small
Clearing, surrounded on all sides by dense pine
woods, with the exception of one side, bounded
by the swamp. The sth Illinois cavalry and
a regiment Of colored troops Were Immediately
sent through the swamp in every direction
searching every thicket, bur without finding
any trace of the assassins, the latter evidently
having secreted themselves in the zine woods
and made their escape while the swamp was
being secured. On Sunday afternoon Booth
and Herold crossed the Potomac at Swan
Point, a short distance below Matthias Point,
and passing through Port Royal en- route to
Louisa Court House, were captured las pre-.
viously described inSthe Starr at CARROTS
place.
Facts have come to light which show con.
clusively that Booth and his accomplices had
before carry ing their plans into execution, de-
cidtd upon the routes TO be taken in making
their escape. Maps, understood 10 be in the
possession OF the Government, and which are
known to have belonged TO these parties, bear
distinct marks of the routes laid out by them
Booth and Eerold were TO escape TO rebel
Dom and seek JEFF. Davis protection, who
was finally to assist them in leaving the coun-
try. Herold, in conversation with an &C.
quaintance of his who resides in Maryland.
some time previous to the murder OF President
Lincoln, made a remark to the effect that there
was no extradition treaty between the United
States and spain, a remark that excited no spe.
oial alter ton at the time, but in the light OF
subsequent events itwould appear that Booth
and himself contemplated shelter some W here
IN the Spanish dominiCns.
Surprise has been expressed that Booth
selected such shallow -pated blab mouth as
Heroic rs his nearest accomplice in SO terrible
a plot. This mystery, we think. may be ex-
planned in this way Herold, young man of
idle, ysgabond habits, was a good shot and q
capital boatsman, spending much of his time
in gunring and fishing exc ursions iu the lower
counties OF Maryland, acquiring in this way
thorough knowledge of the country, specially
its by-paths, forests, swamps aad creeks
sought only by the hunter and fisher.
On The outbreak OF the rebellion this knowl.
edge made his services valuable In the cana.
City of guidafor blockade runners, and there is
no doubt that he has bean actively engaged
IN thai business throughout the war. Doubt
Jess he vas recommended TO Booth as suit
able guide in his flight, and that the acquatnt.
ance between them was formed in thai way
bnt LOT the injury received by Booth in jump
ing TO the stage, by which he was crippIsd. it