Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1865-07-10
THE CONSPIRACY.
CONFESSION OF ATZERoDT.

The Plans to Abduct President Lincoln-Ar
Actor at the Theater to turn off the Gas
Completely Of DIR. Mudd-The Assault on
secretary Seward. 3" .-a
The following confession of Atzerodt, one o.
the consprators hung on Friday last, was
given by him TO a friend few hours before the
execution: ...4-.
George Andrew Atzerodt y-as horn i'm the
Kingdom Of Prussia in 1885. lie came to this
country with his parents; in 1914 he arrived il,
Baltimore, at which place he resided with his
parents one year. when with his parents he re-
moved to Westmoreland county, Virginia. His
father farmed and carried on his business. thai
OF blacksmith. at the Court House. Atzerod
making business at the Court House, where he
learned the painting branch. He remained al
the Court House until 1856. He then went to
Washington and worked for Young, and also
Tor McDermotts we'll known coachmakers.
In 1eJ7 he joined his brother in the coach.
making business at Port Tobacco. This con-
unued tor feer years, when the firm was dis
solved. After this he carried on painting in
Port Tobacco until last fall, when he met with
John H. Surratt and q man named Harloni.
Surratt induced him TO join in the conspira-
cy OF abducting the President. From AtZe-
rodts knowledge of men and the country in
the vicinity of Port Tobacco, and, in fact. OF
all the counties bordering on the Potomac, he
became to the conspirators a valuable assis-
tant. He was welt acquainted with Herold.
whom he was not long in finding out, and
who was also engaged in the conspiracy. Sur
often sent for Atzerodt to come to Washington,
where he was known to many as Port To-
bacco, and looked upon a very weak minded
man; in fact, was regarded as very harmless
and silly fellow.
SurTatt introduced AtZerodt to Booth who
feasted him and furnished him with money
and horses, the horses being held i'm the name
of Snrratt, who appeared to be the principal in
the conspiratOrs actively engaged was at a sa-
loon on Pennsylvania avenue, called Gautier's.
At this meeting, O'Laughlin, Arnold, Surratt,
Booth, Herold and Atzerodt were present
The first attempt to abduct the President was
to be on the Seventh street road; this was about
the middle of March, when they expected the
mold, Payne, Surratt, Booth and Atzerodt
We're present. Herold left with the carbines
for ct b." The plan was to seize the coach
of the President, Surratt to Jump on the boy.
as he was considered the best driver, and
make for 1T. B." by way of Long Oldfieid's to
the Potomac river, in the3yicinity Of Mont
with men to carry over the party. The boat was
capable of carrying fifteen men-a large fiat
bottomed battean. painted lead color, which
had been bought for the purpose by Booth,
from two men, named Brauner and Smoot
This plan failed, the President not coming as
they desired. Herold next Gay went to Wash
ington. All things remained quiet for some
and Payne or Woo0 left also for New York
man named Howell was about this time ar
rested. This alarmed Surratt, and he left with
Mrs Slater for the North. This was about
the theater on the night the President was ex-
pected to be there 1t WIS arranged that Sur
ratt and Booth were to go to the box, Arnold,
O'Langhlin and Payne were to act some i'm
portant part in getting him out Herold and
Atzerodt were to have charge Of the horses; an
actor was to be secured to put out the gas
Booth represented that the best assistant he
bad was an actor.
In this plan buggies and horses were to be
used. A rope was prepared, which was to be
on the pursuit. The route this time was the
same as before, except they were to cross the
Eastern Branch bridge. This was the whole
affair, and Booth said it was all up, and spoke
OF going to Richmond and opening a theater,
and promised AtZerOdt employment in some
capacity. AtZerodt was waiting for Booth to
arrange his going to Richmond, when the af-
fair was renewed again. He had taken a room
at the Kirkwood House. Herold called on him.
and left his knife and pistol and coat in the
room, and told him that Booth wanted to see
him at the Herndon House, to which place he
repaired in company with HerOld.
This was in the evening About o'clock we
there met Booth and Payne. Booth told Atze-
rodt You must kill Johnson r' when Atzerodt
courage; be will do it. Go, get your horses.
What will become Of you, anyhowr' Atzerodt
and Herold went down 9th street together.
AtZerodt said to Herold, sWe must not disturb
Mr.. Johnson" Herold laughed, and wanted
the key of the room. 1t was refused by Atze-
rOdt, who expressed himself as fearful that
WOulQ De QOne 10 Johnson. HerOlQ
left to see Booth, and Atzerodt went to the
Oyster Bay. Herold came after and said Booth
wanted to see him. Atzerodt did not return to
the Kirkwood House that night. Booth told
Atzerodt that Surratt was in town, but had lust
left. AtZerodt did not see Booth after leaving
him at the Herndon House, and he roamed
about the streets nearly all night, and first
heard of the murder about half past ten O'clock,
while passing up the avenue Persons were
rushing by at the time in pursuit. He threw
away his knife that night, and parted with his
nlStOl friend
AtZerodt had nothing TO say at any of the
former meetings. He knew nothing about the
rope found with Spangler; He believed Spang
Ter innocent, as far as he knew Booth, when
applied to for money, remarked that he had
money in New York, and would get some At
one time, in the spring or hate in the winter,
Mrs. Slater. Mrs. Surratt, John Surratt, and a
Major Barron, formerly of the rebel army, left
Washington together. They got horses at How
ards. Mrs. Surratt stopped at Surrattville.
The rest went to the Potomac. Major Barron
returned. He did not think Barron had any,
thing to do with the conspiracy, although he
was formerly in the rebel army
One OF Booths plans to obtain an entrance to
the Secretary Of States house was an inven-
ton, which, if successful, would have in
yolyed others in his foul act. He had made
the acquaintance of a woman of strong South
ern feelings, living not far from the Secretary's
house, who was to make the acquain tance OF a
servant, who was to be introduced to Booth,
and by this means he would know something
of the location of the rooms, &c. As far as
known it failed Booth was we'll acquainted
with Mudd, and had letters of Introduction to
him. Booth told Atzerodt about two weeks
before the murder that he had sent provisions
and liquor to DIR. Mudd's for the supply of the
party on their way to Richmond with the Pres.
jdent. -F-.-G .Ets' '-1! .--1 ---i.t ga
THE, TREATMENT OF UNION PRISONERS
Letter from Henry s. Foote.-Henry S. Foote,
date of the rebel Senate, has written lengthy
letter in relation to the treatment of Federal
prisoners by the rebel authorities. He says
nj Hyhi RichnOnd
ssGoyernment officer of responsibility that thh
prisoners of war confined in and about that city
were suffering severely for want OF provisions.
He told me, further, that it wus manifest to him
that q systematic scheme was ON foot for SUBJ
jecting these unfortunate men to starvation;
that the eommissary general, Mr.. Northnp, IL
dressed a communication to Mr.. Seddon, the
Secretary of War, proposing to withhold meat