Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-05-03
CAPTURE OF BOOTH,

al details OF the capture of Harold aud the
killing OF Booth: A detachment of the 10th
New ork Cavalry, under Lieutenant
Dougherty, numbering twenty eight men,
and accompanied by two of Colonel Bakers
detective force, who went down the river on
Monday, obtained the first news of Booth
at Port Royal on Tuesday evening, from an
old man, who stated that four men, in CON-
pany with rebel Captain, had crossed the
Rappahannock, a shoiG time previous going
in the direction of Bowling Green. He ad-
ded that the captain would probably be
found in that place, as he was courting a la
dy there. On proceeding on to Bowling
Green, the Captain was found at the hotel
and taken into custody. From him it was
ascertained that Booth and Harold were at
the house of John and William Garrett,
three miles back, towards Port Royal, and
about quarter of mile from the road pas
sed over by the cavalry.
In the mean time, 1t appears, Booth and
Harold applied to Garrett for horses to ride
to Louisa Court House. The latter, fearing
the horses would not be returned, refused to
hear them, notwithstanding the large sums
offered. These circumstances, together
with the reerlmination Of Booth and Har-
old, each charging the other with the re-
spcnsibility of their difficulties, had aroused
the suspicion of the Garrett brothers, who
urged Booth and Harold to leave lest they
Garrett 81 should get into trouble with our
cavalry. This Booth refused to do without
horses, and the two men retired to the barn,
the door of which, after they had entered,
Garrett locked, and remained himself on
guard in a neighboring corn crib, as he al
legged, to prevent their horses from being
taken and ridden off in the night by Booth
| and Harold.
Upon the approach of our cavalry from
Bowling Green, about three o'clock on
Wednesday morning, CARROTS came out of
the corn crib to meet tho IN, and III answer
to their inquiries directed them to the barn.
Booth was at once summoned to Surrender
but refused. Harold expressed his willing
ness to give himself up, but was overruled
| by Booth for some time, but finally surren-
dered, leaving Booth in the barn, which had
been set on fire. The latter then, assuming
| a defiant air, called out 10 know the COM
manding officer. and proposed to him that his
men should be drawn up fifty yards distance,
when he would come out and fight them.
Afterthe barn had been burning three-quar-
| tiers of an hour and the roof was about to fall
| i'll Booth, who had been standing with re-
voiver in one hand and u carbine resting on
the floor, made demonstration as though
to break through the guard. To prevent
this Sergeant Corbett fired intendin to hit
Booth so as to cripple him. The ball. how
ever, struck little too high and entered
his neck, resulting fatally Booth had in his
| possession short, heavy bowie knife with
which he struck Major Rathburne, a Spen-
Ger Carbine, seven shooter, of Massachusetts
manufacture, three revolvers and pocket
pistol He wore, besides his suit of gray. an
ordinary cloth cap, a heavy, high topped cav
airy boot on his right foot, with the top turn
| ed down, and government shoe on his left
| foot No clue could be obtained of the
other two men, and taking the two Carrots
into custody the command Immediately set
out for Washington, after releasing the Cap
| tain.
lieutenant Dougherty, who commanded
the squadron, entered the service with the
list New l ork Militia, Sergeant Corbett,
who shot Booth, was baptized in Boston "a
| bout seven years ago, at which time he as
sumed the name Of Boston Corbett. To-
day he has been greatly honized, and on the
street, was asrepeatedly surrounded by citizens.
who occasionally manifested their apprecia-
tion by loud cheers. The two privates are
dressed in rebel gray, having belonged to
Lees army, and just returned home on pa
role. They profess to have been entirely ig-
norant of the character of Booth and Har-
old, and manifest great uneasiness concern
| ing their connection with the affair
Booth and Harold narrowly escaped on
this side of the Potomac, Marshal Murray
and posse of New York detectives traced
them within a short distance of Swans Point,
but; the Marshal being unacquainted with the
country, and without guide during the
darkness of the night took the wrong road,
and before he regained the trail, Booth and
| Harold succeeded In crossing the river to
Virginia
The report that Booth attempted to shoot
himself while in the barn is incorrect. He
however, in his parley with his beseigcrs,
indicated that he would not be taken alive.
His manner throu ghout was that of harden
ed desperation, knowing that his doom was
sealed, and preferring to meet it there in
that shape, to more igr grominous death a.
waiting him if captured He appeared to
pay little attention to the fire raging about
him, until the roof began to fall, when he
made movement indicating a purpose to
make the desperate attempt to cut his way
out, and perhaps really hoped to succeed. a
mid the smoke and confusion. 1t was this
movement on his part that seems to have
caused Corbett to fire the fatal shot. Har-
old before leaving the barn laid down his
pistol which was Immediately picked up by
Booth, who had it in his hands at the time
| he was shot.
Boston Corbett who killed Booth is said
to be a man of deep religious feeling, who
has at prayer meetings lately, prayed fer
vently thatthe assassin of the late President
might be brought to justice. 1t is said al
SO that in pulling the trigger on Booth he
sent up an audible petition for the soul of
the criminal The pi.tol used by Corbett
was a regular large sized cavalry pistol. He
was offered $1,000 this morning for the pis-
/ Al l.,