New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-05-12
FROM MARYLAND.



WASHINGTON May 6. 1865.
While in Belair, Nd, l was strongly I'm
prcssed with the idea that the place must be more
than ultra coppery-nearer the pure. unaduterated
Secession article than can be found in the extreme
South Mind this is only my impression, not positive
knowledge judge from the fact that. on the main
street of the village, noticed but one American nag
draped in mourning To my remembrance there was
on the avenue mention. not another badge OF tue
nations grief for the loss Of the great and wise ruler
whose life cut short by the hand OF an assassin
born but one mile from the said town. The local paper
had the pleasure Of reading had no editorial comments
on the foul deed and being filed only with the first
rumors Of the MURDER and extracts from such sneetS as
The Esr. York Ners Sunday Mercury Worid and Batl
more Comprehend paper whose title do not remember
and which Disguised me SO much that threw it down
and neglected to bring copy away Nodoubt one great
cause of the procviies Of the people 10 be found in
the Emancipation act of the Maryland Legislature
which severely talked Of by those who are proessedy
strong for the Union Most Of the people came In
contact with were protsssedi, Union many of them
taken the OATH and cite it as evidence OF their
pure devotion and loyalty; but, negro said to me-
Heaps on EN- done gone take de oaf in Batimo' and
elsways and what dey at now Fore God If dat man
sure"
The poor colored man. though free lives In ignorance
Of his status and rights and is as much kept down
under the iron heel Of fear and oppression as ever
think that II instead Of modifying order in reference
the quarterng OF troops in the Potomac counties Of
Maryland. the Honorable Secretary of War to
order the occupation Of most Of the counties of Eastern
MarIy land it would do good for the Union for it is a
II. fbn nj als
Rebel sympathizers talk OF the "mudsills and their
beasty pccuiarics. yet they marry them. That's it.
Mr. Stanton. quarter the troops before disbanding
them in Eastern Maryland and the females will all be
strong for Union-to man.
The landlord of one of the hotels "a strong Union man
now. because for his INTEREST," told the following
story Of John wilkes Booth. whom he always looked
on as a wild dare devil. 1t seems that two or three
years ago. John Booth was stopping in Bcair, and
while there. MARYLAND was alarmed by the Rebel in
vasion--the first the Confederaes made. Climbing up
on barrels where as the landlord said "no ordinary
man would have thought of getting the said John cut
out Of large circus bill the letters jeff is coming e.
at which the assembled multitude gaped and applauded
thinking it, old Bonacc said. tho best joke ever
heard Of" and showing their wishes at the time.
The night left Bcair TO ride 10 the station. learned
the following from two black boys who, while giving
me the infol nation were in mortal terror. and as pco
pie came along the walk on either side OF the way
would shift quickly the other side Of the road and
although it was pitchy dark turn their backs and quake
until the pedestrian was far past. They both werc
natives Of the place and knew John Booth well. When
was In Beair the assassin had not yet been killed.
asked them casually whether they thought it probable
that the murderer could gain shelter in that part Of
the country :" Their decided affirmative.
pointing out 10 several houses the main street,
md mentioning names well. saying that they knew
the people they spoke of being the worst Kind OF
Rebels Said they: Since you all come down var on
dc parade dey all been coser" (By the parade they
meant the raid OF the Union after the home Confederate
troops spoken Of in my lasD On the last visit Of the
assassin to the place, his constant companion
was man who was originally the Captain
of the Rebel home organization. This man was taken o
I,ali and forced to take the oath. and is now
respected IA good loyal citizen, though the darkes
think it more than probable that he among Others
there, would have helped Booth his coniederates in
their efforts to escape. at all risks. While in the village
the Inst time John Booth did little else but hunt and
fish with the man mentioned. In all that have
written let not be understood to mean that there
no white Union men in that section OF country.
There are many but until recently their position has
not been tho happiest. They have been denounced in
the shops and barrooms id Abolitionsts, and to|
keep themselves within the bounds Of federation have
had to conceal their feelings and cav at the action of
the State and national authorities In order to live at
in peace. 1t 10 curious how wo may be mistaken II
am not one Of those who that the first glance at
man can know his sympathies or caiiber but. truth
10 tell have pretended until lately to some prssccaco'