Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-05-05
BOOTH, THE ASSASSIN, SHOT.
WAR DKPARrMKNr.

To Maj Gen Dir:
j. Wilkes Booth and Harold we're chased
from the swamp in Saint Msry's county in
Maryland to CARROTS Farm, near Port Roy
al, on the Rappahannock, by Col. Bakers
force. The barn in which they took refuge
was fred. Booth was shot and killed. and
Harold was captured Booths body and Har-
rold are now here
E. NJ. STANTON, Seo'y Of War.
wAsHINGroN, April 27.
Yesterday morning squadron of the 9th
New York Cavalry traced Booth and Har-
rolu to a barn between Bowling Green and
Port Royal, near fredericksburg, Va. The
barn was surrounded, aud a demand made
for their surrender, which Harold was in fa-
vor Of doing but upon Booth calling him a
coward, he refused to DO so. The barn was
then set on FIRE. Upon its getting too hot,
Harold again presented himself, and pu; his
hands through the door to be hsndoufed.-
While this was going on Booth fred upon
the soldiers, upon which sergeant fired at
him. The ball Of the sergeant took effect in
the head Of Booth, killing him. Harold was
taken alive, and he and Booths body we're
brought TO the Washington Navy Yard last
night.
DOONn was ulHIuNtTtu III Nub YARN bl Ant
cavalry. He declared his intention never to
surrender, and said he would fight the whole
.qusd, consisting of twenty-eight men, If they
would permit him to place himself twenty
yards distant. The party was uhder the com
mand Of Lieut.. Edward Dougherty. Booth
was on ctutch. He lived two hours after
he was shot, whispering blasphemies against
the government, and sending farewell mes
.age to his mother. At the time he was shot,
it is said, be was leaning on his crutch, and
preparing again to fire upon his captors.
WARRINGTON, April 81.
Col. Baker of the war detective force, has
been indsfatigable in his efforts to detect and
arrest the assassin Booth. but he has been
seriously retarded by the operations o! other
parties, whose scouts have twice betrayed
plans which would probably have secused the
villain alive.
Booth probably fractured his leg when he
eaped from the box in which be committed
the murder, his spur having become 50 en-
tangled in a silk flag as to throw him from
his balance. Nevertheless be rode off his
roam horse some thirty miles without draw
ing bride, when he stopped to have his limb
dressed by a surgeon.
Afterward he managed to cross the Poto-
mac, to traverse what is known as the North
ern Neck Of Virginia, to cross the Rappahsn-
mock. and to make his way toward Bowling
Green. Harrold accompanied him.
Meanwhile 1t. Baker, brother of the
Colonel, with twelve men, were on the assas-
sins track, and about three o'clock Wednes-
day moruing tney surrounded barn in which
he was secreted. The county was infested
with suenias and paroled rebels, who had
begun to make signals.
Booth, when summoned to surrender, came
to an upper wiadow and refused TO give him
self up alive. He was armed with Spencer
carbne. the knife with which Re cut Major
Rathbone, We. stained with blood, and pis-
tol He declared that he would kill himself
rather than be taken.
AS the signals of the guerrilas became
more distinct, L. Baker decided to set FIRE
to the barn in order to force the assassins to
come out. Booth, on ascertaining this, swore
be would not be taken alive and snapped a
pistol at his own head.
1t missed fire aud ere he could make a sec
ond attempt at suicide Union bullet had
pierced his head near the place where his
murderous bullet entered the head of our
martyred President.
The wound was mortal, but lived three
hours. Lieut.. Baker took his head in his
lap aud did all in mis- power to sooth his dy-
ing agonies. He confessed all, and as his
end app cached be endeavored to raise his
partially paral zed hands before his face say
Z ing, Blood Blood There is blood on
/ them J"
/ A complete diary Of what has happen.
ed since he committed the fatal crime wa'
found in his pocket, also bills of sterling ex'
change drawn by Canada bank, when Booth
was there in October last.
The murderer's corpse has been brought
J here and was last night deposited on board q
gunboat. The features are remarkably natural
although his having shaved off his mustache
changes their expression, and his whole beard
has grown somewhat.
Harold was arrasted unharmed and brought
here.
Lieut.. Baker and the soldiers who COM
posed his party are receiving much attention.
The Stars account of the Booths capture
shows he was traced by information from a
negro; that he crossed the river at Swan
Point, paying $500 for boat, Lieut., Dough
erty and squad Of cavalry discovered Booth
and Harold in CARROTS barn well armed.
They surrounded them, and in order to cap
ture them ali7e set fire 10 the barn, which
had the effect TO cause the latter to surren-
der.
While an officer VAS placing handouts on
Harold. Booth fred, which was returned by
Sergt. Boston Corbett, the bullet striking
4 Booth in the neck. Before dying, Booth
{ said tell my mother " / died for my country"
He was shot about four, and died about sew
| en- o'clock in the morning. He was compell-
/ ed to use crutches, which were found in the
| barn Booth had some bills OF exchange,
but only Sl75 in treasury notes.
1t appears that Booth and Harold left
Washington together on the night Of the
/ murder of the President, passed through
| Leonardtown, Md, concealiLg themselves in
the vicinity until an opportunity was afforded
( TO cross the river at swan Point. The man
who hired Booth the boat was captured but
I afterwsrd escaped.
Port Royal is a village in Carolina County,
1 Virginia, on the right bank of the Kappa
hammock, twenty-five miles below Freder-
! icksburg.
/ Very great curiosity prevails as to the dis
position that will be made Of the remains of