Daily national Republican., 1865-07-07
L III e b u r A L.
The Bodies OF Mrs. surrntt, AtZcroit,
and Herold to be Given to
Their Relatives.

However rcpulsive 1t may be to others, the
Reporter for the public press has to be present
and becomes almost ubiquitous on such occasions,
rushing wildly about seeking for items, catching
at every little straw aud waif that Is floating
down the stream OF history. p.
II Is rs beautiful day as ever was seen, hut
oppressively hot. Birds were carolling their
lays Of love and gratitude to their Creator; htle
trim steamers were puhing along the placid Po-
tomac that flows alongside Washington streets
are used to troops, but somehow or other the
little bodies Of pckets stationed all around have
aportentous appearance this morning.
As we approach the pcnitentiary gates larger
bodies OF troops were seen drawn up, their bright
steel muskets and bayonets glistening In the glo
riOus sunlight. Several large cannon are sta :
toned near the gate, and tell OF preparations Of
serious import, II required. It Ia no child g play
to-day. This is no holiday. Soldiers work here.
1t Is stern reality. 1t Is tho evidence that le-
nient Government has at length been forced to
assume severity for the welfare and protection
Of the nations life. 1t Is to teach evil doers that
punishment tofil follow crime; that ~ men 500
so they must expect to reap; that he who sows
the wind must expect to hnd whirlwind for
his harvest crop. Treason, that has so long been
rampant here, and nOihy brawling sympathizcrs
are hushed to silence, and afraid to say their
lives are their own now. Pckets are placed every
few feet apart all round the immense space Of
ground enclosed In the penitentiary fence; down
by the river shore there they are; boats attempt
to land passengers, they arc ordered of; car
riages that usually have been permitted to drive
into the square are now obliged to remain outside
Gentlemanly officers are busy examining
passes. Our turn comes at last-we pass--much
to the disgust OF a large crowd OF people who
presumed they, OF course, would be permitted to
enter. One indignant yeteran-of the Irish per-
suasion-exclaimed In a rich ould brogue that
w1uld have warmed the heart OF General scorT
G'havo heard "Arrah and be jabers, II there
was battle going on there they would mt keep
us out o. there" Everybody who had cousin
or Il grandfather thought Of course t.ey could get
In but they found they could mt unless they
had that little bit,of paper called a pass, duly
subscribed, Orderles were rushing wildly
about as II inspired with the idea that they were
important personages now; they could enter at
all events. So they could-so they did. What
We're they carrying' Is 1t reprieve' Ifso,
for whom, Soldiers off duty are basking In the
shade, and horses in the same condition are busy
switching the innumerable pests OF flies that are
The beautiful hills In Virginia seem redolont
OF peace and love Alexandria Is In sight but
little more than four years ago the rebel flag
Haunted to the breeze within gun-Shot OF the
place-from the Marshal House," kept by the
rebel Jackson-that nag which cost the valuable
life Of the enthusiastic young Colonel ELLswoRTH
to tear down.
Well, we enter the penitentiary building, and
L. IN Al.
diers thRt the work is progressing.
PAYNE and HBROLD slept calmly and quietly
two or three hours during the night; the others
were oppressed with fear and anxiety OF mind,
aud, let US hope, awakened cOnscienees. HER
OLD and PAYSB have not been 50 retieent rs some
of the others; have told how they were led into
the participation Of this crime
HERoLD says he was led to believe that Presi-
dent LINCOLN was to be abducted in the hope of
thereby forcing compromise and bringing
about an honorable peace. PAYNE says he con-
siders he was acting as a soldier, under the or
ders Of his government He thinks there has
been u providence In 1t he cannot account for
his actions they seem mysterious to him. He
first met the tsmpter BoorH In Richmond admits
that his conduct looks very wicked and foolish
notc, but he thought he was right then, The Of
hcers speak Of him rs u very truthful man, and
say the only falsehoOd they know Of his having
told Is In regard to his name. PAYNE explains
that he assumed that name, as he did not wish
his parents to knOw-if he periShed In the at
tempt-that he had died In such way he hoped
they would think he had fallen on the battle
field. He says he does not fear death, he rather
courts 1t 1t will end tho terrible life he has been
living these four years past,
He says, on the night OF the crime he was
chased by cavalry until he got rid OF his
horse, and turned into some woods by the way
side, where he slept, fatigued with his weary
work and ride, and cared little II he were cap
tured or not that when he woke, hungry, and
knew not whore to 20, he thought he might as
well go to Mrs. SuRKATT's rs anywhere else
He was not certain but sho would betray him
and yield him up to Justice, but he cared not
he had a great mind to do 50 himself, What was
life to him what the wOrldl lie had "staked