Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-04-29


New YoRK, April 2S.--The following
is the statement of Sergeant Boston Cor
bett es Ca
On Tuesday afternoon, by Superior
officer, Lieut.. Dougherty received infor.
nation that two persons answering tC
the description of Booth, and Harold
his accomplice, were concealed in barr
on the farm Of Henry Garrett, threG
miles from Port Royal, in the direction
of Bowling Green.
There we captured man named Jett,
who ferried Boo d and his companion
across the Potion &c. At FIRST he denied
knowing anything about the matter, but
when threatened if he did not reveal
the spot where he assassins were Sc.
creted, he told rs where iha could be
fonnd aud piloted us TO the place.
2coth and Harold reached be barn
about dusk on Tuesday evening
The barn was at once surrounded by
the cavalry, and some of our party en-.
gagged in conversation with Booth from
the outside.
He was commanded to surrender se-
verRl times, bat made no reply to the
demand save that eff you want me, come
and take me" 6osc
When first asked to surrender, he ask
cd "Who do you take me for2'
A short time after, in response TO tie
question as to whether there was any
body else in the barn with him, he stated
that he was the only person in the build
ing; that hia companion, Harold, had
taken smother route and was beyond their
reach or capture. seed
At three O'Clock or after, the barn was
fred. Before the flames were kindled
be had she advantage Of us in respect to
light he could see us, but We could
not see him. But after that the tables
were tnrned; we could see him plainly
but could not be seen by him. The
flames appeared to confuse him, and he
made a spring towards the door, as il to
make an attempt TO force his way out
AS he passed by one Of the crevices in
the barn, fred at him. / aimed at bis
body. l did not want to kill him. ]
took deliberate aim at bis shoulder, but
my aim was too high. The ball struck
him in the head, Just below the right ear,
and passing through, came out about an
inch above the left ear | think be
stopped TO pick mp something Just as /
fred. That may probably account for
bis receiving the ball in the head.
was not over or 10 yards from him
when / fred. / was afraid if did not
wound him he would kill some Of our
men.
After he was wounded ] went into the
barn. Booth was lying in reclining
position on the floor. / asked him,
'Where are you woundedY' He replied
his eyeballs glaring with peculiar bril-.
haucy, ain the head; you have finished
me-"
He was then carried out Of the burn
ing building into the open air, where be
died about two and half hours after.
wards. About an hour before he breath
ed bis last, be prayed for as to shoot him
through the heart and thus end his mis-.
cry. His sufferings appeared 70 be in
tense
Booth, although he could have killed
several of our party, seemed to be afraid
to FIRE. Mine was the only shot fred on
either side. .t.v-f
When be fell be had in his hand 8 six
shooter, and at his feet lay seyen-shoot.
er, which he had dropped after be was
wounded Tho other revolyers lay near
him.
He declared that the arms belonged
to him, and that Harold had nothing to
do with the murder.
We gave him brandy. and four men
went in search Of a doctor, whom they
found in about four miles Of the place
of the occurrence, but when the doctor
appeared, Booth was dying. He did not
talk much after rec living the wound.
When asked if b bad anything to say,
be replied: II die for my country and
asked those standing BY to tell his moth.
er. He did not deny bis crime.