Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1865-08-26

Nudd. O,LauehIin, Arnold and Spangler
| on their way to the Dry TOrtngas.
During the voyage, all the prisoners
we're more or less afflicted with sea-sick-
ness. and at one time half of the guards
were unfit for duty. DIR. Mudd and
Arnold were particularly wretched.
Spangler. though quite sick, was CIV
an to practical joking. Finding that
while sick, he could get from the Sur
geon, DIR. Porter, modicum OF French
brandy, he concluded to take sick at va
rious times, always with pains for which
cini qaliiei spiyitus is supposed TO De
sovereign cure; but his trick was. discov-
cred, and he was, much to his chagrln,
compelled to quaff Jamaica ginger In
place of the more palatable beverage.
He was generally quite talkatiye, and
expressed himself satisfied with the ac-
ltion of the Military Commission, but
lcontinued to assert his innocence OF
I participation in the crime OF assassina-
ton. sfisz Ha8As To as.V9T
In a conversation with Captain Dut-
lton. he remarked that he knew nothing
i of Booths designs, and that even after
Itbe murder, while Booth was passing
through the theatre, he. was unaware OF
/ the foul deed that had been committed
"The fact is, Captain" said he,
s.Booth was privileged character at
Ford's. He had the run of the house
at all times, day and night; had access
/ To the dressing-rooms, and frequently
came to the rehearsals unannounced,
land always by the rear entrance. He
was a great fayorite, and spent money
freely. Whenever he came with his
horse he always called for me to groom
the animal, and / have many time
hacked his boots, and done other me-
NAL work for him. / did not close the
door behind Booth. 1t was spring
door, which you can see when you get
hack to Washington, and closed OF it
self unless you held it open.se There
was nothing unusual in my holding
Booths horse on the night of the
murder. for I had done it twenty
times before i didn't see how the
Commission which tried me could have
decided otherwise in my case, consider
ing the evidence; but / am not guilty
of having anything to do with the
crime"
Spangler was very lively during the
VOYAGE. and several times ran up the
ladder from the hold, three steps at a
time. heavily ironed as he was. He was
louite iubilant over the idea that he
would not be prisoner for life. "IH
come out all right-six years is not
such a long time after all, said he.
sYou need not felicitate yourself on
having short time to stay, Spangler,
said DIR. Mudd. 81 don't know where
they are taking US, but II 1t is to the
Dry Tortugas, there is no more chance
for YOU than for me. None of us will
live more than two years. ep1t
Up to this time, not a word had
been dropped in reference to the ultl-
mate destination of the conspirators,
lbut they had occupied themselves in
, discussing the probabilities of a resi-
dence at Albany, trip to some port on
the Gulf, or sudden death by drown
ing. O'Laughlin wrs very reticent,
rarely entering into conversation even
| with his fellow-prisoners.
Mudd carried with him q printed
copy of the evidence educed during his
| trial. and took great pleasure in tearing
| it to pieces. He is described, by ouI
informant as man of good education,
considerable shrewdness, and strong
rebel proclivities. He was never off his
guard, always pondered question well
before returning an answer, and invaria-
Il bIy spoke of Mrs. SurTatt as having
, tbeen uniustly executed. 1t will be re-
Imembered that on his trial, Mudd de-
{ MED all knowledge of Booth previous
TO the visit of the lame assassin to the
Doctors house, but to Captain Dutton
he confessed that he was acquainted
with Booth for some time before the
! murder. In regard to that deplorable
{ crime he did not know of it until after
Booths departure. rvV.
J Mudd was very gloomy during the
voyage, and fears were entertained by
, his guard that he contemplated suicide.
j He was accordingly closely watched,
| very much to his Indignation.
> s'Why do you keep me so closely
: guardedg' said he to the officer in
: charge of him a ii ie'@4
, sBecause, said Capt. d. liam afraid
r may lose you" Il
/" How lose me There is surely nc
chance for me to escape here, and yor
q do not suspect that I would kill my
self ?" .s1~ sfaek ,sIoa8
"That it just what fear, and until
get my receipt for your body from the
J commandant of the post to which you are
consigned, / deem it my duty to have
/. your every step strictly watched"
"Well, Captain, you need have M
fear on my account. ITsoould put al
end to my miserable existence, but TO
the thought of eternity. / am afraid t.
: die, although I can bear this terribl
: life, which is SO much worse thai
4 death.
! When off the coast of Florida, tn
= weather being so warm, the prisoner
= were allowed TO sleep on deck, and du
: ring the day their irons were removed
? They were very grateful for this unmer
/ tied kindness, and showed their appreci
J, alton by giving as little trouble as pos
sible to those who had charge of them
= When the steamer came in sight o
y the Dry Tortugas, on the Oath, and i
was made known to the criminals tina
!, this treeless, hfeless place was to b'
I their prison, their emotion could no
> be checked. They cried like children
, Mudd and Arnold in particular, evin
! cling the most poignant grief. The for
: naer paced the deck, wringing hi
! hands, and exclaiming time and again
! ''there is no hope for me. +" Arnold be
Z Z walled his fate in piteous tones. He
! said, eff this were Albany, or any Other
y place where my mother and sister,
could sometimes see me, might beal
my imprisonment, but here / shall havt