The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-14
THE C%0NSPIRAT0Rs.
Incidents of the Voyage TO the Tor.
tuSaS.

= During the voyage sll the prisoners we're
more or less afflicted with sea sickness. and
at one time one-hslf of the guards were
unfit for duty. DR.. Mudd and Arnold were
particularly wretched. 7
Spanglef, although quite sick, was given
to practical Joking, Finding that while
sick he could get from the surgeon, DR.. /
Porter, 8 modicum of French brsndy, he
concluded to take sick st various odd times,
always with pains for which vini GaIIiei
~spirttus is supposed to be a sovereign cure;
but his trick was discovered, and he was,
much TO his chsgrin, obliged to qusf U.s.
maics ginger instead Of the moro palatable
beverage.
he was generally quite laxative, and
expressed himself as being satisfied. with
theasctiOn ofthe Military Commission, but
continued to assert his innocence of par
ticipstion in the crime OF assassination.
In q conversation with Captain Dutton,
he remarked that he knew nothing OF
Booths designs, and that even after the
murder, while Booth was passing through
the theatre, he was unaware of the foul
deed which had been committed. 1.-THE
fact is, captain said he, "BOoth was q
privileged character at Ford's. He had
the run of the house al all times, day snd
night had access to the dressing room,
and came to rehearssls u-nannounced, and
always by the rear entrance. He was q
great tsvor1te and spenT money nsely.
Whenever he came with his horse he al
ways called for me to groom the animal,
and l have many q time blacked his boots
and done other mental work for him. l
did not close the door behind Booth. 1t
was q spring door, which you al see when
you get back 70 Washington, and closed of
itself unless you held it open. There was
nothing unusual in my holding Booths
horse on the night of the murder, fer 1
had done it twenty times before. 1 didn't
see how the Commission that tried me
could have decided otherwise in my case,
considering the evidence; but 1 am not
guilty Of having anything to do with the
crime"
spsngler was very lively during the voy-
age, and several times ran up the ladder
from the held, three steps at q time, hesvi-
ly ironed as he was. He was quite jubilant
over the idea that he would not beA pris-
oner for life. "Tn come out all right six
years is not such a long time after all"
ssid he. " You need not felicitste yourself
on having q short time to stay, Spaugler,"
said DR.. Mudd. al don't know where
they are taking us, but if it is to the Dry
Tortugss, there is no more chance for you
than for me. None of us will live more
two years"
Up to this time not a word had been
dropped in reference to the ultimste des-
tination of the conspirstors ; but they had
occupied themselves in discussing the prob
abilities OF q residence in Albany, trip to
some port on the Gull, or q sudden death
by drowning. OLaughlin was very reti
cent, rarely entering into conversation
even with his fellow prisoners.
MUdd carried with him q printed COPY Of
tho evidence educed during his trial, and
took great pleasure in picking it TO pieces.
He is described by our Informant as a man
of good education, considerable shreWd-
ness, and strong rebel proclivities. He was
never off his guard, always pondered a
question well before returning an answer,
and invariably spoke of Mrs. Surrstt rs
having been unjusily executed. 1t will be
remembered that on his trial Mudd denied
all knowledge Of Booth until the visit of
the lame assassin to the Doctors house 4;
but to Captain Dutton he confessed that he
was acquainted with Booth for some time
before the murder. In regard to that de
plorsble crime he asserted that he did not
know Of it until after Booths departure.
Mudd was very gloomy during the Voy-
age, and fears we're entertained by his
guard that he contemplated suicide. He
&Sau se6gq@h99iRR&dlIEE uGstlfR6Sa!lv WATCHED
"Why do you keep me so closely guard
edP said he to the officer in charge of
him.
because" said Captain D., T'm afraid
I may lose you"
allow lose me2 There is surely no
chance for me TO escape here, and you do
not suspect that 1 would kill myself z"
. "That is just what 1 fear; and until 1
get my receipt for your body from the COM
msndsnt of the post to which you are con-
signed, 1 deem it my duty TO have your
every step strictly watched"
"Well, Captain, you need have no fear
IN my account. / would put an end to my
miserable existence, but for the thought Of
eternity. 1 am afraid to die, although 1
cannot bear this terrible life, which is 30
much worse than DEATH
When off the coast of Florida, the wealth
er being warm, the prisoners we're allowed
to sleep on deck, and during the day their
irons were removed. They were very
grateful for this unmerited kindness, and
showed their appreciation by giving as
little trouble as possible TO those who had
charge of them.
When the steamer came in sightEof the
Dry Tortugss, on the 24th,snd it was made
known to the criminals that this t~reeless,
ifeless place was to be their prison, their
emotion could not be checked. They cried
Xix children, Mudd and Arnold in particu.
lar, evincing the most poignant grief. The
former paced the deck, wringing his hands
and exclaming, time and again, There is
no hope for me-" Arnold bewsiled his
fate in gpiteous tones. He said off this
was Albany, or any other place where my
mother and sisters could sometimes see me,
1 might bear my imprisonment, but here 1
shall have no one TO live for"
Mudddeclsred, when his psroxysm of
grief had subsidized, that he should lose no
opportunity TO effect his escape. When
asked where he would go if he succeeded
in eludiDg the vigilance of the garrison, he
cried out, "Homel government would not
touch me there. 1t could not hunt me
down in the midst of my wife and children"
Shortly after landing, Col. Hamilton,
lIOth New York Volunteers, commanding
the post, proposed to assign Mudd to duty
ss hospital steward, Arnold as clerk, and
provide the others with employment TO
which they we're adapted.
The steamer Was detained two days at
Key West and after taking in coal, started
for New York, where she arrived in due
season. ...-
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