The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-08-09
THE ~ASSASSINS.
Important Confessions by DE-. Rsudd.
Statements of O'LauGhIin and sam
Arnold.
Especial dispatch to the New York Times.
"..nrUdTONr Db,-.l A. Q

Especial dispatch to the New York Times.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, Aug. 8.
Brigadier General Dodd, who had
charge of the ssssssins Mudd, Arnold,
OLaughln and S~psDgler, and who de-
livered them to the prison keeper at the
Dry T~ortugas, made mis- report to-day to
the War Department, and was discharged
from this special duty.
General Dodd reports that on the trip,
DIR. Mudd acknowledged to Captain Budd,
General Dodd and others, that he knew
Booth when ne came to his house with
Harold on the morning aflor the assassin
alton, but was afraid to to tell of his hav-
ing been there, fearing the life of himself
and family would be endangered thereby.
He knew that Booth would never be taken
alive. He also Acknow ledged that he had
been acquainted with Booth for some time,
and that he WAS with Booth at the Nation
al Hotel on the evening referred to by
Welchmsn; that he met Booth in the
street, and Booth said he wanted him
(Mudd) to introduce him to John Surratt ;
that they started up Seventh street, on
their way to Mrs. Surrstt's house, and on
their way they met John Surrstt and
Weiehmsn, and returned to Booths room
| NJ Iu6 ~ hSiOudhf MuoIb ub All UUuuO uFThhh
had some conversation of a private char
ae.er. He said that the Military Commits
sion, in his case, had done their duty, and
as far IS they were concerned, the sentence
in his case was just, but some of the wit
nesses had sworn falsely and msliciOusly.
.OLsughlin acknowledged that the Court
had done its duty, and said that ne was in
the plot to capture the President but that
after the Intellectual attempt in March,
when the party hoped to nave captured the
coach containing the President, he thought
the entire project was given mp, and it was
as far as he was concerned. Hedenies pos
itively that he had part or knoWlt dge in
the plot to assassinate the Fresidunt, Con.
Grant, or any one else.
Sam. Arnold made the same statement
as he did before trial that he was in the
plot TO capture, but not to ss~ssssinate; that
that had failed and he considered himself
out of it, and never knew anything about
the assassination, which ne thought was
gotten up by Booth q few hours before ex-
ecutiDg it. He thought the Court could
not nave done otherwise than it did. He
expressed his sorrow that he had been led
into the plot to C pture by Booth and
others, and expressed himself thankful that
the punishment was no worse.
Spangler, on the voyage, expressed some
impotence at bis own stupidity in not nav
ing recollected, while N trial, a cireum-
stance in connection with Booths escape
from the stage, that would have told ma
terially to his ~(5psngler's) a~1vsntsge.
Some of the testimony went to show that
Spangler had slammed the door to after
Booths exit, in q way to hinder immediate
pursuit. Spsngler ssys it quite escaped
his recollection that some time previous 10
the assassination, q patent spring had been
put on the door, for the purpose of closing
it when left csrelessly open. He says,
however, that be supposed the court had
done right, and if they gave him plenty OF
work and plenty to eat be WAS satisfied.
Although he was not guilty, and knew no.
thing of Booths intentions, he says that he
did say to Booth, al will do ali l can fol-
you" but that it was in reference to selling
his Booth's) horse and buggy, ana that il
was three days before the assassination.
He says that some of the witnesses he'd in
their testimony, especially about his slap
ping any one in the mouth, and telling
him to keep his mouth shut.