The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1865-07-12
Confession Of George A. Abzerodt.

Which shines on the soul, when Success is wonl
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Confession Of George A. Abzerodt.
BALTIMORE, Julys.
A report of the confession of Abzerodt,
which was prepared by one who has
known him since his arrest, has been
made.
The details of the plot to abduct and
murder the President, which are set
forth below, were given by Abzerodt but
ashort time before his death.
d George Andrew Abzerodt was born
in the kingdom of Prussia in 1885, and
came to this country with his parents
i'll 1S44. He arrived at Baltimore, in
which place he resided with his family
for about one year, when, with his pa
rents, he moved to Westmoreland coun-
ty, Va. His father farmed and carried
on his business, that of blacksmith, at
as an apprentice to the coach-making
business at the courthouse, where he
learned the painting branch. He re-
manned at the courthouse until 1856,
when he went to Washington, and
worked for Young, and also Mr.. McDer-
mott, WellknOwn cOach-makers. In
1857 he joined his brother in the COACH
making business at Port Tobacco. This
continued for four years, when the firm
was dissolved. After this, he carried on
painting in Port Tobacco, until last fall,
when he went with John III. Surratt and
man named Hurline. Surratt induced
him to join in the conspiracy for abduct-
ing the President. Abzerodts knowl-
edge OF, men and the country in the vi
entity of Port Tobacco, and in fact
of all the counties bordering on
the Potomac, gave to the conspirators a
valuable assistant He was well ac-
quainted with Harold, whom he was not
long in finding out, and who was also
engaged in theconspiracy. Surrattwent
several times to Port Tobacco, and often
sent to AbzerOdt to come to Washington,
where he was known to many as " Port
Tobacco" and looked upon as very
weak-minded man--in fact, was regard
ed as very harmless and and silly fell
low. Surratt introduced Abzerodt to
Booth, who feasted him and furnished
him with horses, the horses being held
in the name of Surratt, who appeared to
be the principal in the absence of Booth.
The first meeting of all the conspiratOrs
actually engaged was at a saloon in Penn
sylvania avenue, called Geteer's. At
this meeting o. Laughlin, Arnold, Booth,
Surratt, Harold, and Abzerodt were
present. The first attempt to abduct the
President was to be on the Seventh street
road. This was to be about the middle
of March, when they expected the Pres
ident to visit q camp. O'Laughlin,
Arnold, Payne, Surratt, Booth and Alb
zerodt We're present. Harold left with
the buggy with the carbines for T. B..
The plan was to seize the coach of the
President, Surratt to jump on the box,
as he was considered the best driver,
and make for T. B. by way Of
Long Old Fields to the Potomac river,
in the vicinity of Nargomey creek,
where they had a boat waiting with
men to carry over the party. The boat
was capable of carrying fifteen men, and
was large f1at-bottom batteau, painted
lead-color, which had been bought for
the purpose by Booth, from two men
named Branner and Smoot. This plan
failed, the President not coming as they
desired. Harold went next morning to
Washington. All things remained quiet
for some time after this. Booth went
North; Arnold and O'Laughlin to Bal
timore; Payne or Wood left also for New
York: A man named Howell was about
this time arrested. This alarmed Sur
raft, and he left with Mrs. Slater for the
North. This was about the first of
April. The next plan was to visit the
theatre on the night the President was
expected to be there. 1t was arranged
that Surratt and Booth we're to go the
box; Arnold, O'Laughlin and Payne
were to act some important part in get
ting him out; Harold and Abzerodt were
to have charge of the horses, and an ac-
tor was to be secured to put out the gas.
Booth represented that the best assist
ant he had was an actor. In this plan,
buggies and horses were to be used. A
rope, which was prepared and to be at
Keyds, was to be stretched across the
road to impede the cavalry in the pur-
suit. The route at this time was the
same as before, except that they were to
cross the Eastern Branch bridge. This
whole affair failed, and Booth said ait
is all up,n and spoke of going to Rich
mond and opening theatre, and prom
| Used Abzerodt employment in it in some
capacity. Abzerodt was waiting for
Booth to arrange his going to Rich
mond. When the affair was renewed
again he had taken room at the Kirk
wood House. Harold called on him and
| left his knife, pistol and coat in the
room. and told him Booth wished to see
him at the Herndon House, to which
place he repaired in company with Har-
| old. This was in the evening about 6
o'clock. He there met Booth and Payne.
Booth told Abzerodt, "you must kill
Johnson" Abzerodt demurred, when
Booth replied, Harold has more cour-