The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1867-05-29
.aIDOOH VTqA
"THE UNION,
BoolhN Diary.

The following is what purports to be q
copy Of Booths DiGyy ,,,.(E
TiAno, April slsEl4. NFhdays the
ides. Until to-day, nothing was ever
thought of sacrificing to our country's
wrongs. For six months we had worked
to capture; but, our cause being almost
lost, ,Isonethipgl decisive audSgseatl must
be dOne bat III iaiIdrs was owing u oths
ers, who did not strike for their country
with heart. h evrsl oai;,as,f uea srs
| d / struck boldly, and not as tho papers
say, I walked with q firm step through
q thousand Of bis friends, and was stop
ped, utpushed on. A colonel was at his
side. l shouted "Sic semper" before 1
fred In Jumping I broke my leg.
| I passed all his pickets, rode sixty
miles that night with the bone of my leg
tearing the flesh at every jump. I can
never repent it, though we hated to kill.
| Our country owed all her troubles to him,
and God simply made me the instrument
Of his punishment. The country is not
what it was.
May 8, ls64.-This forced Union is
not what I have loved. care not what
becomes Of me; have no desire to out.
live my country. This night-before the
deed-I ,wrstea long, article and sIeftei il
for one Of The editors Of the National Ia.
teHigeies, IN which I fully set forth our
reasons for our proceedings. lie is the
I Government.
/ Friday, the 2lst, after being hunted
like dog through swamps and woods, the
last night being chased by gun boats till
| was forced to return, wet cold and
starving, with every mans hand against
me, ! am here in despair, and why p
For doing what Brutus was honored for,
what made Tell hero, and yet I, for stri.
king down greater tyraut than they ever
knew, am looked on 'asecommou cut.
throat Ny action was pufer Than either
enc Of theirs. One hoped to be great
The other had not only bis country's but
his own wrongs to avenge. l hoped for
no gain. knew no private wrong. I
struck for my country, and that alone-a
country that groaned beneath his tyran.
ny, and prayed for this end, and vet now
behold the cold hand they extend to me.
4 God cap not pardon me if I have done
wrong. JET ] can mt see ny srnna. except
in serving degenerate people. The little,
the very little that left behind to clear
my name, the Government will notallow tn
bo printed, SO ends all. For my country
have given up all that makes life sweet
and holy brought misery Upon my fan.
| lily, and am sure there is no pardon. in the
heaven for me, since man condemns me
SO. I have only heard of what has been
done, except what l did myself, and it
Hlls me with horror. God, try and for
forgive me, and bless my mother. To
night will once more try the river with
the intent to cross, though had great.
or desire and almost mind to return to
Washington, apdsi a measure, clear my
name, which | fesl I can DO. l do not
repent the blow / struck. swear before
my God but not to man, | think i have
done well, though am abandoned with
the curse of Cain upon me. If the world
knew my heart, that one blow would have
made me grea., though | did desire no
greatness. To nightI try to escape these
blood hounds once more. Who can read
his fate Goods will be done" have
too great a soul to die Ikea criminal. u 4.
| o may he spare me that, and lot me
die bravely. l bless the entire world. l
have never hated nor wronged any one.
This last act was not q wrong. unless God
DEGREES it SO. and it is with Him to damn
or bless me, and from this brave boy with
me, who often prays; yes, before and
since, with true and sincere heart was
il crime in him? II not why can he
pray the same / do not wish to shed q
drop of blood, but I mustfght the course.
IT'S all that's left me.
Upon piece Of paper found in the
diary, and supposed to have been torn
from it, is written the following; q .-s-r
/ My dear-(piece torn out) Forgive
me but / have some little PRIDE. / can
not blame your want Of hospitality you
know your affairs l was sick, tired, with
a broken limb, and in need of medical ad,
vice, / would not have turned dog
from my door in such q plight. Howev.
er, you were kind enough, to give us
something to eat, for which not only
thank you, but on account Of the rebuke
and manner in whiOh-(piers torn out J
1t it not the substance, but the way 10
which kindness is extended that makes
ono happy initho acceptance thereof -
The sauce to ceremony; meeting were
bare .withouti.. Be kind to accept the
enclosed IS, although hard to spare, for
what we have RECEIVED. WV D VI
Most respectfully, your Obedient ser.
want.