The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1867-05-24
The Booth Diary.

a. 4u0 oVVtu OAhIy.
After the demand of the whole newspaper
press of the country, as well as the people, Stan
ton and Holt have graciously condescended to
give to the public what Holt says is correct
copy of the entries contained in the diary of John
Wilkes Booth, TO which Gen. Butler reerredin
his reply to Mr.. Bingham, in the House of Rep
resentatives, at its late special session. "Data,"
the Washington correspondent of the Baltimore
Sun, from which we take the diary below, gives
to that paper of the 2lst instant, the demand of
the President on the War Department, and the
letter of Stanton in reply; but as it is not con-
venient just now to publish these, and as the
Presidents note contains nothing but simple
request to be furnished with copy of the diary,
and tantons letter contains nothing, except an
explanation of who hts had the custody of this
little book, we will not occupy space with them.
If the efforts of the Chiefs of the War Depart
ment and the Bureau of Military Justice, have
failed to hide forever from public view the name
ofJohn Wilkes Booth, they have not failed in
making name and fame for themselves that
will live long after they have passed away,
and that will not be CONNIE GRATED with monu-
ments of stone, after the fashion of Bunker Hill,
either.
The following is copy of the writing, which
was in pencil, found in the diary taken from the
body of j. Wilkes Booth:
IOficial Copy.]
]. HoLT, Judge Advocate General.
"Ti dmo," April 18Th, i4th-Friday the
ldpS IIntil To-day nothino ,rac ayar ,bonobt
OF sacrificing to Our country's wrongs
For six months we had worked to capture,
but our cause being almost lost, something de-
csive and great must be done. But its failure
was owing to others who did not strike for their
country with heart. struck boldly and not
as the papers say. | walked with a firm step
through thousand of his friends and was stop
ped but pushed on. colonel was at his side.
shouted ''Sic Semper" before fired in Jump
ing, broke my leg; passed all his pickets
rode sixty miles that night with the bone of my
leg tearing the flesh at every jump. 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 bis punishment
The country is not, in April, 1865, what it
was. This forced Union is not what have loved
care not what becomes of me- have no desire
to outlive my country. This night before the
deed, wrote long article and meant it for one
of the editors of the National Inteligeneer, in
which l fully set forth our reasons for our pro-
ceedings.
Friday, 2lst.-After being hunted like dog
through swan 8, woods and last night being
chased by gunboats till l 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 l, for striking down
greater tyrant than they ever knew, am looked
upon as common cut-throat. My action was
purer than either of theirs. One hoped to be
great-the other had not only his country's but
his own wrongs to avenge.
hoped for no gains. l knew no private
wrong. | struck for my country, and that alone
a country that groaned beneath this tyranny,
and prayed for this end, and yet now, behold the
cold hand they extend to mel God cannot par
don me if have done wrong; yet cannot see
my wrong except in serving degenerate people.
The little, the very little, left behind to clear
my name, the government will not allow to be
printed. So ends all For my country have
given up all that makes life sweet and holy;
brought misery upon my family, and am sure
there is no pardon in Heaven for me, since man
condemns me so. | have not heard of what has
been done, except what did myself and it fills
me with horror. God, try and forgive me, and
bless my mother.
Tonight will once more try the river with
sire, and almost mind to return to Washing
ton, and in measure clear my name, which
feel ! can do.
| do not repent the blow l struck l may be-
fore my God, but not to man. | think I have
done well, though am abandoned with the
curse of Cain upon me, when, if the world knew
my heart, that one blow would have made me
great, though did desire no greatness Tonight
try to escape these blood-hounds once more
Whn-wbp road hio fafa nd Will ho
done | have too great soul to die like
criminal oh may He spare me that, and let
me die bravely bless the entire world /; have
never hated or wronged any one this last was
not wrong unless God deems it so, and it is
with him to damn or bless me, and for this brave
boy with me, who often prays, yes, before and
since, with true and sincere heart, was it
crime in him2 If so, why can he pray the
same? do not wish to shed drop of blood,
but must fight the course-'tis all that's left
me.
Upon piece ofpaper found in the diary and
supposed to have been torn from it, is written
the following My Dea- Piece torn out1 For
give me, but have some little pride. cannot
blame you for want OF hospitality. You know
your own affairs, l was sick, tired, with
broken limb, and in need Of medical advice.
would not have turned dog from my door in
such plight.
However, 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 which to-[piece torn ont]--it is not the sub
stance, but the way in whieh kindness is extend
ID that makes one happy in the acceptance there
Of. The sauce to meat is ceremony-meeting
were bare without it.
Be kind enough to accept the enclosed five
dollars, although hard to spare, for what we
have received. Most respectfully your obedient
servant.
The following is the report of the Judge Ad-
Vocate General:
BUREAU Of MILITARY JUSTICE, May IA, 1867
Respectfully returned with the copy asked for.
The diary purpors to be one for 1864, and
the leaves cut or torn from it probably contained
entries of that year, and were thus destroyed by
Booth himself.
1t is absolutely certain that the diary is in I'll
respects as it was when it came into my hands,
and Colonel Conger, who was prominent in the
pursuit and capture of Booth, after having care
FULLY examined it in my presence ON yesterday,
declared its condition TO be now precisely the
same as when he took it from Booths body after
nc had been shot-the writing in it being the
same and all which it then contained. Conger
was examined before the Judiciary committee of
l>a IIpnca ~