The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-06-13
Booths Diary-A full Copy of it.

Booths Diary-A full Copy of it.
The following is copy of the
writing, which was in pencil, found
in the diary taken from the body of
J. Wilkes Booth.
j. Holt, Judge Advocate Gen'l.
's7E Amo, Apra 13-14.-Frtday
the K1es. 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, something
decisive and great must be done;
but its failure was owing to others,
who did not strike for their country
with a heart se4t.--rs
II struck boldly, and not as the
papers say. l walked with a firm
step through thousand of his
friends, and was stopped, but push
ed on. A colonel was at his side.
Ishouted Sac semper' beforeI fired,
In jumping broke my leg.
II passed all his piekets, rode
sixty miles that night with the bone
of my leg tearing the flesh at every
jump. l 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
''Aprt7, Nay 8, 1s65.-This forced
union is not what I have loved. 1
care not what becomes of me I have
no desire to outlive my county,
The night before the deed I wrote
) long article, and left it for one of the
editors ofthe National IntelHgencer,
! in which fully set forth our reasons
for our proceedings. He is the gov
) ernment
"Faiday, the 21st.-After being
hunted like dog through swamps
and woods, the last night being
chased by gun boats till I was forced
| to return, wet, cold and starving,
with every mans hand against me. 7
am here III despair, and why? For
doing what Brutus was honored for,
: what made Tell hero, and yet I, for
f striking down greater tyrant than
they ever knew, I am looked upon
: as common cut-throat. My action
was purer than either one Of theirs.
, One hoped to be great. The other
had not only his country's but his
? own wrongs to avenge. I hoped for
5 no gain. l knew no private wrong.
/. [ struck for my country, and that
alone-a country that groaned be-
meath this tyranny, and prayed To-
4 this end, and yet now, behold the
: cold hand they extend to me. God
e cannot pardon me if I have done
a wrong, yet I cannot see my wrong,
r except in serving degenerate peo-
e pie. The little, the very little that
;, ! left behind to clear my name, the
e government will not allow to be
t printed, so ends ali. Fol- my coun.
+ try l have given up all that makes
0 life sweet and holy; brought misery
d upon my family, and am sure there
/ is no pardon in the heaven for me,
since man condemns me so. I have
a only heard of what has been done,
i. except what 1 did myself, and it fills
y me with horror. God, try and for.
/, give me, and bless my mother. To-
: night l will once more try the river
n with the intent to cross, though I had
n a greater desire and almost mind
g to return to Washington, and in a
n measure, clear my name, which feel
n Lean do. I do not repent the blow
[ struck. / swear before my God,
S but not to man, think l have done
y well, though l am abandoned with
the curse of Cain upon me, If the
s world knew my heart, that one blow
!: would have made me great, though
d l did desire no greatness. Tonight
# l try to escape these blood hounds
e once more Who can read his fate |
l. Gods will be done. / have too great
e. a soul to die like criminal.
d 90! may he spare me that, and
/ let me die bravely I bless the en-
t tire world, l have never hated OF
g wronged any one. This last act was
r not wrong, unless Ged DEGREES il
N so, and it. is with him to damn OF
! bless me. And this brave boy with
me, who often prays; yes, before
d and since, with true and sincere
Ii heart was it crime in him? If not,
4, why can he pray the same? do pot
IT wish to shed drop of blood, but
r, must fight the course. "Tis all that
J. left me-