The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1867-06-05
Booths Diary.

Ah0 io!io"iu6 40 LAG WY Va VIC WIitiIi
(which was in penciD found in the diar
taken from the body of J. Wilkes Booth.
Official copy: j. HoLT,
Judge Advocate General.
i 10 An,o.", rs
4 April 1914, Friday, THE IDEs.
i Until to-day nothing was ever though
of sacrificing to our country's wrongs
For six months we had worked to capture
But our cause being almost lost, somethin
decisive and great must be done. But it
failure was owing to Others who did no
strike for their country with heart.
struck boldly, and not as the papers say
| walked with firm step through thou
sand of his friends; was stopped, bu
pushed on. A colonel was at his side.
. shouted sic semper before | fired. Ii
Jumping broke my leg. passed all hi
pickets.. Rode sixty miles that night, will
the bone of my ley tearing the flesh at ev
cry jump.
can never repent it, though we hatet
to kill. Our country owed all her troubles
to him, and God simply made me the in
strument Of his punishment.
| The country is not
April, 1865.
what it qcas. This forced union is moi
what I have loved. / care not what be.
comes Of me. / have no desire to outliye
my country. This night (before the deed
| wrote long article and left it for one Of
the editors of the NATIONAL INTEL1IGENcER
in which fully set forth our reasons for
our proceedings. He or the Goy'r
Friday, q.
After being hunted like a dog through
swamps, woods, and last night being chas-
ed by gunboats till was forced to return
wet, cold, end starving, with every mans
hand against me, I am here in despair
And why? For doing what Brutus was
honored for. W.T. made Tell Hero !?
And yet l for sd ing down a greater ty-
rant than they ever knew am looked upon
as a comm on 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 gain. I 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 me. God cannot pardon me if have
done wrong. Yet | cannot see my wrong
except in serving degenerate people
The little, the very little, l left behind to
clear my name, the Gov'mt will not allow
to be printed. So ends all. For my coun-
try have given up all that makes life
sweet and holy, brought misery upon my
family, and am sure there is no pardon in
the Heaven for me since man condemns
me so. have only HEARD Of what has
been done, Except what ! did myself,) and
it fills me with horror. God, try and for
give me, and bless my mother. Tonight I |
will once more try the river with the intent
to cross. Though have greater desire
and almost a mind to return to Washing.
ton and in a measure clear my name
which l feel I Can do. l do not repent the
blow | struck. ! may before my God, but
not to man. l think have done well.-I
Though am abandoned, with the curse Of
Cain upon me, when, if the world knew nv
heart, that one blow would have made me
great, though / did desire no greatness.
Tonight try to escape these blood
hounds once more. Who, who can read
bis fate? Gods will be done.
| have too great soul to die like GRIM
lnal. 0, may he, 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's with him to damn or bless me. And
or this brave boy with me, who often prays
yes, before and since) with true and sin
,ere heart, was it crime in him, if so, why
IAN he pray the same.
| do not wish to shed q drop ofblood.
put "Imust fight the course" IT'S ali
hats left me?
Upon piece ofpaper found in the diary,
md supposed to have been torn from it, is
written the following:
Ny Dea-, Lpiece torn out,1 forgive me,
'utl have some little pride. cannot
'lame you for want Of hospitality. You
now your own affairs. l was sick, tired,
With broken limb, and in need of medical
dvice. | would not have turned dog
rom my door in such plight. However,
gu were kind enough to give us something
0 eat, Tor which l not only thank you. but
n account Of the rebuke and manner in
'hich to.-[piece torn QUIT II is not the
INSTANCE, but the way in which kindness
extended that makes one happy in the 1
cceptance thereof The sauce to meat il {
CEREMONY. Meeting were bare without it. !
'e kind enough to accept the enclosed SIS u
although hard to spare) for what have
ec'd.
lost respectfully your obedient servant.