Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-05-24

pickets rode sixty miles chat 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 1ae
the instrument of his punishment.
The country is not, in April, 1860, what
it was. This forced Union is not what
have loved. ! care not what becomes of
me / have 40 desire to outlive my coun-
try. This night, before the deed / wrote
q long article, and meant it for one of the
editors of the Nationa. Intelligeneer, in
which / fully set forth our reasons for our
proceedings.
Friday, 21st.-After being hunted like
dog through swamns woods, and last night
being chasedby gunboats, still was forced
to return, wet, cold and starving, with
ever man s hand against me, am here in
despair and why? For doing what Bru-
tus was hrnorcd for what made Tell a
hero and yet !, for striking down greater
tyrant than they ever knew, am looked up
on as common cut throat NV 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 ayenge.
hoped for 10 gains | knew no private
wrong. / struck for my country, and that
alcne-a country that groaned beneath this
tyranny, and prayed for this end, and vet
now. behold the cold hand they extend to
NE , God cannot pardon me if | have
done wrong yet cannot see my wrong
except in serving a 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 LIE
SO. l 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 L will once more try the river
with the intent to cross, though I have a
greater desire, and almost mind to return
to Washington, and in a measure clear my
NAME which [ feel [ can do.
do not repent the blow struck. may
before my God, but not to man. 1 think I
have done WE'LL though I 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 I try to es-
cape these blood hounds once more! Who
who can read his fate Gods will be done
l have too great O soul to die like crimi-
nal 0! 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 sin
cere heart. was it crime in him ? If so,
why can he pray the same ? do not wish
to shed drop of blood, but I must fight
| IL 4 IL IL 81
Upon piece of paper found in the diary
and supposed to have been torn from it, is
written the following My Dea- Piece
torn outl Forgive me, but I have some
little pride I cannot blame you for want
of hospitality. You know your own affairs
1 was sick, tired, with broken limb, and
in need of medical advice. I would not
have turned dog from my door in such a
plight.
However, you were kind enough to give
us something to eat, for which I not only
thank you, but, on account of the rebuke
and manner in which to piece torn out l.
it is not the substance, but the way in which
kindness is extended that makes one hap
py in the acceptance thereof. The sauce
to meat is eremony-meeting were bare
without it,
Be kind enough to accept the enclosed
five dollars, although hard to spare, fol-
what we have received. Most respectfully
your obedient servant.
The following is the report of the Judge
Advocate General:
Bureau Of Military Justice, May II, 1867
Respectfully returned with the copy asked
| for
The diary purports 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 il
in all respects as it was when it came into
my hands, and Colonel Conger, who was
prominent in the pursuit and capture O
Booth after having carefully examined it il
my presence on yesterday, declared its con
dition to be now precisely the samo 81
when he took it from Booths body afte1
he had been shot-the writing in it being
the same and all which it then contained
| Conger was examined before the judiciar,
committee of the House of Representative
to-day.
J. Holt, Judge Advocate General.
| DATA.