Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-05-31
John Wtlke EBOOth-A Copy of
His Diary.


been said about the spoliation of the Booth
diary since the charge was made by Gen.
Butler in Congress, that now the people
generally, and, almost without an eXcep-
ton, the leading journals demand that the
book be published, no matter whether its
contents be important or unimportant.--
Upon representation to Mr.. johnson of all
the circumstances and of the general de-
mand that the diary be printed, in order
that the people my for themselves
judgeof the facts ana m.ritsof the
controversy about this book, the
Preside mt gave his consent that a copy be
published. The Pr esident himself having
never seen the diary, hid some days ago
ordered certified copy to be made, which
was accordingly few days ago furnished.
am permitted to send YOU copy of this
record as certified by the Judge Advocate
To the Pres ident.
The following is copy of the writing
which was in pencil found in the diary ia
ken from The body of J. Wilkes Booth.
OFFICIAL COPY.
J. Hour, Judge Advocate General.
''Ii amo," April 18th, 18th. Friday the
Ides. Until to-day nothing was ever
thought of sacrificing To our country :
wrongs For six months we had worked
To capture but our cause being almost lost,
something decisive and great must he done.
But its failure is owing 10 others who did
not strike for their country with heart
| struck boldly and not as the papers say.
| walked with firm step through thous-
and of his friends and was stopped, but
pushed on. a coloneI was at his side. |
shouted "sic scmpcr" before / fired. In
jumping | broke my leg. passed all his
pickets, and rode 60 miles that night with
the bone of my leg tearing the flesh at ev-
cry jump. can never repent it, though
we hated to kill Our country owed all
her trouble to him, and God simply made
me the instrument OF his punishment The
country is not what ii was. This forced
Union is not what have loved. care
no. what becomes of me. | have no de-
sire to outlive my country. This night.
before the deed" wrote long article
and left it for one Of the editors Of The
National Iteitigencer, in which fully
set forth our reasons for our proceedings.
He or the Government.
Friday 2l.-After being hunted like n
dog through swamps, woods, and last
night being chased by gunboais till 1 was
forced to return wet, cold, and starving
with every mans hand against me l am
here in despair, and why? For doing what
BrutuS was honOred for, what made Tell n
hero, and yet l, for striking down greater
tyrant than they ever knew, am looked up
on as common cutthrOat- My acti on
was purer than either Oftheirs. One hop ed
to be great, the other had not only his
cOuntry's, but his own wrongs to avenge.
l hoped for no gain. / knew no private
wrong. | struck for my country, and that
alone-a country that groaned beneath this
tyranny and prayed for this emu, and yet
now behold the cold hand they extend 10
me. God cannot pardon me if l have
done wrong: cannot see my wrong, ex-
cept in serving degenerate people. The
little, the very little l left behind TO clear
my name, the Government will not allow to
be printed. So ends all. For my country
i 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
only heard Of what has been done, except
what did myself, and it fills me with hor-
ror. God, try and forgive me, and bless
my mother. Tonight 1 will once more
try the river, with the intent to cross,
though have q greater desire to return to
Washington, and in a measure clear my
name, which feel / can do. do M, re-
pent the blow / struck. may before my
God, but not to man. l think 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 not desire
greatness. Tonight try TO escape these
once more. Who, who can
read his fate? Gods will be done. l have
too great soul to die like a criminal. Oh.
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 a wrong unless God
deems it SO, and it is with him to damn or
bless me. And for this brave boy with
with me who often prays. Yes, before
and since. with true and sincere heart
Was it crime in him? If so, why can he,
pray the same? do not wish to shed
drop of blood, but must fight the course.
It's all that's left me-
Upon piece of paper found n the da-
nv, and supposed to have been torn from
it, is written the following:
'.MY DEA (piece torn OUT. Forgive me,
but | have some little pride. l cannot
blame you for want of hospitality. You
know your own affairs. was sick, tired
with broken limb and in need of medical
advice, and could not have turned dog
from my door in such a plight However,
you were kind enough to give us something
to eat, for which l not only thank you,
but on account of the rebuke and manner
in which to" (piece torn OUT sit is not the
substance but the way in which kindness
is extended that makes one happy in the
acceptance thereof The sauce to meat is
ceremony. Meeting were base without il.
BE kind enough to accept the inclosed five
dollars, although hard to spare for what
we have received. Most respectfully, your
obedient servant"
REPORT OF THE JUDGE ADVOCATE GENERAL
BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE.
NEW YORK. May IA. 1867.
Respectfully returned, with the copy
asked for
The ''Diary" purports to be one for 1864,
and the leaves cut or torn from II probably
contained entries of that year, and were
thus destroyed by Booth himself 1t is
certain that the diary is in all
respects the same as it was when il came
into my hands, and Col. Conger who was