Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1870-12-16
JOHN III. SUREATT.

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HIS OWN STORY A VIVID NARRATIvE-H1s-
TORY OF THE ABDUCTION PLoT-sURRATTs
EXPERIENCE WITH J. WILKENs BOOTH
WEIcHMAN IMPLICATED IN THE ABDUCTION
PLOT, ETC.
On Tuesday evening Mr.. Surratt deliver
ed an interesting lecture at Rockville, Md,
which we find reported in the Washing ton
Star Mr. Surratt is we'll known for his
alledged connection with the conspiracy
against President Lincoln in 1865, his es-
cape, capture, and subsequent trial and
discharge in Washington over year since
Since that tiuIe he has spent portion of his
time in lower Maryland, been in the COM
mission business in Baltimore, and nov has
turned up a school teacher in Rockville.
Tho courthouse ia Rockville was crowd
ed by ladies' and gentlemen to hear the lee
ture. Mr.. Surratt opened by stating that
when the late war broke out he was a stu
dent at St. Charles College, in Maryland,
and only about eighteen years Of age, but
soon entered upon the enterprise Of sending
secret dispatches to the Confederates by the
Potomac boats.
In the fall Of 1864 (says the lecturer) I
was introduced to John Wilkes Booth, who,
[ was given to understand, wished to know
something about the main avenues leading
from Washington to the Potomac We NJ ct
several times, but as he seemed to be very
reticent with regard to his purposes, and
very anxious to get all the information out
Of me he could, I refused to tell him any
thing at all. At last said to him. at is
useless for you, Mr.. Booth, to ssck any in
formation from me at all /; I know who you
are and what are your intentions"
He hesitatcd some time, but finally said
he would make known his views to me pro-
vided I would promise secrecy. I replied
ri will do nothing Of the kind You know
well | am Southern man. If you cannot
trust me-, We will separate" He then said {:
Il will conide my plans to you but before
doing SO [ will make known to you the mo-
tives that actuate me. In the Northern
prisons are many thousands of our men
whom the United States government refuse
to exchange. You know as we'll as [ the
efforts that have been made to bring about
that much-desired exchanges. Aside from
the great suffering they are compelled to
undergo, We are sadly in want of them as
soldiers, We cannot spare one man, whereas
the United States government is willing to
let their own soldiers remain in our prisons,
because she has no need of the men. have
proposition to submit to you, which
think, if We can carry out, will bring about
the desired exchange" There was a long
and ominous silence. which I at last was
compelled to break by asking, "Well. sir,
what is your proposition ?" He sat net
for an instant, and then, before answering
me. arose and looked under the bed, into
the wardrobe, in the doorway and the pas
sage, and then said, 'sWe will have to be
careful; walls have ears" He then drew
his chair close to me and in whisper said,
sit IS to hida,ap President Lincoln, and
carry him off to Richmend," ssK;dnap
President Lincoln p' said, ooufess that I
stood aghast at the proposition, and looked
upon it as foolhardy undertaking. To
think Of successfully selling Mr. Lincoln in
the Capital Of the United States, surrounded
by thousands Of his soldiers, and CARRYING
him off to Richmond looked to me like
oolish idea. [ told him as much. He
went On to tell with what facility he could
be seized in various places in and about
Washington. AS for example in his vari-
Gus rides to and from the Soldiers Home,
bis summer residence. He entered into the
minute details of the proposed capture, and
eveu the various parts to be performed by
the actors in the performance. [ WAS amaz-
misunderstanding in fact, I might
also say frightened at the unparalleled au-
dacity of this scheme. After two days
reflection told hm [ WAS willing to try it.
| believed it practicable at that time, though
I now regard it as q foolhardy undertaking
[ hope you will not blame ME for going
thus far. [ honestly thought an exchange
Of prisoners could be brought about could
we have once obtained possession of Mr..
Llncoln's person, and now reverse the case
Where is there young man in the North
with one spark Of patriotism in his heart
who would not have with enthusiastic ardor
Joined in any undertaking for the capture of
Jefferson Davis and brought him to Wash
ington? There is not one who would not
have dons SO. And SO [ was led on ty
sincere desire to assist the South in gaining
her independence. I had no hesitation in
taking part in anything honorable that
might tend towards the accomplishment Of
that object. Tremendous applause Such
thing rs the assassination Of Mr.. Lincoln
[ never heard spoken of by any of the party,
never g.! Sensation.
Mr.. Surratt then goes On to show that he
opposed anything beyond tie capture of Mr..
Lincoln, narrating the failure Of the abduc-
ton attempts. and gives many incidents of
bis visits to and from Richmond in the early
part Of the war.
/ Surratt states that be heard the news of
the assassination while he was at breakfast
in the Brainard House. Elmira, New York,
where he was registered as "John Harrison.
He was there under orders of Gen. Lee, in
| connection With the plot to release the Con-
| federate prisoners at Elmira He said
It never occurred to me for an instant that
it could have been Booth or any of the
party, for the simple reason that had never
heard any thing regarding assassination
| spoken Of during my intercourse with them
| had good reason to believe that there was
another conspiracy aaoat in Washiu gton.-
In fact, we all knew it. One evening I
overheard conversation to that effect in
the reading-roo of tbs Metropolitan Hotel
I told Booth Of this afterwards, and he said
he had heard something to tho same OBJECT
It only made us all the more eager to carry
out our abduction plans at an carly day fer
fear some one should get ahead of US
Arising from the breakfast table in Elmlra,
I thought over who the party could BE-. for
| at that time no names had been telegraphed.
I vas pretty sure It nas none Of the old