Middletown transcript., 1870-12-17

only reached US about three-quarters of
an hour before the time appointed, but so
perfect was our communication that we
were instantly in our saddles on our way
to the hospital. This was between one
and two o'clock in the afternoon 1t was
our intention to seize the carriage, which
was drawn by splendid pair of horses,
and to have one Of our men mount the
box and drive direct for Southern Mary
land, via Benning's bridge, We felt con-
tident that all the cavalry in the city could
never overhaul US. We were all mounted
on swift horses, besides having thorough
knowledge of the country, it being de-
termined to abandon the carriage after
passing the city limits. Upon the sud
denness of the blow and the celebrity of
our movements we depended for success.
BY the time the alarm could have been
given and horses saddled, we would have
been on our way through Southern Mary
land towards the Potomac river. To our
great disappointment, however, the Pres
ident was not there, but one of the Gov
ernment ofiicials-Mr. Chase, if l mis-
take not. We did not disturb him, as we
wanted a bigger chase laughter than he
| COulu ulNC US. IL WIS certainly
ii bitter disappointment. but I think,
most fortunate one for us. 1t was our
last attempt. We soon after this became
convinced that we could not remain much
longer undiscovered, and that we must
abandon our enterprise. Accordingly
separation finally took place, AMI never
after saw any of the party except one,
and that was when was on my way from
Richmond to Canada on business of quite
different nature-about which presently
Such is the story of our abduction plot.
Rash, perhaps foolish, but honorable |
maintain in its means and ends; actuated
by such motives as would under similar
circumstances, be u sufficient inducemcnt
to thousands of Southern young men to
have embarked in similar enterprise
Shortly after our abandonment of the abb
duction scheme, some dispatches came to
me which | was compelled to see through
to Richmond. They were foreign ones,
aud had no reference whatever to this af-
fair. accordingly left home for Rich
mond, and arrived there safely on the
Friday evening before the evacuation of
that city. On my arrival went to
Spottswood Hotel where | was told that
Mr.. Benjamin, the then Secretary of War
of the Confederate States, wanted to see
me, accordingly sought his presence.
He asked me if | would carry some des-
patches to Canada for him l replied
dispatches and $500 in gold with which
to pay my way to Canada. That was
the only money ever received from the
Confederate government or any of its
agents.
1t may be well to remark here that this
scheme of abduction was concocted with
cut the knowledge or the assistance of the
Confederate government in any shape or
form. Bo1th and | often consulted to-
gether as to whether it would not be well
to acquaint the authorities in Richmond
with our plan. as we were sadly in want
of money, our expenses being very heavy.
In fact, the question arose among us as to
whether, after getting Mr. Lincoln, if We
succeed in our plan, the Confederate au-
thorities would not surrender us to the
United States again, because of doing
this thing without their knowledge or
consent. But we never acquainted them
with the plan, and they never had any
| buillH Ill iuO WluC WOTlu W uO Will II. III
fact we were jealous of our undertaking,
and wanted no outside help
| have not made this statement to de-
fend the officers of the Confederate gov
ernment. They are perfectly able to de-
fcnd themselves What I have done my
self am not ashamed to let the world
know. | left Richmond on Saturday
morning before the evacuation of that
place, and reached Washington the follow
ing Monday at 4 o'clock p NJ. April 3,
1865. As soon as | reached the Mary
land shore | understood that the detec-
tiyes knew of my trip South and were on
the lookout for me- l had been South
several times before for the secret SER
vice, but had never been caught At
that time | was carrying the dispatches
Mr. Benjamin gave me in book entitled
+" rhe Life of John Brown" During my
trip, and while reading that book. l
learned to my utter amazemcnt, that Jno.
Brown was a martyr sitting at the right
hand of God | succeeded in reaching
Washington safely, and in passing up
Seventh street met one of our party, who
inquired what had become of Booth. I
told him where | had been that was
then on my way to Canada, and that
had not seen or heard anything of Booth
since our separation. In view of the fact
that Richmond had fallen, and that all
hopes of the abduction of the President
had been given up, advised him to go
home and go to work. That was the last
time saw any of the party. l went to
hotel and stopped over that night. as a
de ective had been TO nv house inonirino
of the servant my whereabouts In the
early train next morning, Tuesday, April
4, 1863. left for. New York, and that
was the last time ever was in Washing
ton until brought there by the United
States Government captive in irons. all
reports to the contrary notwithstanding,