Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1877-04-21

mand with me, with orders to wait his
return. They succeeded in capturing
Jett, who was compelled to act as guide
and take us to the place where he had
left the men we were in pursuit OF. He
led us back on our track perhaps about
nine miles, till within about three miles
of Port Royal, and then told our officer
that that was the house where be had
left them. The lieutenant then said TO
me, Booth is in that house; want the
men deployed right and left; Surround
the house, and see that he don't escape,
and also to ride through the command
and see that every mans pistol was In
readiness for use. This | did while
they were locking for the gate. We
then entered the premises, advancing
toward the house, which stood a short
distance back from the road; making IN
quiry, the old man of the house did not
speak ont quick enough to satisfy our
men, when one of those who was speak
ing to him, called for lariat rope. This
brought forth a son OF the old man,who
told us the men we were looking for
were in the barn. A guard was left on
the house, and most of the men We're
Immediately stationed around the barn.
Dismounting, we made our horses fast,
and prepared for work.
We then got light, and went to the
barn. for it was not yet daylight. Booth
was then told that if he did not surren-
der we would set fire to the barn and
burn him out. He wanted 10 know
who we were, and what we wanted OF
him, saying that his leg was broken
and he was cripple and all alone. In
answer to his inquiry, we would not
satisfy him by telling him who we
were; but said we knew who he was,
and he must surrender, for he was sur
rounded by body ofcavalry aud could
not escape, lie then said in a careless
/ manner, "You have spoiled my plans,
| was going to Mexico TO make my
fortune" He also said, "If l have done
anything, | did it for the good Of my
country; ot least / fancied so.' After
considerable delay and parleyiug TO aud
fro, the other mans voice was heard in
a whisper, speaking to Booth, but not
loud enough for us to hear what he
said Booth then sang out, "Captaln,
there's man in here that wants TO
surrender very badly He was ordtr-
ed to hand out his arms, when he re-
piled that he had no arms. He was
! told that he carried carbiue and must
give it up Booth replied, "Gentlemen,
the arms belong to me, and | mean to
use them" Harold then spoke in a
whisper again, and 1 thought he was
sorry for wanting to give up aud was
now willing to stop with him. Then
Booth spoke aloud, and said, "Go out,
my boy, and save your life if you can. ,"
He said further, Il declare before my
Maker that this man is innocent of any
crime whatever" Harold then came
out without arme, Booth keeping them.
THE BARN FIRED.
After Harrod's surrender, Detective
Conger came round 10 the side of the
barn where | was, and pulling some Of
the hay or straw through crack OF the
boards, set fire to it with match. 1t
blszed up quickly, and then we could
see Booth inside. He advanced to-
ward the fire, probably intending to
try and put it out or to shoot the man
who started il; but when he got near IL
made such a glare that he turned away
disappointed, going toward the door
where Harold had given himself up.
While he was advancing toward the
fire be came very near 10 where | was
standing, and | took aim on him with
my revolver, keeping my eye on his
movements. | could have shot him
very easily when he was so near, but
kept my fire reserved till thought II
was net safe 10 trust him any longer
When he got near the door saw a
movement on his part that drew my
fire, and pulling the trigger of my pis-
tol, he fell, with shout or cry of pain.
As soon as | fired, our men ran III and
carried him out at once, and laid BIN
on the grass. Afterward he was taken
10 the piazza of The Eouse and there
made a comfortable as possible under
the circumstances. Pillows were plac-
ed under his head, his wound bathed, a
doctor sent for, and all done that could
be done to bring him in a wounded
man But when the doctor came he
shook his head, and said it was a NOR
tai wound; and so it proved, for in the
caurse of few hours lie died.
He WAS perfectly desperate before
Il e,e things took place, declaring that
he would not be taken alive, and saying
that we could get a stretcher for him.
| offered to 60 into the barn alone aud
take him, but was not allowed to, the
answer being, "Never mind, well get
him." When he fell lis carbine drop
ped at his feet; it was seren-shooter,
and fully loaded. He had also two re-
volvers fully loaded, and in sheath on
his belt bowie-kuife, with marks OF
blood still upon it, doubtless the one he
used in the theatre with which he struck
Major Ralhburn, who was in the box
with Mr. Lincoln, and laid hold on
Booth as soon as he had shot Mr. Lin
coin. Booth struck the major with his
knife and the major fell back wounded.
Aud Booth, jumping from the box to
the stage, brandished the knife, repeat
iuo the words of the State motto of