The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1880-07-07
General James A. Ekin's Rscollections
and Two Letters Bearing
Upon the Case.
Did President johnson Suppress the Com
missions Recommendation for
Meroy2
General El<in Thinks Hancock's Actions in
the Matter Those of a Soldier and a
Gentleman, and Gives His
Reasons.
Courier Journal, June 80. !

yesterday morning ct the Jacksonville De-
pot OF the Quartermsster's Department, of
which be has charge, and obtained the Gen.
erals account OF the trial and execution OF
fIs. Surratt. General Ekin was one OF the
Military Commission ofnine who formed the
Court that tried the case, and, consequently,
he probably knows as much of that cele-
brated case as any man in the world.
The General was found in his handsome
Office in the center of the beautiful Enclosure
within the Depot. The grounds are very
tastefully laid off with gravel paths, and are
planted with trees and beds of flowers,
making a garden that is surpassed in taste
and beauty by few. The Generals Office is
In low. square building in the center, and
is large and airy and handsomely decorated
with flags and pictures. General ESin met
the reporter with his usual courteousness,
and kindly consented to give all the infor-
nation in his power when the subject was
made known to him,
He first called attention to a very hand
some painting Of the
CELEBRATED MILITARY COMMISSION,
all in full uniform, just they sat when
trying the great case. Beside the nine officers
OF the Commission, the picture contained
the portraits of Hon. j. Holt Judge Advo-
Judge Advocate, now Minister TO Japan, and
the chief attorney for the prosecution in the
case, and Colonel II. L. Burnett, Judge Ad-
vocste. The picture was large painted
photograph, and the likenesses are said to be
striking in each case.
The reporter commenced the conversation
by asking the General il he was not a mem
Der of the Military Commission for the trial
of the sssassins of President Lincoln.
The General replied: ION the 8 h of May
1865 l was detailed, by order of the President
of the United States, as a member OF the
Military Commission appointed by paragraph
four Of 81 ecial orders War Department, No.
2l1. May 6, 1865. for the trial OF the assassns
OF President Lincoln. The Court
WAS COMPOSED AS FOLLOWS:
President. Major General D. Hunter. Mem
bers: Major General Lew Wallace, Msjor
General August V. Ksutz Brigsdier General
Albion z. Howe, Brigsdier General r. s.
Foster. Brigadier General James A. Ekin,
Brigadier General Thomas M. Harris, Briga-
dier General Charles H. Tompkins, Brevet
Colonel D. R. Clendennin.
"Who were the persons charged with the
assassination of President Lincoln?'
Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Aizerot, Harold,
Arnold, Spsngler and DIR. Mudd. The four
former were tried and sentenced to death,
and were executed; the others were sem
fenced to Imprisonment for life, and were
sent to the Dry Tortugas. There they re-
manned In prison for a time, when they
were pardoned by Andrew Johnson Ar
mold and Spangler are dead. DR.. Mudd is
siill living in the State OF Maryland
"How long was the Court in session."
About forty days, l think"
where were its sessions held?"
"In. the Washington Arsenal, near the
Potomac River"
After the testimony was closed, and the
argument of counsel heard, was the Court
any length of time in coming to q conclusion
as to the guilt or innocence OF the accused
parties" asked the reporter.
Yes, sir; q considerable length of time.
Involving as it did the question of life and
death, and fully realizing the solemnity of
the occasion and the awful responsibility of
the situation, the case was fully and care
full and conscientiously considered by the
Commission. and it was after many hours of
serious elaboration that the result was de-
termined."
"Whst was the date of the execution of
the assassins?'
Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Atzerot and Harold
were
EXECUTED WITHIN THE ARSENAL ENCLOSURE,
on the 9TH of July, 1865, almost fifteen years
ago." said the General musingly. Booths
body lay buried within fifty feet of the scat
fold on which the conspirators died. His
body was buried there in an obscure place
for awhile, with the location of the grave
known to only a few. 1t YVES afterward, at
the solicitation OF Edwin Booth, taken to
Fairmont, Baltim pre- and placed beside his
father, the great Junius Brutus Booth
ibid you see the execution, General?'
inquired the reporter.
mo; did not witness the execution itself,
but was on the ground Immediately after
the bodies were buried, which was as soon as
they were cut down. The bodies were buried
near the scaff1lds, the graves having been
previously made. When | visited the scene
the scaffolds were still standing and the traps
were all sprung. having not been touched
after the execution. Each of the four had
separate scaffold."
Did you favor a Communication of the
death sentence Of Mrs. Surratt?'
For certain reasons, which il would be
improper for me 10 mention, did favor
Communication Of the death sentence of Mrs.
Surratt by the Court, and, so soon as the
findings were recorded, and before the ad-
tournament of the Court. prepared paper
in the presence of the Commission recon-
mending Executive clemency in her case.
This was attached to the proceedings and
findings, and, in my own handwriting is
now part OF the official record in the case"
by how many members was this paper
signed?'
"By five members, including myself, viz:
Major General David Hunter, the President
of the Commission, Msjor General August
b. Kautz, Brigsdier General Foster, Briga-
der General James A. EkIn and BrigadIer
General Tompkins. In making this appeal
to the President. the majority of the Court
were influenced by considerations of human
ity and mercy"
'To whom was this memorial addressed?"
ITO the President of the United States
who has TO ratify or approve every action of
a military court before its sentence can be
carried into execution"
Have you a copy OF this paper?'
81 have
THE ROUGH ORIGINAL
from which the copy attached to the pro-
ceedings was drafted. 1t has been misplaced,
however, much to my regret, or would let
you have a copy of il. It Is a paper that
value very highly, and 1t is so carefully
preserved among my papers that can not al
present lay my hand upon it. It was once
published, however, in connection with the
trial Of John n. Surratt in the Civil Courts
In Washington.
Can you give me q synopsis of the paper
from memoryT asked the note taker.
"Yes, I think probably l can. Il read