The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-03-12
The AttempttO Capture President Lincoln

Mr.. G Irving Ditty, of Baltimore, an ex-
officer, who is now prominent
and of whom it was said in an
editori i in q recent number of The Press
that lie commanded the rebel cavalry com
pany which was detailed to capture Mr. Lin
coin in pursuance of the first plot arranged
by Wilkes Booth and John II. Surratt,"
sends us a communication for the purpose of
correcting any wrong inference that might
be drawn from this statement of Il historical
fact. Mr.. Ditty knew nothing of Wilkes
Booth or John II. Surratt and at the time
he was engaged in the expedition which had
for its object the capture of President Linz
coin, he was under the order. of General
Bradley +. johnson, commander of the lst
regiment of Maryland cavalry (coniederate)
He learned after the war of the purpose OF
the expedition, but as far as he has any in-
formation the plan was arranged by General
johnson and notify Wilkes Booth and John
II. Surratt. The assassination Of the Presi-
dent was not contemplated, and it was mere
" intended to make him n prisoner Of war
and carry him to Richmond. Mr.. Diuy
gives this account of the expedition:
"My regiment 1st Maryland Cavalry, com
manded by Colonel, afterwards General Brad
ley 7. johnson, of this city, in June, 1861,
was lying near Richmond, together with n
! large force of other cavalry, when we were
ordered north, with several days rations.
was quite unwell at the outset, grew worse,
and on the first night of the march was hurt
by horse | applied for short sick leave,
when General johnson, stating that very
| important movements were on foot which he
could not disclose, but ia which | would re-
gret not to share, urged me to remain with
the command. did So A few days alter
ward we met General Sheridan at TrevilIian
Station and fought him for three days, when
he returned to Richmond and we marched
on Washington and Point Lookout in Low
er Maryland, where there was large num-
Der of Confederate prisoners, whom we iu-
tended to release. | heard nothing more
except vague rumors, of the movement tt
which General johnson referred until aitei
the war closed, when learned that Genera
johnson, not Booth, had planned the cap
ture OF Mr.. Lincoln at the Soldiers Home
near Washington, where he was ther
spending the summer. This plan woulC
doubtless have been executed, or attempted
had not General Early ordered Genera
johnson to cover his rear, while he Early
advanced on General Hunter at Lynch
burg
The only matter in dispute is whethe
Wilkes Booth and John H, Surratt wer
privy to the plan Of the capture OF Presiden
Lincoln which General johnson attempte
to carry out, or whether the plot in whic
they were engaged was to be executed b
, other agencies. At the trial of the assassin
it WAS clearly proven that Wilkes Boot
and John IL Surratt were engaged in cor
1 spracy to capture Mr.. Lincoln while h
was sojourning at the soldiers Home, an
4 John t.. Surratt, when he was subsequent
4 tried for his connection with the assassina
e ton plot, escape punishment, because tn
e evidence against him seemed to relate to tn
plot to capture Mr.. Lincoln rather than th
4 plot to assassinate him. The statute Of lin
itatons saved him from being tried as a
, accessory in the first mentioned plot. Bein
:, only a misdemeanor no prosecution coul
= be brought after two years,-Ihla. Press