The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-01
Recalling a War Incident.

Referring to the attempted capture OF
President Abraham Lincoln, the Phila-
delphia Press couples the name of MIR.
G. Irving D;tty, and says that "Mr. Ditty
commanded the rebel cavalry company
which was detailed to capture MIR. Lin.
coin, in pursuance of the plot arranged
by Wilkes Booth and John II. Surratt."
To this statement Mr.. Ditty takes ex-
ception, and this morning publishes an
account of the expedition, which reads as
follows:
"My regiment, first Maryland cavalry,
commanded by Colonel, afterwards Gen
eral, Bradley T. Johnson, of this city, in
June, 1864, was lying near Richmond,
together with q large force of other cav
airy, when We were ordered north, with
several days rations. Twas quite unwell
at the outset, grew worse, and on the first
night of the march was hurt by horse.
I applied for short sick leave, when
General Johnson, stating that very i'm
portant movements were on foot which
he could not disclose, but in which l
would regret not to share, urged me
to remain with the command. did 80.
GA few days afterward We met General
Sheridan at Trevillian Station and fought
him for three days, when we returned to
Richmond and we marched on Washing
ton and Point Lookout, in lower Mary.
land, where there was large number OF
Confederate prisoners, whom we intended
to release.
'I heard nothing more, except vague
rumors of the movement to which Gen.
johnson referred, until after the war
closed, when I learned that General
Johnson, not Booth, had planned the
capture of Mr.. Lincoln at the Soldiers
Home, near Washington, where he was
then spending the summer. This plan
would doubtless have been executed or
attempted, had not General Early Or
dered General johnson to cover his rear
while he (Early) advanced on General
Hunter at Lynchburg."
The name of General johnson being
80 intimately connected with this circum-
stance, and Mr.. Dittv being responsible
for the assertion that General johnson,
not Booth, had planned the capture Of
Mr.. Lincoln at the Soldiers Home, nea.
Washington" Nears reporter called on
: General Johnson this morning at his
Office, and ia conversation CLEANED the
following facts from that gentleman:
The General said that after the great
cavalry battle between Hampton and
Sheridan at Trevillian, on june 10th and
It'll, he obtained permission from Hamp'
ton to proceed with his command, First
MARYLAND Cavalry and Bulls Light Ar
tillery, to Maryland, where the plan was
to make rapid raid on the Soldiers
Home, where President Lincoln stayed
at night, capture him, and send him back
to Virginia under an escort, while John
sons force was to be divided into two
parties, one to cross the Potomac about
the Point of Rocks and the other above
Williamsport.
This plan was frustrated by Early Or
dering Jackson to guard the lower valley,
while he went after Hunter at Lynch
burg; and after that he placed johnson
in command of his advance into Mary
land and as his rear guard on his with
drawal from the State; therefore, there
was neither time, inclination nor oppor-
A1nity to attempt it.
Neither Hampton, johnson nor Ditty
had at that time ever heard the names OF
Booth or Surratt, and did not know that
such men existed. The plan of the cap.
ture of President Lincoln was military
plan, originated by soldiers and to be ex-
ecuted and carried out by soldiers, acting
under military orders, and had in no way,
shape, manner or form any connection
with any other plan whatever.
It was known to Hampton and john
son alone, and the latter afterwards COM
municated it to Early. In consequence
of the communication Early forbade him
(Johnson) from making direct to Mary
land to try to carry the plan out, and or
sdered him to cover his rear until ne
.aaished to Lynchburg to head OFT Hun
ter.
Capt. Ditty, Gen. johnson says, never
knew nor heard of any such plan until
after the war.