The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-03-26
The Supreme Tragedy OF tho
War.

There were many chapters OF the Clvi
W ar that seemed to have been concocted
by the malignant councils OF Arch
himself, but we doubt if any single and
Individual narrative can show SO dark a
chapter of Tragedy as the last month oi
the Life of JOHN WILKES BooTH.
Young, handsome, rising In his protes-
sion, idolized in society,", wearing name
renowned all over the world, d,-he pos
sessed almost every essential to Human
happiness. Yet, Ike many of US at that
date, he was deeply unhappy; because
day by day came fresh tidings of the
overthrow and conquest of the South
the people who were bathing for their
Constitutional Rights, won by the valor
of their ancestors, and bequeathed to all
future generations by solemn compact.
Booth brooded over the situation, and
grew frenzied under the daily sounds OF
rejoicing with which the reports of Fed
eral victims were greeted throughout the
North. He saw that all was lost, unless
What? Unless a sudden deadly blow
should be struck at the heads of the
Washington City Dynasty, with the re-
suit of creating intense confusion, sus-
picion, and disorder, which would likely
call Grant and Sherman to Washington
and create panic in the country. 1t
would certainly give time for the South
to take breath, and make another effort.
The Trans Mississippi Department still
held out. Rumor said that England and
France were secretly leagued with the un-
derstanding that as soon as the South
seemed likely to be whipped they would
step in, and assist her. All men knew
that the Federal finances were in ruinous
condition, and would collapse if it be-
came certain that the war would last an
other year. Gen. Lee had deliberately de-
clared to a committee of the Confederate
Congress that he could retreat into the
mountains Of South Western Va, and
''prclong the war twenty years" You
will see that it was easy for young Booth
TO picture the glorious effect Of his coup
P-etat. Nor was it so foolish project
as many now appear. If it had been
successfully carried out as planned the
results might have been far different.
Even as it was, the Lincoln,
Stanton, aud Seward, are killed, and
| Washington IN anic''-caused cheers
from many good men in all the Confed-
crate prisons, and called forth sigh OF
relief from President Davis. IF it were
de-tiued to happen, it is well it came not
too late, he remarked, standing, boot
ed and spurred, on the threshold Of Mrs.
Dewey's residence in Charlotte on bis
wretched flight Southwark And now
mark the tragic summary of Booths pa
triotic adventure He struck to save the
South, but iastead-he sorely wounded
her! He killed Lincoln, the weakest anC
best hearted Of the Dynasty, and allowed
Stanton and Seward to escape. Ht
dreamed to win the everlasting gratitude
Of the South, but gained only curses, in
gratitude, and betrayal! He was will
ing to die that the South nigh
live, but he aimed to achieve eterna
fame, whereas he acquired world wide
infamy, and his very bones were forbid
; decent burial.
Could any fate be more tragic? Anc
yet the young man possessed many ele
ments of noble nature. He was gen
tlemanly, honorable, chivalric, patriotic
He did not slay the Abolition Presiden
from any personal dislike of him; ant
. his gallant bearing, even when IN agony
flight, and mental depression, wor
the good will and the fidelity of POO
whites and blacks, who kept his secret
though s100 600 reward was offered 70
him. George A. Townsend, a bite
Yankee, thus describes Booths last days
Popes Creek, miles below Port To
bacco, on the Lower Potomac, was tn
point selected for running the blockade
with the mail, and the Northern news
pdHCIS, III llIC USE Vi luC
Government. 1t is an old time South
ern community, and all the wealthy plan
/ tiers sympcthised with the South. Thos
; A. Jones ani his neighbors, Samuel Cox
Mai. Watson, the Dents, Stones, an,
others, all assisted in getting the mail
and occasionally a passenger, transferre,
from Virginia into MARYLAND, and on t
Washington. Jones was poor, and got littl
; pay; but was patriotic to the heart, an,
finally sett.ed down to daily duty AS ferry
man for the CoEsederates.
The picka;s that were now maintained
alolg the bluffs were pot set till tovar,
uight. Therefore it was arranged tha
the Virginia BOA. should come in just be
fore the pickets were set, and its naviga
!. tor noiseles>ly take out the mail iron
: The old tree and deposit the Virgins
. packet, and then, with scarcely wore
whispered, slip back again to his Vir
ginia cove. Generally the boat was haul
ed ashore IN Virginia out of the observa
tion of the gun boats, and sometimes
was kept back of Grimes house. bu
sometimes back of Upper Machodo
Creek, twelve niles from Port Royal.
''Whe he robcl mail had been left i
the stump, Jones obtained it, either il
person or by one Of his faithful slaves
II l. IA Singular fact that not only wer
= women ihe best co operative agent
IN thi, SPY system, but the >laves. ,rh0s
intert IS might b. coasiiereIas opposed {
q So"thern tr'"nph generally adhere
10 thar masters Jones had Slave nan
ct Henry Woodland ; i'll alive, Who nc
nuls pulled N els boat to Virginia, bu,
ini'a,ing he :shits of his master. wa
discr 1t d,sl 10 the time that Booth es
cared. He ana his master did not nee
even to exchange glances, so we'll di