The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-01-03
The End of j. Wilkes Booth.
An Ofncer's Experience Near the Scene n
His Death.

4
SNoiand b. Han in the Macon, Ga, Telegraph and
| Messenger0
| In your editorial of yesterday, "Annovipg a
Minister" reference is made to John Wilkes
Booth, and the idea some entertain that he ia
still living, which brings to my mind certain
events with which am familiar that NAV
serve as evidence of his death.
In January OF 1865, l was ordered by Gan.
Wade Hampton, on whose staff 1 was than
serving, with detachment of calvary to what
| is known as Northern Neck, Va, the peuinsu.
Ia lying between Acquia creek and Rappahap-
mock river To the command of that portion
OF the State was added the duty of arrestins
deserterS, collecting supplies and control of the
blockade running. While there and in tbe
discharge of this duty Richmond was eyacua-
ted In obedience to a telegram from Gen. w.
Fl. #. Lee, L attempted to rejoin the army
with supply train of sixty four-mule teams.
well loaded with bacon and -four. When with
in one days march of AppOmattox I learned
from Brigadier General Beal OF the surrender
of Gen. Lee.
Having friends near Port Royal, l returned
to that point to await the final result.
One day in the month Of April while at din
ner, fsithful-colored boy came to the house
and informed us that the Federal cavalry
were crossing the river at Port Royal, Fearing
arrest and the loss of my horse togetbar wit6
the son OF my host, Mr.. John A. Miller. we
took our horses and proceeded to the wooda
where we remained until quite late at night.
Iowards early morning, being wearied with
watching, threw myself across the bed for a
short nap. Hardly had my eyes closed in sleeD
ere call from Mr.. Miller aroused me Hastan-
ing to the window, saw a bright light in
the direction OF near neighbor, Mr.. Garrett.
rzo tl... n
had encamped at his place and fred his honas
While observing the fire we heard the Ianore
OF gun This proved to be the shot fred bv
Sergeant Corbett and which killed Booth.
Subsequently, ascertained that Booth and
Harold had been spending several davs At th,,
house OF Mr.. Garrett, both dressed as Confed
crate oneers and announcing themselves as
such. Being recommended by one William,
JET, resident OF the county and well known
to Mr.. Garrett they received kind attention.
Booth vas suffering from his fractured las,
and used crutches. Upon the back of his lefs
hand were the initials 81. W, BIN India
ink. 10 correspond with these letters he an
nounced himself as Capt. John Wilson Boyd.
While passing the house one Of the officers
rode to The front piazza, on which were seated
Booth and Harold, and handed them nrint
cd circular ohering a reward of $4,000 for
Booth. After few moments Conversation
Bowling Green, distant sixteen miles. Upon
reacning this place they arrested Jett and re.
turned with him to the house of Mr.. Garratt-
which they reached short while before dsys
light.
The previous night Booth and Harold.
tearing arrest, begged permission to pass the
DlgnI IN the barn, which was granted Jack
ana Wlllle, the two sons OF Mr.. Garrett an
prehending the loss Of valuable horse locked
1oosh ana harrold In, retaining possession OF
me me Key and Keeping watch during the night.
Ihus it was they were found in the yard and
sne Key to the barn in their possession, uuon
tne return OF the cavalry. In answer TO tbo
question OF the whereabouts of the two Con.
iederate officers, their reply was that theV had
left. The house was then searched. and tba
Keys to ths barn demanded. Upon openipO
tue door the ot1cer was commanded by Booth
10 malt. The barn was soon surrounded bv tha
cavalry, and upon demand to surrender
Harold came forth. Booth refused. and
at the request Of the commanding officer Jack
Garrett went three times into the barn ana
begged Booth to surrender aud save his lIfe
Upon bis third entrance Booth, who had =
neningtoh rlne said: Young man, during
very kind to me, but IL you enter this nlaea
again L shall Kill you" All efforts to induca
surrender having failed, the barn was 5red,
from the light thus created Corbett fred
through crack in the house and killed Booth.
The soldiers then r9shed in and dragged his
oooy from the burning building. Then and
not TILL then did any one of Mr.. Garrett's Fam
liy know who the men were they had been an
Iettalnlng. s1!g upon learning who the dead man
was, hllss Garrett came to his side and with a
pair OF scissors cut off lock OF his hair lack
Garrett, whom knew well, told me after
wards had he known who the occupant of tbs,
oarn was ne could never have been inducedt I,
enter it. He and his brother Willie were boti,
arrested for conspiracy in secreting Booth AMI
HAROLD. They were taken to Washington and
after several weeks confinement released
there being no proof to sustain the charge.
And after their return from prison had frora
their own lips the above statement,
That morning rode to Port Royal, cautious-
" keepng out OF sight, not knowing the object
ot the enemY's errand. I watched Ia ambush
oy the roadside and saw the entire force pass,
conveying the dead body Of Booth in a light
spring wagon, lying upon a mattress and COW
sred with sheet. then came into the road
following ct safe distance until thew Dassed
through the village aud began crossing the
Ierry. Inen It was L first learned Of their mis-
Some have sought TO defend Jett from thu
charge OF betraying Booth and Harold. In
my own mind there is no doubt of il. AftEr
leaving them at Mr.. Garrett's he evidently
proceede6 70 Ashland Court House, then tho
nearest Office, and telegraphed to the antbor-
ties az washington. That he was expectiuz
ne men who arrested him there can be no
loaot, Tor young man occupying the same
'oom with Jett asserted that his first remark
some.'
1t is also most improbable that had thu onl-
,er OF the cavalry known who and where were
Booth and Harold they would have left them
1nmolested to ride thirty-two miles to arrest
lett, whose crime at most could not have been
sreater than an attempt at sscreting the fuei-
Ives. He' too, after short confiuementiu
Prison was released. Jack Garrett, who was
n the field at work when the troop psssed.
vas at supper shown the hand bill ioffsFipg the
eward: he turned to Booth and remarked:
Japt. BOYD believe IL knew where Boot,
was would be tempted TO iuform on him
y ouidn yoo? Booth, with a deeper pallor
lerceptlble in s6is already pallid cheek. re-
'lied, ''No, would die first.
Nearly twenty years have elapsed since tba
ccurrences, here related, during which time
nave not seen and bat rarely hsard from ans
i the actors in the tragedy, and relying solely
lpon memory, | may not be accurate AZ ~
minor details; yet am confident OF having
'ven correct account of the capture of Har-
old and the death of John Wilkes Booth,
Yours respectfully,
ROLAND b. HALL.