Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-02
END OF JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
Macon OfhceE'- Experiences Near the
Scene of Hfs Death


The following letter appe ed in last
Sundays Telegraph and Messenger of Ma
con; In your editorial Of yesterday, can
noyiDg Minister" reference s made to
John Wilkes Booth and the idea some en-
tertain that he is living, which brings 10
my mind certain events with which am
familiar that may serve as evidence of his
death.
In January Of 1866 l was ordered by
Gen. Wade Hampton, on whose staff l
was then serving with a detachment of
cavalry to what is known as Northern
Neck, Va, the peninsula lying between
Acquia creek and RappahannOck river.
To the command Of that portion OF the
State was added the duty Of arresting de-
serters, collecting supplies and control of
the blockade running. While there and
in the discharge Of this duty Richmond
was evacuated. In obedience to a tele-
gram from Gen. W. II. +. Lee, attempted
TO rejOin the army with supply train of
sixty fOur-mule teams, we'll loaded with
bacon and -four. When within one days
march Of AppOmattOX / learned from
Brig. Gen. Beal Of the surrender OF Gen.
Lee.
Having friends near Port Royal, re-
turned to that point TO await the final re-
suit.
One day in the month of April, while at
dinner, faithful 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, together with the son Of my host,
Mr.. John A. Miller, we took our horses
and proceeded to the woods, where we re-
NAMED until quite late at night. Towards
early morning, being wearied with watch
ing, l threw myself across the bed for
short nap. Hardly had my eyes closed IN
sleep ere call from Mr.. Miller aroused
me. fastening to the window, saw a
bright light in the direction of a near
neighbOr, Mr.. Garrett. Our conclusion
was that the Federal cavalry had en-
camped at his place and fired mis- house.
While observing the fire we heard the re-
port of a gun. This proved to be the shot
fired by Sergeant COrbett, and which
killed Booth.
subsequently | ascertained that Booth
and Harold had been spending several
days at the house of Mr.. Garrett, both
dressed as Confederate officers and an
nOuncing themselves as such. Being re-
commended by one William Jet, a resi-
dent Of the county and well known to Mr..
Garrett, they received kind attention.
Booth was suffering from his fractured leg
and used crutches. Upon the back of his
left hand were the initials -. W. B." in
tiers he announced 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 a printed circular offer
ing a reward of 100000 for Booth. After
a few moments conversation he rode of
and the command proceeded to Bowling
Green, distant 16 miles. Upon reaching
this place they arrested Jett and returned
with him to the house of Mr.. Garrett,
which they reached a short while before
daylight.
The previous night, Booth and Harold,
fearing arrest, begged permission to pass
the night in the barn, which was granted.
Jack and Willie, the two sons of Mr..
Garrett, experimenting the loss of a valu-
able horse, locked Booth and Harold in,
retaining possession of the key and keep
ing watch during the night. Thus 1t was
they were found in the yard and the key
to the barn in their possession, upon the
return Of the cavalry. In answer to the
question OF the whereabouts of the two
Confederate officers, their reply was that
they had left. The house was then
searched, and the keys to the barn de-
manded. Upon opening the door the Off
Ger was commanded by Booth TO halt.
The barn was soon surrounded by the cav
airy, and upon a demand to surrender
Harold came forth. Booth refused. and
at the request of the commanding officer
Jack Garrett went three times into the
barn and begged Booth TO surrender and
save his life. Upon his third entrance
Booth, who had a Remington rifle, said:
"YOung man, during my stay in your
fathers house you have been very kind to
me, but if you enter this place again |
shall kill YOU" All efforts to induce sur
render having failed, the barn was fired.
From the light thus created COrbett fired
fnrorruh a p~aqk in tho bOTIGQ and EilInd
Booth. The soldiers then rushed in and
dragged his body from the burn
ing building. Then, and not till
then, did any one of Mr.. Gar
rett's family know who the men were they
had been entertaining. Upon learning
who the dead man was, Miss Garrett came
to his side, and with pair of scissors
cut of lock of his hair. Jack Garrett,
whom l knew we'll, told me afterwards
had he known who the occupant of the
barn was he could never have been in
duced to enter it. He and his brother
Willie were both arrested for conspiracy
in secreting Booth and 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 l had
from their own lips the above statement.
That morning l rode to Port Royal, eau
tiOusly keeping out of sight. not knowing
the object of the enemy's errand. l
watched in ambush by the roadside and
saw the entire force pass, conveying the
dead body of Booth in a light spring
wagon, lying upon a mattress and covered
with sheet. l then came into the road,
following at a safe distance until they
passed through the village and began
crossing the ferry. Then it was l first
| learned of their mission and its results.
Some have sought to defend Jet from
| the charge OF betraying Booth and Har-
| rOld. In my own mind there is no doubt
of it. After leaving them at Mr.. CARROTS
| he evidently proceeded to Ashland Court
| House. then the nearest office, and tele-
| graphed TO the authorities at Washing
! ton. That he was expecting the men who
arrested him there can be no doubt, for a
| young man occupying the same room with
Jett asserted that his first remark upon
seeing the soldiers was, "Well, you have
| come"
1t is also most improbable that had the
| officer OF the cavalry known who and
where were Booth and Harold they
would have left them unmolested to ride
81 miles to arrest Jett, whose crime at
most could not have been greater than an
attempt at secreting the fugitives. He,
| too, after a short confinement in prison,
was released. Jack Garrett, who was in
| the field at work when the troop passed,
was at supper shown the hand bill offer
ing the reward. He turned to Booth and
remarked: 'Capt. Boyd, l believe if l
knew where Booth was l would be
tempted to inform on him. Wouldn't
| yOu?' Booth, with a deeper pallor per-
| ceptible in his already pallid cheek, re-
| piled, "NO, would die first"
Nearly twenty years have elapsed since
| the occurrences here related, during
which time l have not seen and but
rarely heard from any of the actors in
the tragedy, and relying solely upon
memory, l may not be accurate as to
minor details; yet l am confident of hav-
ing given a correct account of the capture
of Harold and the death Of John Wilkes
Booth. Yours respectfully,
ROLAND b. HALL.