Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-09-19
BOSTON CoRBErT's STORY.


 of April l5, 1865, the news reached us that President Lincoln had been shot the night before; later news said he was alive, but there was no hope of his recovery. Our regiment (the Sixteenth New Y orl1 Cavalry) was immediately ordered out in pursuit of the assassin. Deploy ed as sklrmlshers, we advanced down to the Potomac river. When near the river, we saw the flag at half-mast on one of the forts, and we knew that our President was dead. We returned to camp unsuccessful, but were soon after rection required to scout for Booth.
 Our regiment was soon cut up into de tachments, all engaged in the same work, under different leaders, Colonel N. B. Switzer commanding the main body of the men; Major Bosworth, another portion of our command; another party under con- mand of First Lieutenant Ed P. Doherty, with twenty-six enlisted men, also accom- panied by two detectives, to aid in the capt ure. They had photographs of Booth, Her old and Surratt.
 At the Sixth street wharf we took the steam tug John $. Ide, under Captain Henry Wilson, who conveyed us to Belle Plain, where we landed and at once began the search between the two rivers-Potomac and Rappahannock. At Port Conway the ferryman recognized two of the pictures and said: s'These two men crossed my ferry yesterday. Willie, J. H., Confed- crate oflcer," he said, 'aided them on their way, giving Booth lift on his horse after crossing the river" We followed the clew given, captured J. H., who was compelled to guide us to the place where he had left the men. Arriving at Garretts farm, the Lieutenant said to me: "Booth is in that house; ride through the command and see that every mans pistol is in readiness for use." did so and supplied two of our men with caps for their revolvers who were out of caps.
 On entering the premises we found the men were no longer in the house, but had taken refuge in the barn. A surrender was demanded and refused, Booth declaring that he would not be taken alive. After much parleying Herold concluded to surrender, and was at once put under guard. The to- bacco barn was then fired by Conger (the detcctive), and Booth could then be seen. single shot from Colts revolver brought him down, and the capture was effected. A doctor was sent for, who pronounced the wound fatal Inside of three hours he was dead. Mir. Conger chose me as an escort, and we started for Belle Plain, and he there took steamer for Washington, and before evening closed the news had flashed over the wires that Booth was taken.
 April 26, 1865, was the day when God avenged Abraham Lincoln's death. Our captive was deposited on the monitor Montauk, at the navy yard at Washington. During the intervals of our different scouts Iattended prayer-meeting one night at Wesley Chapel. The leader said: "Brother Corbett, lead us in prayer" prayed, 70 Lord, lay not innocent blood to our charge; but bring the guilty speedily to punishment" Afterward, when the as- ,io 1ox yof xyOunaad man. and I saw the bullet had taken effect about an inch back of the car, and remembered that MT. Lincoln was wounded about that
 part of the head, said: "What God we servel little thought. when offered that
 prayer week ago, that it. would be an
 swered in this way" BOSTON CoRBETT,
 Late Sergeant Company l., Sixteenth New York Cavalry.
 Written at Topeka, Kan, January 19, 1887.