The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-09

<tIHOiu was closely questioned Dy w II.
Gleason. notary public. and commissioners
appointed by the congressional committee
to investigate into the particulars con-
corning the assassination of President
Lincoln. While. to the general reader.
probably the most embarrassing portion
of the entire manuscript telling the lifc
story of Arnold. it is published in its en-
tirety by reason Of its important bearing
upon subsequent portions of the writings
The questions and answers were written
on Dec. 3. 1861. while Arnold was state
prisoner at the Dry Tortugas. Florida, and
have great interest both through the
light therein thrown on the life of Arnold
and through the circumstances under
which they were recorded. as told herein
after by Arnold in a vivid description OF
his treatment as a prisoner and the cir
cumstances under which the statement
was made. The questioning also brought
forth some Of the minor details OF the
kidnapping plot as arranged by the con-
spirators, which were not adduced in the
main deposition.
Question-where were you born and what
is your age? Answer-I was born in the
District of Columbia. Sept. 6, 1884. and l
Q. Did you ever serve in the rebel army?
A. Yes. 1 served about four months In
the First Maryland Regiment, In capt.
Ned Dorsey's company. ! was discharged
in consequence OF iii health and returned
to Maryland about September or OCTOBER,
1861, and again returned after my recovery
from my sickness When the rebel army
entered Frederick City, Nd, followed the
army back to Virginia, but did not again
enlist enter the ranks. When the army
fell back toward Winchester left and went
to Richmond and Immediately went from
there TO Augusta, Ga, at which place had
brother stationed. / went to Tuliahoma'
Tenn. after the battle of Murfreesboro and
obtained employment as clerk with Pay
master Captain James Maurice. l stayed
there until an order was issued discontinue
ing the employment of civilians. then OBJ
tanned employment with Captain Gabbett.
Ntre and Mining Bureau, near Charleston,
East Tennessee. In the month of Septenl-
Der, 1868, / left him and returned to Au-
gusta, Ga, and a short time afterward OBJ
tanned employment with Major Bridewell,
A. Q. NJ, in Augusta, Ga. In January, 1864,
learning through a letter from home of the
serious illness of my mother, resigned my
position, and, in company with younger
brother who was employed in the Office of
the Nitre and Mining Bureau at Augusta,
Ga started for home. took the regular
railroad route to Richmond, tried to pro-
cure pass at General Winder's Office
through to the States, but could not. he
stating there were no passes granted to the
States. / then got pass from the provost
eho1 f4r hl1f
Charlottesville. l then went through Sy-
mond's Gap into the valley. / went through
I.uray into Loudoun county and crossed the
Potomac on the ice just above White Ford
and then went to the city of Baltimore,
where arrived. think. in the latter part
of February, 1854. 1t was my intention
when left Augusta to return there again.
but on my arrival found that my mother S
health was in such critical state that to
leave her again would have endangered her
life.
BEFORE MEETING BOOTH.
Q. Where were you and what did you do
after your arrival home until you met
Booth? A. 1 stayed at my fathers, in
Baltimore. and my brothers. in Hooks
town, off and on. until the month of June.
Whilst at my brothers I assisted him on
the farm. About this time learned
through DR.. Morton that an expedition un-
der Captain Fisk. of the United States
army, was fitting out for a dash. and 1
engaged with Lieutenant Robinson to join
it, and to meet him at st. Paul, MINI. /
left Baltimore, / think, about 1.-THE 10th of
June and went direct to st. Paul. The ex-
petition did not arrive there at the ex-
pected time. and tired of waiting and find
ing that my means were drawing short, 1
determined upon returning to Baltimore.
After purchasing my ticket 1 saw Lieuten-
ant Robinson and told him that had not
sufficient means to purchase my outfit. He
advised me under the circumstances to re-
turn, which / did. l reached Baltimore
some time in July, and from that time until
met Booth I was off and on at my father
and brothers.
Q. Did Booth make mention to you of
any person or persons that he saw in Can
| ada, or of plans or schemes which were on
foot there intended to aid the South? A.
He never did.
Q. Did Booth ever inform you of his be-
ing in the South during the war? A He
| told me that he went South and showed me
| his pass, which / think was obtained at
vicksburg. / think it was signed by Gen.
eral Grant. adjutant general He showed
me the pass some time during February
| or March, 1866. 1t came out during our
conversation that his object in visiting
the South was a professional one and tina,
| he was to act at New Orleans.
| Q. Did Booth tell you that he had pur-
| chased any boats when you saw him in
| January? A. L do not remember, but
know that he said everything was ready
| l think he said boats were purchased
! Q. Did he say he had engaged parties in
lower Maryland to help him? A. think he
told me that he had man in charge of a
| boat. but did not mention his name. In
| conversation with Atzerodt afterward
| gathered that he was the man alluded to
He mentioned no other.
| DIP. MUDD'S CONNECTION.
Q. Did you ever hear Booth alIude tc
| DR.. Samuel Mudd? A. He told me he had q
letter of introduction either to DR.. Queer
or DR.. Mudd. / am not sure which. III,
said he had been down In their neighbour
hood 10 purchase horses and had a mic,
time there. That was the only time that
ever heard Booth mention DR.. Mudd'.
| name. That was some time in January
Q. How did Booth propose TO abduct tn,
ELOQUENT FIGURES.