The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-12-12
Lincoln Conspiracy and
It's ConSpiratorSasasasa
Copyrighted 1902. by The Baltimore Americana

For several days my condition remained
unchanged. Two sentinels closely guarded
the entrance to my quarters, who. in every
instance were kind. Finding my frame
becoming reduced and the great pains at
tached to lying so long on hard boards.
made request of the officer of the day to
furnish me something to lie upon, which
was compiled with. but only that other
acts of heartless cruelty and inhumanity
should follow. A few days afterward. or
about the 18th of April. Captain Munroe.
United States marines. under whose charge
/ was, came into my quarters and in very
soft and kind voice stated that he had
war, to encase my head in cap. that
must not become alarmed and that it would
remain but a few days. at the same time
ordering shackles to be placed upon my
ankles.
But a few hours passed when the orders
were carried into execution by the officer OF
the day. The covering for the head was
made of canvas, which covered the entire
head and face, dropping down In front
to the lower portion of the chest. 1t had
cords attached, which were tied around the
neck and body in such manner that to re-
move it a physical impossibility- No
doubt Stanton wished to accustom me to
the death cap before execution.
During my stay upon the monitor these
particular acts of cruelty and inhumanity
were continued. it being with the greatest
difficulty, and frequently impossible, 10
place food in my mouth, sentinel kindly
volunteering his services to perform that
oofice for me- This continued about
week. as far as could Judge, during which
period daylight never lit upon the eye, they
not even permitting the cap to be with
drawn for the purpose of washing the swol-
len, bloated and soied visage.
The mystery which attended each move
ment from the period that the United
States authorities took possession of me was
again brought more heavily into requisition,
and 1 was received and 1 was removed
through orders received through the War
Department from the monitor at the usual
hour set apart-midnight. AS the silent
hour drew near the dragging and cianKing
of chains was heard overhead, as victim
after victim passed to and fro to the place
provided for his reception. and then all be-
came silent as death again.
THOUGHT LIFE WAS SHORT.
From torture already inflicted upon me 1
deemd that my span of life was quickly
drawing to a close and that those who had
preceded me, from the deep silence reign
ing had been consigned to a watery grave
1 awaited silently the supposed approach
ing hour of my doom. convinced that a
man who could resort to such inhumanity
to his fellow-man as had already been
practiced in my case had soul enough for
other things. 1 was soon aroused from
this train of thought, which was of any
thing but a pleasant nature, by the offi-
Ger of the guard, who ordered me to hold
myself in readiness for removal.
Within very limited time afterwards
felt the tight grasp of some human hand
upon each arm. / hurriedIy and
roughly conveyed from my quarters TO the
deck of the monitor, where 1 was hustled
here and there by those who supported me
on either side. 1t was impossible to learn
where was being conducted. as my head
was still muffied in the bag. drawn tight
around my head and throat almost to suf-
location. However. / soon became aware
from the spring and bend beneath my foot
steps that l was being conducted upon
the gangplank to other vessel and
in few moments l was thrust upon a
bench upon it's deck and strictly COM
manded to silence.
All the details attending this midnight
| mockery of justice being completed, the
whistle was blown, and, from the move
ments and noise, L found 1 aboard
some side-wheeled steamer. 1t seemed like
hours before she star It'd on her trip. first
moving ahead and then backing repeated
| ly. until finally. having assumed the right
position, she quickly sped on her way, land
| ing me finally at some unknown point
| where 1 was compelled to walk long dis
| lance, through mud and water, with irons
| on my ankles eating deep into the flesh
and the rough handling of my arms by
those who had me in charge, bruising and
otherwise decorating my wrists by the tor
| turous ircns used.
CONFINED AT ARSENAL.
| Arriving at my final destination (the ar
senal as l afterwards learned) l was con
| Quoted up and down long flights of stair:
and finally thrust into a damp and mar
| row cell upon the ground floor of the
building Bed and blanket were supplied
here. The next morning / was gievn
| cup of coffee and very small slice O.
| Dre2u. InlS was the only IOOu issued untl
| the following day. l could hear the war
| blings of the birds around about and occa
| sionally the Growing of cock, and, as fort:
| and bastiles had been TO date the order o.
| proceedings judged had at last found {
| home in a dungeon at Fort Washington.
| 1t was a relief to think that / had a
! last arrived at my final destination or rest
| ing place. as every movement so far hao
been attended in each instance with in
| creased pein and suffering. The canvas
| bag still continued upon my head, 1 neve
| having been allowed its removal to wasl
| my swollen face. / had been but a few
| days incarcerated at this place when 1 wa
aroused at midnight in my cell by Majo
| General Hartranft. holding in his hand
lantern and some papers. which 1 saw
| after the removal of the hood from m,
head.
He asked me If could read. to which
replied in the Affirmative. He then place,
In my hand paper containing the charg
and specifications against me and others
which / perused in that silent midnigh
| hour by the dim glimmer of lantern, afte
which (the hood being replaced upon m,
head) he retired. leaving me to ponder owe
the charge alone in my cell.
The next morning I was removed from
my cell and conveyed up several flights o
stairs, TO be seated upon a bench, whe
| 81, <%@I II