Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-11

tents We're in a measure maze Known, %
it was just as likely to have been written
by someone else as myself.
OTHER NAMES MENTIONED.
The detectives were the first to mention
the names CT O'Laughlin, Surratt ana
Atzerodt, and I was informed tnat
O'Laughlin had given himself up. tlndlng
that suspicion had conferred 1tselt upon
those with whom 1 had been associated
in conjunction with my betrayal by Bootn,
l deemed it necessary in justice not only
to myself, but to those with whom had
been formerly connected, to state the
whole truth, as embodied in the statement
made on the 18th Of April in Marshal NC
Phail's Office, in Baltimore.
After my acknowledgment to the fore
going facts, I was taken into the back
part of the storehouse, my person ana
baggage searched, and property OF pri-
waite nature coniscated which, to this
day, has never been returned, although
/ have repeatedly asked its restitution.
There was nothing found OF compromis-
ing nature among my effects, because l
had no correspondence with any one dur
ing the time that 1 was employed by Mr..
Wharton.
was then turned over to the military
authorities, conveyed to a prison pen,
where 1 remained during the best part Of
the day Without a morsel Of food and
auZHed by some Of the inmates, who
seemed to Ec void Of both reason and
sense In the afternoon I was brought
before the provost marshal at Fortress
Monroe, when I remained in the presence
OF its military dignitary for upwards Of
half an hour, and was thence conveyed to
Tic steamboat. arriving in the city of
Baltimore the next morning. and confined
IL the office of Provost Marshal McPhail,
where I remained for the most part OF
inc day.
Whist there I was treated humanely,
and the requirements of nature were fully
provided. After sending for my father
and seeing him. made my written state
ment. requesting that I should make it
in duplicate form SO that he should be
the possessor OF a copy. The request was
denied. why. can only be learned through
the then Secretary of War and the judge
acknowledgements of the United States.
BLINDED BY GOLD
tbs useless task I feel to attempt to
controvert testimony adduced upon my
trial. as enanating from verbal state
ments made by me, as witnesses were
blinded by the amount of gitterinS gold,
as their reward. large sums having been
offered for the apprehension of any one
suspected of being connected with the
crime. I pronounce the little that was
adduced against me- through a detective,
as false in its impressions and pervertive
of truth many words being transposed
and others added. materially changing the
whole tenor of its meaning.
But of this, at this time, have raught
to do. Let the record of that infamous
proceeding stand, in all it's branches. witt!
its false swearing, subordination of per-
jury, it's hreling Witnessed towering
monument of infamy, concentrating the
corTuptness and baseness of the hour I
deal alone with truth. acts Of heartless
inhumanity. cruelty and tyranny meted
me by the government of the United
States, before any charge as yet had been
preferred or guilt with all the base
measures adopted to secure it, had been
established in the case of any.
From the period of my arrest until April
IS, 1865, whilst I was under the charge of
and custody of Colonel Wooley, my treat
nent was conducted upon principles of
humanity and kindness. It was not until
l was turned over to the custody Of tie
commanding officer at Fort NcHenry that
harsh and cruel measures were resorted
to. from orders no doubt emanating from
Edwin NJ. Stanton, Secretary of War.
I was placed in q loatilsorne and filthy
cell. branded by suspicion as a felor,,
robbed of my liberty, resting under the
grave charge of being IMPLICATED in the
assassination of Abraham Lincoln.
a CONFEDERATE PRISONER.
This Of itself was sufficient torture to
one who possessed q sensitive nature,
without the additional acts of inhumanity
heaped upon me. There happened to be
Il Confederat G. prisoner Of war occupying
one of the small cells back of the one in
which I was confined. I recognized his
voice. we having been friends and COM
parons from our earliest youth. and err
tered into conversation with him. This
fact was reported to the sergeant OF
the guard to the officer of the day, and
forthwith I was taken from my cell,
brought before the one he occupied. care
fully searched, this making some half
dozen times in all, thence conveyed to
the quarters of the commanding officer,
who Intercepted me- to his hearts con
tent, becoming as wise in the matter
wherewith l was charged as I was my
self, which seemed to displease him, if
actions afterwards may be criterion to
judge by.
Calling his orderly. who was in attend
ance. l was committed to his charge,
conducted to the guardhouse, stripped and
thoroughly searched again. l was then
thrown into dungeon. beneath the
earthworll Of the fort. heavily ironed.
hand and foot, where not a ray of Iighr
could penetrate, and left to muse with
myself in total darkness, no place to
lie. but the damp. Shiny floor. void of
covering of any description. beneath or
above. Looking upon the rough visage OF
my guardian or CALLER as the door opened
I attempted to read his heart by the eX-
preston of his face, but found as callous
and as cold as the other. from which but
little could be expected,
He was a soldier every inch. request
ed blanket he furnished me. to keep my
self warm which request was unexpect-
edly complied with in the course of half
an hour or So The massive doors of iron
crea1ed on their rusty hinges. as it was
again closed, shutting out every ray OF
light. leaving feeling like unto one
buried in a grave. Food soon after, In the
shape of bread and coffee. was brought,
as reported by the sergeant. it being i'm
possible to penetrate the darkness, and
I was then left alone. a sentinel. like unto
bronze statue. keeping guard before my
5tron-doored cell.
REPTILES FOR BED-FELLOWs.
Covering my person. head and foot. to-
prevent rats and poisonous reptiles from
coming In contact with my body I soon
was wrapped in sleep, out OF which, at
midnight. I was rudelya aroused, brought
/ to the guard -house and ordered to dress
sn,ysalf IN quick ba ste SUrpr31ad AZ AI1aA