The National tribune., 1903-09-03
surrender and Booth cursed him for q

surrender and Booth cursed him for q
coward. and called out, Here's q man who
wants to come out and surrender
He could DO heard making his way to
the door, and was ordered to stick his
hands outside, when handouts were
slipped over his wrists, and he was jerked
outside. 1t was then found that he
had no arms. and was ordered to 60 back
and get them. Booth said they were his
arms, and he would not give them up.
The man who came out proved to be Her
old, who was sent to the rear out of the
way, and again Booth was ordered to sur.
render.
He whined out something about that
not being the way to treat cripple,
and that he was lame man and ought to
have a fair chance, and again asked US
draw off little ways and let him come
out and fight u.s.
Il expected every minute that Booth
would begin firing through the cracks at
some of us he could see moving around
in the darkness. and by the faint light
from the candle.
Col. Conger had been gathering up
some hay and straw and twisting it into a
rope, which he lighted at the candle and
threw in through one of the large cracks
in the barn. 1t lit upon the bundle of hay
Ou inc WHICH DluZpi up III DUC6
and the whole inside was as light as day.
| could distinctively see Booth standing
leaning on his crutch with his carbine in
his hands apparently trying TO select a
crack through which he could fire and kill
some of those outside. He started to
raise his carbine as if to fire, when | laid
my revolver across my arm, took steady
aim through big crack in the barn, drew
a bead on him about as near as l could
- -l,.VN 81 Il.
L pulled the trigger, and as the smoke
rose | saw Booth lying on the floor of the
barn.
The officers tore the door open, and
rushing in with some of the men, dragged
the body out of the burning building into
the weeds nearby. He was apparently
dead. but in minute or two there was
movement of his hands. Somebody
threw water in his face, and he came to
and looked around on US and murmured
something. We picked him up and car
ried him to the porch of the house. where
he was laid on blanket and seemed to
be suffering with great pain.
Two or three times he spoke a few
words, and along towards daylight, or
about the same time that the President
died. his body stiffened out, his mouth
closed, and he was dead.
I'VE wrapped the body up in blanket,
louHu an Oil duDuidHct, ana started Ddck
for Belle Plain. We had terrible time
getting through. because the roads SEEM
ed rougher than when we first came over
it, and the old ambulance broke down,
and We had to get another. We finally got
to the Potomac, and when we reached
Washington, the body and Herold were
taken over to a monitor lying out in q
stream off Greenleaf's Point.
'They are saying all sorts of things
about me. and a good many are blaming
me for firing too soon and without orders,
but 1 did what the Lord told me to DO.
l know l saved one life, and probably
several, by firing when 1 did, because
Booth would have fired the next instant
if my shot had not stopped him.
They can say what they choose, but
did what the Lord commanded me to do
and what my conscience approves. So
long. l must be going. / wanted to tell
you this story myself, because know you
will do me justice. You have been true
1 did right, l am not particular what 9TH
ers say. Good-by. and God be with you"
Don't go yet" pleaded Rosenbaum.
81 am awful interested in you. You did
just right, and want to show you dat
tink so. Isn't there something I can do for
you? Someting dat 1 can buy for you7
Can't give you this?" And he felt in his
pocket ana pulleu OUT nunOreQ QOlidE
bill.
Corbett looked at the money with indig-
nant scorn.
Il want no help" he said angrily, 'for
doing my duty. Keep your money, or.
rather, use it to relieve the poor and
needy and solace the distressed. That's
what money is for. have no use for it"
Don't be offended" 81 FASTENED to pro-
pitiate. "Mr. ROsenbaum is albright. He
is just as loyal to the Government as we
are, and he offered the money with the
best intentions"
81 will believe it, 81, if you say So"
said Corbett, calming down. LET him
use his money for the service Of the Lord,
where it will be repaid a hundredfold.
Once more, good-by. 1 must go back to
camp"
81 want to see you again." repeated
Rosenbaum. Il want to do something for
you"
MY address is the 10th N. Y. Cav"
responded Corbett, turning away. "For
anything You want of me apply at regi-
mental headquarters"
Boys" said Rosenbaum as he left, II
am awful gladt 1 came and heard dat
story. What 1 came for, though, vas to
invite you and your vifes to take dinner
wit me at Shamberlain's tomorrow even
ing at o'clock. I'm going to gift you dc
very pest dinner you ever had in your
lives Den We can talk over What has
happened to us since last we met on de
panks of the Dennessee River. KOot-by."
CTo be continued)