The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-27
BOOK REVIEW AND
MAGAZINE NOTES

THE LIFE OF DIR, SAMUEL A. MuDD.
Edited by Miss Nettle Mudd Pub
llsted by the Neale Co, OF New York.
This book contains the letters written
from Fort Jefferson. Dry Tortugas
Island, where Or. Mudd was imprisoned
four years for alleged completely In the
assassination OF Abraham Lincoln. It
also contains statements Of Mrs. Samuel
A. Mudd, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd and Ed
ward Spangler regarding the assassina-
ton, as well as the argument of General
Ewing on the question of the jurisdic-
ton of the Military Commission, and on
the law and facts of the case; also, the
diary of John Wilkes Booth, Miss
Nettie Mudd, the editor OF the book, Is
the daughter OF DIR. Samuel Mudd, and
the preface is written by Mr.. d. Ed
ridge Monroe OF the Baltimore bar.
At the time of the murder of Pres-
dent Lincoln large number of the
Northern people were disposed to place
the responsibility of 1t on the Southern
people rs whole. deep-seated de-
tormina ton was engendered that VIC
tins must be offered up for sacrifice.
One of these victims was Dr. sanluei
A. Mudd. whose sufferings to satisfy de-
mnflQS nOrp Vi pItJuulCe
are set forth in this volume by his
daughter.
After his assassination OF Lincoln. John
WILKES Booth, in company with David
r. Herold escaped from Washington ana
reached the residence OF Dr. Mudd, IN
Charles county, Nd, about o'clock on
the morning after he left the national
capitai. Neither DIR. Mudd nor any
member OF his family knew who Booth
was. DIR. Mudd set a bone IN booth
leg which he had broken Jumping from
the Presidents box to the stage. After
wards Booth left DR. Mudds house ana
crossed the Potomac river into Virginia.
After Booths death, DR.. Mudd was
tried by the Military Commission. meet
.ng June 80, 1865, and sentenced to be
confined for life at hard labor In the
Albany penitentiary. Subsequently his
place of imprisonment was changed from
Albany to Fort Jefferson, on Dry Tor
tllgas Island Florida. Within few days
after his sentence had been passed. or.
Mudd was on his way to Dry Tortugas.
where he remained a prisoner until
March S. 1869, when he was pardoned by
President Johnson and permitted to re-
turn to his home and family in Maryland.
He died January 10. 1883, and was buried
in St. Mary's Cemetery, of Bryantown
Church. where he first met Booth. He
was in the flftieth year of his age at the
time of his death.
His daughter, in editing the story of
his life, has simply presented facts.
without argument or deduction, except
those made by General Ewing IN de-
Tense of Dr. Mudd before the Military
Commission. Otherwise, Miss Mudd
cites her mothers statement, the state
ment OF Edward Spangler, one of the
w
at Fort jefferson for nearly five years;
tile statement OF DR.. Mudd, made while
he was in prison, but now published for
the first time Dr. Mudd's letters. written
during the period of his Incarceration,
and also other letters relating TO the
alleged conspiracy. Having marshaled
her facts in order, Miss Mudd leaves
them without comment TO AN impartial
public.
DR.. AIudd's letters. probably more than
ANYTHING else. reveal his real nature and
sound the depths of his sufferings caused
~ anxiety for his wife and little chill
dren and the bitterness aroused in his
nature ny his g-continned and what
anpeared 10 him his most unjust I'M
prisonment.
When he was first arrested he believed
he would soon be restored to his family.
and did not consider his stu m seri-
s nus. He wrote enCoufaslngiS 10 ms WV,
and expressed the hope of soon being
1T home again. Even when he was de-
clared guilty by a military tribunal. and
sent to the most desoate place of jim
prisonment within tho limits of the
United States-Dry Tortugns-he showed
true heroism, and bade his wife not give
up hone but to take care of the little
ones. In a letter written on Christmas
day. 1865. he says: What have done
TO bring so much trouble upon myself
and family The answer from my Utmost
heart-nothing."
He made an unsuccessful attempt to
escape from prison in the latter part of
the year 1865. After that the rigors of
his confinement were increased. During
the year 1867 yelleaa-' feyer scourged the
island OF Dry Tcsrusas- and nearly every
man OF the garrison being helpless from
fever. Dr. Mudd could have easily
escaped. He preferred, instead, to re-
main and give his medical services to his
suffering, fellow creatures. This was In
October Of 1867. In December it seems
almost increditable to note that he was
still in chains and required to do mental
labor
After years OF vain waiting and hope
deferred a saner condition of public
opinion, and influence brought to bear
upon the authorities, TO whom We're given
many proofs OF DIR. Mudd's innocence OF
the charges against him, brought about
the prisoners release. Now, after more