Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-12
,ans Civil War Memories Center About Lincoln and Lee

expedition to Lake Erie TO try TO free
the prisoners at Johnson Island many
Of whom were dying from the rigors OF
the cold climate.
He held commission In the Confed-
crate Navy. and his knowledge az a
seaman made him attempt selling
ferryboat on Lake Erie. in which It was
his purpose TO escape with the Confed-
crate prisoners from johnson Island.
When Beall was sentenced by court
martial as a spy and guerrilla the YER
dict stirred the Union and Confederacy
alike. This was due In a measure 10
the splendid defense which Beall's law
yer put up. James T. Brady Of the New
York bar, who gave his services through
sincere sympathy for the prisoner.
When news Of Beall's fate reached
Wilkes Booth he at once sought the
kindly heart Of Lincoln to intervene. At
first Lincoln declined TO interfere. but
as Booth pleaded on his knees Lincoln
promised respite. Lincoln's kind heart
was touched
wilkes Booth at once hurried TO New
York to bear the glad tidings 10 his
friend. but through Gen. DIX and Sec
rotary Seward an order already had
been sent by telegraph to execute Beau.
| and when Booth arrived his friend was
corpse, having been executed at Coy
errors Island February "a, 1865.
! Booth became the spirit Of vengeance.
With the craftiness Of mania. vf1icn
flowed In his veins from his father, old
Junius Brutus Booth, he set to Work 70
accomplish his purpose It was Ike the
actor in him TO stage the scene IN Fords
Theater, and like the lunatic TO Jump
TO the stage with the cry, Sic sernper
tyrannus" on his lips-thus giving
everybody view Of the assassin.
WE. down in Virginia. knew nothing
OF the scene Of crime or who had
done the foul deed. We learned /, be-
cause OF Wilkes Booths fleeing 70 viz
ginia and hiding in Caroline County
near our home.
After Lee had surrendered. ne Hitter
ally faced starvation. SO my sister.
Alice. and my brother shelled some corr
! with their hands: and from the mars
were resurrected the wheels OF our
ancient carryall. with which and
wagon body made OF planks from a
tobacco barn my brother Judge Mon
cure. logged away 10 the RappahanocE
to seek herrings.
On his way nc met Mr.. Wills Jet,
whom he knew we'll and accepted q
invitation to dine with him. The Jet'-
owned a tavern. There Judge Moncu-
met two very pleasant agreeab.'
soldiers. who claimed to De North Caro-
linians trying TO reach Gen. Joe john
stons army: and they invited m
brother to accompany them. He. hon
ever accepted Lees surrender as the
end for the Lost Cause and declined
He inquired when they were leaving
for North Carolina and the reply was
that they could not say definitely, as
they had sick friend at farmhouse
nearby" This was none other thar
Wilkes Booth with his broken legb
These men gave their names as Lieut.
Dangertield and Capt. Lewis: but the
we're IN reality Atzerodt and Herold. the
two conspirators who aided Booth !:
assassinat;ng Lincoln. Booth had corr
from Maryland by crossing the river
Port Conway where President Madisc'
was born). and they made their way T.
the home of our ne!ghbors. the Garrett
and. representing themselves as Cor
, federates. begged 70 be permitted t
. stay.
Already Federal troopers we're SCOUT
ing the country for Booth. as Stanton
, had offered huge sum OF money TO
, his capture. News that sick man va:
; at CARROTS farm spread: and thu
soldiers In pursuit found Mr.. Jet. an"
: had crossed on the same fer-yboat with
them: SO he was Led 10 point out thei'
, hiding-place.
All this was news TO him. since TIN
. surrender Of Lee had filled the country
with men who were honest Confederate:
making their way homeward. Jet va.
most surprised to learn his erstwhi,e
companions were under suspicion. buj
he led the Northern troopers TO Gar
rett's farm. where Booth was captures
and killed
Herold and Atzerodt. as well as Mrs
Surratt. were hanged as conspirato->
My brother did not dare tell any or
, but his wife for ten years that he Ia
accidentally eaten with them.
fCopvriSht 1881