Year: 1865

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OBTAINED.


\ Washington letter gives the follow


ing account of the way in which the details


OF the assassination conspiracy came to


the knowledge of the Government


1t seems about three weeks before the


plans were put in execution, one of the


parties revolted at the part of the work


which the leaders had allotted to him on


the eventful night, and manifested de-


sire to back out. He was, however, re-


minded of his oath, and every effort was


made to bring him up to his work.


But the more ne thought Of 1t the more


he became alarmed at the fearful propo-


sition of the hellish schemes. After
several days parleying he succeeded in


getting the consent Of his associates to
relieve him from all further connection
with them, on the condition that he
should leave the city and not return with
in sixty days. He left the city and was
somewhere within the limits of the Army
of the Potomac when the news came
! there of the assassination of the Presi-
dent. He Immediately repaired to For
! tress Monroe and gave himself up, and
was sent to Washington, arriving there
the next morning after the funeral serv-
ices Of Mr.. Lincoln at the White House.
When taken before the authorities he
made full confession Of all that he knew
of the plot, as to when and where they
met, and who were concerned in it. 1t is
understood that the proclamation issued
during that day by Secretary Stanton, Of
fering an additional reward for Booth,
also rewards for Atzuratt and Harold
were based upon the confession of this
prisoner.


At any rate the arrests on that day
were numerous, and several residents of
Nv a & ta I,
This opened the way for further impor-
tant developments, all Of which viii in
due time be made public


The number engaged in executing the
plot is much larger than has been gener-
ally supposed. Besides Booth and his
accomplices in and around the theatre,
the assassination of Seward, and Atzuratt
at the Kirkwood, there were number
engaged in cutting the telegraph wires
leading from the War Department, and
still another set endeavoring to divert the
attention of the authorities from the fee
ing culprits.


1t appears that at precisely ten minutes
past ten there were twenty-five wires
leading from the War Office in different
directions, and connecting with the foFti-
fcations and outposts, cut. These wires
having been cut at considerable dis
tance from each other, together with the
simultaneousness of this work, shows
very plainly that number of men were
engaged In it and it is now believed that
there we're twenty-five men appointed to
do this work. ~ -


The time at which this was accomplish
ed furnishes beyond doubt the hour at
which the President was assassinated,
which heretofore has been stated all the
way from half-past nine to half-past ten.
It probably did not vary much from ten
o'clock. ~. -.


The persons engaged in the plot pre-
sent motley crew, from the wild and &C.
centric actor down to a mere stage car.
penter, including the Pennsylvania ave-
nue. dandy, blockade runners, and men
with their heads sivered over with the
SHOWS of many winters, and the rattle
headed youths hardly out of their teens.


The testimony already obtained is so
straight forward and convincing that
there is no doubt but at least tWenty-one
if not twenty three, persons, will suffer
the penalty of death. There is hardly
one chance in thousand that they can
escape-the evidence is so danniDg
against them.


It is said that there are some three
persons confederates in the conspiracy.
who have been pardoned by the Presi-
dent and escape death by his tender heart
and humane feelings.


There is no truth in the report that
the would be assassin of Mr. Seward has
tried to beat his brains out in prison. He
has remained silent and mOrose ever
since he has been in custody, and has
not asked a single question about his ar
rest or why he is confined. He is said
to be fine formed and athletic per-
son, and takes his confinement in dogged
silence.


The carpenter who fixed the box in
the theatre has also been found. IT.
said that he took charge of Booths
horse, earl y in the evening on the night
of the tragedy, and at the prop
er time led him into the alley at
the rear Of the theatre, and employed
negro boy called Peanut John" to hold
it near the door and close to a box. SO
that the animal could be easily mounted.
and then fixed the door leading to the
rear of the stage so that there could be
no delay in Booths exit. This person is
said to be the same one who built Booths
stable in the alley, and also the carpenter
employed to do the work in the theatre.
such as putting up new scenery, etc.