What Was The Role of David Herold

[GARY POPOLO]

(12-29-2012 07:06 PM)L Verge Wrote:  An assassination topic that seems to have no clear answer is: What was the role of David Herold on the night of April 14, 1865? Was he to chaperone Lewis Powell? Keep an eye on Atzerodt? Guide Booth?

Members of the Surratt Society will be treated to an extensive article on this subject in the upcoming February issue of the Courier. The author is John Fazio, who I believe is a member of this forum. Mr. Fazio is a lawyer and lays out the scenario and his thoughts in gunshot blasts.

Anyone want to chime in here on his/her opinions and then compare them in about a month when the Courier goes out to members? Did Herold accompany Powell? Did he desert Powell? Was he a point man to see that others carried through and report to Booth? Thoughts???

All that I have read about David Herold was that his misson was to help Powell to escape the city of washington and meet up with Booth after killing Secretary Seward. Powell not knowing the city very well needed David to help find his way. But as fate would have it David Herold became frightened when all went wrong with the attemped murder and he rode off leaving Powell to fend for himself. I don't recall reading any other theory about Davids purpose with regards to himself and Powell. I will be very interested in hearing other peoples thoughts on this subject.