John Surratt

[Gene C]

(05-03-2013 08:41 AM)Rhatkinson Wrote:  If John Surratt was indeed in DC on the night of the assassination, why wouldn't he have assisted with the plot?

Of all the conspirators, as a courier, John had the most experience in espionage and undercover activities
He may have recognized (like Sam Arnold, Mike O'Laughlin and maybe George A.) that the plot and escape had very little chance of succeeding.
He may have even known Booth's character better than the rest of the conspirators, and recognized that Booth was not a team player.
And he probably recognized it was to late for the south to benefit from Booth kidnap/assassination plot.

I think his biggest motivation for not assisting further in the assassination plot was self preservation.