Seward Attack

[BettyO]

Linda -

I think Powell was so panic-stricken that he didn't think WHO was fatally injured; he simply wanted to do what he had been taught by Mosby - skedaddle! And if that meant that he would strike any male who got in his way, so be it....

He told Gillette that as soon as he mounted his horse he felt sick - knowing that he had just committed a terrible crime against God and man.

I think that at this juncture that he thought he had killed Seward. In court, it was said that he appeared "crestfallen" when he heard that he had not killed the elderly statesman. I think it was the other way around - he was ashamed of hearing his deed recanted in court. He was NOT a cold blooded killer as many a modern author describes him. Just my thoughts....

The room was dimly lit - Powell was panic stricken and didn't think. He had more or less never used a knife before and simply tried to cut Seward's throat - he apparently never thought of stabbing Seward in the heart - thank God. Apparently the kid had one ulterior motive - get in and get out quickly. When his gun missed fire, he lost it, apparently.....