Execution Stereoviews

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(05-19-2014 05:08 PM)John E. Wrote:  

(03-08-2014 07:42 PM)Craig Hipkins Wrote:  When one considers the time that they spent in isolation on board the Montauk, along with the scant provisions allotted to them it is a wonder that they survived at all to be executed.

Craig

Hi Craig,

If I had seen this earlier I would have certainly replied. The conspirators did seem to lose weight while in captivity but it was not for lack of provisions. They were all well fed, some more than others. The food they ate was the same as the soldiers who guarded them.

My guess is that the weight loss was due more to stress than anything else. Spangler had a great appetite according to his jailers. After initially refusing to eat, Mary Surratt was treated to some of the better food available to Gen. Hartranft and his staff.

Just my thoughts.

John

I believe that it was another prisoner who commented on the better treatment that Mrs. Surratt received under Hartranft's orders -- Henry Kyd Douglas, who later wrote the book, I Rode With Stonewall.