Events of April 1, 1865

[wpbinzel]

(09-30-2014 09:18 AM)L Verge Wrote:  Bill, that shows you how muddled my brain is - can't even remember something that I wrote an article on! The description of the distance of twelve miles from the city would definitely put Stringfellow very near, if not at, Surratt Tavern. Mary Surratt's brother, Zadoc Jenkins, was a fine piece of work in his own right. He was supposedly a "good" Union man until Mr. Lincoln made it clear that Maryland's days of holding slaves were marked. He also got into a few altercations with some of the men in the neighborhood.

Laurie - It was something you did 15 years ago; I have a hard time remembering what I did 15 minutes ago....

For those who are interested in reading (or re-reading) the article, it can be found in Volume 1 of From the pages of The Surratt Courier, p. I-23. If Weichmann's testimony (i.e., that Mrs. Surratt went to Surrattsville on April 1) is true -- and there seems no reason to doubt it -- then, as you speculated, it would seem highly probable that Stringfellow accompanied her. She would not have gone alone. And since Stringfellow's trip was one-way, Mrs. Surratt imposed on her brother to drive her back to Washington. Stringfellow was captured by a Union patrol in Charles County the next day, but managed to escape on April 4 and made his way to Canada for an extended stay.

Which brings me back to my original question: What compelled Stringfellow (and Booth) to hustle out of Washington on April 1? (I have seen the suggestion that Stringfellow blew his cover by refusing to drink a toast to Lincoln, but that seems too improbable.)

---

(09-30-2014 04:09 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  John, please start here and see if that is the discussion you are thinking of.

Roger - This is a fascinating thread and I recommend it to anyone who is especially interested in the role of John H. Surratt. My compliments to all who contributed to it. One word of warning, however; it is like a bowl of peanuts, once you start, you will keep going until the end....