"The Conspirators", by General Lew Wallace

[STS Lincolnite]

It has been noted that Mrs. Surratt is missing from this painting. I was reading through Lew Wallace's autobiography tonight and this omission is mentioned:

“Mrs. Surratt does not appear in the group. General Wallace gave as a reason for this that he saw her face but once during the trial. She came into the court always wearing a heavy veil, which she raised but once for identification.”

Hmm...sometimes the simplest answer is the truth after all. I thought there had to be some deeper reason for leaving her out!