John Surratt's real parents?

[L Verge]

(03-02-2015 03:35 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(03-01-2015 02:59 PM)LincolnToddFan Wrote:  My belief is that she felt right up to the hour of the shooting that the kidnap plot against AL had been revived and was on for that night. I don't think she knew that at that point she was assisting the men in a murder conspiracy. Booth involved her and duped and manipulated her because she was useful to him and she was willing to help. I don't think she was ever told that the plan had switched to murder.

(03-01-2015 04:01 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Personally, I agree that Mary did not know that the plans had changed to murder.

Toia and Laurie, until I read Kate Larson's book I would have agreed 100% with both of you. Now if someone asks me if she knew of Booth's change of plan I would say, "I don't know, but I am open to the possibility." My question is, I guess, a geography question as I do not know the area well.

It seems to me that Mary Surratt gave out two messages on April 14th. She told Smoot that his boat was going to be used that night. The boat was connected to the kidnap/capture plot as I understand it.

But she also took Booth's field glasses to Surrattsville, and Lloyd testified that she "told me to have those shooting-irons ready that night, there would be some parties who would call for them." (On April 11, according to Lloyd, Mrs. Surratt told him the "shooting irons" would be needed soon.) Additionally, on April 14th, she asked about pickets on the road and was apparently relieved to know they were usually called in by 8. It would seem she knew Booth would be traveling the road that night.

I am not sure this post is coming out as clear as I would like. I guess what I am asking is are the two routes the same --> the one to be used for the kidnapping and the one used to escape Washington after the assassination? In other words is it possible for Mary to think it was a still a kidnapping, the boat would be used, and also the group would be stopping to pick up weapons and field glasses at Lloyd's?

Geographically, does that make sense? (the boat being used plus the stop at Lloyd's)
Was stopping at Lloyd's also geographically part of the kidnap/capture escape route?

I apologize if the post is not clear; we had a family crisis yesterday which led to a sleepless night.

It is my opinion that the same route was to be used in both schemes. It was the most logical one, and it hit or came close to many of the most important areas of support.

Most people who visit Surratt House look at the electric map and ask why Booth didn't take the short cut and hop across the Long Bridge into what is today the great metropolis of Northern Virginia. That's easy - it had been under Union control since near the beginning of the war.

Then they suggest that the gang could have cut through the more frontier area of Montgomery County, north of the city, and used a route that Jubal Early had thought would work when he invaded the environs in 1864. Or, they could have headed west into the Shenandoah Valley -- and death and destruction that had been left behind by Phil Sheridan (whose men were still in the area, I believe).

Escapees head for friendly faces, helpful people, or at least populations that know how to keep their mouths shut. Southern Maryland had proven itself capable of all that for four years. What is the easiest way to get to that area and a less patrolled section of the Potomac River? Down the New Cut Road (also called the T.B. Road, then Maryland Route 5, and now Brandywine Road). Less obstacles on that road also, like deep streams to cross, more swampland if entering Charles County farther down. It was also a road made more passable by farmers entering and exiting the city from Southern Maryland daily.

That road had just been cut through in 1850, and became the first direct route out of D.C. into the southern counties of the state - the area that was the center of its economics (plus Baltimore City). It was the stagecoach route. It was the land of tobacco planters, aristocracy, tenant farmers, Confederate operatives, blockade runners. A land of people who would assist with kidnapping a hated President and chuckle under their breath if the plan turned to murder. We call it pay-back...

All of the public relations routines had been established while planning the kidnap. Now Booth decides on very short notice that the plot would change. No time to create another route or any better route, so stick with what you have.

That's my opinion, and I also believe that is why David Herold was in Southern Maryland on April 13 (and probably the afternoon of April 12) and ended up at my great-grandparents' home. He was sent as the Paul Revere of the Lincoln assassination to spread the word to key personnel that something big was coming down fast and hard and to be ready for it.