Absent a break injury, how far would JWB gotten?

[PaigeBooth]

Juan,

One thing we are informed about is that Ruggles and Bainbridge did inform Booth and Herold (while at the Garrett farm on April 25th) that cavalry was coming, so Booth and Herold chose to hide in the woods until dusk. If Booth and Herold would have found a way to leave the Garrett farm upon this warning, their escape would probably have still failed, but they may have gotten just a little bit further. So, had it not been for Booth's injury, which caused him several delays, he may very well have made it to his desired destination, maybe Mexico. After escaping Washington no one really knew where Booth went beyond the Navy Yard Bridge. This was something definitely in Booth's favor, because it puzzled authorities.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Roger,

American Brutus shows a picture of an escape map Booth drew, which seems to show that Booth planned to escape to Mexico. This map was found at the National Hotel, however, authorities ignored this piece of evidence.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Eva,

I agree with you that the identification given by the Rollins to the cavalry was one of the worst things against Booth and Herold. The Rollins also knew that Willie Jett could be found at the Star Hotel in Bowling Green. This was yet another thing against Booth and Herold because the cavalry knew exactly where to find Jett, who led them to the fugitives. Once the cavalry found Jett, they threatened his life until he consented to lead them to Booth and Herold. Had Jett not led them to the Garrett farm, the cavalry may not have been able to find the Garrett farm in the dark. So it is interesting to pretend that had Booth and Herold left the next morning, before the cavalry had located the farm, Booth and Herold might have avoiding the cavalry yet again.