Louis Weichmann

[Susan Higginbotham]

(07-21-2015 10:18 AM)Pamela Wrote:  

(07-21-2015 06:56 AM)BettyO Wrote:  According to most reports from reputable sources, neither Mary nor Mudd were shackled.... why Spangler reported such, I don't know unless the recollections were from faulty memory -

Spangler was probably not a conspirator, so he had an ax to grind and what he said about Weichmann was consistent with the story pushed by the defense. I wouldn't excuse his inaccurracies given to a newspaper reporter as a faulty memory because he offered too much detail. "The seat (in court) was 12 inches high and the chains between the irons on her feet were so short that she always had to be assisted to her seat." I think he he just lied.

General Hartranft reported on June 18, 1865, that Spangler's mind was wandering, so I wouldn't be surprised if his memory was faulty regarding Mary's shackles.