Lincoln Kidnap Tries

[John Fazio]

(08-03-2015 07:33 PM)Rick Smith Wrote:  While doing some research for the revision of Bill Richter's "Last Confederate Heroes" several years ago, he directed me to the Special Papers Collection of the Lauinger Library at Georgetown University, the alma mater of my brothers and also of Thomas Harbin's brother, I had the privilege of viewing some of the writings of David Rankin Barbee, whose research into the Lincoln Assassination, I believe, began in the 1930's. Here are the notes I took regarding what he had this to say about what he entitled, "The Southern Maryland Planters Hand Down a Plot."

Patrick C. Martin visits with Southern Maryland Planters during the Spring of 1864. At the head of the group is Dr. William Queen. The group wants to kidnap Lincoln, end the war, and restore slavery in the old way. The group is organized, but lacks a leader. Enter John Wilkes Booth. Martin believes that Booth is the right person to take the lead. Martin had met with Booth in Montreal earlier and feels that the planters can entrust their plan to him. {At this point, Barbee says that Martin’s plan has a flaw; he does not know that Booth is insane. Not so.} Martin confides his plans to George P. Kane, Dr. Queen, Thomas Harbin, and “others”. Booth had come to Montreal to talk over the plan and Martin probably met him at Joe Davis’ Billiards Saloon. During the course of their meeting, Martin tells Booth to put himself into the hands of Dr. William Queen and that he will not go wrong. Martin tells Booth that he should proceed to Bryantown, where he will meet Henry Burch, and his son, Dominic, both trusted Confederates. Dominic will acquaint Booth with the area and see that he gets to Dr. Queen. Letters are to be written, introducing Booth as a land buyer, and also to serve as cover for Booth. He will assume the role of a rich young man from Baltimore who has come to the region with hopes of purchasing land. Booth must buy a horse or two and inspect some farms that are for sale. Dominic Burch meets Booth as soon as he gets off the stage in front of the Bryantown Tavern. Dr. Queen’s son, Joseph, arrives a bit later, and then drives Booth to Queen’s plantation. Dr. Queen’s son-in-law, John C. Thompson, will handle the weapons cache. A meeting takes place at Dr. Queen’s home with several planters in attendance. At the meeting were; George Gardiner, Thomas L. Gardiner {George’s nephew}, Joseph Queen, John C. Thompson, Dr. Queen, Booth and a number of “others.”

It is my very strong belief that there was a plot to kidnap Mr. Lincoln.

Rick:

Thanks for your input.

In my view, even if the meeting you describe occurred, the plot could not have been conceived or carried out without Davis's and Benjamin's knowledge and it therefore does not stand the tests of reason and human nature. It is not in our nature to capitulate to the demands of hostage takers. ("Millions for defense, but not one cent for tribute.") What would Confederate leaders have done with Lincoln if faced with Northern stonewalling, which they surely would have been confronted with even if Booth or anyone else managed the all-but-impossible feat of capturing him and transporting him across the bridge to Richmond? Davis later said that only one bona fide kidnapping plan had ever been brought to him and that he rejected it because there was nothing to be gained by kidnapping Lincoln (the Walker Taylor plot).

The 26 reasons I give in my book for rejecting the kidnapping theory are affirmed by the opinions of Thomas M. Harris, a member of the military commission ("Booth's so-called kidnapping plan had in fact never existed"), John A. Bingham, a special judge advocate ("...as early as November (1864), the proposition with (Booth) was to kill and murder--not to kidnap") and Louis Weichmann ("It would probably be nearer the truth to say that murder was in his heart all the time and that he was merely watching his opportunity to do the deed and--escape."). If you are unconvinced, read Atzerodt's May 1 confession and the testimony of Mrs. McClermont at the trial of John Surratt and then ask yourself if they sound like Booth had kidnapping in mind.

John