The River Ghost

[John Fazio]

(10-22-2015 02:29 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(10-22-2015 10:52 AM)John Fazio Wrote:  [i]

(10-21-2015 04:24 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Yesterday, I read two modern tributes to Thomas Jones, the man who managed to head Booth and Herold across the Potomac, that referred to Jones as the "River Ghost." I had never seen that before.

I wonder if that is a new nickname or if there is a Civil War era precedent? His talents during the war would have earned him (and others) such an accolade (or smear, if you were a Union trooper trying to catch him/them).

Laurie:

I had previously thought that Booth and Harbin first met through Dr. Mudd on December 18, 1864, in Bryantown. But according to Terry Alford's "Fortune's Fool", they were already old friends, having met years before. I don't have his book in front of me now, so I cannot quote the exact passage, but you probably remember it. There is so much evidence that the Confederate leadership knew all about Booth and his team and their activities that it seems excessive to drive another nail into it, but recall that Harbin wrote, after the war, that he was a Secret Service agent and that he reported directly to Davis. Well, if Harbin's old friend was Booth and Harbin reported directly to Davis, what more needs to be said?

John

John,

Terry had me totally confused when he kept mentioning Harbin having known Booth in childhood, etc. He cites the Ford Papers, but I had never heard anything like this. I'm confused and doubtful. I am going to continue to believe that Mudd did the introductions. Harbin was a native of Southern Maryland, an area (by car) that is several hours away from Bel Air, Maryland, and I have never seen a reference that Harbin went to school in Booth's area -- in fact, I've never seen reference to Harbin receiving a formal education, but he was definitely a smart man.

As for Harbin reporting to Davis, that may very well be true because he was definitely high on the underground totem-pole. Surratt supposedly claimed to have been in Benjamin's office in February of 1865. I continue to wonder, however, because I thought that both Harbin and Surratt operated under a higher-up, William Norris. Just how open were those Richmond doors to agents?

Laurie:

Terry cites the [i]Cincinnati Enquirer of Aug. 3, 1884, as authority for Booth and Harbin being boyhood chums. I believe the paper records an interview of Harbin conducted after the war by George Alfred Townsend (Gath), so perhaps there is something to it.

As for Harbin reporting directly to Davis, see page 342 of Come Retribution and Note 41 on p. 345. This point was also made by Gath in his report of the interview. I accept this as factual. I also accept as factual Surratt's frequent communication with Benjamin (Ste. Marie said Surratt went to Richmond "weekly"). As Tidwell, Hall and Gaddy say, Harbin's leaving the country for five years was a "wise move". So, too, must Surratt's fleeing and staying abroad for 19 months be considered a wise move. And for the same reason.

John

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(10-22-2015 12:34 PM)Gene C Wrote:  

(10-22-2015 10:52 AM)John Fazio Wrote:  , but recall that Harbin wrote, after the war, that he was a Secret Service agent and that he reported directly to Davis. Well, if Harbin's old friend was Booth and Harbin reported directly to Davis, what more needs to be said?

John

I don't recall that. Where did he say that?
John, do you believe Harbin reported directly to Davis?
(seems unlikely to me)

Gene:

See the Cincinnati Enquirer, August 3, 1884, and Come Retribution, pp. 342. 345. Yes, I believe strongly that Harbin reported directly to Davis.

John

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(10-22-2015 12:34 PM)Gene C Wrote:  

(10-22-2015 10:52 AM)John Fazio Wrote:  , but recall that Harbin wrote, after the war, that he was a Secret Service agent and that he reported directly to Davis. Well, if Harbin's old friend was Booth and Harbin reported directly to Davis, what more needs to be said?

John

I don't recall that. Where did he say that?
John, do you believe Harbin reported directly to Davis?
(seems unlikely to me)

Gene:

See my response below. I plugged it into the wrong place.

John