No need to question this Lincoln conspirator’s guilt

[L Verge]

Excellent summation, Anita.

As for the items left at the Surratt Tavern on March 18: They had been sent ahead to the tavern in a buggy with David Herold with the intention that he and the goods would meet up with the gang and the captured Lincoln on March 17. When the team didn't show, Herold went five miles south and spent the night at John Chandler Thompson's hotel in T.B.

The next morning, with no one showing up still, Herold started back towards D.C. He was met on the road between that village and Surrattsville by John, Jr. and Atzerodt. They decided that it was too risky to try and get those items - especially the carbines - back into the city, so the old Surratt home became the logical hiding place. They remained there until midnight of April 14/15.

I don't believe that the original intention was to hide them anywhere. The gang and Lincoln would meet up with Herold, and all would go happily down the road towards the Potomac River and cross over in the newly purchased boat.