Atzerodt Confession

[John Fazio]

Jerry and Roger:

The evidence that the final meeting occurred in Powell's room at the Herndon House at 8:00 pm on the 14th is very strong, namely: Powell's statements to Eckert and Doster, Atzerodt's May 1 confession, Atzerodt's trial statement, Doster's two summations to the Commissioners at the trial and Atzerodt's July 6 confession. I hasten to add, however, that there is also sufficient evidence to conclude that an afternoon meeting was held on April 14, either in a music hall on Pennsylvania Avenue or in Powell's room or both. Powell may have retained a key to the room after his 4:00 pm checkout, or perhaps he just left the door open, or perhaps Mrs. Murray authorized use of the room for the meeting but said nothing about it to the Commissioners because she feared being implicated in the conspiracy.

John