Countdown to July 7

[BettyO]

One reason, I think that Powell looked so "chipper" going to the gallows was that he was the only one who wasn't "drugged" or in other words under the influence of stimulants....

Mrs. Surratt was given Wine of Valerian, an herbal stimulant, as was Herold. Atzerodt, according to one or two accounts, had imbibed freely of brandy. Lew Powell had told his spiritual adviser, Dr. Gillette that he wanted to "die with an unclouded mind." Therefore, he walked to the scaffold with his head up and unsupported while Mrs. Surratt, Herold and Atzerodt were supposedly "half carried." It was also stated that Powell "bounded" up the 13 steps of the scaffold, but I would have to think more or less this purported "bounding" was more of a hop up the steps because his ankles were shackled together by about 12-18 inches of chain! Therefore, Powell could not take decent steps and this gave him a somewhat "jaunty" air going up the gallows steps. I would also have to question any "striding" made by Powell through the prison yard. Again, pretty difficult when his ankles were shackled....