Surratt House Visitor

[L Verge]

He mentioned to our guide that he was going to include us on his instagram chat. Keep your fingers crossed.

I forgot to ask the guide if she mentioned to the group that Mary Surratt's oldest child, Isaac Douglas Surratt, left Maryland on Inauguration Day in 1861, headed west, and ended up fighting for the CSA in the 33rd Texas regiment known as Duff's Rebel Rangers. After Appomattox, he and members of that unit went into Matamoras, Mexico, to enter the Mexican conflicts -- but didn't stay that long. Back in Texas, he learned of his mother's death and was mustered out. Arriving in Baltimore, he was "detained" because there were rumors that he had received a cache of money to come back and avenge his mother's death. The authorities found nothing to back up those stories. Isaac made it home and joined his sister in trying to pay off the many debts of the family and save the farm in Surrattsville -- didn't work.

I'm heading into work right now. This is the weekend that the National Blue Star Museum program kicks off. From now through Labor Day, active duty military and up to five dependents get free tours at a variety of museums across the country (including Surratt House). Surratt House also honors retired military (but no dependents). All must present current military IDs in order to receive free tickets, however.