Military Units at the Arsenal on July 7, 1865

[Susan Higginbotham]

I remember seeing some newspaper articles in her file referring to her as bordering on insanity, but I also remember seeing an article stating that this account of her was hugely exaggerated. She apparently worked as a teacher for some period before her marriage, so she must have been more resilient than she's given credit for.

In the Evening Star interview with Anna published on July 2, 1880, the reporter writes, "Of all the Surratt family she has evidently suffered most, and most deeply feels the effects of the terrible tragedy which ended in the death of her mother. She lives quietly at her home, 118 Eager street. Baltimore. In appearance she Is not unlike her brother John, and would easily be recognized as a relative. She is rather tall, and her thin, small pleasant face is plainly marked with lines of severe suffering. She is easy in her manners, and has a clear, yet subdued voice. Her hair, which was once an auburn color, is slightly streaked with grey, although she is but little over 30 years old. When she responded to the summons of the Interviewer two bright little children, between 5 and 8 years of age, followed her and hung nervously about her side. Since Hancock's nomination a flood of interviewers have besieged the house, and any quantity of letters and telegrams have been received, asking the position of the family in relation to the democratic nominee. This revival of the fearful events which resulted in the death of her mother has made her extremely nervous, and she cannot talk upon the subject even to her intimate friends, so all inquiries are referred to her husband."