Stupid question?

[John Fazio]

(01-21-2016 10:04 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  Thanks, Jerry.

In case not everyone has access to Jerry's book, this is what Doster wrote:

"Atzerodt from the time I first saw him until he was executed told the same story which he afterwards told in his confession — that he knew nothing of the assassination plot, until two hours before it was carried out, and that then he refused to have anything to do with it. Being in, as far as he was, he had to keep up appearances. His part was to kill Mr. Johnson, he said. He had ample opportunity but did not intend to do it. His defense lay mainly in showing this — that he had abundant occasion to carry out such an intention had it existed, that the President was in his room all night, with the door open. The only witness who could have shown this was the President himself. I subpoenaed him to appear and testify, but he did not come. I issued another subpoena. He then sent me word through his private Secretary that he did not intend to come.

I pressed Mr. Johnson no further, for I did not care to irritate the very man who could pardon the prisoner, and also must have known that to Atzerodt's unwillingness he was indebted for his life. The sequel showed, however, that he did not consider this."

From Lincoln and Episodes of the Civil War by William E. Doster

Jerry:

Thanks a million. This is a huge help. I'll have more to say on this matter as I develop it.

John

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(01-21-2016 10:10 AM)L Verge Wrote:  Laurie:

I recall the post. My understanding is that Booth obtained the arms and other items, probably in New York, where, according to Arnold, he went often to replenish "his squandering means", because of his "riotous living and dissipation". My surmise is that part of his financing came from Confederate agents in that city and/or Belmont and his circle of Copperheads. In any case, by January, he had the arms and tools he needed and gave them to Arnold and O'Laughlen in Baltimore, who promptly shipped them to Washington. They took up residence at Mary Van Tine's boarding house, at 420 D Street, on or about February 10, so the arms and tools must have been stashed elsewhere for the time being. On the morning of March 18, after the "failed kidnapping attempt", Surratt and Atzerodt went to look for Herold. They found him between Surrattsville and T.B., with the weapons and tools, which had somehow, somewhere, come into his possession (presumably on the 17th, after they had been retrieved by Arnold and O'Laughlen as part of the Campbell Hospital episode). This encounter could not have been entirely by chance. In any case, all three then went to the tavern, where they left everything with Lloyd for later pick-up. See American Brutus, pp. 187, 188.

Thanks, John. Mary Van Tine's boardinghouse is what I was trying to remember as to Arnold's and O'Laughlen's home away from home. Is there any good reason to discount that the weapons and supplies were hidden in or around her boardinghouse while they were there? IMO, chances are 50/50 that Van Tine could have been in the same Confederate spirit as Mary Surratt.

Laurie:

A very good surmise, both as to where the weapons and tools were stashed and as to Ms. Van Tine's sympathies. It sticks in my mind, however, that something was said by someone, somewhere, about O'Laughlen having deposited the goods with a friend. I'll see if I can find it, but someone else may already be familiar with the reference.

John

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(01-21-2016 09:44 AM)JMadonna Wrote:  

(01-21-2016 05:18 AM)John Fazio Wrote:  P.S. Rather than start a new post, I am going to put out a call to everyone for help on an unrelated subject. I hope no one minds my piggybacking on Kees' post. I recall reading somewhere that the Military Commission that tried the conspirators subpoeaned President Andrew Johnson, but that he refused to honor the subpoena and did not appear at the trial. I believe he used "executive privilege" to justify his refusal, which apparently was not contested by the Commission. In any case, I have looked for evidence of this, but have thus far come up empty. Does anyone have a source for this information? It is important to me, because I recently uncovered evidence that sheds light on the mystery of the card from Booth that was left in Browning's box. Knowledge of Johnson's refusal is relevant. Thank you.

John, see Doster's notes - Threat to the Republic p.227-228

Jerry:

I plugged this into the wrong socket earlier.

Thanks a million. This is a huge help. I will have more to say about this matter as I develop it.

John