Booth's Horse Fell....

[L Verge]

I would imagine that this horse fall story was leaked by someone who knew what Dr. Mudd had said about Booth's claim that he fell from his horse and fractured his leg and came to him for help. Has anyone ever researched how many reporters were privy to statements coming out of the War Department on what was being gleaned from their investigations?

I am on John's side as far as the theory of where the original fracture occurred. As I have stated to many a person, we will never know for certain where and how the injury was sustained -- and (to quote a recent "politican,") 'What difference does it make?' in the big picture. We can only suggest that the injury slowed him down and that his stopping at Mudd's implicated the good doctor.

My theories on the subject are just as valid (at least to me!) as any other published historian: Mudd was already implicated in the conspiracy and would likely have been under eventual investigation anyhow; the fugitives intended to go to his house anyhow because it was a logical first stop; there was no guarantee that they could have crossed into Virginia any quicker than when they did - broken leg or no broken leg.

Personally, I feel it is rather sad that the one thing American Brutus is remembered the most for is Mike's claim of the broken leg occurring when Booth's horse fell on him. There is so much valuable information in the rest of that book (especially the multitude of meaty notes) that should take precedence over this one theory.