What Was The Role of David Herold

[John Fazio]

(02-05-2013 10:51 PM)DanielC Wrote:  If Herold was given the task of assasinating Johnson why would he show up at the Kirkwood unarmed? Would Booth and Herold really wait for Atzerodt at the bridge? Here is someone who basically intimated to them he wanted no part of killing. Why a third wheel on the way south. Yes he had knowledge of that area, and the waterways, but was it anymore then Herold?

Daniel:

In my view, Herold asked Atzerodt for the key to his room because he wanted to access the weapons he had deposited there earlier in the day. Atzerodt said he refused. That, apparently, did not deter Herold from trying to gain entry to the room anyway when he went to the Kirkwood. There is evidence that someone, presumably Herold, did that. He may have wanted those weapons for the attempt on Johnson or he may have wanted them to help him in his escape. It is unlikely that he planned to use a revolver to assassinate Johnson, because that would have made escape almost impossible. But we do know there was at least one Bowie in the room and we do know, too, per Atzerodt, that Herold had a letter he planned to use to gain access to Johnson.

They didn't wait for him at the bridge, but they thought there was at least a possibility he would follow them inasmuch as that appears to have been the final understanding between them before the Herndon House meeting broke up (about 9:00 pm). Atzerodt was to get his horse, go to the bridge and "help them on the road". Booth probably kept Atzerodt as a back-up guide in case Herold, for whatever reason, did not make it over the bridge and meet with him.

John