St. Peter's or Horsehead? Is the Stage Route the Answer?

[Rick Smith]

John,

I understand what you are trying to say here, but, Jett & Bainbridge were on Mosby's rolls. The rolls of Mosby's command are readily available and these men do appear, just as Lewis T. Powell does. Ruggles does not, as you have pointed out.

Another late comer to Mosby's rolls was William Newbill, who, along with two others, had dinner at the Garrett place while Booth & Herold were there.

There is no doubt that these men were late comers; but they were in the midst of "earning" their place on Mosby's rolls.

They were all there and under orders for the same purpose; find Booth and get him out.

With the possible exception of Mortimer Ruggles, who certainly was working with the others and was on the same mission, I think it is most appropriate to call them "Mosby Men."

Rick

[L Verge]

Just some last tidbits and a question related to the Battle of Mechanicsville, MD... On April 15, 1865, Brig. Gen. James Barnes, commander of Union forces around the Confederate prison camp at Point Lookout, MD, reported that a scouting party led by a Lt. Davis had reported seeing Confederate troops (3 officers and 27 men) on April 12 in the area of Newport in St. Mary's County.

On April 16, Union Capt. Buckley reported the skirmish with Confederate troops under Lt. Garland Smith as discussed previously on this thread. It is pretty likely that Smith's men were the same ones spotted on the 12th, but thirty Confederates in the same area of Southern Maryland within three days seems somewhat obvious to me.

Gen. Tidwell also pointed out that, on April 24 (two days before Booth was killed), he and Col. Mosby were within 25 miles of each other - both interested in getting to Orange Court House, Virginia. Like Rick, he also mentioned other Confederates who were known to have visited the Garretts while Booth was there - not just Ruggles, Bainbridge, and Jett. He suggests that they were part of a protective screen thrown up around Booth and Herold. Could they also have been a disposal squad to "take care" of Booth if necessary?

I also have a question about the Enoch Mason that we keep referring to as having crossed on the ferry from Port Conway to Port Royal with the fugitives and the Jett gang. Tidwell mentions this person by a different name - T. Wellford Mason, who had been a Confederate courier. Which one is the correct Mason on the ferry?

[Wild Bill]

According to his sister in law, Kate H. Mason, “A True Story of the Capture and Death of John Wilkes Booth,” Northern Neck Historical Magazine, 13 (December 1963), 1237-39, originally published in 1913, the man's name was Enoch Wellford Mason.

[Rick Smith]

From Laurie:

"Gen. Tidwell also pointed out that, on April 24 (two days before Booth was killed), he and Col. Mosby were within 25 miles of each other - both interested in getting to Orange Court House, Virginia. Like Rick, he also mentioned other Confederates who were known to have visited the Garretts while Booth was there - not just Ruggles, Bainbridge, and Jett. He suggests that they were part of a protective screen thrown up around Booth and Herold. Could they also have been a disposal squad to "take care" of Booth if necessary?"


Laurie,

Yes, there is no question, in my mind at least, that what we see here is that there were a large number of Confederate operatives looking for Booth and once found, they were to act as a screen for Booth, first as a means of protection and extraction, secondarily as a means of eliminating Booth should that become necessary.

In our book on Thomas Harbin, Bill Richter and I posit that once Harbin saw that Booth was in no mood to wait his turn to be moved, he passed the word that Booth had become a loose canon and issued the order to eliminate him if the Yankees got too close. This is, of course, speculation, but I hope that it is what Mr. Hall would call, "Logical speculation."

Rick

[L Verge]

(01-15-2017 04:00 PM)Wild Bill Wrote:  According to his sister in law, Kate H. Mason, “A True Story of the Capture and Death of John Wilkes Booth,” Northern Neck Historical Magazine, 13 (December 1963), 1237-39, originally published in 1913, the man's name was Enoch Wellford Mason.

Thanks for the clarification and citation, Bill.

---

(01-15-2017 05:22 PM)Rick Smith Wrote:  From Laurie:

"Gen. Tidwell also pointed out that, on April 24 (two days before Booth was killed), he and Col. Mosby were within 25 miles of each other - both interested in getting to Orange Court House, Virginia. Like Rick, he also mentioned other Confederates who were known to have visited the Garretts while Booth was there - not just Ruggles, Bainbridge, and Jett. He suggests that they were part of a protective screen thrown up around Booth and Herold. Could they also have been a disposal squad to "take care" of Booth if necessary?"


Laurie,

Yes, there is no question, in my mind at least, that what we see here is that there were a large number of Confederate operatives looking for Booth and once found, they were to act as a screen for Booth, first as a means of protection and extraction, secondarily as a means of eliminating Booth should that become necessary.

In our book on Thomas Harbin, Bill Richter and I posit that once Harbin saw that Booth was in no mood to wait his turn to be moved, he passed the word that Booth had become a loose canon and issued the order to eliminate him if the Yankees got too close. This is, of course, speculation, but I hope that it is what Mr. Hall would call, "Logical speculation."

Rick

Is it also logical speculation to consider that the 30-man scouting unit of Confederates spotted near Newport on April 12 (before the assassination) had been sent there to assist in getting Harney back to Richmond - or at least out of the hands of the Union?

[Gene C]

(01-15-2017 03:11 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Gen. Tidwell also pointed out that, on April 24 (two days before Booth was killed), he and Col. Mosby were within 25 miles of each other - both interested in getting to Orange Court House, Virginia. Like Rick, he also mentioned other Confederates who were known to have visited the Garretts while Booth was there - not just Ruggles, Bainbridge, and Jett. He suggests that they were part of a protective screen thrown up around Booth and Herold. Could they also have been a disposal squad to "take care" of Booth if necessary?

I wonder about that too. I also wonder who was now giving orders to find Booth? Was it Mosby?

[Rick Smith]

(01-15-2017 07:05 PM)L Verge Wrote:  

(01-15-2017 04:00 PM)Wild Bill Wrote:  According to his sister in law, Kate H. Mason, “A True Story of the Capture and Death of John Wilkes Booth,” Northern Neck Historical Magazine, 13 (December 1963), 1237-39, originally published in 1913, the man's name was Enoch Wellford Mason.

Thanks for the clarification and citation, Bill.

---

(01-15-2017 05:22 PM)Rick Smith Wrote:  From Laurie:

"Gen. Tidwell also pointed out that, on April 24 (two days before Booth was killed), he and Col. Mosby were within 25 miles of each other - both interested in getting to Orange Court House, Virginia. Like Rick, he also mentioned other Confederates who were known to have visited the Garretts while Booth was there - not just Ruggles, Bainbridge, and Jett. He suggests that they were part of a protective screen thrown up around Booth and Herold. Could they also have been a disposal squad to "take care" of Booth if necessary?"


Laurie,

Yes, there is no question, in my mind at least, that what we see here is that there were a large number of Confederate operatives looking for Booth and once found, they were to act as a screen for Booth, first as a means of protection and extraction, secondarily as a means of eliminating Booth should that become necessary.

In our book on Thomas Harbin, Bill Richter and I posit that once Harbin saw that Booth was in no mood to wait his turn to be moved, he passed the word that Booth had become a loose canon and issued the order to eliminate him if the Yankees got too close. This is, of course, speculation, but I hope that it is what Mr. Hall would call, "Logical speculation."

Rick

Is it also logical speculation to consider that the 30-man scouting unit of Confederates spotted near Newport on April 12 (before the assassination) had been sent there to assist in getting Harney back to Richmond - or at least out of the hands of the Union?

Laurie,

It may be, though Harney had been captured on the 10th, I believe. The scouting party was most likely Garland Smith & elements of Co. G. The timing is right, since they would be involved in a fight with Union cavalry three days later.


Gene,

The order to find Booth was probably from higher up, but Thomas Harbin may have seen it was issued. My feeling is that he had charge of a large portion of The Line south of the Potomac just as his brother-in-law, Thomas Jones did on the Maryland side. Harbin and Joe Baden had been at Adams' Tavern in Newport during the week before Lincoln was shot.

Rick

[L Verge]

Harney was captured on the 10th, but I suspect that word did not reach Southern Maryland before the scouting party spotted the Confederates near Newport on the 12th. By the 15th, they were still in the area awaiting orders as to how to proceed (surrender, parole, etc.) when the Yanks found them again and the skirmish occurred. At that point, I wonder if they even knew that Booth had killed the President?

I think Thomas Harbin is one of the key links in understanding the Secret Line in the Northern Neck and in Southern Maryland. That's why he high-tailed it to Europe for awhile. I would love to know if he and Judah Benjamin ever made contact on the continent.

BTW: Tidwell says that the report filed about the spotting of the Confederates on April 12 refers to them heading towards Crookshank's store in Newport. I perked up on that name because it's high on my maternal tree, only spelled Cruikshanks. Most of that line is of Scottish descent. Anyone know the etymology of that name?

[Rick Smith]

Laurie,

Harbin, Baden & Garland Smith's command were all in Newport just before and after the President's assassination. Harbin & Baden were at Austin Adams' Tavern. News travelled slowly, as you suggest, and they were waiting to hear through channels if the shooting had taken place. Once this word had been received, they would have been looking for Booth and anyone with him with a view to screening and extracting them. Harbin & Baden were an important part of this operation. Before Booth & Herold appeared at Newport, Harbin, Baden and "another man" had left, rowed across the river by James Owens {there is an article relating to this in the Courier}. Garland Smith & his command also headed across the river, their plans to find Booth being frustrated. I believe that in our book on Harbin, Bill & I have Harbin & Benjamin crossing paths in Florida before heading to Cuba and thence to England.

I agree with you; Harbin was a key figure in this business. He and Thomas Jones were serious professionals.

Rick

[L Verge]

I have to admit that I get very frustrated with researchers and authors who pay little or no attention to the Confederacy's Secret Line. I have always felt that there is a ton of history there if only we knew how to get to it. Tidwell, Hall, and Gaddy did a marvelous job (and were well-qualified with each one having life experiences in the espionage field); but, as they said right up front, good agents do not keep written records. Even Thomas Jones omitted things, I'm sure, from his grand little book in order to protect others. Those others just kept their secrets and carried them to the grave.

Do we know how Harbin slipped out of Yankee hands? I know you mention a suspected route that would have him crossing paths with Judah Benjamin, but have you ever seen any proof of how he eluded the Feds? Since he ended up coming back to DC and working at the National Hotel - where Dr. Richard Stuart was an owner - perhaps Stuart used his connections (like the Lees and the Calverts)?

[SSlater]

We might think of "Rt. 301" as the "Secret Line" through Maryland, and it would be the first choice for an escape. But, there was an alternate route - The Patuxent River route. Which justifies putting an Escort Troop in that area - thus Lt. Garland Smith and friends there on April 15.

Another thought. Mosby and Booth were more than 25 miles apart, when Mosby was at Frederick Hall and Booth was at the Rappahannock. It was more like 55 miles apart. 25 is a nicer number.
(More like 60 as the road wanders.

[L Verge]

(01-17-2017 02:03 AM)SSlater Wrote:  We might think of "Rt. 301" as the "Secret Line" through Maryland, and it would be the first choice for an escape. But, there was an alternate route - The Patuxent River route. Which justifies putting an Escort Troop in that area - thus Lt. Garland Smith and friends there on April 15.

Another thought. Mosby and Booth were more than 25 miles apart, when Mosby was at Frederick Hall and Booth was at the Rappahannock. It was more like 55 miles apart. 25 is a nicer number.
(More like 60 as the road wanders.

I definitely agree with your first paragraph - both the Patuxent and the Wicomico Rivers were possible routes out of Southern Maryland. That's what brought about my first and subsequent postings in relation to the Mechanicsville skirmish over the past few days. I'm glad to see that you also agree now that Garland Smith had a troop in that area, and that they were the ones who skirmished with the Yanks.

I have wondered if Oswell Swann had taken Booth and Herold to William Burtles, as they first requested and then changed their minds, would Burtles have been as accommodating as Cox and Jones. And, would Burtles, who lived near what is present-day Hughesville, have guided them to the closer Patuxent or Wicomico for their departure to the Northern Neck? I suspect that Thomas Harbin was in somewhat of a quandry - like the Yanks - as to which way the fugitives were headed.

[SSlater]

(01-14-2017 12:40 AM)SSlater Wrote:  

(01-13-2017 02:11 PM)L Verge Wrote:  Questions: Dave, are you focusing on the activities of the Secret Line and the thesis of Tidwell, Hall, and Gaddy? I thought you told me last year that you were not and did not place that much faith in what was going on in Southern Maryland relative to that. Did I misunderstand you?

Did regular members of the Secret Line know who other operatives were, other than the next person to pass someone off on? Also, how would they know if someone on the Line had ceased "operations" once Lee surrendered - especially in the Northern Neck, where Booth encountered his first experiences of being turned away?

Did the Navy Partisan Group have access to horses? Where were they based/sheltered (men and beasts)? Who funded them?

Would it be unusual for Mosby to "retain" a few men for special duty while sending the remainder of a company back to normal duty?

How did Ruggles come to have Conrad's horse?

Addendum: John, if all goes well, I will be returning to my desk at Surratt House next Wednesday (1/18) on a part-time basis at first. I got final approval from the "company doctor" this morning after my two specialists approved it last week. Unfortunately, I will be dragging oxygen with me; but you do what you have to do.

All three doctors stressed to limit my activities to "as tolerated." Trust me, after the past three months and with over 4000 hours of sick leave still remaining, I will heed their advice for a change. No more workaholic.

Ans. Question 2. We have been told, that Agents on the Secret Line knew only the Agents on each side of him (or Her). That way the capture of one would not destroy the whole line. Some Agents could see each other. Example Jones and Cawood. They were on opposite sides of the River. I believe they had other ways of signaling to a more remote Agent , like a towel on the clothes line, which meant "I have a message for you."
I don't know enough about "who quit"- when Lee surrendered. I do know that this was of serious concern to the Rebel Government when they evacuated Richmond. That "was not the end of the war"! We do have examples of clandestine operations - after Lee surrendered - from Richmond to New York City. (mostly involving Harney.)
Ans. Q 3. The Navy Partisans did not - normally - have horses. They were intended to be "Boat People". However that would not prevent them from appropriating a horse or two, if they needed one.
Their base was said to be in E. Pliny Bryan's camp, in King George, between Cawood's Camp and Brogdan"s Camp.
As for funding, they funded themselves. They kept a portion of all they could steal. Beyond that they were paid 'for damage inflicted" from Richmond -like all the other Partisan Groups.
Ans. Q 4. Mosby often split his Command. For example. When part of his Command was assigned to put Harney into Washington, the remainder went west with Mosby, to raid on unprotected trains.
Ans Q 5. Ruggles was working for Cawood at this time of the war. So, he had access to Conrad's horses. When Ruggles, Bainbridge, and Jett arrived at the Rappahannock, they were on Conrad's horses. This leads me to believe that Ruggles was on an assignment - to look for Booth, and his two buddies were tagging along. - with nothing else to do. (This makes me question their military standing. were they still with Mosby or had they deserted. If they owed allegiance to Mosby, they would be on Mosby horses.) Who cares? Anyhow, when they met Booth, Bainbridge and Jett doubled up on one horse and Booth and his broken leg rode the freed horse.
Addendum Comment: So glad to hear this good news. If you expect to take time off, please write down everything that you know - everything- so that we will never be without your input.

Rick. Here is another point I wanted to make.
I was a bit flipant with my comments on getting Booth across the river -so "solly". However, See C.R. Pgs 448 and 449. On 448 top of page cox secreted Booth and Herold in the thicket near Rich Hill and recruited Jones to protect and feed them until HE could get them across the River. Next 448. Para.2 line 10. COX was known for his help and sympathy he had given to the Confederacy . Then last line in same para. "until COX could make further arrangements. The word "recruited" implies that some sort of compensation was considered.
It boils down to Jones didn't act alone - as I once believed. Cox didn't get as much Press as Jones did.

[Lincoln Wonk]

(04-23-2014 10:06 AM)wpbinzel Wrote:  In nearly everything that I have read about John Wilkes Booth’s escape route, there is a line that says “No one is certain which route Booth and Herold took from Surratt’s Tavern to Dr. Mudd’s farm.” Kieran McAuliffe’s seminal map (and the State of Maryland) has them going down modern-day Route 301 to Mattawoman Beantown Road to Poplar Hill Road, and past St. Peter’s Catholic Church. The Surratt Society tours go through T.B., down Brandywine Road, past the Horsehead Tavern, then south on Horsehead Road.

Has anyone done research on the late-1864 stage coach route(s) between Washington and Prince George’s and Charles Counties, and/or how closely the present day roads mirror the “roads” that existed in April 1865? The stage coach route may be the key to resolving the debate on whether Booth and Herold’s ride to Dr. Mudd’s took them past the Horsehead Tavern or St. Peter’s Church.

If it is true that Booth rode that stage on at least three occasions in late 1864 between Washington and Bryantown (and I believe it is), then it is highly likely that he was attentive to route traveled. I have not seen evidence that prior to those trips that Booth was otherwise familiar with the roads in Prince George’s or Charles Counties, Maryland.

As demonstrated by his familiarity with Namjemoy Creek and John Hughes, David Herold knew his way around western Charles County. However, the impromptu stop at the home of Oswell Swann and his engagement as a guide would indicate that Herold was not familiar with the northeastern portion of the county and that he may not have known the route from Surrattsville to Dr. Mudd’s.

It is speculation on my part, but it would seem likely that Booth took the route he learned from his rides on the stage coach. Area taverns served as stage coach stops. I have seen Surratt’s Tavern and the Bryantown Tavern cited as stage stops. While I would surmise that the Horsehead Tavern was also a stop in between Surrattsville and Bryantown, I have not seen written confirmation of it.

That’s why I am interested in whether someone has researched the stage coach route (or routes?). Whatever it was, I am inclined to believe that the stage coach route was the same route used by Booth and Herold.

This is a little one-off, and you all probably know all this, but I found the reference to old stagecoach lines in this issue interesting and the references on pages 3 and 4 interesting too. I wonder if any in-state entity keeps maps of stagecoach lines.
http://charlescountyhistorical.org/April2015.pdf

[Rick Smith]

From SSlater

Rick. Here is another point I wanted to make.
I was a bit flipant with my comments on getting Booth across the river -so "solly". However, See C.R. Pgs 448 and 449. On 448 top of page cox secreted Booth and Herold in the thicket near Rich Hill and recruited Jones to protect and feed them until HE could get them across the River. Next 448. Para.2 line 10. COX was known for his help and sympathy he had given to the Confederacy . Then last line in same para. "until COX could make further arrangements. The word "recruited" implies that some sort of compensation was considered.
It boils down to Jones didn't act alone - as I once believed. Cox didn't get as much Press as Jones did.


John,

I agree with you.

Rick