Christian Rath

[RJNorton]

(12-24-2015 02:27 PM)Maykeith Wrote:  I find it interesting that Powell was a bit of a jokester. It's also interesting that he had a some latitude around the prison. You hear so much of how rigid everything was even up to the head covers, yet Powell was out of his cell with McCall laughing in the corner.

(12-25-2015 07:00 AM)BettyO Wrote:  Boys will be boys and apparently Powell was no different. He was known as a big practical joker while in the army - and I would suppose his personality simply carried over after he was imprisoned. He was known to be pretty much a likeable person according to Rath and others, and as he was seemingly a favorite at the Arsenal, he was more or less given a few advantages over the other prisoners. It was also said by Rath that Dr Mudd was the least likeable as he complained all the time....

Keith and Betty, I found this interesting, too. I was surprised when I read it.

"Payne had a grim sense of humor. One day we were discussing our nerve, and afterward I threw myself on the bed for a little sleep. Suddenly I awakened, feeling as if an icy hand had gripped my heart. There was Payne looking down at me, with an ugly expression on his face. I wondered how he had got out of his cell, and just then saw Lieutenant-Colonel McCall in a corner, laughing. Payne laughed, and I knew they were only trying my nerve. I was not afraid, though I was startled for a time."

[Maykeith]

(12-25-2015 02:01 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  

(12-24-2015 02:27 PM)Maykeith Wrote:  I find it interesting that Powell was a bit of a jokester. It's also interesting that he had a some latitude around the prison. You hear so much of how rigid everything was even up to the head covers, yet Powell was out of his cell with McCall laughing in the corner.

(12-25-2015 07:00 AM)BettyO Wrote:  Boys will be boys and apparently Powell was no different. He was known as a big practical joker while in the army - and I would suppose his personality simply carried over after he was imprisoned. He was known to be pretty much a likeable person according to Rath and others, and as he was seemingly a favorite at the Arsenal, he was more or less given a few advantages over the other prisoners. It was also said by Rath that Dr Mudd was the least likeable as he complained all the time....

Keith and Betty, I found this interesting, too. I was surprised when I read it.

"Payne had a grim sense of humor. One day we were discussing our nerve, and afterward I threw myself on the bed for a little sleep. Suddenly I awakened, feeling as if an icy hand had gripped my heart. There was Payne looking down at me, with an ugly expression on his face. I wondered how he had got out of his cell, and just then saw Lieutenant-Colonel McCall in a corner, laughing. Payne laughed, and I knew they were only trying my nerve. I was not afraid, though I was startled for a time."

I wonder why he never tried anything violent or to escape. I guess he was resigned to his fate.

[BettyO]

Quote:I wonder why he never tried anything violent or to escape. I guess he was resigned to his fate.

OK - I know I'll be shot down for this, but Powell, although seemingly possessed of a violent temper when aroused, was known to be somewhat of quiet natured fellow. Folk who knew him before the war swore that he was quiet and gentle in nature unless strongly angered. His horrible attack on the Seward family, seemed to be provoked by what he referred to "an act of war according to Doster, Eckert, Gillette and others....he thought he was doing "his duty" as a soldier and had been told that he would receive a promotion and honors for doing so....He claimed to be working with the Confederate secret service. He was repentant in prison and resigned to his fate.

[RJNorton]

(12-26-2015 06:49 AM)BettyO Wrote:  He claimed to be working with the Confederate secret service.

Hi Betty. What do you think - was he taking orders from Booth OR did his orders come from the Confederate secret service? Is it really possible to know for certain? Or are these really one and the same? Many books mention the "final meeting" with Booth giving out assignments and no mention of Confederates. But could Powell have been in contact with others besides Booth? Thanks for any insight, Betty.

[Dennis Urban]

Payne was perhaps the most interesting character of the conspirators besides Mary. I find his sense of humor intriguing but not unusual. It could be explained in today's terms by a bi-polar disorder or even post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). He seemed to accept his fate with stoic resolution. He probably realized escape was impossible so he remained the good soldier to the end. He did try to save Mary based on what he thought he knew but he could not have known all that Mary knew. As a low level operative by today's terms, he was probably not taking orders from the Confederate secret service but he may have felt if he carried out his "duty" to JWB, the reward would be something greater, perhaps money. Unfortunately for him and the rest of the group, the ending of the war changed the outlook and maybe the plan (kidnapping to death). The final motivation may have been revenge fueled by JWB. Payne does seem to have been easily influenced though.

[BettyO]

Hi, Roger - and Merry Christmas!

According to what he told Gillette, and I don't think that he would lie when practically "on his deathbed", he stated that he was working for the Secret Service and his orders were from men "high up in the Confederate hierarchy." Although he claimed that he saw Booth as his "superior" (according to Eckert and Doster), he did not mention taking orders from him except on the night of April 13th or 14th during the final meeting.....we'll probably never know; but I find that half the "charm" of the whole affair!

[RJNorton]

Betty, thank you for all the research you do on this. I know Eckert said Powell told him (when asked about other conspirators), "All I can say about that is that you have not got the one-half-of them!"