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L Verge · 06-09-2017, 09:42 AM

Just one snide comment on those last two references to Elmira: Do we discount anything related to Surratt being under the command of Gen. E.G. Lee at that point? Frankly, I doubt that Lee was just a tour director for the young man.

That said, does anyone remember the date of the mysterious man (very likely Stringfellow) being led out of D.C. and into Southern Maryland with the assistance of (again, very likely) Mrs. Surratt? Would that help pinpoint anything?

RJNorton · 06-09-2017, 09:49 AM

(06-09-2017 09:42 AM)L Verge Wrote: That said, does anyone remember the date of the mysterious man (very likely Stringfellow) being led out of D.C. and into Southern Maryland with the assistance of (again, very likely) Mrs. Surratt? Would that help pinpoint anything?

Laurie, Art Loux has this happening on April 1.

Steve · 06-09-2017, 04:03 PM

According to the University of Virginia Library catalog it has a manuscript of an 1880 letter from Frank Stringfellow to Jefferson Davis about his work as a Confederate spy. I'm assuming by them calling it a manuscript it's a handwritten copy. Is there anybody in the area that can check to see if it's the original of the typed copy held by the Virginia Historical Society, maybe even post images of the letter on this thread? Here's a link to the catalog description:

http://search.lib.virginia.edu/catalog/u2141336

SSlater · (This post was last modified: 06-09-2017 09:40 PM by SSlater.)

(06-09-2017 09:49 AM)RJNorton Wrote:
(06-09-2017 09:42 AM)L Verge Wrote: That said, does anyone remember the date of the mysterious man (very likely Stringfellow) being led out of D.C. and into Southern Maryland with the assistance of (again, very likely) Mrs. Surratt? Would that help pinpoint anything?

Laurie, Art Loux has this happening on April 1.

The escapee on April 1 was Stringfellow. The proof here is the fact that he was Captured on the "Secret Line", imprisoned and escaped again. He went on down to the Potomac and Thomas Jones put him across.

It appears that everyone participating in this theme is in agreement. The topic is too big to be run alone. Thanx all!

Here is what we have now. By early March 1865, the South was fully aware that they were losing the War and needed some sort of a drastic event to alter that event. The Army could not do it, so they needed to destroy the leadership. Several different acts were brought up. One was attributed to Booth. He was going to capture Lincoln and carry him South, and a Peace Treaty negotiated. This was his attempt to get Lincoln on March 17th. That failed! That was a "SWEET" Plan.(grab Lincoln, negotiate a Peace, Lincoln goes home - no one gets hurt)
Also beginning in early March there were plans by others to kill Lincoln. We don't know whether or not Davis conceived the idea to "Blow up the White House," or he heard it from someone else. Anyway, he sent Stringfellow to Washington work out the details. As we know he did just that. It was a complex plan that needed the Explosive people, the Army (Mosby), and probably the "New York Mob".
Even though Booth's plan failed, he was their "boots on the ground" in Washington. He had to be a participant in in all the plans. This is why Booth made his many trips to New York and other places.
All went well until Harney was captured. The plan came to a halt, but the "clock was running" on the Life of the Confederacy. There wasn't time to drop back and develop a new plan, they would live or die on this Plan. Booth jumped in to kill Lincoln, as the other plan would have done. He shot Lincoln . Amen!
Could I interest you in another "Save the South" plan? This is never discussed, but Gen. E. G. Lee was entrusted with a new plan - in Canada- to gather up Prison Escapees, and organize an Army and cross into the U.S. and fight their way south. Want to discuss this in aa separate Post?

RJNorton · 06-10-2017, 04:18 AM

Possibly I missed this, but have we determined where Stringfellow was on April 14? I am intrigued by his stay at the Kirkwood House --> this means two people were scouting Andrew Johnson's residence. Wasn't Stringfellow released after being captured on April 3? Could he have returned to Washington using a disguise/alias? Could he have been staying at the Kirkwood House at the same time George Atzerodt was? If he checked in before April 13 his name would not be on the register Dave T. posted.

SSlater · 06-10-2017, 01:01 PM

(06-10-2017 04:18 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Possibly I missed this, but have we determined where Stringfellow was on April 14? I am intrigued by his stay at the Kirkwood House --> this means two people were scouting Andrew Johnson's residence. Wasn't Stringfellow released after being captured on April 3? Could he have returned to Washington using a disguise/alias? Could he have been staying at the Kirkwood House at the same time George Atzerodt was? If he checked in before April 13 his name would not be on the register Dave T. posted.

RJ Stringfellow started South - on the "Secret Line" April 1 +/-.
stopped at the Tavern, got arrested twice and escaped both times, each time he was a little further South. I can't see any time here for him to return to D.C. - even overnight.
I calculated his time to reach the Potomac, and compared that to the weather given in the log books of the gunboats, Stringfellow crossed the same night that Booth did - with the help of Jones. Stringfellow went North on this same route, so he knew Jones was there and what his job was.

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 06-10-2017 06:23 PM by L Verge.)

(06-09-2017 08:58 PM)SSlater Wrote:
(06-09-2017 09:49 AM)RJNorton Wrote:
(06-09-2017 09:42 AM)L Verge Wrote: That said, does anyone remember the date of the mysterious man (very likely Stringfellow) being led out of D.C. and into Southern Maryland with the assistance of (again, very likely) Mrs. Surratt? Would that help pinpoint anything?

Laurie, Art Loux has this happening on April 1.

The escapee on April 1 was Stringfellow. The proof here is the fact that he was Captured on the "Secret Line", imprisoned and escaped again. He went on down to the Potomac and Thomas Jones put him across.

It appears that everyone participating in this theme is in agreement. The topic is too big to be run alone. Thanx all!

Here is what we have now. By early March 1865, the South was fully aware that they were losing the War and needed some sort of a drastic event to alter that event. The Army could not do it, so they needed to destroy the leadership. Several different acts were brought up. One was attributed to Booth. He was going to capture Lincoln and carry him South, and a Peace Treaty negotiated. This was his attempt to get Lincoln on March 17th. That failed! That was a "SWEET" Plan.(grab Lincoln, negotiate a Peace, Lincoln goes home - no one gets hurt)
Also beginning in early March there were plans by others to kill Lincoln. We don't know whether or not Davis conceived the idea to "Blow up the White House," or he heard it from someone else. Anyway, he sent Stringfellow to Washington work out the details. As we know he did just that. It was a complex plan that needed the Explosive people, the Army (Mosby), and probably the "New York Mob".
Even though Booth's plan failed, he was their "boots on the ground" in Washington. He had to be a participant in in all the plans. This is why Booth made his many trips to New York and other places.
All went well until Harney was captured. The plan came to a halt, but the "clock was running" on the Life of the Confederacy. There wasn't time to drop back and develop a new plan, they would live or die on this Plan. Booth jumped in to kill Lincoln, as the other plan would have done. He shot Lincoln . Amen!
Could I interest you in another "Save the South" plan? This is never discussed, but Gen. E. G. Lee was entrusted with a new plan - in Canada- to gather up Prison Escapees, and organize an Army and cross into the U.S. and fight their way south. Want to discuss this in aa separate Post?

If you want to discuss the prison escapes and raids, why not start earlier with Thomas Henry Hines? He went directly to Davis, Benjamin, and Seddon with his plans in early-1864.

PS Always hoped to find him on my family tree. That was my grandmother's maiden name on my father's southern Virginia/NC/KY tree.

(06-10-2017 01:01 PM)SSlater Wrote:
(06-10-2017 04:18 AM)RJNorton Wrote: Possibly I missed this, but have we determined where Stringfellow was on April 14? I am intrigued by his stay at the Kirkwood House --> this means two people were scouting Andrew Johnson's residence. Wasn't Stringfellow released after being captured on April 3? Could he have returned to Washington using a disguise/alias? Could he have been staying at the Kirkwood House at the same time George Atzerodt was? If he checked in before April 13 his name would not be on the register Dave T. posted.
RJ Stringfellow started South - on the "Secret Line" April 1 +/-.
stopped at the Tavern, got arrested twice and escaped both times, each time he was a little further South. I can't see any time here for him to return to D.C. - even overnight.
I calculated his time to reach the Potomac, and compared that to the weather given in the log books of the gunboats, Stringfellow crossed the same night that Booth did - with the help of Jones. Stringfellow went North on this same route, so he knew Jones was there and what his job was.

Do you know where in Southern Maryland he was arrested twice? How long was he detained each time? That's about a three-week stretch between leaving DC and crossing the Potomac at about the same time as Booth and Herold.

How could you determine exactly that Stringfellow was crossing the river at the same time as the fugitives? That appears to be an almost unbelievable coincidence. I assume you are talking about their first attempt to cross? Did Jones have an assembly line going that night? Do you think he had been hiding Stringfellow also?

SSlater · 06-11-2017, 04:37 PM

RJ. I gathered these facts a long time ago, so I can't provide exact sources. (Jim Hall was alive and reviewed this story before publication in the "Courier").

" ...left for Richmond on Saturday 8 April and traveled 12 miles south and stopped at a farm house for the night...the next day Palm Sunday, continued south...and was arrested along the road by Sgt. Green...searched and questioned...escorted to Port Tobacco and questioned by Lt. Lavery." At the time I wrote this I omitted detail so the reader would have something to look forward to if he read my references.

However I did continue with "...after being locked up, he said that he escaped and headed south, headed for the river. It was about dawn and he needed a place to hide. He was near Chapel Point, so he snuggled up against a log, pulled leaves over himself and waited out a very wet day... he heard cavalry searching. The rain stopped and that night there was a half moon. (The full moon was 11 April.)Bill Tidwell gave me these figures from 1865 Weather Data -It rained on the 21st.
Stringfellow is quoted as saying that "it took 21 days of hunger, cold and narrow escapes to reach Virginia".
When Stringfellow traveled North back in March - he took this same route and he is quoted as saying that he knew of Dr. Jones and he was a southern sympathizer. so, this shows us that this was his route home.
Stringfellow wrote "Scout Life". Others are Bakeless with "Spies of the Confederacy". Wearing of the Grey" by John Esten Cook, PS I do not own any of these.

SSlater · 06-11-2017, 06:06 PM

(06-11-2017 04:37 PM)SSlater Wrote: RJ. I gathered these facts a long time ago, so I can't provide exact sources. (Jim Hall was alive and reviewed this story before publication in the "Courier").

" ...left for Richmond on Saturday 8 April and traveled 12 miles south and stopped at a farm house for the night...the next day Palm Sunday, continued south...and was arrested along the road by Sgt. Green...searched and questioned...escorted to Port Tobacco and questioned by Lt. Lavery." At the time I wrote this I omitted detail so the reader would have something to look forward to if he read my references.

However I did continue with "...after being locked up, he said that he escaped and headed south, headed for the river. It was about dawn and he needed a place to hide. He was near Chapel Point, so he snuggled up against a log, pulled leaves over himself and waited out a very wet day... he heard cavalry searching. The rain stopped and that night there was a half moon. (The full moon was 11 April.)Bill Tidwell gave me these figures from 1865 Weather Data -It rained on the 21st.
Stringfellow is quoted as saying that "it took 21 days of hunger, cold and narrow escapes to reach Virginia".
When Stringfellow traveled North back in March - he took this same route and he is quoted as saying that he knew of Dr. Jones and he was a southern sympathizer. so, this shows us that this was his route home.
Stringfellow wrote "Scout Life". Others are Bakeless with "Spies of the Confederacy". Wearing of the Grey" by John Esten Cook, PS I do not own any of these.

It isn't terribly important, but Stringfellow's "Cover Story" for the trip to Washington was, he was trying to convince a foreign embassy to initiate negotiations that would lead to the termination of the war.

L Verge · (This post was last modified: 06-11-2017 06:59 PM by L Verge.)

Thank you, John. I really was not aware of Stringfellow writing a book on his exploits. I only knew about the reference to what might have been Surrattsville, and I thought it was in a later letter. And, after forty years of Courier articles, I don't even remember ones that were written a few months ago! Too much information to be stored in my back-logged brain chips, I guess.

I should add, for those unfamiliar with Southern Maryland, that the distance between Port Tobacco and Chapel Point is relatively short - despite the road being narrow and winding today (as in yesteryear). However, Stringfellow would have been approaching Jones's point of crossing from the opposite direction from which Jones was bringing Booth and Herold.

RJNorton · 06-12-2017, 03:58 AM

I found this article in the The Vernon Pioneer of June 1, 1877. I am not sure if it's the Scout's Life article John refers to because it is written in the third person. But I shall post it anyway.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

ARTICLE – SCOUT’S LIFE

AN ILLUSTRATION OF THE PERILS THROUGH WHICH A BRAVE VIRGINIAN PASSED
MAJOR MCCLELLAN in Philadelphia Times.

The second adventure which I have promised to relate occurred when the federal army occupied Culpepper Court House, and the Confederate army lay in Orange County, Virginia. General Lee desired certain information which it seemed could be best obtained by an individual scout, and Stringfellow was selected for the service. It was necessary that he should penetrate the enemy’s camps, remain concealed as long as possible, and return when he had collected the desired information. His operations were to be conducted most at night. He wished to be accompanied by two men, one of whom, Farrish by name, had his home in the immediate vicinity of the enemy’s camp, and being intimately acquainted with all the country, could accurately guide him from place to place in the night as by daylight.

The expedition was undertaken on foot, as the distance was not great, and concealment was of prime importance. The men were clad in their own uniform as scouts not spies. The country was a difficult one for the operations of a scout. From the long and frequent occupation by both the contending armies the land had been almost entirely denuded of its timber, and only here and there a few thin clusters of trees remained standing.

One day had passed since they had entered the enemy’s lines; and with nightfall they commenced their wanderings among the hostile camps, mainly with the purpose of locating the different corps, and of ascertaining whether any troops had been detached from the army of the Potomac. The night had been nearly consumed in this way, when reaching one of the clusters of trees, of which I have spoken; they laid themselves down to catch a few moments rest. A single blanket covered the three men. Treacherous, fatal sleep! Their fatigue was greater and the night was further spent than they had supposed, and the sun shining bright in their eyes, when the party of six Federal soldiers, with their muskets in their hands, pulled away the blanket which covered them, and saluted them with a humorous

“Good morning Johnny Reb! Wake up!”

Stringfellow, lying upon his back was the first to arouse and to comprehend the situation. Knowing that an open attempt to seize his arms would draw death upon him at once, he feigned to be only half awakened, and much to the amusement of his tormentors, turned upon his side, muttering and grumbling at being awakened, telling them to go away and let him alone. But by turning upon his side he gave to himself the opportunity of placing his hand unobserved upon the handle of his pistol and in another second he sprang upon his feet and opened fire. His companions joined in the attack, and for a few moments the firing was rapid and fatal.

The Federal soldiers stood their ground, but at such close quarters the musket was no match for the revolver. There was no time to reload under the quick eye of Stringfellow, and once discharged the muskets were useless. A few seconds terminate the encounter, in which Stringfellow, found himself the sole survivor of his party, Farrish was killed; his other comrade had disappeared, he knew not how; four of the Federal soldiers lay dead at his feet; and the two others, having thrown down their empty guns, were running for their lives.

But though the victor in this fight perils multiplied themselves around him. The trees among which he stood were surrounded on every side by open fields dotted thick with the enemy’s tents, some at a distance, some close at hand. Concealment was impossible, and he must run for his life; but run in what direction he might, enemies would be sure to intercept his course for the adjacent camps had been aroused by the firing, and the soldiers who had escaped would be sure to return with others to avenge the death of their comrades. At a distance of a few hundred yards, a little branch made its way through the open fields toward the river. Its banks were fringed with bushes, and while it offered only an utterly forlorn hope, Stringfellow turned toward it and ran. He was seen by those who had already started for his capture; seen to cross the open field; seen to enter the brush on the bank of the stream. And now vindictive shouts announced that the enemy felt sure of their prey, but not so.

Entering the bed of the stream, a kind Providence guided him to a spot where the water had hollowed out for him a hiding place, behind the roots of an old stump. Underneath the bank and behind these roots he forced his body, having hastily collected what driftwood was within reach, still further to conceal his person; and there he lay, half covered by the water and the mud, and awaited the result.

From every direction men were hurrying to the spot with the perfect assurance that the daring enemy would soon be in their power. For long, long hours did scores of searchers continue to examine every foot of the brush that lined the stream. Many times did hostile foes pass directly over Stringfellow’s body, and once a man more inquisitive than others, stopped while wading in the bed of the stream to examine the very spot where he lay. But the driftwood which was skillfully arranged for his concealment deceived the man, and he passed on without making the discovery. Toward afternoon the search slackened, and by nightfall it was abandoned.

But not until the noise of the camps was hushed in slumber did Stringfellow dare to leave his retreat. Then following for some time the course of the little stream, he passes in safety out of the enemy’s line, swam the ---between the pickets and thankful to God for his deliverance, found himself once more among his friends.