The "Diary"

[Laurie Verge]

I have been asked so many times that I have lost count as to why Booth's "diary" was not introduced as evidence at the 1865 Conspiracy Trial. My GUESS has always been that Booth was not on trial and that anything in that diary would be not be relevant to the other conspirators.

However, today - while researching the story of John W. Westfall - I ran across bits of an interview with John A. Bingham in the fall of 1865. The reporter went by the name of "Olney Bluff." He asked why Booth's diary was not produced at the conspiracy trial. Bingham's response:

"It was not needed on the trial, because it contained no evidence, and, if it had been published, it would have aided in sustaining a certain sentiment which was endeavoring to make him [Booth] a martyr for conscience sake - a Brutus or a Charlotte Corday. It was deemed unwise to foster such a fellow."

This interview was evidently reprinted in The Chicago Daily Tribune on Nov. 23, 1873, p.9, c 1-2.

[J. Beckert]

If it was allowed into evidence, I think it may have been problematic for the "brave boy" that was with him, but he had enough trouble without it.

[RJNorton]

I think for me the most fascinating part of the diary is where he writes, "Though I have a greater desire and almost a mind to return to Washington, and in a measure clear my name - which I feel I can do."

[L Verge]

That's my intriguing part also, Roger. Was he talking about exposing higher-ups or was he talking about having a pulpit from which to preach his political anger at what "his country" had become?

---

Joe,

Please elaborate on the effect that the diary being placed in evidence might have on Herold.

[J. Beckert]

It's weak from an evidential standpoint, but it does show a close association with Booth. The fact they were seen together by so many people from the tavern to the Garrett's would bolster the diary's value of being damning to Herold.

As for this brave boy with me, who often prays (yes, before and since) with a true and sincere heart - was it crime in him? If so, why can he pray the same?

The before part of before and since I think is circumstantial, but to me it reads "before the assassination", showing he didn't just run into Booth outside Washington and become his hostage. He would have been hung either way, but that would not have been helpful and that's the only thing I saw in Booth's entries that would have been damaging to anyone else, aside from the very vague But its failure was owing to others, who did not strike for their country with a heart. That's a strong hint from Booth that there was a conspiracy.

[Gene C]

If we could only find the original copy of those pesky Potter Papers.

I agree with Lauri above in post #4. Plus there was nothing (that we know of) that would implicate the Confederat Gov't in the assassination & conspiracy. The contents of the diary didn't add anything to aid in the prosecution of those on trial.

[Jim Garrett]

Does anyone want to buy some missing pages?

[L Verge]

Sorry, Jim, we almost fell for that back in the late-1970s, courtesy of Mr. Lynch.

Joe, good points on how the diary would further justify Herold's final fate. I hadn't thought of that.

[NJREB1863]

I think for me the most fascinating part of the diary is where he writes, "Though I have a greater desire and almost a mind to return to Washington, and in a measure clear my name - which I feel I can do."

That entry in Booth's diary Roger AND the statement made by Powell (I can't remember to whom) something to the effect "you haven't got the half of us".

I'd love to have some explanation as to what was meant by both statements.

[BettyO]

Supposedly, Powell's statement "You haven't got the half of them" was given to Eckert and then reiterated to Frederick Stone (Herold's attorney) in 1869. Eckert, unfortunately didn't write anything down and Stone's statement possibly contains errors as well. One wonders if he remembered correctly as well.....

[RJNorton]

Good question, Tony. I really do not know whom Powell was referring to. Apparently Harold made an April 13th trip into Maryland to alert certain people things were going to happen. Possibly Powell knew of Herold's trip and was referring to those folks. Or maybe it was a reference to the New York crowd in Atzerodt's statement where Atzerodt said, "Booth said if he did not get him quick the N. York crowd would." I believe Samuel Chester said Booth told him there were between 50 and 100 individuals involved in the conspiracy; maybe Booth told Powell those same figures. Lots of possibilities, Tony; I am sure there are more than what I have mentioned here. As Betty said, however, it's hard to know how reliable Eckert's memory was.

[JMadonna]

I agree with Lauri above in post #4. Plus there was nothing (that we know of) that would implicate the Confederat Gov't in the assassination & conspiracy.

Au contraire my friend. Unless you believe that the Harney mission to blow up the White House was something he decided to do on his own.

[L Verge]

Was the Harney mission mentioned in the Booth "diary?" I'm confused... wasn't that what this thread was referring to?

[JMadonna]

Nope, I guess I took Gene's comment out of context.

[L Verge]

You know that I would love to find evidence tying the CSA to the plot!