"Stump the Yankee"

[Laurie Verge]

Well, I guess She Rebel is better than She Devil!

I know Sam Chester was with Booth in New York when he got drunk and boasted in a bar that he had had a great opportunity to kill Lincoln on Inauguration Day. Was McCullough part of that scenario?

Wasn't there also an argument in the Petersen House between Matthews and Booth - but I didn't think McCullough was in on that one.

[J. Beckert]

No and no. This incident didn't happen in New York. Hint # 2, if arranged in the proper sequence, will place it in city south of N.Y.

Here's where I found the She Rebel reference.

http://www.newsinhistory.com/blog/fiery-...l%E2%80%99

[Laurie Verge]

Even I'm not that bad! Jeff Davis should have put her in uniform and sent her against those "Lincoln Devils!"

Right now, I'm going to spend the night trying to find the answer and score yet another point for the Rebs!

[BettyO]

Joe, thanks a ton! LOVE the "She Rebel" reference!

But I wonder....with all the research I've done on the Bransons, I've found that the term "cousin" was utilized by many southern women as an affectionate term for the many Confederate soldiers that they were attempting to aid. The Branson ladies referred to Lew Powell as their cousin as well as referring to other rebel POW's in the same vein....

So this lady's "cousin" in the Northern prison camp may not in truth actually have been her kinsman....

[J. Beckert]

That's interesting, Betty. Observations like that are what put a different spin on things. The She Rebel's thoughts also put a face to the different perspectives our countrymen had on this whole conflict. Not much different than politics today, I guess.

Now here's my own observation. I'm one hint away from giving you Rebels a long overdue thrashing! I've eaten a big bowl of black eyed peas today for good luck and said a prayer that Richter doesn't show up.

[L Verge]

I keep hoping that Art Loux doesn't chime in! I bet that the answer is in JWB: Day by Day.

BTW: How were the black-eyed peas? And, I hope it wasn't too large a bowl...

[J. Beckert]

The black eyed peas were great and appear to be working. I'm having great luck here today!

As far as Day By Day is concerned, the date of the incident is obscure. Both sources I've found place it within 3 weeks of the assassination, however.

[RJNorton]

I remember that in 1860 Booth was in his hotel room, and he was accidentally shot by Matthew Canning. So I am wondering if this was yet another strange incident in Booth's hotel room in 1865.

[J. Beckert]

You're right in the regard that this was a strange incident in Booth's hotel room, Roger, but there were no firearms involved.

I'm getting sick of these black eyed peas, but I just ate another bowl for breakfast. My luck appears to have no end in sight today! After I win this round, I'm going out to buy a lottery ticket.

Hint # 3 - This incident occurred on Pennsylvania Avenue & 6th. St. in Washington.

[Laurie Verge]

That would place it at the National Hotel, Booth's D.C. home away from home.

Keep eating those black-eyed peas. Pretty soon, you won't be able to make it to the computer to taunt us -- unless you have a lap top that you can take to the necessary with you...

[J. Beckert]

You are correct Laurie, but it's too early to start running laps around the Surratt Tavern whipping the Stars and Bars back and forth while you scream out the Rebel Yell. (I'd bet she does that every time I lose).

This did happen at the National Hotel. Now can any of you put all three hints together?

[Laurie Verge]

I'm not dead on this one yet, but it is frustrating me. I can only put McCullough in D.C. between March 11 and 26 in order to put your incident within three weeks of the assassination. What I'm hitting is Booth taking McCullough (who didn't ride horses very well) for a ride and pointing out escape routes along the Eastern Branch. That doesn't seem too beserk, however.

Bill Richter, here I come for guidance...

[J. Beckert]

Your dates are correct, Laurie. The original source states this incident happened within 2 or 3 days of the assassination. The other definitively puts it on March 25th. McCullough left Washington the next day.

Hurry up. I'm down to my last can of black eyed peas here.

[RJNorton]

Booth cried, and the tears fell on McCullough's face?

[J. Beckert]

That's it, Roger! While sharing room 231 at the National Hotel with Booth on March 25th., 1865, McCullough was awakened by tears dripping on his face. Seeing Booth standing over him, he asked, "Why, what is the matter?". Booth replied, "My God, my God, how peacefully you were sleeping! I cannot sleep!"

A female acquaintance once said Booth was so strange, he awoke at night to converse with spirits. Edwin's "vulture hours" also make me think they shared some kind of imbalance that greatly disturbed them both.

8 cans of peas in 2 days and I still got beat like a borrowed mule. I guess them things only work for Rebels.

Rebels 7
Yankee 2