The Case For Mrs. Surratt

[L Verge]

(09-29-2016 03:30 PM)wpbinzel Wrote:  

(09-27-2016 09:34 AM)Gene C Wrote:  A lot of attention given to the harsh treatment given Mrs. Surratt during her arrest and trial.

I question the accounts of "harsh treatment given Mrs. Surratt." While the conditions of her confinement were quite crude, they were crude for all prisoners of that era. I am inclined to believe that she was at least treated better than her male counterparts.

Virtually since the moment of her arrest, criticism arose over the "harsh" treatment she endured on the orders of Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Stories circulated that Mrs. Surratt was manacled in irons; held in inhuman and unsanitary conditions; denied medical attention; and denied even the most basics of comforts. Many of those accusations have survived to this day. However, there are at least three letters that question whether they were or are justified.

The first is Stanton's letter of June 19, 1865, to Major General Winfield Scott Hancock (who was in charge of all matters relating to the Lincoln assassination conspirators), which authorized him "to make any arrangement that can be done for the comfort of Mrs. Surratt consistent with her secure detention and also to allow her to be furnished with any food or necessaries she may divine that shall be approved by the Surgeon in Charge. Such changes or additions to her furniture as may add to her comfort are also authorized having due regard to the security of the prison and her safe custody."

The second letter was written in September 1873. A story appeared in the newspapers that Mrs. Surratt was held in irons throughout her trial. The editor of the Washington Daily Morning Chronicle asked Mrs. Surratt's defense lawyer, Frederick A. Aiken, if the accusation was true. Aiken responded: "Without reference to any other fact, or to any of the details in the case of that most unfortunate lady, I have to say in reply that at no time during her unlawful trial was Mrs. Surratt manacled, either on her wrists or her ankles, while in the presence of the court. I not only speak from my own absolute knowledge, but from Mrs. Surratt’s oft-repeated statements to me that she was not manacled."

The third letter is more telling. It was written by Mrs. Surratt’s 22 year-old daughter, Anna, and addressed to General John F. Hartranft (who commanded the military prison at the Washington arsenal, where the conspirators were held during the trial). Anna was allowed to visit her mother frequently and even stay and comfort her during the closing weeks of the trial. In her letter of July 9, 1865, Anna asked for the return of some of Mrs. Surratt's personal effects and mentions Powell's "confession" of her innocence. Most notable is how the letter concludes. Written a mere two days after her mother's execution, Anna wrote: "Remember me to the officers who had charge of Ma and I shall always think kindly of you." Perhaps it was just Victorian etiquette, but it seems unlikely that a young woman would want to be "remembered" to her mother's abusive captors.

Thank you for posting that, Bill, because you are "spot on" as those across the pond might say! Betty Ownsbey and Nancy Griffith discovered Gen. Hartranft's Day Book in the library at Gettysburg College back in the 1980s. In that, there are references to a rocking chair being brought in for her, food from Hartranft's own table being sent to her (butter is one thing I remember), etc.

My suspicion is that the officials tread lightly with the treatment of the lady since they had no guarantee that she would be executed. If she lived, the press might make a field day of statements she could give about intolerable treatment. If you are anti-Stanton, you might still say that he was heavy-handed -- but only behind the scenes?