The Case For Mrs. Surratt

[wpbinzel]

(09-30-2016 03:53 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  

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

Bill, long ago I read a book in which the author gave his personal opinion on why this happened. I cannot recall the book. But the author maintained that Powell was telling the truth as he saw it. The writer felt Booth never told Powell the degree of Mary's involvement and knowledge of the plotting. So Powell truly believed she was a totally innocent woman.

Roger, the authors of Come Retribution note that Booth compartmentalized various aspects of the conspiracy and that the other participants only knew what (and who) they needed to know. Booth did that quite well, as we know that there were more people involved than those ultimately tried (e.g., Thomas Harbin).

With regard to Powell, my view is that Powell felt that his ill-timed arrival on her doorstep on April 17th doomed Mrs. Surratt and his "confession" was an attempt to save her. I do not believe that Powell was telling the truth "as he saw it." We don't know how much Powell knew of Mrs. Surratt's involvement, but he certainly knew enough to make his way to her house to seek sanctuary. For that reason alone, Powell's protestations of her innocence ring hollow with me.

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In the event that it is of interest, here is the full text of Anna Surratt's letter:


Washington D.C.
July 9, 1865

Genl. Hartranft

Genl. Hancock told Mr. Holohan that you had some things that belonged to my poor Ma, which, with my consent you would deliver to him. Don’t forget to send the pillow upon which her head rested and her prayer beads, if you can find them—these things are dear to me.

Someone told me that you wrote to the President stating that the prisoner Payne had confessed to you the morning of the Execution that Ma was entirely innocent of the President’s assassination and had no knowledge of it. Moreover, that he did not think she had any knowledge of the assassination plot, and that you believed that Payne had confessed the truth. I would like to know if you did it because I wish to remember and thank those who did Ma the least act of kindness. I was spurned and treated with the utmost contempt by everyone at the White House.

Remember me to the officers who had charge of Ma and I shall always think kindly of you.

Yours Respectfully—
Anna Surratt

Source: Edward Steers, Jr. and Harold Holzer, The Lincoln Assassination Conspirators, Their Confinement and Execution, as Recorded in the Letterbook of John Frederick Hartranft (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 2009), p. 55.