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SSlater · (This post was last modified: 12-18-2016 12:18 AM by SSlater.)

(12-15-2016 09:42 AM)Gene C Wrote: I know very little about these other plots except for what I read here on the forum.

My first impression is that Harney's plan to blow up the White House is half baked, and not to put to much credence into it.

Come Retribution makes some sense, although the detail was a bit confusing to me, and it's been so long since I read it.
Interesting to speculate, were these plans made for Booth and his group, or some one else. Who decided to authorize the attempts and who may have decided to pull the plug on the attempts (if anyone)
150 + years after the event, I'm doubtful we will ever know.

Interesting to see how the theories on the over all scenario shifts from deep confederate plot to kill Lincoln back to one fanatic and his few followers (2-4, depending on if you include Mom and Jr. Surratt) acting on their own.
John (SSlater) I would like to read more on what you have found. I enjoy these discussions and you all sharing your finding with us. (even though at times I find it somewhat confusing)
I also find it interesting on who is a credible witness, so many people claim to have some knowledge, to have seen or heard something. Then the fading and changing memories caused by age of many witnesses that were at one time very credible.

If Booth had hadn't been such an egomaniac, he might have been able to get away with it.
I guess he had to be an egomaniac to ever attempt it to begin with. (I need to go back and re-read the thread on Booth's Mental Health)

Gene C. I agree that the plan to "Blow up the White House" is half baked. To begin with - Booth told Atzerodt that the plan was to mine the White House. Atzerodt exaggerated that statement, when he gave his confession, to "Blow up the White House. I concur that "land-mines" , in the White House lawn, could be effective and were a quick and lethal weapon.
Land mines were light weight, easily concealed, and detonation could be controlled. These were more in line with Harney's most recent experience. He had been in charge of a small body of men with hand-grenades, in Charleston. He invented a system to detonate the "bomb", when stepped on. It was a match acting as a plunger. Simple and deadly.
As you read these stories from History, bear in mind that 80% of these people could not read or write, but learned to, years later. Their orders were ae confusing to them,, as their stories are to us.

(12-15-2016 05:58 AM)RJNorton Wrote:
(12-15-2016 01:19 AM)SSlater Wrote: The biggest surprise I got was the "Hogan" guy who claims that he delivered a message to Booth, from the confederate higher-ups (?) not to shoot Lincoln.

We know what the article here says about A.C. Richards is false, so I wonder how much of the entire article should be believed. Maybe Hogan's story is false, too?

RJ Maybe we can learn more about Richards and Hogan, and their stories, from Lake County people. They published the first accounts, maybe they have more to say now. Apparently, the encounter did happen, but who lied? I'll work on that after New Years.

(12-16-2016 05:37 PM)Gene C Wrote: Fascinating. First I've heard of this. How and where did you find this?
Who is Stringfellow and what caused him to be arrested?

John - Your not wordy enough for me, I want to hear more.
(what's C.R. pg 410 ? and is it online?) Is it abbreviation for some type of Confederate Records?

Gene C Stringfellow was another Spy active in the Civil War. Pres. Davis had sent him to Washington, to do his thing. He was at a party when someone offered a toast to Lincoln. When it was over he suggested a toast to Pres. Davis. Needless to say "He started running"
It appears he had to much to drink. He was captured in Maryland but escaped to Richmond. Did I answer the "C.R" question? If not "C.R" means "Come Retribution" Tidwell's book on the Confederate Secret Service and the Lincoln Assassination. (It's a Bible to us.)