Mask For Treason

[L Verge]

You have made an excellent point, Gene, one that we should all keep in mind as we contend with Mr. Griffith's version of events.

"The timing of Booth's sudden illness is certainly interesting, but it is also entirely possible that Booth simply caught a flu bug or some other illness some hours earlier and that the illness did not manifest its symptoms until after he drank with Herold.

"Furthermore, according to the traditional legend, Booth was the one who gave the field glass to Lloyd through Mary Surratt (because of course Booth could not possibly have simply carried the field glass with him!). This would mean that someone poisoned the field glass contents and then handed the field glass to Booth and Booth simply had no idea that it had been tampered with.

"It is odd that this alleged field glass was never found. It should have been easily recovered from the tavern where Lloyd worked, but it was never found...."

Now, let's examine this statement that you made above: What is your definition of "field glass?" Is it the same as mine - an instrument used in the field by soldiers, sailors, and civilians primarily for the purpose of viewing activities from a distance? The way I am interpreting your use of a singular tense noun (field glass), you seem to be referring to a type of glassware that was handed to Booth with poison in it at the Surrattsville Tavern. Is that really what you mean? Guess again.

The sophisticated field glasses (maybe you understand "binoculars" better?), by 1865 descriptions, were almost identical to the set that is on display at Surratt House Museum. Mrs. Surratt carried them to the tavern in the late-afternoon of April 14th, gave them to Lloyd's sister-in-law, Emma Offutt, when Lloyd was late returning from the county seat, and then turned them over to Lloyd when he finally arrived.

Why didn't Booth carry them himself? We have seen no evidence that Booth had saddlebags that would add extra weight. He also counted on support for his needs from Lloyd, who already was hiding weapons, etc. (why not one more item that wouldn't be needed until the fugitives got in the "field"?), and then from other underground supporters in Southern Maryland. Why not have Herold responsible for the field glasses? Booth had no assurance that he would even be able to meet up with Herold after assassination.

As for the poison coming from "the glass" given to Booth at the tavern, Booth drank from the bottle brought to him by Herold. There would be no tainted glassware for anyone to retrieve from Lloyd. And, once again, cite a source for Booth even becoming ill. Even if he did, could it have been from excitement or from the pain of his injury? Remember also that Booth complained to Dr. Mudd about his back hurting badly. Anyone who suffers from back pain can attest to the fact that it can cause nausea at times.

And finally, the true field glasses were retrieved by Union forces that swarmed into Caroline County after the death of Booth and arrest of Herold. They had been at the Garrett farmhouse, but Lucinda Holloway had removed them to her family home earlier and reported that to the troops. They did not disappear until after the 1865 Conspiracy Trial (when someone likely decided to take home a souvenir...?).

Addendum: http://americanhistory.si.edu/blog/2014/...asses.html