Harney, and his Story

[John Fazio]

(01-22-2017 11:01 AM)JMadonna Wrote:  I believe that Booth WAS part of the Harney plot. His role was to organize a 'serenade' during Lincoln's weekly cabinet meeting. When all members assembled on the porch to hear it the bomb would explode killing them all. When Harney was arrested, Booth believed he had a license to kill and acted.

Jerry:

I know of no evidence that it was Booth who was to organize the "serenade" mentioned by Atzerodt in his May, 1865, confession, though it might have been. But I do agree with you that there was a contingency plan for Booth to decapitate the government in the event of the failure of the Harney mission. That is why, when he learned that Harney had been captured on the 9th, he summoned Surratt back to Washington from Montreal on the 10th, telling him, by telegram, that their plans had changed. And that is why he made his plans to take out Lincoln, Seward, Stanton, Johnson, Stanton and Gant on the 14th.

John