Herold and Surratt

[L Verge]

Some historians have speculated that Surratt was sent to take out Grant at some point along the general's route, but Booth did not learn of the Grants' departure until he saw them en route to the train station. He would have to have been in very quick contact with Surratt in order for him to get to the station, purchase tickets, and hop on board. I have wondered how thoroughly Grant's train was searched once he received word that the president had been shot. He had to be traveling with guards who would have acted quickly to protect the general.

There is still the evidence of the hotel registries, receipts from Elmira, and eyewitness accounts as well as railroad schedules and, if I remember correctly, reports of flooding along one of the rail lines that created scheduling problems. With everything happening so quickly after the fall of Richmond and Lee's surrender, I just don't see Surratt hanging around D.C. to see what Booth was going to attempt next.