Herold and Surratt

[L Verge]

John F. - John Surratt was little help to his mother at running anything in Surrattsville because he soon was involved in Confederate courier duties. That is the chief reason why she pulled up stakes and moved into D.C., not just because her slaves were emancipated on November 1, 1864. She and Anna needed male protection. Once in the H Street home, she received little help from him either.

I will also be interested in finding out your definition of "top agent" vs. "courier." Thomas Nelson Conrad, Wat Bowie, and others are agents to me. I don't consider Surratt in their league. As for Dr. Mudd's slaves testifying that Surratt was around St. Catherine's with other top agents, I will have to re-read their testimony because I sure don't remember them saying anything other than those men occasionally were sent food in the woods behind the house.

I don't even think Dr. Mudd was a top agent in the Confederate espionage system. I think of him as a mail carrier, an early member of the slave patrol, and someone who would contribute funds to a Southern Maryland planter plot against Lincoln and direct Booth to the right people. I don't think anyone has even been able to offer evidence that he was in the Doctor's Line.