John Surratt

[L Verge]

At that point, to the best of our knowledge, Surratt had been placed under Gen. Edwin Lee to check out the POW camp at Elmira, but more importantly, to assist in getting Confederate assets into Canada and out of Union hands after the fall of Richmond. Released Confederate prisoners could create chaos and assist in the transfer of assets. More importantly, however, the area of upstate New York (HerbS's home territory) was known for having a large contingent of Copperheads -- some of which, I have always suspected, would be delighted to see Abraham Lincoln disposed of.

By the time that Booth found the perfect time to strike (probably decided upon after hearing Lincoln speak on April 11), his connections to Richmond were on the run and the strongest man of his team was doing duty in the North for the Confederacy. As I have said before, Booth became a loose cannon.