Surratt Courier

[Steve]

I believe you are on the right track in thinking Owens is white. I have not seen that expressed before. In all of my CW era research the notation of "colored" is commonly used for a variety of purposes. Additionally, the apparent insolence of Owens points to him being white. For a black man to successfully get along in that southern MD society, he would have to "know his place." Finally, although a minor point, the location of Owens burial in Arlington, points toward him being buried with others of his race rather than in a separate colored section. A black man could be hastily buried in that location but custom points to it being otherwise. I do wonder what is the origin of Owens being labeled as a black man?

Just to add a little side note here, the U.S. Colored Troops of the Civil War are buried in Sections 27 and 23 of Arlington. One notable exception is Lt. Col. Alexander T. Augusta who was commissioned as a Major in the 7th Colored Troops but is buried in Section 1. His FindAGrave page has his story:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22770

[L Verge]

My question - if he were, would that make his statement more or less credible?

I don't think it would have any effect on the credibility of Owens' statement since it is corroborated by other information, such as his description of the horses matching the horses Booth and Herold rode as they escaped Washington. I suppose Owens' reluctance to give information and his being white could mean that he was possibly still hiding more information or maybe that he knew who the men were and why they were fleeing.

Personally, I suspect that (like so many in Southern Maryland - including my own ancestors), Owens could have spilled the beans on a few other people that were in that "secret network," but chose not to. The authorities knew that and beat the life out of him in order to get him to open that can of beans.

Frankly, I am not sure that a colored man would have stayed so silent on what he knew under extreme duress. He may have been a free man during most of the war, but likewise, he may have just been given his freedom as of November 1, 1864, when the new state constitution went into effect. Six months is a short period of freedom in which to forgive and forget past wrongs. If colored, I would be tempted to spill the beans and release years of pent-up anger over being enslaved.

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I believe you are on the right track in thinking Owens is white. I have not seen that expressed before. In all of my CW era research the notation of "colored" is commonly used for a variety of purposes. Additionally, the apparent insolence of Owens points to him being white. For a black man to successfully get along in that southern MD society, he would have to "know his place." Finally, although a minor point, the location of Owens burial in Arlington, points toward him being buried with others of his race rather than in a separate colored section. A black man could be hastily buried in that location but custom points to it being otherwise. I do wonder what is the origin of Owens being labeled as a black man?

Just to add a little side note here, the U.S. Colored Troops of the Civil War are buried in Sections 27 and 23 of Arlington. One notable exception is Lt. Col. Alexander T. Augusta who was commissioned as a Major in the 7th Colored Troops but is buried in Section 1. His FindAGrave page has his story:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/22770

A number of years ago, the Surratt Courier carried an article about Dr. Augusta and another black doctor (Abbott?). They were also covered in a lecture that we sponsored on Black Surgeons and Nurses during the Civil War. If I remember correctly, both Augusta and Abbott attended a White House reception, and Bob Lincoln was ready to toss them out until the President and First Lady calmed him down.

[Steve]

Frankly, I am not sure that a colored man would have stayed so silent on what he knew under extreme duress. He may have been a free man during most of the war, but likewise, he may have just been given his freedom as of November 1, 1864, when the new state constitution went into effect. Six months is a short period of freedom in which to forgive and forget past wrongs. If colored, I would be tempted to spill the beans and release years of pent-up anger over being enslaved.

If I were in that position, I would do that as well.

[L Verge]

To get started on Dr. Abbott, go here: https://www.blackpast.org/african-americ...1837-1913/

I am still trying to find the reference to his White House visit with Dr. Augusta.

[Steve]

To get started on Dr. Abbott, go here: https://www.blackpast.org/african-americ...1837-1913/

I am still trying to find the reference to his White House visit with Dr. Augusta.

Thanks for the information on Dr. Abbott, I had never heard of him before.

[Steve]

I found a link to a book that has a copy of Dr. Abbott's account of his and Dr. Augusta's appearance at the reception (the account starts on the page prior to the link):

https://books.google.com/books?id=g6tmYr...22&f=false

[RJNorton]

Thank you to Steve for sending this article. Steve writes, "It's from page 2 of the 24 Feb. 1864 Washington Evening Star. It mentions Drs. Augusta and Abbott attending the Lincolns' reception the previous evening."

[Eva Elisabeth]

Mary wore a white silk dress? In 1864? Amazing, also the pearly head dress. I thought she was still too much in mourning.

[Steve]

Mary wore a white silk dress? In 1864? Amazing, also the pearly head dress. I thought she was still too much in mourning.

Maybe the "heavily festooned... rich black lace" was meant as a symbol/token of a mourning for Willie?

[Susan Higginbotham]

Noah Brooks wrote on Feb. 4, 1864, that Mary had "left off her mourning garb" (see Donna McCreary's book).

I like the appearance of Reverdy Johnson, Mary Surratt's future attorney, here.

[L Verge]

Noah Brooks wrote on Feb. 4, 1864, that Mary had "left off her mourning garb" (see Donna McCreary's book).

I like the appearance of Reverdy Johnson, Mary Surratt's future attorney, here.

I think that the black lace shawl was appropriate for still maintaining an air of mourning, as were the pearls - which were appropriate pieces of mourning adornment at various stages of the process. Also, by February of 1864, I would think that both Lincoln and Mary were concerned about the presidential election that was looming in November and would want to put a stronger face on their public appearances?

[RJNorton]

Kudos to E. Lawrence Abel (Ernesto on this forum) for two very interesting articles in the current Surratt Courier.