Reevaluation of the St. Albams Raiders

[SSlater]

Has anyone compared "A. Reynard's" signature in the St. Lawrence Hall register to Sarah's signature? "A. Reynard" registered at the hotel on at least three occasions I know of, December 10, 1865, March 9, 1865, and March 17, 1865. Hall has Sarah in Washington around March 10-12.

Susan. I regret that I do not have samples of the handwriting that you question. (the ones in the SLH Register.) But, I did look at the samples awhile back and none of them were anything alike. The one I trust is hers, was the one on 13 March. (The Nettie Slater one). The 18 April one. That was her return from Elmira with Surratt. Both these signatures are exactly alike. Both have a long tail that comes back over the top of the signature - to cross the t's. That might have been the Desk Clerk or even Rev. Cameron, who may have been waiting for them, or signed them in earlier (to hold the rooms for them). BUT, the three signatures are different.

[Susan Higginbotham]

Has anyone compared "A. Reynard's" signature in the St. Lawrence Hall register to Sarah's signature? "A. Reynard" registered at the hotel on at least three occasions I know of, December 10, 1865, March 9, 1865, and March 17, 1865. Hall has Sarah in Washington around March 10-12.

Susan. I regret that I do not have samples of the handwriting that you question. (the ones in the SLH Register.) But, I did look at the samples awhile back and none of them were anything alike. The one I trust is hers, was the one on 13 March. (The Nettie Slater one). The 18 April one. That was her return from Elmira with Surratt. Both these signatures are exactly alike. Both have a long tail that comes back over the top of the signature - to cross the t's. That might have been the Desk Clerk or even Rev. Cameron, who may have been waiting for them, or signed them in earlier (to hold the rooms for them). BUT, the three signatures are different.

Thanks! I am trying to obtain scans of the register; will post if I succeed.

[SSlater]

Has anyone compared "A. Reynard's" signature in the St. Lawrence Hall register to Sarah's signature? "A. Reynard" registered at the hotel on at least three occasions I know of, December 10, 1865, March 9, 1865, and March 17, 1865. Hall has Sarah in Washington around March 10-12.

Susan. I regret that I do not have samples of the handwriting that you question. (the ones in the SLH Register.) But, I did look at the samples awhile back and none of them were anything alike. The one I trust is hers, was the one on 13 March. (The Nettie Slater one). The 18 April one. That was her return from Elmira with Surratt. Both these signatures are exactly alike. Both have a long tail that comes back over the top of the signature - to cross the t's. That might have been the Desk Clerk or even Rev. Cameron, who may have been waiting for them, or signed them in earlier (to hold the rooms for them). BUT, the three signatures are different.

Thanks! I am trying to obtain scans of the register; will post if I succeed.

I have a TYPED Copy, if it will help. I copied only "important" people.
(Having correct dates may help). SSlater

[Gene C]

Here is an interesting article about Bennett Young. It is from the "Lost Cause", Journal of the KY Edition of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

http://thelostcauseky.blogspot.com/2013/...young.html

[Wild Bill]

Thanks, Gene, for a great article.

[L Verge]

I second Bill's comment. Unfortunately, most Americans (many who consider themselves good at Civil War history) have heard very little of Bennett Young, except for a casual mention in regards to the St. Albans Raid. It's unfortunate that they don't know the full story - and especially his post-war years as a Southern man who went on to do noble things for the people, both white and black.