Existing comment:
John H. Surratt:
This twenty-two-year-old former Catholic seminarian had extensive connections to Confederate agents in Richmond. Using the family tavern in Maryland as a base, Surratt became a courier for Confederate intelligence operations.
Surratt was introduced to Booth by Dr. Samuel Mudd, whose home in Charles County, Maryland was conveniently located along escape routes from Washington to Baltimore. Surratt, in turn, helped recruit Lewis Powell.
By the time Booth dropped his abduction plan in favor of assassinating Lincoln, Surratt was in Canada on a mission authorized by Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin. Of the original conspirators, he along would escape punishment. His mother, Mary, was less fortunate. |