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5/1/1865: George Atzerodt's Statement
On May 1, 1865, George Atzerodt was questioned for two hours, from 8pm to 10pm, by Maryland's Provost Marshal, James L. McPhail, at the Washington Arsenal where Atzerodt was being held. McPhail's deputy, John L. Smith, who also happened to be Atzerodt's brother-in-law, summarized Atzerodt's comments in the statement presented below.
Atzerodt's claim "I am certain Dr. Mudd knew all about it, as Booth sent (as he told me) liquor & provisions for the trip with the President to Richmond, about two weeks before the murder to Dr. Mudd's." is sometimes quoted as evidence that Dr. Mudd was part of Booth's original plot to kidnap President Lincoln. However, this seems unlikely. The kidnap plot had been abandoned a full month before the assassination on April 14, 1865. The Confederate Government had abandoned Richmond on April 2, 1865, and Richmond had fallen to the Union Army the next day. Booth read the papers. He knew all this. It is improbable that he would still be planning to kidnap the President, somehow carry him without being caught through entire the Union Army surrounding Richmond, and deliver him to a Confederate Government that was no longer there.
In any case, it is clear from the testimony of Oscar Swan that Booth and Herold obtained no "liquor & provisions" from Dr. Mudd. Shortly after leaving Dr. Mudd's farm, Booth and Herold ran into Swan. Lost, they asked Swan to guide them to Samuel Cox's farm. But first, "they asked me if I had any whiskey. I gave them some and some bread." It seems clear that Booth and Herold had left Dr. Mudd's farm without "liquor & provisions."
Atzerodt identified five people in his statement who "knew all about it." Under the rules of law at the time, a witness to a crime could not also be prosecuted for the crime. Atzerodt knew that he could avoid prosecution if he could convince the authorities to use him as a witness against others, but his attempt to save himself by implicating others failed.
Historian Michael Kauffman, author of American Brutus: John Wilkes Booth and the Lincoln Conspiracies, explains:
Atzerodt had no chance of taking the witness stand unless he could provide evidence against the others. Knowing that, he tried to implicate Dr. Mudd, but he made a weak case. As he said in the proffer, "Booth sent (as he told me) liquor & provisions for the trip with the President to Richmond, about two weeks before the murder to Dr. Mudd's." The operative phrase here was "as he told me." It confirmed that Atzerodt's information was secondhand. He did not really know whether Booth was telling him the truth about Dr. Mudd, or whether the doctor actually accepted those items, knowing how they were to be used. All he could offer was hearsay passed from a deceptive source through an unreliable witness.
See also General Thomas Ewing's comments to President Johnson concerning Atzerodt's statement.
George Atzerodt's Statement
View original statement
Statement of George A. Atzerodt to Pro. Mar. McPhail in presence of John L. Smith on the night of May 1, 1865 bet 8 & 10 pm.
James Wood sometimes called Mosby boarded with Mrs. Murray an Irish woman on the corner of 9 & F St. in a three story house, front on the upper end of the P.O. and South End of Patent Office - with basement entrance on the left side going up 9th St. from Avenue. He was a little over six feet, black hair, smooth round face, gray coat black pants, & spring coat mixed with white & gray. Saw him last time on Friday evening about 5 o'ck with Booth. He sent for letters to the post office for James Hall. He was brought from New York. Surratt told me so. He said he had been a prisoner in Balte, near the depot. He was arrested for whipping a negro woman. Mosby was Wood's nick name - did not know him by any other name than mentioned. Gust. Powell now arrested in Old Capitol was one of the party. He went also by name of Gustavus Spencer, Surratt and Spencer came from Richmond, together just after it had fallen.
James Donaldson, a low chunky man about 23 or 24 years of age, small-potted, dark complexion (not very) deep plain black suit; only saw him one time & this was Wednesday previous to the murder, he was having an interview with Booth and told him to meet him on Friday eve & he replied he would and left and went up Penn. Avenue towards the Treasury building. I was under the impression he came on with Booth.
Arnold, O'Laughlin, Surratt, Harold, Booth, and myself met once at a saloon or restaurant on the Aven. bet 13 & 14 St.
The Saml. Thomas registered on the morning of the 15th April at Penn Hotel, I met on my way to hotel, he was an entire Stranger to me. I left the Hotel alone on the morning of 15th of April. A Lieut. in room No. 51 will prove this. Surratt bought a boat from Dick Smoot & James Brawner living about Port Tobacco, for which they paid $300.00 and was to give one hundred Dolls. extra for taking care of it till wanted. Booth told me that Mrs. Surratt went to Surrattsville to get out the guns (Two Carbines) which had been taken to that place by Herold. This was Friday. The carriage was hired at Howard's.
I saw a man named Weightman who boarded at Surratt's at Post Office. he told me he had to go down the Country with Mrs. Surratt. This was on Friday, Also.
I am certain Dr. Mudd knew all about it, as Booth sent (as he told me) liquor & provisions for the trip with the President to Richmond, about two weeks before the murder to Dr. Mudd's.
Booth never said until the last night (Friday) that he intended to kill the President.
Herold came to the Kirkwood House, same evening for me to go to see Booth. I went with Herold & saw Booth. He then said he was going to kill the President and Wood, the Secy. of State. I did not believe him. This occurred in the evening about 7 1/2 o'clock. It was dark. I took a room at Kirkwood's. Both Herold & I went to the room left Herold's coat, knife, & pistol in room and never again returned to it. Booth said during the day that the thing had failed and proposed to go to Richmond & open the theatre. I am not certain but I think I stayed one night at Kirkwood's (Thursday) we were to try and get papers to Richmond from Mr. Johnson.
Booth spoke of getting the papers. He would get them out of the Theatre. Wood & Booth were apparently confidential with one another. Plenty of parties in Charles County knew of the kidnapping affair.
One of the men named Charles Yates, knew all about it, he went to Richmond during the winter he was to row the Presdt & party over. Thos. Holborn was to meet us on the road and help in the kidnapping. Bailey & Barnes knew nothing of the affair unless Booth told Bailey & he told Barnes. Booth had met Bailey on "C" St. with me. I did not meet Booth or any other of the party in Baltimore on or about the 31 of March.
Boyle also killed Capt. Watkins near Annapolis last month, was one of the party, in the conspiracy.
I repeat I never knew anything about the murder.
I was intended to give assistance to the kidnapping. They come to Port Tobacco (Surratt & Booth) several times and brought me to Washington. The pistol given me I sold or received a loan on it Saturday morning after the murder from John Caldwick at Matthews & Wells, Store, High St. Georgetown. The knife I threw away just above Mrs. Canby's boarding house the night of the murder about 11 o'clock when I took my horse to stable. I had the horse out to help to take the President. I did not believe he was going to be killed, although he Booth had said so. After I heard of the murder I run about the city like a crazy man.
I have not seen Arnold for some time, but saw O'Laughlin on Thursday evening, on the Avenue at Saloon near U.S. Hotel. He told me he was going to see Booth.
Wood did not go on the street in day time for fear of arrest. When he first came to Washington he boarded at Surratt's. This was in Feby. He (Wood) went with Booth last of February to N. Y. Booth we understood paid the way. I know nothing about Canada. Wood told me he had horses in Virginia. Saml. Arnold and Mike O'Laughlin ought to know where the horses and pistols were bought. Sam and Mike have a buggy and horse kept at stable in rear of Theatre. Booth had several horses at same place. I think the horses owner was in Surratt's name. I sold one of the horses & paid part of the money to Booth and part to Herold, who said he would see Booth about it. The saddle and bridle belonging to Booth is at Penn House, where I left it. I overheard Booth when in conversation with Wood say, that he visited a chambermaid at Seward's House & that she was pretty. He said he had a great mind to give her his diamond pin. Herold talked about powders & medicines on Friday night at Mrs. Condby's. Wood, Herold, Booth, and myself were present. This was a meeting place because Wood could not go out for fear of arrest.
Kate Thompson or Kate Brown, as she was known by both names, put up at National & was well known at Penn House. She knew all about the affair. Surratt went to Richd. with her last March and April. Howell made a trip with her to same place. This woman is about twenty yrs of age, good looking and well dressed. Black hair & eyes, round face from South Carolina & a widow.
I did not see Surratt for seven or eight days before the murder nor have I seen him since.
Miss Thompson or Brown had two large light trunks, one much larger than the other. Young Weightman at Surratts' ought to know about this woman.
The remark made by me in Baltimore on the 31 of March alluded to blockade running & privateering altogether & Booth said he had money to buy a steamer & wanted me to go in it.
I was to be one of them. In this way I was going to make a pile of money.
Booth said he had met a party in N. York who would get the Prest. certain. They were going to mine the end of Pres. House, next to War Dept. They knew an entrance to accomplish it through. Spoke about getting friends of the Presdt. to get up an entertainment & they would mix in it, have a serenade & thus get at the Presdt. & party.
These were understood to be projects.
Booth said if he did not get him quick the N. York crowd would. Booth knew the New York party apparently by a sign. He saw Booth give some kind of sign to two parties on the Avenue who he said were from New York. My Uncle Mr. Richter and family in Monty. Co. Md. knew nothing about the affair either before or after the occurrence & never suspected me of any thing wrong as I was in the habit of visiting and working in the neighborhood & staying with him. My father formerly owned part of the property now owned by Richter.
Finis.
Statement of George A. Atzerodt to Pro. Mar. McPhail in presence of John L. Smith on the night of May 1, 1865 bet 8 & 10 pm.
James Wood sometimes called Mosby boarded with Mrs. Murray an Irish woman on the corner of 9 & F St. in a three story house, front on the upper end of the P.O. and South End of Patent Office - with basement entrance on the left side going up 9th St. from Avenue. He was a little over six feet, black hair, smooth round face, gray coat black pants, & spring coat mixed with white & gray. Saw him last time on Friday evening about 5 o'ck with Booth. He sent for letters to the post office for James Hall. He was brought from New York. Surratt told me so. He said he had been a prisoner in Balte, near the depot. He was arrested for whipping a negro woman. Mosby was Wood's nick name - did not know him by any other name than mentioned. Gust. Powell now arrested in Old Capitol was one of the party. He went also by name of Gustavus Spencer, Surratt and Spencer came from Richmond, together just after it had fallen.
James Donaldson, a low chunky man about 23 or 24 years of age, small-potted, dark complexion (not very) deep plain black suit; only saw him one time & this was Wednesday previous to the murder, he was having an interview with Booth and told him to meet him on Friday eve & he replied he would and left and went up Penn. Avenue towards the Treasury building. I was under the impression he came on with Booth.
Arnold, O'Laughlin, Surratt, Harold, Booth, and myself met once at a saloon or restaurant on the Aven. bet 13 & 14 St.
The Saml. Thomas registered on the morning of the 15th April at Penn Hotel, I met on my way to hotel, he was an entire Stranger to me. I left the Hotel alone on the morning of 15th of April. A Lieut. in room No. 51 will prove this. Surratt bought a boat from Dick Smoot & James Brawner living about Port Tobacco, for which they paid $300.00 and was to give one hundred Dolls. extra for taking care of it till wanted. Booth told me that Mrs. Surratt went to Surrattsville to get out the guns (Two Carbines) which had been taken to that place by Herold. This was Friday. The carriage was hired at Howard's.
I saw a man named Weightman who boarded at Surratt's at Post Office. he told me he had to go down the Country with Mrs. Surratt. This was on Friday, Also.
I am certain Dr. Mudd knew all about it, as Booth sent (as he told me) liquor & provisions for the trip with the President to Richmond, about two weeks before the murder to Dr. Mudd's.
Booth never said until the last night (Friday) that he intended to kill the President.
Herold came to the Kirkwood House, same evening for me to go to see Booth. I went with Herold & saw Booth. He then said he was going to kill the President and Wood, the Secy. of State. I did not believe him. This occurred in the evening about 7 1/2 o'clock. It was dark. I took a room at Kirkwood's. Both Herold & I went to the room left Herold's coat, knife, & pistol in room and never again returned to it. Booth said during the day that the thing had failed and proposed to go to Richmond & open the theatre. I am not certain but I think I stayed one night at Kirkwood's (Thursday) we were to try and get papers to Richmond from Mr. Johnson.
Booth spoke of getting the papers. He would get them out of the Theatre. Wood & Booth were apparently confidential with one another. Plenty of parties in Charles County knew of the kidnapping affair.
One of the men named Charles Yates, knew all about it, he went to Richmond during the winter he was to row the Presdt & party over. Thos. Holborn was to meet us on the road and help in the kidnapping. Bailey & Barnes knew nothing of the affair unless Booth told Bailey & he told Barnes. Booth had met Bailey on "C" St. with me. I did not meet Booth or any other of the party in Baltimore on or about the 31 of March.
Boyle also killed Capt. Watkins near Annapolis last month, was one of the party, in the conspiracy.
I repeat I never knew anything about the murder.
I was intended to give assistance to the kidnapping. They come to Port Tobacco (Surratt & Booth) several times and brought me to Washington. The pistol given me I sold or received a loan on it Saturday morning after the murder from John Caldwick at Matthews & Wells, Store, High St. Georgetown. The knife I threw away just above Mrs. Canby's boarding house the night of the murder about 11 o'clock when I took my horse to stable. I had the horse out to help to take the President. I did not believe he was going to be killed, although he Booth had said so. After I heard of the murder I run about the city like a crazy man.
I have not seen Arnold for some time, but saw O'Laughlin on Thursday evening, on the Avenue at Saloon near U.S. Hotel. He told me he was going to see Booth.
Wood did not go on the street in day time for fear of arrest. When he first came to Washington he boarded at Surratt's. This was in Feby. He (Wood) went with Booth last of February to N. Y. Booth we understood paid the way. I know nothing about Canada. Wood told me he had horses in Virginia. Saml. Arnold and Mike O'Laughlin ought to know where the horses and pistols were bought. Sam and Mike have a buggy and horse kept at stable in rear of Theatre. Booth had several horses at same place. I think the horses owner was in Surratt's name. I sold one of the horses & paid part of the money to Booth and part to Herold, who said he would see Booth about it. The saddle and bridle belonging to Booth is at Penn House, where I left it. I overheard Booth when in conversation with Wood say, that he visited a chambermaid at Seward's House & that she was pretty. He said he had a great mind to give her his diamond pin. Herold talked about powders & medicines on Friday night at Mrs. Condby's. Wood, Herold, Booth, and myself were present. This was a meeting place because Wood could not go out for fear of arrest.
Kate Thompson or Kate Brown, as she was known by both names, put up at National & was well known at Penn House. She knew all about the affair. Surratt went to Richd. with her last March and April. Howell made a trip with her to same place. This woman is about twenty yrs of age, good looking and well dressed. Black hair & eyes, round face from South Carolina & a widow.
I did not see Surratt for seven or eight days before the murder nor have I seen him since.
Miss Thompson or Brown had two large light trunks, one much larger than the other. Young Weightman at Surratts' ought to know about this woman.
The remark made by me in Baltimore on the 31 of March alluded to blockade running & privateering altogether & Booth said he had money to buy a steamer & wanted me to go in it.
I was to be one of them. In this way I was going to make a pile of money.
Booth said he had met a party in N. York who would get the Prest. certain. They were going to mine the end of Pres. House, next to War Dept. They knew an entrance to accomplish it through. Spoke about getting friends of the Presdt. to get up an entertainment & they would mix in it, have a serenade & thus get at the Presdt. & party.
These were understood to be projects.
Booth said if he did not get him quick the N. York crowd would. Booth knew the New York party apparently by a sign. He saw Booth give some kind of sign to two parties on the Avenue who he said were from New York. My Uncle Mr. Richter and family in Monty. Co. Md. knew nothing about the affair either before or after the occurrence & never suspected me of any thing wrong as I was in the habit of visiting and working in the neighborhood & staying with him. My father formerly owned part of the property now owned by Richter.
Finis.
Copyright © 2012 Robert Summers. All rights reserved.
