The Road to Garrett’s Farm and the death of John Wilkes Booth began Monday April 23, 1865
After assassinating Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth fled Ford’s Theatre and went on the run. His escape continued for the next twelve days and covered over ninety miles through the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. He was eventually cornered and killed on April 26, 1865, in a tobacco barn on Richard Garrett’s farm near Port Royal, Virginia, ending a 12-day manhunt. During his time in Port Royal he was accompanied by co-conspirator, David Herold who surrendered, and was aided by local Confederate sympathizers and soldiers, including Willy Jett who helped them navigate to the farm.
On April 23, 1865 John Wilkes Booth and David Herold successfully rowed across the Potomac River to Virginia, landing at the mouth of Gambo Creek. They sought out the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Quesenberry, a Southern sympathizer recommended to them by Confederate agent Thomas Jones. Mrs. Quesenberry offered the men food but no further help.
The two conspirators then linked up with Confederate agents Thomas Harbin and William Bryant. Bryant brought Booth and Herold to Cleydael, the home of Southern sympathizer Dr. Richard Stuart, and left them there. Stuart offered the men food but no further help and had to chase down Bryant to take Booth and Herold off his hands. Bryant took Booth and Herold to the nearby cabin of free Black man William Lucas and his family. Angry at the day’s events, John Wilkes Booth threatened William Lucas at knifepoint and forced the Lucas family out of their home. Booth and Herold slept in the Lucas family cabin that night.
The following is from “Four Lincoln conspiracies: including new particulars of the flight and capture of the assassin” by Victor Louis Mason, written in 1896.1
Eleven o’clock Sunday morning Herold appeared at the house of Mrs. Quesenberry, stated that he had been directed to call upon her for assistance by Mr. Thomas A. Jones, and informed her “that the man who killed Abe Lincoln is within a mile of the house.” Mrs. Quesenberry and Mr. Thomas Harbin, a guest at her house at the time, accompanied Herold to the hiding-place of Booth, in a secluded spot up Gambo Creek, where they found him stretched on the ground, suffering much from his leg. Booth talked little, but stated that he thought the worst of his trip was over, and that while his journey thus far had been attended with much danger, he anticipated little difficulty over the remainder of the course, as he soon expected to be among friends. He desired Mrs. Quesenberry to secure a conveyance in order that he might reach the residence of the nearest physician, Dr. Richard Stuart, about eight miles distant. Mrs. Quesenberry sent dinner to Booth and Herold, and later in the afternoon made arrangements with a neighbor, Mr. William Bryan, to take them to the doctor’s. She also prepared a luncheon for the party while en route to Dr. Stuart’s country home, “Cleydyle”. In appreciation of Mrs. Quesenberry’s kindness, Booth presented her with the boat which he had bought from Jones. The boat was removed to her house, and about ten days later, when her premises were searched, it was taken to Washington; it has been on exhibition in the National Museum for many years. Mrs. Quesenberry was arrested and confined at Washington; but as nothing could be proved against her, she was finally released.
During the day Booth was assisted to the house of Mr. Bryan and remained on one of the beds there until the horses for the party arrived.
Sunday afternoon, between five and six o’clock, Booth, Herold, and Mr. Bryan arrived at the summer home of Dr. Stuart, the entire party much under the influence of intoxicants. Bryan brought the men up to the house and left them without further delay. Dr. Stuart informed the men that they could not be accommodated that night, as the house was full of guests; and that as the murderer of President Lincoln was still at large, he could not afford to shelter any one whom he did not know. He, however, offered the fugitives supper, which was served in the dining-room by the ladies of the house. Herold said, “Doctor, we have a secret to tell you.” The doctor turned on him sternly, and replied, “Young man, if you have any secrets, keep them. I do not want to know your secret, and if you are going South you had better go immediately.”
Dr. Stuart’s and Mrs. Quesenberry’s were both regular stopping-places on the “underground road”; and while the house of the former was somewhat off the direct road to Port Conway, the ferry across the Rappahannock, his unbounded hospitality and his sympathy for the Southern cause made it a rendezvous for those engaged in the secret service of the Confederacy. His hospitality and frankness had twice caused him to be arrested and confined, on one occasion in Washington, and later in a prison-ship near his residence on the Potomac. When Booth and Herold reached his house he had just returned from his second imprisonment, and was little inclined to run the risk again of entertaining any one whom he did not know well. Moreover, he was much displeased to find on his premises two unknown men under the influence of liquor, whose actions were suspicious, while the assassin of Mr. Lincoln was at large.
A free-born negro named William Lucas, living within a quarter of a mile of the doctor’s house, and on the latter’s premises, was regularly engaged in conveying guests at Dr. Stuart’s to the Rappahannock River, a distance of about fifteen miles, and it was to this man’s house that Booth and Herold were directed to go that evening.
Booth was keenly stung by the treatment he received at Dr. Stuart’s, and that evening, when he arrived at the house of Lucas, whom he frightened much by the announcement that he had killed “that damned old tyrant, Abe Lincoln,” the negro implored Booth and Herold not to stay at his house; but the assassin was inexorable, and forced the negro to secure more whisky for him. Herold and Booth spent the night at Lucas’s in a drunken debauch.
The next morning (Monday), before starting for the Rappahannock, Booth sent to Dr. Stuart the following letter by one of Lucas’s children:
My dea—[piece torn out] forgive me, but I have some little pride. I cannot blame you for your want of hospitality. You know your own affairs. I was sick, tired, with a broken limb, and in need of medical advice. I would not have turned a dog from my door in such a plight. However, you were kind enough to give us something to eat, for which I not only thank you, but on account of the rebuke and manner in which to [piece torn out]. It is not the substance but the way in which kindness is extended that makes one happy in the acceptance thereof. The sauce to meat is ceremony. Meeting were bare without it. Be kind enough to accept the enclosed $5 (although hard to spare) for what I have rec’d. Most respectfully your obedient servant, [No signature.]
Dr. Stuart was afterward again arrested, and was confined for a short period in the old Capitol prison.
On April 24, 1865, 10 days after assassinating President Abraham Lincoln, John Wilkes Booth and his accomplice, David Herold, hired Charley Lucas to transport them by wagon to the Rappahannock River for $20. (Information not included in “Four Lincoln conspiracies: including new particulars of the flight and capture of the assassin” by Victor Louis Mason)
On the way to the river Booth and Herold stopped that noon at Office Hall, the home of Mr. William McDaniell, where they took dinner; and about three o’clock that afternoon they reached Port Conway, the northern terminus of the ferry across the Rappahannock. Lucas left his troublesome guests at the ferry, and returned home without delay.
Herold here approached a fisherman named William Rollins, and asked him to take them across. Rollins stated that he would ferry them over in two or three hours, but could not row them across then, as he wanted to set his gill-nets; besides, as the ferry-boat was aground, they would have to wait for higher tide before it could be floated.
In the mean time three Confederate soldiers, returning home from the war, rode up; and after introducing himself, Herold, pointing toward Booth, who was sitting at some distance on the door-step of a deserted house, despondently nursing his chin, said, “There’s the man who killed Abe Lincoln!” The party consisted of William Jett, a young man of about nineteen or twenty, Lieutenant Bainbridge, and Major Ruggles.2 Jett offered to assist Booth, and forced the ferryman to take them all across the river immediately. On reaching Port Royal, at the other side of the river, which is here about three hundred yards wide, Booth mounted behind Jett, and Herold behind Ruggles.
At this point Victor Louis Mason’s narrative skips Booth’s time in Port Royal and goes directly to Garrett’s Farm – His narrative will resume after the following description of Booth’s time in Port Royal.
Monday, April 24, 1865 – Booth, Jett, and Herold Cross into Port Royal
Booth and Herold rode across the river on the ferry together accompanied by three Confederate soldiers—Willie Jett, Mortimer Ruggles, and Absalom Bainbridge. Jett would seek accommodations for Booth and Herold in Port Royal, Virginia.
Brockenbrough & Peyton House
Their first stop was the Brockenbrough & Peyton House. The Peyton House was owned by Randolph Peyton. He lived with his two sisters Sarah Jane and Elizabeth. Randolph was not home when Booth showed up. Sarah Jane Peyton originally agreed to allow Booth and Herold to stay in the house but changed her mind citing it wouldn’t be decent for her to let them stay while her brother was away.
The Catlett House
After being turned away from the Peyton House they moved on to the Catlett House. On April 24, 1865, William Jett visited the house to once again seek shelter for John Wilkes Booth and David Herold. They however, found that Mr. Catlett was not home, so they continued on to the Garrett farm where John Wilkes Booth was shot and killed.
At this point Victor Louis Mason’s narrative continues beyond Port Royal with what happened at the Garrett’s Farm.
Three miles farther, on the road to Bowling Green, Jett and Booth rode up to the residence of Mr. Garrett, whose house was situated about one eighth of a mile off the road,—Bainbridge, Ruggles, and Herold being left at the gate. Booth was introduced to Mr. Garrett by Jett, the son of an old friend of his, as “James William Boyd” The good farmer was asked to take care of Jett’s friend, who was described as having been wounded in the Confederate cause, until Wednesday morning, when Jett would return for him.
Jett, Bainbridge, Ruggles, and Herold rode five miles farther on toward Bowling Green, and all, except Jett, spent that night and the greater portion of the next day (Tuesday) at Mrs. Clarke’s, a short distance from a famous old tavern called the Old Trap, where the men of the neighborhood sometimes assembled to see cock-fights, dog-fights, and other less innocent amusements. Jett proceeded on alone to Bowling Green, and stopped at the Goldman House, then kept by Mr. Goldman, the father of his sweetheart.
Booth slept Monday night at Mr. Garrett’s, in a room with his two sons Jack and Willie, young men who had just returned from the war. Tuesday was spent in lounging about the lawn playing with the children on the place, where he made himself very agreeable. The news of the assassination had not yet reached this section of the country, as there were no telegraph lines in the neighborhood and no mail service at that time, and consequently Mr. Garrett’s family knew nothing of the murder.
During the afternoon of Tuesday, Booth asked little Rob Garrett, then a boy of ten, to take down a large map of the United States that hung on the wall in his father’s house. The map was spread upon the floor, and Booth and little Garrett then knelt upon it, and the assassin traced with a pencil several routes, all leading to Mexico. One was to Norfolk, thence by water to Savannah; another touched at New Orleans and Galveston. He studied the map for a long time, and made some notes on a slip of paper, which he must have destroyed subsequently, as it was not found upon his person. Herold came to Mr. Garrett’s during the day, and later made the significant remark, “When we get our fortune in Spain we ’ll be all right.” (At that time no extradition treaty existed between Spain and this country.)
In the mean time the troop of cavalry sent from Washington on Monday reached Port Conway. About 5 P. M. on Tuesday the officer in charge met Rollins, asked him if he had seen a lame man in citizen’s clothes cross the river, and showed him a photograph of Booth. Rollins said the photograph resembled the man who had been there on the day previous, whom he described accurately (of course he had no knowledge of Booth’s identity), and was pressed to guide the troopers to Bowling Green, whither, he stated, Jett, who seemed to be the guide of the assassins, had gone.
Poor Rollins has lived a hermit’s life ever since. His neighbors charge him with the betrayal of Booth, and have consequently ostracized him completely during a period of thirty years. The claim was also made that he received money for his part in the transaction, which Rollins stanchly denies; and the records at the Treasury Department do not substantiate the charge.
As the body of cavalrymen passed the gate leading to Mr. Garrett’s residence, on their way to Bowling Green, Booth plainly saw them from the porch, but exhibited no emotion whatever; and Herold, who at this time was in the lane leading from the road to the house, saw the soldiers and was seen by them.
As soon as they disappeared from view, Booth left the porch of the house, where he had been sitting, and went to meet Herold; and in his conversation with him, at a short distance from the house, exhibited the only excitement which he displayed while there.
That night the assassin attempted to leave Mr. Garrett’s. Jack Garrett was offered one hundred and fifty dollars for his horse, which he refused to sell, but agreed to take the two the next morning to Guinea’s Station, a distance of about eighteen miles, for which Booth paid him ten dollars in advance. Booth explained to Mr. Garrett’s family that he had had “a little brush with the Yankees over in Maryland” to account for his excitement after the cavalry rode by, and stated that he and Herold would like to sleep in the barn that night. The actions of the fugitives had already aroused the suspicions of Jack Garrett and his brother Willie, and they interpreted the wish of the assassins to sleep in the barn as a ruse to secure their horses during the night. After Booth and Herold went to the barn, therefore, the horses were secretly led into the woods half a mile distant, and Jack and Willie Garrett, after quietly locking Booth and Herold in the barn, slept on their arms in the corn-crib near by.3
The cavalry, guided by Rollins, who was not informed of the name of the man whom they were pursuing, rode on to Bowling Green, which they reached about one o’clock Wednesday morning. Jett awoke to see by the dim light of a candle four men at his bedside, each of whom held a large cocked pistol leveled at his head. A voice gruffly demanded, “Where did you leave those men? Tell us quickly, or we ’ll blow out your brains.” Only half awake, and much frightened by the sight before him, Jett stated that he had left them at Garrett’s. Under the threat of death he was forced to lead the soldiers back about twelve miles to Garrett’s, which was reached between three and four o’clock Wednesday morning. For Jett’s connection with this affair he was jilted by his sweetheart, ostracized by his friends, outlawed by his family, and finally obliged to leave the neighborhood. This was not because he guided Booth, but because he “betrayed” him. He died in an insane asylum in Baltimore.
Upon reaching Garrett’s farm the cavalry were picketed before each window and door of every building on the place. Jack Garrett, when awakened, without hesitation informed the soldiers where they would find the two men, whose true names of course he did not know; and was directed to go into the barn and tell the men to surrender. He aroused the assassins, who were asleep on the straw; and when he communicated the message as directed, Booth turned on him angrily and said, “Young man, your life is in danger. Get out of here!” Young Garrett did not waste any time in retreating. Booth was then called upon to surrender, which he refused to do; and when informed that if he did not the barn would be fired, he remarked, “But there is a man in here who does want to surrender pretty bad,” whereupon Herold presented himself at the door.
In the mean time Jack Garrett had been instructed to pile brush about the barn. While doing so he was discovered by Booth, who, putting his mouth to a crack where the young man was, whispered, “I advise you to keep away from here for your own safety.”
A few minutes afterward the barn was fired by one of the detectives in the party, and a soldier, Boston Corbett, in direct disobedience of orders, shot Booth through one of the cracks in the barn while the assassin was standing in the full light of the flames, which then encircled him completely. The bullet entered in almost the same spot as the shot he had fired two weeks before at the President. Corbett was afterwards court-martialed for his insubordination.
The assassin fell forward on his face unconscious, and being seized by the feet by the soldiers, who rushed into the barn, was dragged out quickly through the flames, and carried to the porch of the house, about one hundred and fifty feet distant. Upon Booth’s person were found, in addition to the diary and pocket compass, three six-shooting revolvers and a large knife. The newspapers at the time described him as “a walking armory, for upon him were found half a dozen pistols, three large knives, a dagger, and a slung-shot.”
Booth died on the porch of Mr. Garrett’s house about three hours after he was shot, and among the only words he spoke were, “Tell mother I died for my country. I did what I thought was for the best.” When he attempted to lift his hands, which seemed to be paralyzed, he said, “Useless, useless!”
His body was carried to Washington and secretly buried in the grounds of the Arsenal. Two years afterward it was delivered to his family, and now lies in a cemetery in Baltimore.
- Four Lincoln conspiracies : including new particulars of the flight and capture of the assassin, by Victor Louis Mason ↩︎
- For the narrative of Major Ruggles and that of Captain Doherty, who led the pursuing cavalry, see The Century for January, 1890. Editor ↩︎
- For this interesting account of the assassin’s movements on Tuesday and Wednesday, the writer is indebted to Mr. Jack Garrett, who now lives within a few miles of his father’s old home. The old homestead still remains in the hands of the Garrett family. ↩︎