`History' Trails I C C..', 1_J NI 7 -'''-`,. .;.'ES.F.ABLISL-ILT3 t-; 1 6 5 Et County Historical Society r ,. ,.,„,_,- This publication is indexed in the PERfodical Source Index published by Agriculture Building the Allen County Public Library 9811 Van Buren Lane Foundation (PERSI). Cockeysville, Md. 21030

ISSN 0889-6186 Editors: JOHN W. McGRAIN and WILLIAM HOLLIFIELD VOL. 25 WINTER 1990-1991 NO. 2 Baltimorean in Big Trouble: Samuel Arnold, A Lincoln Conspirator Part II by Percy E. Martin

Taken in by all of this and warmly laced with wine and tobacco, Arnold sat with Booth reminiscing about old times when there came a knock at the door. Michael O'Laughlin, an old Exeter Street boyhood friend of Booth's, was welcomed and introduced to Arnold. Samuel Arnold, who stated later that Booth knew nothing of his politics, nor he of Booth's, learned that Booth and O'Laughlin were involved in a secret project aimed at aiding the dying South. The three had already risked their lives in separate endeavors to serve the Southern cause. O'Laughlin, like Arnold, had been a private in the Confederate forces. had par- ticipated in various subversive programs, particularly the smuggling of medicinal drugs south.29 Booth broached the main subject. Attrition and unrelenting Union assaults had depleted the southern ranks. Ulysses S. Grant had stopped the exchange of prisoners, because it aided the numerically inferior South. A way had been ascertained as a sure fire pressure to restart the exchanges. President Lincoln would be "cap- tured" by Booth in Washington, with others aiding, and be spirited across the lines to be presented as a war-saving blessing to the leader- ship in Richmond. The South, with Mr. Lincoln as a hostage, could force the release of thousands of southern prisoners of war. This scheme, so hazardous in its concept to all of the participants (in- —Library of Congress cluding the unwilling one-to-be: Mr. Lincoln), was somehow Samuel Bland Arnold posed for photographer Alexander Gardner painted to his young listeners, by the suave stage-trained speaker, as next to the turret of the Monitor Saugus in 1865. a "piece of cake." It would be simple, according to Booth, to lay in wait on the Seventh Street Road and waylay the foolishly careless leader as he rode out on one of his frequent visits, unescorted, to stay visited others who were involved in his plans. These included overnight at the Soldiers' Home. Arnold was eventually persuaded southern spies and saboteurs, who were generally cooperative in the by Booth to join for patriotic reasons, although the excitement of the endeavor. Samuel, who was spending more and more time at the challenge was certainly a consideration. There would be time enough Hookstown scene, never heard from the leader until early later to regret his acceptance of the bonds of commitment that the September. Arnold was helping to harvest some grain at the farm of three sealed, before parting, with an oath of allegiance to the scheme Julius Gehrmann—in the area of what is now Reisterstown Road that prescribed death to the faint or treacherous heart.30 (The story near Belvedere Avenue. His brother William brought him a letter of the various Booth machinations has filled shelves of books, so it from the post office postmarked with a location in the oil regions of must be curtailed here. Arnold's role and that of O'Laughlin never Pennsylvania. It contained a 20-dollar bill and instructions from became important and was strictly concerned with the abduction Booth for Arnold and O'Laughlin. Samuel let out a whoop, and phase.) brandishing the bill, said, "I'm flush." This was remembered by After the breakup of the meeting, Booth journeyed north for another harvester, L. P. D. Newman, and was reported later at the some innocent social meetings with his family members and then Conspiracy Trial. PAGE 6 HISTORY TRAILS WINTER 1990-1991

With O'Laughlin, Arnold, in a newly purchased buggy, as per in- structions, drove to Washington where they "holed up" in a cheap hotel and met only rarely with the fleeting organizer Booth. They learned from Booth the existence of several others more active in the plot, principally: a southern blockade runner and courier, John H. Surratt, Jr.; a former Mosby guerilla fighter, Lewis Thornton Powell, also known as Lewis Payne; a Port Tobacco boatman who regularly crossed the Potomac on southern projects, George A. Atzerodt; and a young Washingtonian, , whose duck hunting pro- clivity made him invaluable for his knowledge of the Potomac shore. There were other Southern-leaning persons who aided the project, although they often knew only that they were, ostensibly, furthering the Confederate war effort. This last group included Mrs. Mary Sur- ma, mother of John; Dr. , who lived in Charles Coun- ty; and Edman Spangler, who worked at Ford's Theatre.32 Nothing of importance happened until the night of March 15, 1865, when all the principals were gathered by Booth for a secret meeting at a back room in Gautier's Restaurant on Pennyslvania Avenue. Booth, who had been stymied by the fact that prominent people in government had finally prevailed upon the President to use a military guard in his rides away from the White House, un- —photo by J. W. McGrain, 1985 veiled a new plan that would use Ford's Theatre as the place of the Feelemeyer's Store, where the Arnolds picked up their mail and planned abduction. Lincoln often went there under minimum caught the Hookstown Road coach, stood until 1985 at 5 302 Reister- security to indulge his love of the dramatic stage. For Booth, who town Road. Last used as a barbecued-rib restaurant, it had been had unlimited access, it seemed a natural alternative. Others renamed "The Five Mile House" for a turnpike inn that once stood disagreed, including Arnold. Citing the dangers and his right to a in the block to the south. fair chance of survival, Samuel then launched into a criticism of delays and lost opportunities, threatening to quit in a week if from his mother he had gone out with you, and had not something concrete didn't happen. Booth was incensed, and returned. I concluded, therefore, he had gone with you. How threatened Arnold with death under the terms of the oath. Arnold, inconsiderate you have been! When I left you, you stated we the combat veteran, promised Booth retaliation. Surratt then asked would not meet in a month or so. Therefore, I made applica- what would come of the scheme if they failed to drag the former tion for employment, an answer to which I shall receive dur- wrestler of New Salem from the theatre, to which Booth responded ing the week. I told my parents I had ceased with you. Can I, that he would know what to do. The ominousness of this hint by then, under existing circumstances, come as you request? You Booth was not lost on any of the participants. The meeting broke up know full well that the G---t suspicions something is going on on a note of confusion and indecision.33 there; therefore, the undertaking is becoming more com- Arnold and several others would have been through with the kid- plicated. Why not, for the present, desist, for various reasons, nap plot, except that something occurred that got it all going again. which, if you look into, you can readily see, without my mak- Word was received that the President was going to attend a play for ing any mention thereof. You, nor anyone, can censure me the sick and wounded soldiers at Campbell Hospital, just outside the for my present course. You have been its cause, for how can I city on the Seventh Street Road. The principal conspirators were now come after telling them I had left you? Suspicion rests alerted, and a party was gotten up to intercept the vehicle on a lonely upon me now from my whole family, and even parties in the stretch of road. (Somehow they had learned that there was to be no county. I will be compelled to leave home anyhow, and how guard along this time.) The attempt was made on March 17. Later, soon I care not. None, no not one, were more in favor of the John Surratt said that the mounted conspirators approached the car- enterprise than myself, and today would be there, had you riage and peered inside only to find someone other than the Presi- not done as you have—by this I mean, manner of proceeding. dent. This apparently didn't disturb the carriage's occupant or I am, as you well know, in need. I am, you may say, in rags, driver, and Booth with his party continued on toward the hospital. whereas today I ought to be well clothed. I do not feel right They stopped at a restaurant, and Booth, alone, entered the hospital stalking about with means, and more from appearances a beg- grounds to inquire if the President had arrived. He was told by one gar. I feel my dependence; but even all this would and was of the actors that the President was not expected. Fearful that their forgotten, for I was one with you. Time more propitious will plans had been discovered, the conspirators returned to the city in a arrive yet. Do not act rashly or in haste. I would prefer your panic. Arnold did not stop until he reached Hookstown.34 first query, "go and see how it will be taken at R----d," and Booth, who later tried to bring Arnold back into the project, sent ere long I shall be better prepared to again be with you. I word that he wanted to meet with the two Baltimore men at dislike writing; would sooner verbally make known my views; Barnum's. Samuel, to his everlasting sorrow, committed his refusal yet your non-writing causes me thus to proceed. to rejoin the conspiracy to paper, in the form of a reply that has come Do not in anger peruse this. Weigh all I have said, and, as a 35 to be known as the "Sam" or "Hookstown" letter: rational man and a friend, you cannot censure or upbraid my conduct. I sincerely trust this, nor aught else that shall or may Hookstown, Baltimore County occur, will ever be an obstacle to obliterate our former friend- March 27, 1865 ship and attachment. Write me to Balto., as I expect to be in Dear John, about Wednesday or Thursday, or, if you can possibly come Was business so important that you could not remain in on, I will Tuesday meet you in Balto., at B . Ever I Balto. till I saw you? I came in as soon as I could, but found subscribe myself, you had gone to W---n. I called also to see Mike, but learned Your friend, Sam36 WINTER 1990-1991 HISTORY TRAILS PAGE 7

On the same day that Arnold wrote to Booth, he mailed an ap- plication for employment as a clerk to an acquaintance of his father, John W. Wharton, at Fortress Monroe, Virginia. On the first of April, or thereabouts, he took the steamboat from Light Street to Old Point Comfort to start a fresh life away from the tensions and entanglements of the Nation's Capital and Baltimore. His hopes for peace were to live only for the short time that the President was to live. Booth brought it all to an end at Ford's Theatre by crashing a ball through the back of the unsuspecting President's head, while Mrs. Lincoln looked on in horror.37 Samuel was quickly sought as a close associate of Booth at Baltimore and Hookstown. The letter he wrote was found with Booth's effects in Washington. After visiting the bakery in the city, various official and unofficial seekers went to the quiet country village where Arnold was well known. They visited Mrs. Feelemyer's store, the Arnold cabin, and the log dwelling of Samuel's uncle, William J. Bland. Bland let them search, and denied he had any pic- tures of his wanted nephew. They learned, instead, that Arnold was Arnold House on Park Heights Avenue about ten years before its at Fortress Monroe.38 demolition. At that time it belonged to John Trainor and appeared On April 17, Arnold was arrested by detectives and was im- along with a photo of his new Queen Anne style mansion in a mediately returned by boat to Baltimore. These detectives were on souvenir program entitled Eighteenth Annual Convention, National the staff of the Maryland Provost Marshal General, James L. Association of Master Plumbers of the United States, Baltimore, McPhail. McPhail, a civilian, whose office was answerable only to the June, 1900. War Department in Washington, and who showed sympathy for Arnold's predicament, was a native of the downtown Baltimore com- munity as well as a neighbor of the Arnolds. He knew the mander of the guard, Marine Captain Frank Munroe, who hastily O'Laughlin family well. In his office in the old Post Office Building, had them replaced with better fitting ones. Here, he reposed several McPhail recorded Arnold's confession (Samuel's father had sent his days sitting and lying on the harsh boards of his tiny locker-cell, with son a pleading note to tell all he knew). While detained in the nothing to do but ponder the pitiable state of his condition in the friendly confines of McPhail's office, he was lured into an unwar- airless lockup, devoid of furniture, with no one but the guard al- ranted sense of optimism. It was soon quashed. McPhail, in obe- lowed near him.4 dience to orders from Washington, turned Arnold over to Federal Soon the mystery of who was directing this pointed, deliberate detectives who promptly took him during the evening to the wartime torture of a prisoner awaiting trial was solved. His jailors on the prison at Fort McHenry. Here the United States Army officers monitor were almost routinely sympathetic. It was with a show of showed that they felt they knew better how to treat rebels and par- kindness that Captain Munroe explained that the harsh methods ticularly "murderers" of the late President.39 were orders from none other than the stern Secretary of War, Edwin McMasters Stanton, whom had called "Mars." Musket toting soldiers in blue marched him into the fort and The Secretary's next orders were the worst, yet. A large tight-fitting locked him into a "loathsome and filthy cell," where later he made canvas hood that covered his entire head, except for his mouth, and the mistake of talking to another prisoner. He was then stripped extended down to his chest, was tightly fastened with strong cords to naked, though the night was cold, and was taken to one of the his neck and arms. This was supposed to be removed, he was told, earthen-floored storage rooms in the ramparts of the fort. After be- after a few days; but remained much longer, during which time his ing shackled hand and foot, he was thrown into the hole in the face and eyes became sore and chafed from the rude canvas.42 ground that passed for his cell. The ancient iron doors, screaming on In the next scene he was hauled up on deck at midnight, still their rusted hinges, were then slammed shut, leaving him to shift blinded and shackled. As the rude and heavy irons cut into his flesh blindly in the dark for himself amongst spiders and vermin, unseen, at every movement, he was guided across a gangplank to another but warily felt. When in the night some bread and coffee were vessel and seated upon a bench as the craft got underway. After only brought, he asked for and eventually received a blanket, which he a few minutes, he was led onto a dock and then began a long, wrapped around his shivering body as best he could, while chained stumbling procession across fields of mud to a mysterious building in heaviest irons. During the night his fitful sleep was interrupted by where he was guided up and down flights of steps. It was only later the hideous noise of the hinges. He was rudely grabbed up and con- that he learned his new "home" was the Arsenal Penitentiary which veyed to the guard house where he was ordered to dress quickly. the government had taken over entirely for the confining of the con- Thinking now that the full horrors of the French Revolution, in- spirators and suspects. Each prisoner was in a cell set apart from the cluding summary execution, were next to become his lot, he was sur- others. Several weeks passed in silent darkness as he awaited the prised to be loaded into a military ambulance and trotted off to judgment that would decide his fate.43 Camden Station. There he was placed in a special car awaiting him The Military Commission, consisting of nine Union officers, and transported to Washington. On the trip he came again under began the trial on May 9, in a specially provided room within the the stewardship of James L. McPhail, who caused the heavy metal prison. Daily, Arnold, with his wrists shackled, was taken up and at- bonds to be replaced with light ones.48 tached to a "chain gang" of men. He then was herded with the At the Washington depot he was placed in a hack and driven to others into the makeshift courtroom.44 the Navy Yard where an iron-clad monitor, the Saugus, lay at an- chor. After being escorted below deck, once again he was clapped into irons, though of a worse sort than before. These were clamped Arnold described the opening scene this way: on so tightly as to cut off circulation in his hands, which immediately The court of military inquisition was convened, the began to swell and contort as they became painful and discolored. charge read to each by Assistant Judge Advocate When all seemed lost, his condition became apparent to the corn- Bingham, who asked if we had any objection to any PAGE 8 HISTORY TRAILS WINTER 1990-1991

member of the court. As it was useless to object, each NOTES: replied in the negative. I plead "not guilty" to the charge. 45 29. Arnold, Defence, pp. 37-38; for O'Laughlin's service see Com- Arnold was seated in the prisoners' dock with O'Laughlin, Dr. piled Service Records, National Archives; for Booth's activities Mudd, Spangler, Powell (Payne), Atzerodt, and Herold. Mrs. Sur- see Asia Booth Clarke, The Unlocked Book, pp. 115-117. (The ratt, who was brought in separately, was never hooded or chained, spelling of O'Laughlin is the usual one though his family spelled though she was heavily veiled throughout the trial. John Surratt had it O'Laughlen; no recorded signature has been found.) escaped to Canada, and Booth was dead (shot while resisting arrest 30. Arnold, Defence, pp. 38, 39. in Virginia). 46 31. Ibid. , pp. 39-40; for Booth's contacts with subversives on his Here, a court of dubious legality enacted a strange long and drawn northern journey see William A. Tidwell with James 0. Hall our process. The judge advocates acted as prosecutors, prescribed the and David Winfred Gaddy, Come Retribution, (Mississippi: rules, and admitted evidence according to their own prejudices, University Press, 1988), p. 265, 328-338; for the letter from the limited by vague and undefined "laws of war." The leadership in oil regions see Benn Pitman, The Assassination ofPresident Lin- Richmond and certain Confederates in Canada were tried in absen- coln and the Trial of the Conspirators, (New York: Moorc tia, while any guilt that could be imputed to the entire South was Wilstach and Baldwin, 1865), p. 239. used as evidence to condemn the accused. On it went, day after day, 32. Arnold, Defence, pp. 19-20; for a study of all of the alleged con- and Arnold, feeling the blood of his life being drained away could spirators see Theodore Roscoe, The Web of Conspiracy find no hope in the relentless harangues of the judge advocates; par- (Englewood Cliffs, NJ.: Prentice-Hall, 1959), pp. 44-69; for an ticularly, Assistant Judge Advocate John A. Bingham, who declared even-handed discussion of Dr. Mudd's alleged involvement see that anyone who entered the Confederate service did so to Samuel Carter HI, The Riddle of Dr. Mudd, (New York: G. P. "assassinate everybody that represented this government. . . ." The Putnam's Sons, 1974), pp. 121-149, (Edman Spangler is men- brilliant lawyer and celebrated military leader Major General tioned on p. 138). For an equally unbiased portrait of Mrs. Sur- Thomas Ewing, Jr., Arnold's chief counsel, objected. He was over- ratt see Guy W. Moore, The Case of Mrs. Surratt, (Norman, ruled. This is how the trial went. Time and again grossly irrelevant Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press, 1954) charges, reward-seeking perjurers, and suborned witnesses were 33. Arnold, Defence, pp. 21-33, 45-47; a lecture delivered at employed to bury the accused under mountains of guilt. All of it was Rockville, Maryland, by John Surratt, December 6, 1870. (An allowed while the objections of the defense were uniformly over- excellent study of Surratt's appearance there is contained in ruled .47 Louis Weichmann, A True History of the Assassination of Some small light shone in the darkness of despair. The hoods that Abraham Lincoln and the Conspiracy of 1865, ed. Floyd Risvold shut out sound as well as sight and which had been worn every day (New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1975), pp. 428-441.). from April 25 through June 10 were removed during the trial hours. Washing and shaving were allowed, although they required help 34. Arnold, Defence, pp. 23-24, 47-48; John Surratt, Rockville lec- due to the encumbrance of handcuffs, chains, and heavy balls. After ture; Weichmann, A True History, pp. 101-102. the hoods were removed, exercise was permitted in the yard, 35. Arnold, Defence, pp. 48-49. daily-without irons. It almost seemed that humanity had returned 36. Pitman, Assassination and Trial, p. 236. to this United States Capital scene. Not so." 37. Arnold, Defence, pp. 48-51. At noon on July 6, Mrs. Surratt, Powell, Atzerodt, and Herold 38. Pamphlet "A Memorial of James L. McPhail, Voltaire Randall were read the verdict and sentences in their respective cells. Death by and Eaton G. Homer" [to the Congress of the United States], hanging awaited them at the same time the following day. Arnold, Baltimore, December 2, 1872, cites McPhail's efforts on April listening in ignorance in his cell, heard the strange sounds of ham- 15, 1865, to apprehend Arnold before the Washington; mering in the yard on the 6th until late. The next day he was authorities connect Arnold with Booth, Maryland Historical mystified by the sound of shuffling and the dragging of chains. He Society; for Lt. Smith from Eighth Army Corps see H. B. Smith, must have wondered at the passing of the time he had been allowed Secret Service Stories Told Fifty Years After, (New York: Booze to exercise. His explanation was in this form:49 Bros., 1911), p. 293; for the man who identified the "Sam" let- About 2 o'clock in the afternoon Gen. Dodd came to ter writer and went to Hookstown to seek him, see "Deposition my cell, seating himself upon a small box, which had of Robert G. Mowry," Records of Bureau of Military Justice, lately been granted me for use as a table, and asked if I microfilm M599, roll 3. 0507-0515, National Archives. had noticed anything of an unusual nature pervaded 39. Arnold, Defence, pp. 51-54. the prison. I replied in the affirmative . . . and that I 40. Ibid., pp. 54-56. judged from these circumstances other prisoners had ar- 41. Ibid., pp. 56. rived. 42. ma , pp. 56-57. He replied no (sic) and in a soft and feeling manner 43. ma , pp. 57-59. informed me of the execution of four of our number. I 44. Ibid., p. 59. was completely thunderstruck and amazed, and felt 45. Ibid. within my own heart, from expressions gained from 46. For a good portrayal of the prisoners on trial, see Roscoe, Web of Herold and Payne during our joint incarceration, that a Conspiracy, "Court of Death," pp. 431-448. fearful crime had been perpetrated by the United 47. For the testimony for and against Arnold, see Pitman, Assassina- States Government in the execution of an innocent tion and Trial, pp. 234-243; for Bingham's statement see /bid. , woman. . . .50 p. 239. Yes, the gallows had claimed the lives of the four in one of the 48. Arnold, Defence, pp. 59-61. most sensational multiple hangings in the nation's history. Later, 49. Morning Report, Arsenal Penitentiary, dated July 8, 1865 (for when the exercise periods were resumed in the yard, and still in the July 6, 1865) tells of reading the sentences to the condemned in dark as to his fate, Arnold was allowed to stroll amidst the medieval their cells, Hartfranft Papers, Gettysburg College, Pennsylvania. scene of the immense, four-person gallows and the fresh graves just 50. Arnold, Defence, pp. 62-63. at its foot." (To be continued) 51. Ibid., p. 63.