`History' Trails I C C..', 1_J NI 7 -'''-`,. .;.'ES.F.ABLISL-ILT3 t-; 1 6 5 Et Baltimore 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 Maryland Confederate forces. John Wilkes Booth 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, David Herold, 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. Samuel Mudd, 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.