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Lincoln and Booth: More Light on the Conspiracy
Lincoln and Booth More Light on the Conspiracy Author:H. Donald Winkler Conspiracy, terrorism, and obstruction of justice are not unique to recent events, and maneuvering and scheming behind the scenes has a long history. On an April evening, John Wilkes Booth crept into the presidential box at Fords Theater in Washington, D.C., and shot President Abraham Lincoln. Many have wondered ever since if there was not... more » a wider conspiracy associated with the assassination. Lincoln and Booth: More Light on the Conspiracy takes up these questions, examining the people, issues, and strange happenings related to the assassination and its aftermath. Using the tools of investigative journalism and the latest in scholarly research, H. Donald Winkler describes the events that led to the shooting of the president, including Booths activities from July 1864 through April 1865, raising questions never before raised and suggesting answers never before considered. Winkler has pulled together relevant, reliable information about the terrorism, intrigue, mysteries, covert actions, betrayals, deceptions, jury tampering, obstruction of justice, subterfuge, execution by trickery, dirty politics, and other shameful acts associated with the assassination. All the controversial issues are considered, including the likely guilt of Samuel Mudd and Mary Surratt, official Confederate involvement, John Surratts gratuitous reprieve, the veracity of Louis Weichmann, and John S. Mosbys possible involvement. Also discussed are Edwin M. Stantons motives and decisions related to denying protection to Lincoln on April 14; hurriedly naming and pursuing conspirators; concealing Booths diary; hanging Mary Surratt while failing to pursue John Surratt; hiring Sandford Conover to find witnesses; and collaborating with the Radical Republicans in their efforts to impeach Andrew Johnson. Lincoln and Booth: More Light on the Conspiracy discusses the various possibilities and options on controversial issues and challenges readers to draw their own conclusions.« less