Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Civil War Oddities #99


During the trial of Mary Surratt, accused of aiding John Wilkes Booth, many believed she was innocent even after a military tribunal convicted her. On the day set for her execution, Brig. General Winfield S. Hancock had reason to believe that President Andrew Johnson might issue a reprieve. Hancock therefore established relays of horses, whose riders were to race to the grounds of the Washington Arsenal if the hanging was deferred.