McHenry County Civil War Round Table-- Part 3: Lincoln Assassination

John Surratt was to kill Grant but Grant was not at Ford's Theater because of a feud between Mrs. Grant and Mrs. Lincoln.  John Surratt left the country and became a member of the Papal Guard, then later went to Egypt.  He was apprehended in Alexandria and brought back to the United States in 1867 to stand trial, although it wasn't a military one.  The statute of limitations on most of his charges had expired and he wasn't convicted.  He later admitted his guilt and lived until 1916.

The other captured conspirators stood a military trial.  His mother, Mary Surratt became the first female to be executed.

Mystery man at the Star Bar with Booth.  A.C. Richards was a witness and also superintendent of Washington, D.C. police.

John F. Parker was supposed to be on guard duty outside Lincoln's box.  He faced charges of being drunk and asleep on duty and yet ended up on White House Security detail and was supposed to be on guard duty at the door to Lincoln's box that night, but wasn't there.

Reports have him drinking at a nearby tavern at the time of the assassination and he never returned.  He was dismissed on May 3, 1865, on charges of negligence.

There is the possibility that Mary Todd Lincoln was related to John F. Parker

--Old Secesh