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Here in Despair n5th every man's hand against me, I am here in despair. John WilkesBooth Samuel 1Mudd stood beside the stable located in the rear of his house. The sun had finally set, covering the area in darkness. It was time for the two men to move on. Mounting their horses, Booth thanked Mudd for all his help. The two men wheeled their mounts and rode off to the southeast following a small farm road that led through the tobacco fields and ran near the edge of the Zeluah Swamp. Herold would lead the way. He knew the countryside much better than Booth, or so he told him. Mudd stood watching as the two riders disappeared into the darkness of the night. An hour later they were seen at Oak Hill, the plantation of Mudd's father. Henry Mudd lived only a half mile to the southeast of his son's home. Herold may have become lost momentarily after leaving 1Mudd7shouse. One of the elder Mudd's former slaves, a man named Electus Thomas, met Herold in the road leading up to the house. Herold appeared to be confused. He asked the old man which direction the sun rose and which direction it set. Electus "told him as near as he could get at it."' Herold gathered himself up and rode back to where Booth was waiting. Having oriented themselves east from west, the two men made their way to the east around Bryantown, making sure to keep a safe distance between themselves and the military. Now in total darkness, the two men had trouble navigating and found themselves lost a second time. They eventually came to the house of a Inan named Joseph Cantor.' They were still to the east of Bryantown. Cantor too could be trusted. Like his neighbors, he had no use for Yankees. Cantor pointed the pair down the Cracklingtown Road to where it intersected with the road leading from the small village of Hughsville. Burtles's place was just a short journey to the west of the intersection. By traveling this way the pair would remain well east of Bryantown and swing south of the village. So far everything was going well despite their temporarily getting lost. They had been now riding for close to two hours. As Booth and Herold approached the juncture of the two roads they saw the light from a cabin. It was the home of a free Black by the name of 156 Blood on the Moon Oswell Swann. Swann was one of the few free Blacks who lived in the area. He had managed to purchase a small farm situated along the Cracklingtown Road just west of the village of Hughsville. Swann was a savvyman. As a free Black living in a pro-Confederate region, he had to be. He knew all of the principal players in Charles County and also knew how to avoid trouble. His friendship with George Mudd probably served him well on more than one occasion. George Mudd held the mortgage that allowed Swann to buy his own farm. It was around nine o'clock when Booth and Herold came across Swann standing outside his cabin. By now, Booth and Herold were not sure of where they were or the direction to Burtles's house. Booth's leg was causing him considerable pain. He asked Swann if he had anything to drink. Swann brought the pair food and some whiskey. Booth then asked Swann the way to William Burtles's house, telling himhe would pay him two dollars if he would lead them there.3 It was an easy two dollars. Burtles lived less than two miles from Swann's cabin. The three men started out for Burtles's house but after a short distance Booth asked Swann if he knew the way to Cox's house. Booth offered Swann another five dollars if he would lead them directly to Cox's.4 Did Swann know the way?He did, but it would mean the three men would have to cross the ~ekiah-Swamp. Cox's home, known as Rich Hill, was on the western side of the great swamp. Getting across it required an expert guide, especially at night. Booth upped the fee, offering Swann another five dollars for his help. Swann agreed. He would guide them to Cox's plantation for twelve dollars.' He had little choice. If he had refused they would have used his services anyway at the end...

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