The Lincoln Assassination Conspirators: Their Confinement and Execution, as Recorded in the Letterbook of John Frederick Hartranft

The Letterbook

The Letterbook  Hd. Qrs. Mil. Prison. Washington Arsenal. April 30th 1865. Genl. Orders No. 1. II. In obedience to orders from Hd. Qrs. Middle Military Div., I hereby assume the position of Gov. of the Mil. Prison, U.S. Arsenal, Washington, D.C. and Commander of the forces assembled for its defence. IIII. The following Officers are announced on the Staff of the Bvt. Major Genl. Commanding: Capt. R. A. Watts, 17th Mich. Vols. A.D.G. 2d Lt. D. H. Geisinger 205th Pa. Vols. A.D.G. Bvt. Major General U.S.V.  72 the letterbook Hd. Qrs. Mil. Prison U. S. Arsenal, Wash. D. C. May 1st 1865. Maj. General Hancock Comdg. Middle Mil. Div. Genl. I have the honor to report that I took charge of eight Prisoners in the cells of this prison, about [blank] o’clock on the 29th of April. I immediately swept out the cells and removed all nails from the walls and searched the persons of the prisoners, and took the articles mentioned and marked “A,” from their persons which I enclose. At 8 o’clock, a.m. breakfast was given to the prisoners in my presence and under my personal supervision, which consisted of coffee, soft bread and salt meat. After they had finished breakfast, the bowl containing the coffee was removed—No other article was taken into the cell. The same system has been observed at each subsequent meal. At the same hour, (8 a.m.) I also made a personal inspection of all the cells and prisoners, and found them as comfortable as could be expected under the circumstances. At 2-30. p.m. Dr. G. L. Porter1 reported by authority of the Sec. of War for his daily inspection of Prison and prisoners; he inspected the prisoners in my presence. I also made a personal examination of the cells and prisoners at this time. At 5. p.m. the prisoners were again furnished with coffee and soft bread in my presence. At 7. p.m. I received from Col. L. C. Baker,2 by order of Sec. of War, Mrs. Surratt, and confined her in the cell previously designated. At the same time I searched her person, and took from her the articles inventoried and marked “B” which is enclosed. During the night all the prisoners were quiet, making no calls. At 7. a.m. May 1st , breakfast was furnished consisting of coffee soft bread and boiled salt pork, in my presence, at which hour I also made a personal inspection of the persons of the prisoners and cells. 8-30 a.m. Dr. Porter Medical Inspector visited the cells and prisoners in my presence and made a report a copy of which is hereto annexed. I will endeavor to follow the instructions as laid down therein. During the last 24 hours Col. Dewitt 10th V.R.C. was on duty—he is now being relieved by Col. John Mansfield 12th V.R.C. with about the same number of men. Capt. E. Steinberg, Co. K 10th V.R.C. with a special detail of 54 men has been on duty as guard within the walls of Prison. He is now being relieved by Capt. [blank] with a special detail of the same numbers of men. 3 2 the letterbook 73 The articles as named in inventories “A” and “B” are in my possession. I would respectfully ask for instructions for their disposal. I have the honor to be Very Respectfully Your Most Obt Servt J. F. Hartranft Bvt. Major Genl Gov. and Comdr. Mil. Prison 1. Dr. George Loring Porter, assistant army surgeon, served as the medical officer of the Washington Arsenal, and was assigned to Hartranft’s staff specifically to look after the medical condition of the prisoners. 2. Colonel Lafayette C. Baker, head of the National Detective Police (NDP), an agency within the War Department that after the war became the Secret Service.  Hd. Qrs. Mil. Prison U.S. Arsenal Wash. D.C. May 2d 1865. Maj. Genl. Hancock Comdg. Middle Mil. Div. Genl. I have the honor to report that during the last twenty four hours, the prisoners have been quiet; and that nothing unusual has occurred on their part worthy of mention. At 12. M. May 1st 65. The prisoners were furnished with Beef soup, Boiled beef and soft bread—After the prisoners had finished their meal (the doors were locked...