Southern Maryland is but a stones throw from Washington DC. It must have seemed like endless miles for those that traveled on horseback, especially with a broken leg.
One of our favorite history treks is following the assassination of President Lincoln from Ford's Theater in Washington DC, to the the Petersen Boarding House across the street, to Mary Suratt's Tavern in Prince George County, on down to the home of the infamous Dr. Mudd in Charles County. All these places are maintained well with park rangers, volunteers or even family descendents of Mary Suratt and Dr. Samuel Mudd, all eager to tell the story of Booth's journey after he killed the President.

Photos:
The pillow where Lincoln breathed his last
breath at Petersen's Boarding House

A photo of the room where Lincoln died.

Sign on desk stating this is the room where the
President died.

The room where Mary Lincoln waited to
receive word of her husband

Tavern and Post Office Mary Surratt House

Inside tavern and post office

Dr. Samuel Mudd's Home.
John Wilkes Booth rode his horse from
Washington DC to Charles County, way
down into southern Maryland. Although I am
sure he rode as the crow flies, the trip had to
be torturous with a broken leg.

Photo of the bedroom where Booth rested
after Dr. Mudd set his leg.

A display in the museum downstairs at Ford's Theater John Wilkes Booth boot.

In the town of Surrattsville,Maryland a beautiful pre-civil war farm house stands, still shrouded in mystery today.It was the country home, tavern, polling place and post office owned by Mary Surratt . Mary was accused of conspiring along with John Wilkes Booth to assassinate President Abraham Lincoln.Booth was a friend to Mary's son. He introduced them at their Washington DC boarding house, where Booth was a quest. After the assassination of President Lincoln, Mary was arrested at the boarding house .The Surratt House in Clinton (or Surrattsville) Maryland did indeed have an arsenal of weapons hidden there. Booth was known to visit the tavern on occasion's The Southern Maryland area was known to harbor confederate underground.Mary was found guilty and sentenced to hang. She was the first woman ever to be executed by the US government.
It has been a very controversial issue, especially among Southern Marylander's. It is said she was truly innocent of all charges and had no idea of the conspiracy that was going on.

Charles County Maryland and the home of Dr. Mudd is the next must see site on the trail of the Lincoln conspiracy and assassination.
John Wilkes Booth jumped from the balcony at Ford's theater after shooting President Lincoln. He traveled by horse back with a broken leg from DC to Charles County and the home of Dr. Samuel Mudd. He met Mudd a few times earlier, discussing the purchase of Mudd's farm. Booth knew that he was a Doctor. Dr, Mudd did not know of the assassination at this time. Booth left against the wishes of Dr. Mudd.
Dr. Mudd was arrested on conspiracy charges and sent to Fort Jefferson Prison, seventy miles off the coast of Key West. He tried to escape in shark infested waters, but was captured.
A yellow fever out break ravaged the prison. Dr, Mudd treated and was able to stop the disease from killing everyone.
In1869 President Andrew Johnson gave Samuel Mudd a full pardon and release.
He returned home to Waldorf , Maryland .
Dr. Mudd's innocence is still a controversy even today. Presidents Carter, Reagan and Clinton have claimed his innocence.
Historians, with new evidence found in 2002 do not agree.

Has anyone ever said to you "Your name is mud"?

Photography Janie Lambert
Various visits to the museums and homes