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Statement of Dr. Richard H. Stuart

Old Capitol Prison, May 6, 1865:

(Microfilm of the original is found in the National Archives, Lincoln Assassination Suspects File, M-599, Reel 6, frames 206-211. The transcriber spelled his name "Stewart". <>B>Note: the original transcript has no paragraph breaks. The paragraph break below are my own, for ease of reading online.)

Richard H. Stewart, being duly sworn says,

"I reside in King George County, Va. I have resided there all my life. On Sunday, April 23rd, I had been at tea with my family and had just concluded when someone was announced at the door. I went to the door and found two men brought up by Mr. Bryant and Mr. Crisman came with them. They were on horseback. I think the smallest one was on the ground when I saw them. It was after dark. I asked, "Who are you." Said he, "We are Marylanders in want of accommodations for the night." I said, "It is impossible; I have no accommodations for anybody."

He then said that his brother had broken his leg and had been recommend to come to me to do something for his leg and to aid them in their journey. I told them I was no surgeon; I was only a physician. I think he said that Dr. Mudd had recommended him to me. I do not know Dr. Mudd. I have heard of Mudds in Maryland but do not know them. I said that nobody was authorized to recommend anybody to me.

Then he remarked that they were very weary & hungry & wished I would accommodate them if possible. I told him no, I could not but I could give them something to eat. The man with the broken leg said very little; he did not say who he was; they kept urging me so that at last I said, "I don't want to know anything about you." I did not wish them there because my family was large, my home was full, & I did not like their appearance. He pressed me saying "if you will listen to the circumstances of the case, you will be able to do it." I told him it was impossible. I had not room. I did not like the manner in which they urged the thing on me.

I asked them who they were and where they were going. They said, "we are Marylanders, & want to go to Mosby." I said, "Mosby has surrendered, I understand, you will have to get your paroles." They inquired who could send them up to Fredericksburg. I said I could not possibly do it. I was asked if I knew who could do it. I told them I had a neighbor near there, a colored man who sometimes hired his wagon & probably he would do it if he was not very busy; & it would be no harm to try.

The large man was on horseback, the other was on the ground & I was standing not far from the door. I agreed to give them something to eat & they walked into the house to get it. I then went back to Mr. Bryant who brought them there & asked him if he knew anything about these men. He said no, they had come to him out of the marsh & asked him if he could send them to my house. I said, "It is very strange; I know nothing about these men; I cannot accommodate them; you will have to take them somewhere else."

He did not tell me their names' he did not know them. He gave no names. I think he said he had only seen them that afternoon. It was about 8 o'clock, I think; supper was just over when they came. I came in and went out again for Bryant & had to run up the road 200 or 300 yards before I overtook Bryant & told him "you must take these men away; I can't accommodate them." Bryant came back. On returning, I went into the house and the men had finished their meal. & I remarked, "The old man is waiting for you; he is anxious to be off; it is cold; he is not well & wants to get home." They got up immediately & went out. They were in my house not more than a quarter of an hour.

My family in the house consisted of myself & wife, 3 daughters, all grown, two married; my son-in-law, S.T. Stewart (sic); he only saw them while they were at supper. It was after they got out that they were so importunate that I should try to accommodate them. I was suspicious of them. I did not know but they might be some of the characters who had been connected with the file acts of assassination here in Washington, which I had heard of a few days before -- the previous Tuesday; this was a Sunday. I was suspicious of the urgency of the lame man (Booth).

He desired to tell me something I did not care to hear. I did not really believe he had a broken leg; I thought it was all put on, although he was on two crutches. He said that he had a fall and broken his leg; he said Dr. Mudd had set it. The small man (Herold) had a short carbine & he had on a satchel. I did not see any arms on; he had a large shawl around him. They were mounted on Bryant's horses; one was a sorrell and the other was a gray. Bryant took them off.

I did not ask Lucas anything about them; whether they went there or not; in fact I have not seen him since till I saw him here. I have not seen Bryant since. next Monday evening (April 24) Lucas brought a note over to my house signed "Stranger" with $2 1/2 rolled up in it and gave it to my wife. I was not at home. He told her that the man who wrote the note had given the note to deliver to me. It was sealed. It was a leaf of a memorandum book rolled around & the money rolled up in it. I gave it to Col. Baker, retaining a copy (copy produced).

That night (April 23) nobody stopped at my house but those who were staying there -- my wife, daughters, son-in-law & Major Hunter of the Army who was paroled. He came there 2 or 3 days before with a parole & a pass from Genl. Patrick to go through King George and take transportation by way of Baltimore to his home in Martinsburg; he was at my house from the Wednesday before to the Tuesday after these men came; he left before the officers came there, which was last Monday (May 1). I heard of the shooting of Booth & capture of Herold either Friday or Saturday (April 29th or 30th). I think it was Saturday (April 30th).

These men had no letter of introduction to me, they showed me no letter, did not tell me they had letters, did not tell me who had sent them to me; but I think they said Dr. Mudd had recommended them to me. I don't know Dr. Mudd -- never saw him. I don't know that I have ever heard of Dr. Mudd before, but had heard of Mudds in Maryland.

I don't know that I should know Sam Cox. I saw him once in Virginia the first year of the war. I think they called him Captain Cox. He had been captain of a company and left Maryland for fear of arrest, as I understood & went to Fredericksburg. It was on his returning to Md., that he and several other gentlemen called at my house in a carriage & they were introduced to me.

I am certain that Cox's name was not mentioned by these men (Booth & Herold). I am as certain of that as of all I have stated.

Statement of Dr. Richard H. Stuart Old Capitol Prison, May 6, 1865:

Richard H. Stewart, being duly sworn says,

Statement of Dr. Richard H. Stuart

Old Capitol Prison, May 6, 1865: