07/15/2025
Added this month to the Research Arsenal is a collection of documents related to Jacob Keller who served in both the 9th Pennsylvania Cavalry and the 2nd US Veteran Volunteers.
Of particular interest in his diary, is his account of the ex*****on of several Lincoln assassination conspirators, including Mary Surratt. His diary for that fateful day reads:
“Friday July 7th. 1865
Fell In line at 5 ½ O.C. A.M. Marched to the arsenal grounds, Washington D.C. and were stationed around the outside as sentinels, with orders to pass no one. About 12. 45 P.M. I went in & succeeded in gaining admittance to the jail yard, where scaffold was erected for the ex*****on, of Mrs. Surratt, Payne, Herold & Atzerodt. The scaffold consisted of a platform about 8 or 9 feet high, supported by square wooden posts & 3 upright posts supporting a cross piece to which was attached the four ropes, already properly noosed. At about 5 minutes past 1 o’clock the prisoners were led out in the following order -------- First Mrs. Mary E. Surratt, assisted by a priest & two officials. She appeared very much affected, and but for the support of her es**rt would have fallen to the ground. She was led on the scaffold and seated in a chair on the right, when she appeared to faint away. Atzerodt was next to mount, and trembled greatly as he seated himself on the left of the scaffold. Payne mounted the scaffold with a firm step, and was seated on the left of Mrs. Surratt and Harold on his left. Mrs. Surratt was attended by Catholic divines, and the men by Ministers from different denominations, who thanked the officers & Soldiers who had charge of the prisoners, for the kindness with which they had invariably treated. Short prayers were then offered by the Ministers, after which the prisoners ware to stand up, while the ropes were being adjusted & the Caps placed over their faces. Mrs Surratt was held up by her attendants until the drop fell, and she launched into eternity without a Struggle. Payne appeared very quiet and calm, hardly moving a muscle, but very pale. He stood erect until the drop fell, and met his doom like a man, his struggles were short. Herold died hard as the noose did not slip to the right place when he fell, while Atzerodt who shook with terror while the noose was being adjusted, died almost without a struggle.
Mrs. Surratt was dressed in black, with black bonnet and vail. Payne had on a dark blue flannel shirt, cut low around the neck, and Pants of the same color, & a new Plaited straw hat. Herold wore a very dark coat and light gray pants, with black slouch hat, and Atzerodt wore a brownish colored suit and no hat. The Coffins were simply rough Pine boxes, and the graves were dug on the left of the scaffold. The drop fell at precisely 23 minutes past 1 o.clock.
Atzerodt was the only one of the prisoners who spoke, upon the scaffold, his words were- "Gentlemen take warning" or or [sic] to that effect, and afterwards, -"Good bye Gentlemen I hope to meet you all in another world"
Thus perished four of the Chief Conspirators, warning to all who may, in future, meditate the assassination of the head of the people’s government. Shortly after the ex*****on we formed our line and returned to camp, having marched, going and coming upwards of ten miles, beneath a very hot sun, and over very dusty roads. The sky was clear, not a cloud to be seen for the greater part of the day.”
You can read the full diary here: https://app.researcharsenal.com/imageSingleView/179432
