Gardner, Alexander (1821-1882) [Albumen of David Herold]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC07738.05 Author/Creator: Gardner, Alexander (1821-1882) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Photograph Date: 27 April 1865 Pagination: 1 albumen ; 31 x 26 cm. Order a Copy
Inscribed on verso: "David E. Herold Conspirator. Hanged July 7, 1865. Was with Booth in the barn, but surrendered and came out before the barn was set on fire."
Photograph shows Herold wearing coat, vest, and tie, in wrist irons, aboard the U.S.S. Montauk. The photograph is mounted on board.
At 10.00 p.m., April 14, 1865, Herold and Lewis Powell arrived at the home of William Seward, who was recovering from a serious carriage accident. When William Bell, a servant opened the door, Powell told him he had medicine from Dr. Tullio Verdi. When Bell refused to let him in, Powell pushed past him and rushed up the stairs. Frederick Seward, the Secretary of State's son, came out and asked him what he wanted. Powell hit Steward with his revolver so hard he fracturing his skull in two places. Powell was now confronted with George Robinson, Seward's bodyguard. Powell slashed him with his bowie knife before leaping onto Seward's bed and repeatedly stabbed him. Powell, thinking he had killed him, racing out of the house where Herold was waiting with his horse.
Herold went to Mary Surratt's boarding house and together with John Wilkes Booth, who had successfully killed Abraham Lincoln, headed for the Deep South.
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