Dr. Samuel Mudd House

　　An Unwilling Conspirator?

　　By Kennedy Hickman, About.com Guide

　　Leaving the Surratt Tavern, Booth and Herold continued their flight south. Around 4:00 AM on April 15, they arrived at the house of Dr. Samuel Mudd, just north of Bryantown, MD. Contrary to Mudd's claims after his arrest, evidence exists to confirm that Mudd and Booth were acquainted with one another. In October 1864, while Booth was in Montreal, he met with Confederate agent Patrick C. Martin who provided him with letters of introduction Dr. William Queen and Dr. Samuel Mudd. While these stated that Booth was looking for real estate in Charles County, the real intention was to allow him to contact Confederate sympathizers in the area. The following month, Booth traveled to Charles County and stayed with Dr. Queen. He returned in December for a meeting with Confederate agent Thomas Harbin which was arranged by Mudd. After the meeting, Booth returned to Mudd's house and spent the night. It is highly likely that Mudd was recruited to be part of the original kidnapping plot. The two met again in Washington a few days later and Mudd provided Booth with an introduction to John Surratt. After banging on Mudd's door, Booth and Herold were admitted to the house. Though Booth and Mudd knew each other it is unlikely that the former informed the doctor about shooting Lincoln. Mudd proceeded to examine Booth and set the broken leg. Placing both men in an upstairs bedroom, Mudd had a crude pair of crutches made for Booth. On the afternoon of the 15th, Mudd and Herold traveled to the doctor's father in search of a carriage for the injured Booth's journey. When none was to be had, Herold returned to Mudd's house while the doctor continued on to Bryantown. Entering the village, Mudd was stopped by some of Lt. Dana's men. It was from them that he claimed to have learned about Lincoln's death. After gathering additional information, Mudd returned home between 5:00 and 7:00 PM. Sources vary as to whether or not Booth and Herold had departed by then, were aided in their departure by Mudd, or were simply asked to leave.