The Trial and Execution of the Lincoln Conspirators

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#History

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[Solidrock-jqrp]

In 1961 when I was in 4th grade we studied the Civil War & had to memorize the Gettysburg address & recite it before the class individually. We also learned the songs of that time period. That summer I went to visit some relatives who lived in Virginia & saw an old plantation & the main house & slaves quarters. History came alive for me that year. So grateful that our history truly shows so many that stood up against evil & fought for freedom for so many. If we do not learn from our history, we are doomed to repeat it. True history is so important. It should make us grateful. That’s why so many people are trying to come here.

[Allyourbase]

I don’t understand how people even got caught back then . I feel like you could just move somewhere else and never even be found .

[retrievergolden]

I have read that Mary Surratt may have been arrested and sentenced in an attempt to flush her son John out from hiding, on the premise that he'd turn himself in to save her...but no.

[orionexplorer]

While I was in the Army, we had a class on military tribunals. This was a case that was brought up in the discussion. The main reason that they were tried by tribunal is that since the North was still at war with the South, and Lincoln was the President, and those who committed the crime were Southern sympathizers it was viewed as a war crime or as an action by the enemy to Decapitate the leadership of the United States. Now, military courts are different from civilian courts. In the military you are guilty until proven innocent, thus the burden of proof is on the defense and not the government.

[marilyndee]

My earliest recollection of a family trip was to Springfield, IL to see Lincoln's home. I was four years old and barely remember the trip, but I bought a tiny toy log cabin that I kept for years until letting it go to be part of a sale to benefit an animal shelter where I lived overseas. I remember I was in awe of Lincoln at the time. My parents said I called him "Winkle." I just knew he was a great man. One of my earliest memories. And a good one, too.

[stephenhammel]

Kinda odd that they would have umbrellas out there to protect the condemned from the suns heat. Something right out of Monty Python. Such compassion.

[swoo]

I can see slight parallels between this trial and the Cataline conspiracy under Cicero especially with how the public viewed the trial after it was finished

[Ultrecht]

I love hearing your “Michael the Brave” narration.

[badnewsbrownp]

Brilliant, as usual. had never even considered there may be conspirators. As a Canadian, we didn't learn about this in school.

[David-vxmx]

Still fascinates me to this day.I remember Mrs Surratt saying 'Ger the shooting irons ready. " in another documentary, and they said that statement she said sealed her fate.

[Mrgop]

You referred to Johnson as vice president when he ordered the military would conduct the trial. He was president in May 1865.

[laurencejones]

The saying: Your name is mud, came from the last name of Dr . Samuel Mudd

[themechaniacal]

I have two great great uncles, Benjamin and Enoch Ellis who were a part of Lincoln's bodyguard detail.
An interesting thing happened years ago when my brother and I were still in high school. He dated a girl who's last name is Surratt.
My dad, who is a scholar with genealogy, traced her heritage back to Mary Surratt.
We marveled at the coincidence of this occurrence which took place in Southeast Kansas.
I mean, what are the odds?

[Jonathanbegg]

A few seconds before the end, Lewis Payne called out in a firm voice "Mrs. Surratt is innocent. She doesn't deserve to die with the rest of us."

[rdf]

This is why history is so important and why it must be preserved regardless of how it makes people feel, i was never taught this when I was in school growing up, as African-American born and raised in the south they barely ever talked about the civil war when I was in school they made sure to skim over it and rush through it because they didn't want to make anybody uncomfortable and that was over 15 plus years ago, I don't even think they talk much about history today with the kids especially the civil war unless they're trying to demonize all white people which isn't right, in my opinion and this might sound bias but I personally believe had they kill any other president I would have been all for them going to a civilian Court, but since they killed Lincoln in my opinion are greatest president ever and knowing that if he had lived I believe African Americans back then life for them would have been a little bit easier Lincoln would have shut down the clan quickly he would never allow Jim Crow laws he never would have allowed what happened at wounded knee and everything else that followed, with all that said I have no problem with the conspirators being sent before the tribunal.

[phillipanderson]

1:38, what do you mean that " on the 1st of May 1865 Vice President Johnson ordered the trial " ? He was no longer Vice President- he had been US President for two weeks by then, since April 15th.

[deeasztalos]

I lived in the town Clinton in Maryland in the mid 1960s as a child. We used to pass the Surratt house all the time when we rode around town. It was fully restored in 1975 I believe and turned into a museum.

[theblackprince]

No intro anymore? Another great video btw.

[tjPennings]

Fascinating! I"m especially intrigued by Powell - seems to have been a person of substance and depth.