The Surratt Courier is a monthly newsletter published by the Surratt Society. The newsletter keeps members informed of events, issues, programs, and forthcoming books and other publications. It also includes articles related to the Lincoln assassination, the Civil War, and Victorian times, many of which are contributed by scholars and authors who are Society members. Sample entries from the Index of Articles for Volume XIX (1994), Volume XX (1995), and Volume XXII (1997) are provided below. Subscriptions to the Surratt Courier are a benefit of membership in the Surratt Society. Inquiries about specific articles may be directed to the Surratt House Museum at 301-868-1121.
- ASSASSINATION
- An Impressive Article Synopsis of William Hanchett’s review of on-going research in the field. July:3-4 Vol XXII.
- The First War Department Telegram About Lincoln’s Assassination by James O. Hall. Jan:5-6 Vol XXII.
- BOOTH, JOHN WILKES
- A Follow-Up on the 1931 Examination of the “Booth” Mummy submitted by Dr. William Hanchett from history of Northwestern University. May:6-7 Vol XIX.
- Those Missing Pages from the “Diary” of John Wilkes Booth. Transcript supplied by James O. Hall with introduction by Laurie Verge. Oct:3-9 Vol XIX.
- The Petition to Exhume Mr. Booth by Laurie Verge. Overview of 1994 court action. Dec:3 Vol XIX.
- The Petition to Exhume John Wilkes Booth: Digging Up an Old Theory Once Again by Michael W. Kauffman. Comments on petition to exhume. Jan:4-5 Vol XX.
- A Comment by Laurie Verge. Information on the 1869 reburial. Mar:3-4 Vol XX.
- A Puzzlement by James O. Hall and Laurie Verge. Spurious exhibits presented in petition to exhume Booth’s body. Apr:4-5 Vol XX.
- A Rebuttal by Mark X. Zaid. Response to March article on comments re: exhumation. May:4-5 Vol XX.
- A Trooper’s Account of the Death of Booth edited by Steven G. Miller. 1892 account by Frederick Deitz, a member of the 16th New York Cavalry unit that captured Booth and Herold. May:5-9 Vol XX.
- Mr. Booth Will Remain At Rest Comments by Laurie Verge and reprint of 1995 decision by Judge Joseph H.H. Kaplan of Circuit Court for Baltimore City to disallow exhumation of remains. Jun:3-9 Vol XX.
- Insane or Ill? by Ralph Brooks, M.D. Was Booth a victim of syphilis? Aug:6-9 Vol XXII.
- ----------Repercussions on Recent Article by David W. Gaddy. Comments on the possibility of Booth having syphilis contact. Oct:4-5 Vol XXII.
- ----------Historical Malpractice Comments by Dr. Edward Steers, Jr. Oct:5-7 Vol XXII.
- FASHION AND CUSTOMS
- All Dressed Up by Betty J. Ownsbey. An overview of 19th century clothing styles. Jul:3-7 Vol XIX.
- A Real “Shoe-In” by Laurie Verge. Historical comments on footwear. Sept:5-7 Vol XIX.
- Hanky-Panky Report on exhibit and history of handkerchiefs. Feb:3-5 Vol XX.
- Into the Fray: Changing Roles of Women During the Civil War by Laurie Verge. Mar:4-8 Vol XXII.
- 'Tis the Season by Laurie Verge. History of holiday customs. Dec:5-7 Vol XXII.
- GARRETT’S FARM
- Roll Call for the Garrett’s Farm Patrol by Steven G. Miller. Detailed information on men of the 16th New York Volunteer Cavalry who participated in capturing Booth. Sept:3-5 Vol XIX.
- A Garrett Speaks Out 1907 account of events at death of Booth by Rev. R. B. Garrett. Feb:5-7 Vol XX.
- The Statement of John M. Garrett 1865 account given by John Garrett to a detective. Mar:4-9 Vol XX.
- JOHNSON, PRESIDENT ANDREW
- Andrew Johnson or Joseph Holt? by Will T. Hale. Reprint of 1906 article regarding who was to blame for Mary Surratt’s execution. Nov:6-8 Vol XX.
- Impeachment Trial Papers Come to Surratt House July:4 Vol XXII.
- A Different Slant by Dr. William Hanchett. Comments on impeachment. Aug:3 Vol XXII.
- LINCOLN, ABRAHAM
- Lincoln and the Theatre by Cindy Diane Rauch. Mr. Lincoln’s other ties to the theare world. May:4-6 Vol XIX.
- Special Exhibit at Ford’s Teatre “From the Pockets of a President,” contents of Lincoln’s pockets at the time of his death. Aug:2 Vol XX.
- President Abraham Lincoln’s Funeral Train reprinted from magazine of Illinois Historic Preservation Agency. Chronology of events from April 15 - May 4, 1865. Jul:4-6 Vol XX.
- The Lattimer-Fraser Debate by Art Candenquist. Report on debate as to whether or not physicians’ unsterile handling of wound killed Lincoln. Jul:6-8 Vol XX.
- The Wound of Abraham Lincoln by Blaine V. Houmes, MD. More on the issue of doctors contaminating Lincoln’s wound. Aug:3-6 Vol XX.
- MUDD, DR. SAMUEL A.
- Mudd Habeas Corpus by James E. T. Lange and Katherine DeWitt, Jr. Actions in Dr. Mudd’s appeal to civil court in 1866-67. Jan:5-7 Vol XIX.
- The Scope of President Andrew Johnson’s Pardon of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd by James O. Hall. Clarification on the extent of full and unconditional pardon. Sep:4-5 Vol XX.
- A Mysterious Man Named Mudd by Dr. Edward Steers, Jr. Dr. Samuel Mudd’s older broth (James A. Mudd) named as munitions runner in Civil War report. Dec:4-5 Vol XXII
- POWELL, LEWIS
- Lewis Thornton Powell’s Many Medical Problems by Betty J. Ownsbey. A report on the medical history of Seward’s attacker. Aug:6-8 Vol XX.
- ...Goes Home for Burial by Betty J. Ownsbey. Return of skull to family graveyard. Jan:3 Vol XX.
- REWARDS, WAR DEPARTMENT
- Were the War Department Rewards Ever Paid? by Steven G. Miller. When, to whom, and how. Feb:4-7 Vol XIX.
- The Reward Money and Its Current Value by Michael W. Kauffman. June:3-4 Vol XXII.
- SURRATT, MARY
- Mrs. Surratt’s Furniture contributed by John W. McGraine. 1903 Baltimore Sun article on sale of same. Nov:8-9 Vol XIX.
- When the Lives of Catherine Baxley and Mary Surratt Crossed by Percy L. Martin. Southern sympathizer in Old Capitol Prison. Mar:3-6 Vol XIX.
- SURRATT, JOHN HARRISON, JR.
- Some Points Concerning... by Alfred Isacsson. Education of Mrs. Surratt’s youngest child. Aug:8-9 Vol XX.
- The Gift of John Harrison Surratt, Jr. by James E. T. Lange and Katherine DeWitt, Jr. Explanation of the legalities of John signing over his property interests to his mother in January of 1865. Sep:5-7 Vol XX.
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