The Conspirator 1961

On April 14, 1865, just five days after the Civil War concluded with Robert E. Lee surrendering to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, a series of dramatic and tragic events unfolded that would change the course of American history forever. The day began with celebrations among Union supporters, including Frederick Aiken, a dedicated lawyer and Union veteran. Fellow friends William Thomas Hamilton and Nicholas Baker, along with Aiken’s wife, Sarah Weston, joined in the festivities. Little did they know, the night would bring shock and horror through a carefully orchestrated conspiracy.

Later that evening, the infamous actor John Wilkes Booth, played by shji-sano, infiltrated Ford’s Theater, where President Abraham Lincoln was watching the play Our American Cousin. Booth managed to silently enter the President’s box and, without hesitation, shot Lincoln in the back of the head. During this act of assassination, Booth also stabbed Henry Rathbone, a guest in the box, and then leapt onto the stage, shouting the infamous “Sic Semper Tyrannis!”, meaning “Thus always to tyrants,” a Southern slogan expressing vengeance. The assassin escaped into Maryland, but his actions set off a chain of events that shocked the nation.

Meanwhile, other members of the conspiracy attempted to carry out their own assassinations. Lewis Powell (referred to as Lewis Payne in the film), a Southern sympathizer, attacked William Seward, the Secretary of State, leaving him fatally wounded but alive. George Atzerodt, a German immigrant and carriage repair business owner, was assigned to kill Vice President Andrew Johnson but, overwhelmed by fear, became intoxicated and fled, failing his mission. The chaos culminated in Booth’s dramatic escape into the night, while President Lincoln, gravely wounded, was taken to a nearby boarding house. Despite efforts to save him, Lincoln succumbed to his injuries early the next morning, leaving Andrew Johnson to assume the presidency in a nation grieved and divided.

In the aftermath, Secretary of War Edwin Stanton swiftly ordered the arrest of all individuals connected to the conspiracy. Among those targeted was Mary Surratt, a boarding house owner, who was accused of conspiring with Booth and others. Booth and David Herold, another conspirator, evaded capture for several days. That period saw intense searches, including a fiery confrontation near a Maryland barn, where Union soldiers suspected Booth and Herold were hiding. Herold surrendered, but Booth was shot and killed by Sergeant Boston Corbett when he tried to raise a rifle.

Mary Surratt’s trial drew intense public attention. Reverdy Johnson, Maryland’s senator and her defense attorney, found himself defending her against mounting evidence. Her son, John Surratt, escaped into hiding, prompting a nationwide manhunt. The accused also included Herold, Powell, Atzerodt, Michael O’Laughlen, Edman Spangler, Samuel Mudd, and Samuel Arnold.

Frederick Aiken, initially hesitant, was appointed as Mary Surratt’s defense lawyer. During the trial, Aiken sought truth and justice by questioning witnesses such as Louis J. Weichmann, who was connected to Mary’s son and associated with Booth. Weichmann’s testimony linked Mary to the conspirators’ meetings. Although Aiken believed Mary might be guilty, she insisted she only conspired to kidnap Lincoln, not assassinate him, and that her son John was not involved in the plot at the time of Lincoln’s death. She claimed John left town weeks before the murder, and she was unaware of his whereabouts.

Throughout the trial, Aiken’s efforts were met with opposition. His association with Mary cost him his membership at the Century Club, leading to personal and professional conflicts. Despite these challenges, he continued to investigate, seeking evidence and attempting to prove her innocence. His interactions with Mary, her family, and witnesses underscored the complex emotions and political tensions of the case.

Ultimately, Mary Surratt was found guilty on all charges on July 6. Her initial sentence of life imprisonment was later commuted to execution, and despite Aiken’s attempt to secure her release via a writ of habeas corpus, President Andrew Johnson suspended the court’s decision. Mary and her fellow conspirators Powell, Herold, and Atzerodt were executed by hanging, symbolizing the tragic end of a controversial chapter in American history.

Following the executions, Aiken visited John Surratt, still in captivity abroad. The young man declined to accept Mary’s rosary but expressed gratitude for Aiken’s kindness. The story closes with a note on justice: a year later, the Supreme Court ruled that even in wartime, citizens were entitled to trial by civilian jury — an important legal principle established by Ex parte Milligan. John Surratt’s case remained unresolved for years, and he was eventually released when the jury could not reach a verdict. Disillusioned with the law, Aiken left behind his legal career to become the first City Editor for The Washington Post, leaving a lasting legacy in both journalism and legal history.