April 30, 1865: The Conspirators Removed to the Arsenal Penitentiary, Trial and Four Executions

In real time.

The eight suspects in the Lincoln assassination plot who had been imprisoned on the monitors USS Montauk and Saugus were transferred to the  Arsenal penitentiary, located in the compound of what is now Fort McNair.  This was also the site of their military trial which returned its verdict June 30, 1865.

Three of the eight, along with Mrs. Mary Surratt, were hanged in the penitentiary on July 7.  The three hanged this date were:

Lewis Paine who made  the unsuccessful assassination attempt on Secretary of State Seward

George A. Atzerodt who had been designated by Booth to murder Vice President Johnson

David E. Herold who had accompanied  Booth in his escape from the city and until their capture.

--Old B-Runner