The Trial Today: June 5

Here’s a sample of what occurred on this day in the Lincoln conspiracy trial:

• A questionable prosecution witness attempted to place Dr. Mudd in Washington in early March
• The loyalty and reliability of Mary Surratt’s brother was brought into question
• Some of Dr. Mudd’s relatives and servants reiterated that the doctor was on his farm throughout the first week of March
• Another dubious letter written in code was entered into evidence
• William Wood, the man who would become the first director of the United States Secret Service one month from this date, testified
• Many residents of Charles County came to Dr. Mudd’s defense in stating that the identity of Lincoln’s assassin was not known for certainty on April 15th
• The court was cleared of visitors to discuss the accidental publication of the previously withheld testimony from the first days of the trial
• Ward Hill Lamon, the one time protector of President Lincoln, visited the court

The June 5, 1865 entry for the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators is now released and has more information. Please click here to access it. You can also access it through The Trial homepage.

Throughout May and June of 2020, I am publishing a day by day chronology of the trial of the Lincoln assassination conspirators. This includes almost daily posts announcing the release of what happened at the conspiracy trial 155 years ago. For more information about the creation of this project please click here.