After two months of being imprisoned at the Dry Tortugas, Dr. Samuel A. Mudd had come to a decision. He had witnessed first-hand other prisoners make their escape by stowing aboard the supply ships that visited the island. Motivated by racism, fear, and a strong desire to return home, Dr. Mudd decided to risk it all for freedom. In this installment of The Lincoln Conspirators at Fort Jefferson, we discuss Dr. Mudd’s Escape.
Part 3: Dr. Mudd’s Escape
To learn more about this video series and to watch the other installments, please check out The Lincoln Conspirators at Fort Jefferson page.
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Thank you for presenting these facts about Fort Jefferson, the soldiers and prisoners. I’m interested in hearing the following parts. In 1981 I was able to self tour Fort Monroe. I wish I could find those photos now. Early 1900s a movie on television, was presented about the conspirators and how Dr Mudd helping the prison doctor and saved soldiers and some prisoners who were strike with a virus or disease. This earned him a release. I think his two other friends were allowed to accompany him. Unfortunately one left in a coffin.
Daniel,
There are two films about Dr. Mudd’s experiences at Fort Jefferson. One is The Prisoner of Shark Island which came out in 1936 starring Warner Baxter. The second was a 1980 TV movie starring Dennis Weaver called The Ordeal of Dr. Mudd. Both films portrayed Dr. Mudd as an innocent victim of the government’s wrath. The truth, as always, is far more complicated.