Has He Been Hiding in Plain Sight?

John Wilkes Booth and the Richmond Grays

By Angela Smythe May 10, 2010

Dedicated to The Richmond Grays Virginia citizen soldiers seen gazing back at us from the photographs that follow, men both known and unknown, who remain eternally young, captured at a moment before each of their lives and their world would change in ways truly unfathomable to any of them.
____________________________________________ In November of 1859, the handsome 22-year-old actor and young rising star, John Wilkes Booth, proudly accompanied the Richmond Grays during their deployment to Charles Town in the aftermath of John Browns Raid at Harpers Ferry. This fact was known even in Booths own lifetime. His participation and presence have long been verified by first-hand narratives and confirming documentation. In The Unlocked Book, Booths sister Asia recounts seeing a photograph of him with others dressed in their uniforms during the Charles Town deployment. Asia writes this of John: He left Richmond and unsought enrolled himself as one of the party going to search for and capture John Brown. He was exposed to dangers and hardships; he was a scout and I have been shown a picture of himself and others in their scout and sentinel dresses. 1 He was a witness of the death of old John Brown. He acknowledged him a hero when he saw him die, and felt a throb of anguish as he beheld the old eyes straining their anxious sight for the multitude he vainly had thought would rise to rescue him. He was brave old man; his heart must have

Clarke, Asia Booth. The Unlocked Book: A Memoir of John Wilkes Booth by His Sister. New York; G.P. Putnams Sons, 1938. pg.111-112. The Unlocked Book remains the preeminent first-hand narrative on John Wilkes Booth. Written in 1874 by his beloved sister, Asia Booth Clarke, whose shared childhood and adolescence provides the most comprehensive and continuous first-hand narrative of Booth that has survived. In the aftermath of the Lincoln Assassination, Asia left the United States in 1868 and lived the remainder of her life in England. During her self-imposed exile, she wrote her recollections of John, hoping that in time, its publication would present a balanced view of her brothers 26 years on earth, rather than the customary focus on his last infamous 12 days. Out of necessity, she kept her recollections hidden in a locked book and guarded it from her familys destruction. On her deathbed in 1888, she trusted it to the writer B.J. Farjeon to publish some time if he sees fit. The time deemed as fit encompassed the passing of yet another generation, after the deaths of Edwin Booth and Robert Lincoln. The book was only published in 1938, 50 years after Asias death, 73 years after the death of John Wilkes Booth and Abraham Lincoln.

broken when he felt himself deserted. Uttering these words sadly, he gave me the spear of old Brown, with Major Washington to J. Wilkes Booth written in large ink letters on the handle.2 A tantalizing possibility arises, one which raises an important question. Does Asias picture, or any others of Booth, from 1859 still exist? Such a discovery would be of unique historical significance, not only due to the scarcity of Booths few remaining photographs after their widespread destruction in 1865, but for invaluable insight gained from a group photograph obtained during those formative years he spent in Richmond. This investigation seeks to answer, has John Wilkes Booth been hiding in plain sight with the Richmond Grays for more than 150 years? The investigation starts by examining the four most likely and widely known group photographs taken at that time and place, collectively identified as The Richmond Grays ( RG#1 through RG#3) and Virginia Militia (VM#4). The four photographs were published together for the first time in 19813 and it has been twenty years since two of these photographs (RG#1 and RG#2) were widely circulated in connection with John Wilkes Booth, with only one of these two (RG#1) undergoing a cursory consideration. Next the investigation turns to those Richmond Grays who have been documented at Charles Town during the 1859 deployment and an assessment of the Charles Town photographs, including visual comparison to other known photographs of some of the participants. Finally, careful consideration is given to whether John Wilkes Booth could possibly be in one or more of these photographs.

See Wallace, Lee A. Jr. 5th Virginia Infantry, Lynchburg: H. E. Howard, 1988, pg. 10. Matthew Burwell Bassett Washington was elected Captain of the Continental Morgan Guards on 6/25/1858. This uniformed "volunteer militia" company was based in Winchester. By the time of the John Brown Raid he had been commissioned a Major in the 31st Regiment of Virginia Militia for Frederick County. As a major Washington would have been a field officer for the non-uniformed "line militia" of the county, composed of most white males between the ages of 18 and 45. The Continental Morgan Guards did 18 days of duty during the John Brown crisis under Captain James W. Haines. There was another Washington involved in the John Brown raid and aftermath. Colonel Lewis Washington was among John Browns hostages. Burwell Bassett and Lewis were relatives of General George Washington; John Browns hostage, Lewis Washington, was his great grand-nephew. The pike presented to John Wilkes Booth bears the title Major Washington and thus denotes its presenter as being B. B. Washington and not Lewis Washington. See contra, Alford, Terry ed. John Wilkes Booth: A Sisters Memoir by Asia Booth Clarke, Jackson: University Press of Mississippi, 1996, footnote pg. 81.
3

These four photographs appear in Davis, William C., ed. The Image of War: 1861- 1865 Vol. I Shadows of the Storm (Williams, T. Harry. The Coming of the War). Garden City, Doubleday & Company, Inc. 1981, pp. 46-47. The caption associates John Wilkes Booth with the Richmond Grays in conjunction with VM#4 and the companion photographs RG#1, #2 and #3.

RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) [Probably taken at Charles Town] Virginia Historical Society http://www.vahistorical.org

I. PHOTOGRAPHS EXAMINED RG#1, RG#2, RG#3 and VM#4, VM#5 Richmond Grays (RG) and Virginia Militia (VM) The Richmond Grays, a group of young men who grouped together to mug for the camera during the John Brown deployment in Charles Town circa late November 1859 are pictured above in RG#1. Its a famous photograph, found in numerous reference books and on many internet sites, sometimes erroneously identified as Confederate volunteers.4 While known as The Richmond Grays, the men in the photograph, and those below, actually were from at least two different militia companies of the First Regiment of Virginia Volunteers deployed at Charles Town. This famous photograph is but one of five known photos taken at this time. The photographer is believed to have been Lewis Dinkel of Charles Town5. Three more photographs are shown below (RG#2, RG#3 & VM#4). All four photographs were published together for the first time in 1988: The Image of War: 1861-1865, Volume 1: Shadows of the Storm, pages 46-47. RG#1 was also used on the books cover.

Miller, Francis Trevelyan , ed. The Photographic History of The Civil War (The Opening Battles, Vol. 1). New York: Castle Books, 1957, pg. 145 and cover, RG#1 appears misidentified as taken just prior to Bull Run. The same photograph subsequently appears in Seale, William. Virginias Executive Mansion, Richmond: Virginia State Library and Archives, 1988, pg. 64 correcting the time frame to 1859.
5

Kimball, Gregg D. American City, Southern Place A Cultural History of Antebellum Richmond, Athens and London: The University of Georgia Press, 2000. RG#1 appears among a collection of photographs (pages not numbered) that follow Chapter Five. The picture is captioned: Militiamen of the First Virginia Regiment, Charles Town, Virginia,1859. Ambrotye, probably by Lewis Dinkle, Charles Town. Valentine Museum, Richmond, Virginia.

RG#2 Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77)Virginia Historical Society

http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment)

Valentine Richmond History Center

http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

VM#4 Photographic Print Militiamen (frame added) William A. Albaugh Collection

During this investigation, another photograph was located, VM#5, comprised of the same individuals found in VM#4, but in slightly different poses. Both photographs were obviously taken concurrently.

VM#5 Ambrotype, Militiamen (1983.72) - Depicted in sixth plate size, 2 x 3 6 - Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

These group photographs are ambrotypes. An ambrotype is an early type of photograph consisting of a glass negative backed by a dark surface so as to appear positive in transmitted light. Each ambrotype was an original negative image on glass made by using a collodian wet plate process. If everyone in a posed group wanted their own ambrotype, then additional (and unique) exposures had to be taken. Observing the correct orientation of the militia insignia initials on hats (GR vs RG for Richmond Grays) can indicate whether the original was an ambrotype, a negative picture. The ambrotype and photograph of the ambrotype will show the insignia as GR as opposed to RG, whereas a print made using the ambrotype as the negative will produce a positive print showing RG, as shown above in VM#4 from the Albaugh collection. Ambrotypes came in various sizes from 1 x 1 to larger than 6 X 8 . RG#2 was documented to be a sixth-plate ambrotype (2 x 3 ) and it can be assumed the rest of these ambrotypes were as well. This size was very popular as it was easily transportable and could be

1983.72 has been documented by the Virginia Historical Society as sixth plate size, but with the oval opening sightly smaller; 2 by 2 , vs. 2 x 3 .

carried upon ones person. Ambrotypes were encased in protective decorative cases supplied by the photographer, similar to a small hinged book or cosmetic compact. High resolution photographs were obtained for RG#1, RG#2, and VM#5, from the Virginia Historical Society; and one for RG#3 was obtained from the Valentine Richmond History Center. The photograph of VM#4 was taken from Confederate Faces by William A. Albaugh. A high resolution photograph for VM#4 has not been located and only this low resolution print was available for this examination. Of the five photographs, RG#2 and VM#5 are the only ones for which original ambrotypes have been located. RG#1, RG#2 and RG#3 each contain between 11 and 13 recognizable individuals with mostly the same faces appearing in each. It can reasonably be assumed that RG#1 through RG#3 were all taken at the same time, the same place, and by the same photographer. They appear to have been taken outdoors, possibly in front a wooden fence or wall. In RG#2 you can see evidence of the free-flowing liquor described in George Libbys recollection: the Black Horse Troop, commanded by the gallant Turner Ashby, had its supply wagon, which contained a runlet of mountain dew, which they dispensed liberally. These lively photographs are composed of rough and tumble militiamen in an informal setting. VM#4 and VM#5 depict a different set of individuals than seen in RG#1 through RG#3. In each photograph the same six individuals appear, but in two different poses. It can be reasonably assumed that these two photographs were taken indoors at the same time, the same place, and by the same photographer. They are smaller, more formally posed shots of better quality than those in RG#1 through RG#3. As Lewis Dinkle has previously been credited for at least one of the RG#1 through RG#3 photographs, it is reasonable to conclude that he took them all, and he is the likely photographer for VM#4 and VM#5. It is documented that Lewis Dinkle lived in Charles Town during 1859 and operated a combined Mercantile and Daguerreotype establishment.7 In 1990 Ken Burns used RG#1 and RG#2 in his groundbreaking video documentary, The Civil War (Episode 1: The Cause). In displaying RG#1, the combination of a tight camera focus on the man highlighted in the center, and an accompanying narration of there was a private in the Richmond Grays, a young actor named John Wilkes Booth..., caused many to assume that Burns was implying that Booth was the subject of the cameras focus. However, in the ensuing discussion and dismissal of the individual with the moustache and goatee framed in the middle as being Booth, curiously only one article appeared addressing this issue.8 Other than that article, which rightfully concluded the man in the middle was not Booth, no further investigation was

Theriault, William ed. Explorer. West Virginia History Database, Edwin Fitzpatrick Collection. [Mr. Theriault provided the information on Mr. Dinkle and the initial low resolution image of RG#3. Nasby, Dolly, Images of America, Charles Town, Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina. 2004. pg. 83. The picture is entitled: First Virginia Regiment, credited to the collection of Bill Theriault, Bakerton, W.V.]
8

Graves, Ralph. Who Are These Guys?, Smithsonian, January 1999, pg. 110

undertaken to ascertain if any of the remaining men in this photograph could be Booth, nor has any consideration given to the two companion photographs, RG#2, RG#3, or to VM#4 or VM#5. II. VIRGINIA MILITIA PRESENT AT CHARLES TOWN Background of Deployment The First Regiment of Virginia Volunteers was organized in May 1851. In 1859 it was commanded by Col. Thomas P. August. Members of the regiment responded to the John Brown Raid and its aftermath at the call of Gov. Henry A. Wise. Its individual companies included the Richmond Grays, organized in 1844, commanded by Captain Wyatt M. Elliott. Other companies were the Montgomery Guard, the Richmond Light Infantry Blues, the Virginia Rifles, the newly organized Richmond Howitzers, and Company F. Obadiah Jennings Wise, eldest son of thenVirginia Governor Henry A. Wise and Editor of the Richmond Enquirer, was present at Charles Town as a private in Company F. 9 Due to his numerous duels (credited with 8 in 2 years) The gallant Jennings Wise was precluded at this time from holding rank as a commissioned officer.10 In 1861, he would be elected the Captain of the Richmond Blues and would serve as such until his mortal wounding in 1862 during the heroic but hopeless defense of Roanoke Island. The Richmond Daily Dispatch reported on November 21, 1859 that by 9 p.m. of the previous Saturday night, November 19th, six companies of the First Regiment, plus the Young Guard, a militia company also based in Richmond, had assembled at the RF&P Depot on Broad Street. The force was originally placed under Captain Elliott of the Grays, Col. August being detained for several days by sickness. That night the Grays turned out at least 80 men under the temporary command of Lt. Louis J. Bossieux. The entire force, estimated at more than 400 soldiers, crowded onto eight train cars headed towards Harpers Ferry. Upon arrival, it was discovered that the limited accommodations available at Charles Town made it necessary to keep the Richmond Blues, Montgomery Guard, and Richmond Howitzers at Harpers Ferry. The Grays, Company F, Virginia Rifles and Young Guard continued to Charles Town under Captain Elliott and were quartered there11. The population was in a panic, believing that organized forces

O. Jennings Wise appears as a member on the original muster roll of Company F listing those eligible to be paid for duty at Charles Town in November-December 1859 (with signatures for payouts) but it is noted that he declined all pay for his services. Record Group 46, Department of Military Affairs, John Browns Raid Muster Rolls, 18591860. Accession 27684. Library of Virginia.
10

Halstead, Murat. Vincent, Francis ed. Vincents Semi-Annual United States Register: Events Transpiring between the 1st of January and 1st of July, 1860.The Independent. Oct. 6, 1898. [Entry for Tuesday, January 10 th; Amnesty This day the legislature of Virginia passed an act of amnesty to all engaged in duels previous to this date. This was done mainly for the benefit of Messrs. Pryor, Clemens, O. Jennings Wise, and some other Virginia duelists, to remove their inability to hold office]; Library of Virginia, System Number 001287544, Sheet #598, S. Bassett French Biographical Sketches states that Obadiah Jennings Wise previous to the war joined Co. F, 1st Reg. Va. Vols.
11

From Harpers Ferry. Letter dated 25 November 1859, Richmond Whig. 27 November 1859.

from the North that supported Brown would descend upon Charles Town in an effort to free Brown and his fellow prisoners. The Richmond Grays

Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays (circa 1870s)

Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond Virginia

http://www.moc.org

In a post war panorama photograph, known as The Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays12, probably taken during the 1870s, thirty-one individual members of the Grays were identified by name. At least thirteen of these men were known to have been present at Charles Town in 1859 13 .

12

Taken at Richmond, the photograph is composed of three photographs put together to form a panorama view of 31 members of the Richmond Grays and a guest. The photograph, while identifying the members, does not identify the members service dates, nor does it address members living elsewhere or absent at the time the photograph was taken.
13

The original muster roll for Captain Elliotts Co. A (Richmond Grays), First Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, shows a total of 94 names of officers and men who were eligible to receive payment for duty performed from 17 to 19 October and/or from 19 November to 5 December 1859. Several members were present for only a portion of the Charles Town Deployment. Record Group 46, Department of Military Affairs, John Brown's Raid Muster Rolls, 1859-1860. Accession 27684. Library of Virginia.

They Were

Cyrus 14 Bossieux

U. A. 15 Gathright

John Gibson
16

William 17 Gibson

Lyman J. 18 Laughton

William Carrington 19 Mayo

James West 20 Pegram

James Eldred 21 Phillips

Robert Bolling 22 Pickett

John Pitt

23

Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays (circa 1870s (cropped) Museum of the Confederacy
http://www.moc.org

James Edward 24 Tyler

David Garrick 25 Wilson

William S. 26 Woodson

14

Federal Census - Year: 1880; Census Place: Richmond, Henrico, Virginia; Roll T9_1371; Family History Film: 1255371; Page: 82.2000; Enumeration District: 80; Federal Census - Year: 1870; Census Place: Richmond Marshall Ward, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M593_1654; Page: 214A; Image: 431; Family History Library Film: 553153; Federal Census - Year: 1850; Census Place: My District, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M432_951; Page: 473A; Image: 477. [Bossieux, Cyrus - Corporal Age in 1860 abt. 25]
15

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 737; Image: 299; Family History Library Film: 805353. [Gathright, U - Age in 1860 abt. 20]
16

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 832; Image: 394; Family History Library Film: 805353. [John Gibson - Age abt. 18 in 1860]
17

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 2, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1352; Page: 404; Image: 408; Family History Library Film: 805352. OR 30 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 3, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 465; Image: 25; Family History Library Film: 805353. [Gibson, William - Age in 1860 bwt. 28-30. Two possible candidates]
18

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 871; Image: 433; Family History Library Film: 805353. [Laughton, Lyman - Age in 1860 abt. 23]
19

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 2, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1352; Page: 247; Image: 253; Family History Library Film: 805352. [Mayo, William - Age in 1860, abt.25]
20

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 3, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 499; Image: 61; Family History Library Film: 805353. [Pegram, James - Age in 1860 abt. 21- Served as Sergeant Major at Charles Town, but was in fact a Corporal.]
21

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 1, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1352; Page: 51; Image: 55; Family History Library Film: 805352. [Phillips, James - Age in 1860 abt. 23] b. 3/10/1838

Many militia members already have been documented as having been deployed at Charles Town with Booth. Some of those individuals wrote first-hand narratives confirming Booths presence and participation27. Three of those documented to have been at the deployment who have been previously identified in RG#1 are Philip Whitlock (Richmond Grays), Aylett Reins Woodson (Richmond Grays), and Julian Alluisi (Virginia Rifles28.) Whitlock also appears in RG#2 and RG#3.

22

Federal Census - Year: 1870; Census Place: Boydton, Mecklenburg, Virginia; Roll M593_1663; Page: 229B; Image: 84; Family History Library Film: 553162. [Pickett, Robert - Age in 1860 abt. 21]
23

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Eastern Division, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 828; Image: 390; Family History Library Film: 805353. [Pitt, John - Age in 1860 abt. 36]
24

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 1, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1352; Page: 140; Image: 146; Family History Library Film: 805352. [Tyler, James E. - Age in 1860 abt. 24]
25

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 3, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 495; Image: 57; Family History Library Film: 805353. [Wilson, David - Age in 1860 abt. 35]
26

Federal Census - Year: 1870; Census Place: Brookland, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M593_1652; Page: 240B; Image: 69; Family History Library Film: 553151. [Woodson, William - Age in 1860 abt. 32]
27

Whitlock, Philip. The Life of Philip Whitlock, Written by Himself, Richmond: Beth Ahabah Museum and Archives Trust, (used with permission); http://www.jewish-history.com/civilwar/philip_whitlock.html 3/1/2010. Libby, George. W. John Brown and John Wilkes Booth The Confederate Veteran 37, April 1930, 138-139; Alfriend, Edward M. Recollections of John Wilkes Booth by Edward M. Alfriend, The Era, October 1901, 604; Fuller, Charles F. quoting George Crutchfield, Edwin and John Wilkes Booth, Actors at the Old Marshall Theatre in Richmond. Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, 79: No. 4 (Oct. 1971), pp. 477-483; Crutchfield, George. Personal Letter to E. V. Valentine, July 5, 1904, V.M.H.C.
28

Documented by Virginia Historical Society.

From the various narratives placing John Wilkes Booth at Charles Town, we can identify the following individuals associated with the Richmond Grays who would have definitely interacted with him and whom might possibly be present in RG#1, RG#2 and/or RG#3: Edward M. Alfriend (shared same quarters in Charles Town) Louis F. Bossieux (approached by Booth at the baggage car and helped to uniform Booth. Shared same quarters at Charles Town) George W. Libby (approached by Booth at the baggage car and helped to uniform Booth) Robert A. Caskie (shared same quarters at Charles Town and wrote an endorsement for Booths April 1860 work voucher documenting payment for Booths militia services. Caskie served as Regimental Quartermaster and Booth served as Regimental Quartermaster Sergeant) Philip Whitlock (near Booth when the Grays formed in ranks according to height) William Wirt Harrison (shared same quarters at Charles Town) Miles T. Phillips worked as a box-keeper in Richmond at the Marshall Theatre, the same theater where Booth was appearing.29

29

Recent Affair at Harpers' Ferry, New York Clipper, December 3, 1859, Library of Congress microfilm pg. 269. The Federal census, the family composition as described in the New York Clipper and the biographical sketch of Miles T. Phillips at the time of his death, all confirm that he is one and the same person. The sketch and a line drawing portrait of Phillips may be found attached to the fly page to the copy of The Old Stars and Stripes of the Richmond Grays, and the Grays in the Confederate Army once owned by the John A. Andrew Post, G.R.A. Boston, MA and now in the possession of the Virginia Historical Society, Ref. Rare UA 508 R6 G7.

III. ASSESSING AND DISMISSING JOHN WILKES BOOTH IN VM#4 AND VM#5

VM#4 Photographic Print, Militiamen William A. Albaugh Collection

VM#5 Ambrotype, Militiamen (1983.72) 30 Virginia Historical Society

http://www.vahistorical.org

CC No# -Gen. Libby of Libby Prison, Cook Collection, Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Booth Gutman #16 (circa 1861-62) (cropped) Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

From this research we can dismiss John Wilkes Booth from appearing in VM#4 and VM#5. Using only the low resolution photograph available for VM#4 and compared against known photographs, one could conclude that the man sitting on the extreme left with an RG hat insignia could be John Wilkes Booth and the man standing immediately behind him could be George W.

30

1983.72 has been documented by the Virginia Historical Society as sixth plate size, but with the oval opening slightly smaller; 2 by 2 , vs. 2 x 3 .

Libby. However when examining VM#5, the higher resolution photograph of these men discovered during this investigation, one can discern that the man who bears a similarity to Booth appears to have muttonchops, a detail lost in the shadows of the low resolution photograph. This conclusion is confirmed by an obscure March 4, 1917 Richmond Times-Dispatch newspaper article entitled Historic Company F and John Browns Raid. The newspaper article detailed a Mr. John Tylers experiences at Charles Town and his recollection that the group went into a daguerreotype saloon and had our photographs taken, probably Dinkles establishment. The photograph taken in that daguerreotype saloon, published with the article, was from the original ambrotype VM#4, the ambrotype then owned by Tyler.31 Tyler is the man previously considered as possibly being Libby. From the 1917 article, the men in VM#4 (as reproduced here) from left to right are identified as: Standing Corporal John Tyler, Sergeant Ned Rawlings (both with Company F), and Dr. Chandler, a surgeon with the Alexandria Company. Seated: Wirt Harrison, Private Joseph James, and Howard Claiborne, Company F. As VM#4 and VM#5 depict the same men, this article identifies all of the individuals in each of these two photographs. An article from the Richmond Whig, dated Nov. 24, 1859 was located describing scenes observed at Charles Town during this same time. The correspondent wrote that a party of Richmond Grays was observed in the street, in front of a daguerreotype wagon, three lying on the ground, and three others in standing position who were having their photographs taken to send to their families and friends behind them in the event of their not being able to return to them until after the close of the war. From this narrative, yet another photograph of a militia group consisting of unnamed individuals is described. Whether the wagon was indicative of a traveling photographer or Dinkels wagon is unknown. As RG#1 through RG#3 were taken outdoors, a wagon would have been necessary to transport all of the required equipment. Again, Lewis Dinkle is a likely candidate as being the photographer. The photograph described in the Whig article has yet to be located or identified. It is important to stress that the presence of a large number of militia members in Charles Town for several weeks increases the likelihood that many more photographs were taken and that at least some of them might still be in existence32.

31

Unlike the Albaugh picture of RG#4, which is a positive print made from the original ambrotype, the photograph published in 1917 is a negative print, and thus a photograph of the original ambrotype.
32

Smith, Robin and Field, Ron. Uniforms of the Civil War. Gilford, Connecticut: Lyons Press. 2001, Pg. 219 shows a photograph of three unidentified members of the Richmond Grays (an officer, a sergeant, and an enlisted man) captioned Three members of the Richmond Grays, Co. A, 1st Regiment of Virginia Volunteers, Virginia, at the time of the Hanging of John Brown in December 1859. Photograph credited to Russell Hicks, Jr. There is no visual match of these three individuals to any of the photographs addressed herein.

This still leaves three known photographs for possible consideration.

IV. ASSESSING OTHERS IN RG#1 RG#2 AND RG#3 The Man in the Middle

James E. Tyler Age 23 in 1859 Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays (circa 1870s cropped) Museum of the Confederacy
http://www.moc.org

RG#1 Man in the Middle in 1859 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38)(cropped) Virginia Historical Society

Miles T. Phillips at 75 Age 36 in 1859 33

http://www.vahistorical.org

33

Federal Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Richmond Madison Ward, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M593_1654; Page: 115B; Image: 234; Family History Library Film: 553153. Age 37 in Federal Census Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 3, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1353; Page: 637; Image: 199; Family History Library Film: 805353; Age 57 in Federal Census - Year: 1880; Census Place: Richmond, Henrico, Virginia; Roll T9_1371; Family History Film: 1255371; Page: 49.1000; Enumeration District: 79. [Phillips, Miles T. Age 47 in 1870]

RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#2 Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) (red highlight) Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

The man in the middle erroneously identified as John Wilkes Booth in the 1990s appears in RG#1, RG#2 and RG#3. In RG#2 he is located to the extreme right of center with damage shown on the face, in RG#3 he is found again in the center of the photograph. Currently, there are two leading candidates for this man in the middle, James Edward Tyler and Miles Turpin Phillips, both of the Richmond Grays. From the previously mentioned Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays, Tyler bears a resemblance to this individual and while no confirming photograph of Phillips has yet been obtained the drawing which accompanied his obituary confirms his resemblance. Both men were at Charles Town in 1859, Tyler was 24 and Phillips 36.

Known to be in these photographs Prior to this investigation, identities for the following individuals presence had already been established:

Philip Whitlock Richmond Grays Age 21 34 RG#1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38)(cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Aylett Reins Woodson Richmond Grays Age 27 35 RG#1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38)(cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Julian Alluisi Virginia Rifles Age 27 36 RG#1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38)(cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

In some instances, other first-hand narratives place named individuals at the deployment, but without any known photographs to compare, one can only surmise if they are in any of the group photographs. At the other end of the spectrum, all of the 6 men present in VM#4 and VM#5 have been successfully identified. In some instances there are confirmed photographs of documented individuals present at Charles Town in 1859, but they are taken at such an advanced age as to make a definitive visual comparison nearly impossible. Possibly in the photographs

34

Federal Census - Year: 1880; Census Place: Richmond, Henrico, Virginia; Roll T9_1371; Family History Film: 1255371; Page: 252.4000; Enumeration District: 87 . [Whitlock, Philip]
35

Federal Census - Year: 1860; Census Place: Richmond Ward 1, Henrico, Virginia; Roll M653_1352; Page: 78; Image: 82; Family History Library Film: 805352. [Woodson, Aylett.]
36

Federal Census - Year: 1880; Census Place: Richmond, Henrico, Virginia; Roll T9_1371; Family History Film: 1255371; Page: 277.2000; Enumeration District: 88; [Alluisi, Julian]

Cyrus Bossieux?

RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) (red highlight) Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Cyrus Bossieux ? RG#1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (cropped & exposure lightened) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Cyrus Bossieux (circa 1870s)

Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays (circa 1870s (Cropped) Museum of the Confederacy
http://www.moc.org

From referring to The Honor Rolls of the Richmond Grays, Cyrus Bossieux is a candidate for appearing both in RG#1 and RG#3. In RG#1 he is the last discernable face on the left, in RG#3 he is the highest placed face. The individuals hat insignia is covered by a protective oil cloth and is not visible.

A.H. Robbins?

RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#2 Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) (red highlight) Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

A. H. Robbins ? RG#1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

A. H. Robbins (circa 1870s)

Honor Roll of the Richmond Grays (circa 1870s (Cropped) Museum of the Confederacy

A. H. Robbins ? RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

http://www.moc.org

The individual with the long flowing beard and a Richmond Grays insignia on his hat in RG#1, RG#2 and RG#3 resembles A. H. Robbins, but Robbins image in the Honor Roll photograph is slightly distorted and shows signs of visible damage. Additionally, no confirming evidence has been found to place A. H. Robbins on site at Charles Town.

Edward Morrison Alfriend?

RG#2 Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) (red highlight) Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter .com

Edward Morrison Alfriend? RG#2 Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77) (cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Edward Morrison Alfriend (circa 1892-1901)

Edward Morrison Alfriend37 (date unknown)

An individual appears with a Richmond Grays (1 RG) insignia in 3 of the group pictures (RG#1, RG#2 and RG#3.) He is almost indistinct in RG#1, buried in shadow at the extreme left center. His face is clearly shown in RG#2 immediately to the side of the gentleman with the long flowing beard. In RG#3 his arm is restraining the hand of a man holding a knife, earning this

37

Alfriend, Edward M. Social Life in Richmond during the War. The Cosmopolitian . April 1892, pg. 229.

individual the title of restraining man. The face of the restraining man can be clearly seen in RG#2 and confirms the resemblance to RG#1 and RG#3. He has a moustache and short beard or stubble. A possible candidate for the restraining man is Edward Morrison Alfriend, known to be present with the Richmond Grays and a close friend of Booths at Richmond during this time. Unfortunately, the only identified photographs of Alfriend found to date were taken more than 20 or 30 years later and depict a portly bald gentleman with a large walrus moustache. The moustache obscures his mouth shape but his chin is evident. Restraining mans chin is obscured by his beard/stubble so the only features visible on both photographs to compare are the eyes, eyebrows, nose, and slopping forehead. Accordingly, even though Alfriend was confirmed present, absent another photograph of him taken at a younger age, his identification as the Restraining Man can currently only be surmised. A reasonable assumption based upon his facial appearance is that the individual being threatened with the knife in the dramatically staged tableau in RG#3 is the youngest, or among the youngest members present with the Grays. The RG insignia can be discerned on his hat and he appears in RG#1, RG#2 and RG#3. A possible candidate for youngest looking man was Louis F. Bossieux who was 19 at this time and son of the Richmond Grays Lieutenant Louis J. Bossieux. (Louis F. Bossieux was approached by Booth at the baggage car, helped to uniform him and shared the same quarters at Charles Town.) A photograph of a young officer in uniform subsequently identified as Louis F. Bossieux taken in 1861 was discovered. Bossieux would have been 21 at the time. The photograph does not compare well with youngest looking man. The subject identified as Louis F. Bossieux appears to be a teen-aged boy rather than a 21-year old man. It is possible the photograph is of another member of the Bossieux family and has been misidentified. The identity of youngest looking man remains open. So where might John Wilkes Booth be and why? V. JOHN WILKES BOOTH Narratives confirming his presence at Charles Town What do we know about John Wilkes Booth and his involvement with the Richmond Grays? Booth had early military training In his early teens, Booth had spent two years at St. Timothys Hall, an Episcopal Military Academy in Catonsville, Maryland. Students at St. Timothy's wore military uniforms and were subject to a regimen of daily formation drills and strict discipline. This experience and training would have helped Booth to pass muster in a militia setting. Booth left school at 14, after his father's death. Booth was attracted to military service and conflicted about his future career

Narratives from Booths own family substantiate his attraction towards following a military career and his participation with the militia at Charles Town.38 Sometime before the beginning of the Richmond 1858-59 season39 Booths mother, Mary Ann Booth, wrote a letter to her eldest son Junius (which exists only in fragments) that includes her comment: I think John wishes he had been something else now-- but he wont [sic] acknowledge it.40 That comment, coupled with Asia Booth Clarkes statement in an undated letter to her friend Jean Anderson, John is crazy or enthusiastic about going for a soldier. I think he will get off. It has been his dearest ambition, perhaps it is his true vocation. 41 clearly evidences his inclination to enter military service or at least become a citizen-solider in the volunteer militia. Booth left with the Richmond Grays when they deployed to Charles Town, November 19, 1859 It is established fact that John Wilkes Booth was present in Richmond from 1858 to 1860 and resided at the Powhatan Hotel (1). He was a regular member of George Kunkles stock company at the Old Marshall Theatre 42 (2). The railroad depot for the departing troops was on the northwest corner of 8th and Broad Streets, near the Old Marshall Theatre (3). The Grays boarded the cars while the companys baggage was stowed into a separate car.

38

Goodrich, Thomas. The Darkest Dawn. Bloomington, Ind.: Indiana University, 2005, p. 210

39

Rhodenhamel, John & Taper, Louise. Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: The Writings of John Wilkes Booth., Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press 2001. Pg. 45 [Footnote: He played stock for two seasons in the Virginia Capital September 1858 through May 1859 and September 1859 through May 1860.]
40

Kincaid, Deirdre Lindsay. Rough Magic: The Theatrical Life of John Wilkes Booth, PhD thesis, Univ. of Hull. 2000, pg. 77; [quotes: ML 518, Peale Museum. Written after Asias marriage and before Edwins, the date is between May 1859 and June 1860.]; Barber, Deirdre. A Man of Promise: John Wilkes Booth at Richmond Theatre Symposium: Theatre in the Antebellum South Vol 2, Tuscaloosa, Al: Univ. Alabama Press, 1994, pp. 113129]
41

Kincaid, Deirdre Lindsay. Rough Magic: The Theatrical Life of John Wilkes Booth, PhD thesis, Univ. of Hull. 2000, pg. 77; [quotes: ML 518, Peale Museum. Written after Asias marriage and before Edwins, the date is between May 1859 and June 1860.]; Barber, Deirdre. A Man of Promise: John Wilkes Booth at Richmond Theatre Symposium: Theatre in the Antebellum South Vol 2, Tuscaloosa, Al: Univ. Alabama Press, 1994, pp. 113129]
42

Barber, Deirdre. A Man of Promise: John Wilkes Booth at Richmond Theatre Symposium: Theatre in the Antebellum South Vol 2, Tuscaloosa, Al: Univ. Alabama Press, 1994, pp. 113-129; Rhodenhamel, John & Taper, Louise, Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: The Writings of John Wilkes Booth. Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press, (2001), Pg. 45 [Footnote: He played stock for two seasons in the Virginia Capital September 1858 through May 1859 and September 1859 through May 1860.]

City of Richmond, VA. U.S. Coast Survey Office 1864 (cropped)

The detail assigned to guard the baggage included George W. Libby (age 20) and Louis F. Bossieux (age 19), son of Lieutenant Louis J. Bossieux of the Grays. George W. Libby provided a first-hand narrative placing Booth at the boxcar and described how he and Bossieux allowed Booth to accompany the Richmond Grays to Charles Town43. On November 19th, 1859 numerous sources document that Booth having observed the militia preparing for departure, rushed from rehearsals at The Old Marshall Theatre, insisting on entry into the box cars carrying the Grays to Charles Town. Dr. Joseph W. Southall believes he witnessed Booths actual decision to join the Grays.44 The signal for the militia departure was the tolling of the bell in the old tower in Capitol Square, a public park located just behind the Powhatan Hotel where both Southall and Booth lodged45. Going to the depot with other medical students to observe the send off, he recollects:

43

Libby, George. W. John Brown and John Wilkes Booth The Confederate Veteran 37, April 1930, 138-139.

44

Kincaid, Deirdre Lindsay. Rough Magic: The Theatrical Life of John Wilkes Booth, PhD thesis, Univ. Hull. 2000, pg. 100 [quotes from Southall, Joseph Dr. The Wilkes Booth Story, Richmond Dispatch, Feb. 2, 1902]
45

Kincaid, Deirdre Lindsay. Rough Magic: The Theatrical Life of John Wilkes Booth, PhD thesis, Univ. Hull. 2000, pg. 99

I noticed Wilkes Booth was walking just ahead of me on his way to the theatreJust before we got as far as the theatre I saw Booth, who had been walking at a brisk pace, stop suddenly as if he had forgotten something. Just as our group reached the spot where he stopped, Booth deliberately turned backI have ever since been convinced that when he stopped and stood for a moment in thought that he then and there decided that his duty to the State had first claim on his allegiance in an emergency like that, and that when he turned back he had made up his mind as to his course. The December 3, 1859 edition of the New York Clipper describes the sense of excitement and unease in Richmond that night: Of course, the feeling was intense, for not knowing the exact nature of the summons, and supposing that actual fighting was going on at Charlestown, Va., the parting of the volunteers from their families had all the semblance and in fact, reality, of the departure of soldiers to a bona fide acknowledged and declared war. Edwin Booth, John's brother, wrote a letter to his then fiance Mary Devlin, telling of John's impulsive act in leaving the theatre to go to Charles Town with the militia. Mary replied, "Your news concerning the mad step John has taken does not surprise me. 'Tis a great pity he had not more sense but more time will teach him...I hope nothing serious will occur there (Charles Town), for it would frighten your mother so46 First-hand narratives describe that when Booth appeared at the boxcar, he had no musket and no uniform. Edwin Adams relates that Booth was armed with pistols and a knife.47 Narratives describe both Libby and Bossieux being hesitant to admit him before finally relenting.48 Perhaps Booths well known celebrity status from his stage appearances 49and the fact Booth could provide welcomed entertainment entered into Libby and Bossieuxs

46

Giblin, James Cross. Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth . Clarion Books, New York, 2005, pg 53 - 58
47

Kimmel, Stanley. The Mad Booths of Maryland. Indianapolis, New York: Bobbs-Merrill. 1940, pg 156. [Quoting Edwin Adams unpublished letter to My Dear Reakirt,, dated Long Branch, N.J. April 17, 1865, War Department Archives, National Archives, M599, Reel 2, Frames 0059-62; Kincaid, Deirdre Lindsay. Rough Magic: The Theatrical Life of John Wilkes Booth, PhD thesis, Univ. of Hull. 2000, pg. 101[also quotes same letter to My Dear Reakirt.]
48

See Generally, Tucker, Glenn. John Wilkes Booth at the John Brown Hanging, Lincoln Herald, Spring 1976, Vol. 78, No. 9, pgs. 3-11
49

Samples, Gordon. Lust for Fame: The Stage Career of John Wilkes. Jefferson, North Carolina and London: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1982, pg. 40. [Amongst them I notice Mr. J. Wilkes Booth, a son of Junius Brutus Booth, who, though not a member, as soon as he heard the tap of the drum, threw down the sock and buskin, and shouldered his musket with the Grays to the scene of the deadly conflict.], quoting from the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 28, 1859.

decision to allow him to go. It is also possible that Booth had previously interacted with individual members of the Grays and was personally known to both Libby and Bossieux. According to published narratives, by borrowing or exchanging individual items of clothing with others Booth obtained enough of a uniform to pass muster. George Crutchfield in a 1904 letter to E. V. Valentine50 wrote that Booth borrowed a uniform of a member of the Richmond Grays and joined that company that night and went along with us. (I was with the R.L.I. Blues.) Booth served with the Richmond Grays at Charles Town Booth was assigned as the quartermaster sergeant. Harpers Ferry Fund records at the Library of Virginia include a pay voucher for John Booth, written and signed in his own hand and witnessed by both R.A. Caskie and Col. Thomas August, certifying Booth served as the quarter master sergeant for the 1st Virginia Regiment from November 19 through December 6, 1859.51 Edward M. Alfriend wrote: While at Charlestown the Richmond Grays occupied as their quarters an old tin factory, and here John Wilkes Booth slept every night when he was not doing duty as a sentinel with Wirt Harrison, on a straw pallet, which was laid next to my own.52 Wirt Harrison, wearing a Richmond Grays cap in VM#4 and VM#5, is undoubtedly the same Wirt Harrison of the Richmond Grays who Edward M. Alfriend documents as having bunked with John Wilkes Booth at Charles Town. Philip Whitlock remembered that he and Booth were the same height and thus were positioned next to each other when in line. They were evidently lined up in this position near the scaffold when John Brown was executed. Again, Whitlocks first- hand recollection states that Booth turned white when the drop fell and asked for a drink of whiskey at the sight. The Richmond Grays and Company F were lined up oblique to the scaffold. Some narratives fix the distance at 50 feet, while Whitlock claims 30 feet, though 100 feet is considered most likely. Booths documented dramatic readings while at Charles Town While at Charles Town, Booth also is known to have given dramatic readings53, both for his fellow militiamen after guard duty and for the greater civilian population at the Episcopal

50

Crutchfield, George. Personal Letter to E. V. Valentine dated July 5, 1904, V.M.T.C.

51

The material was copied from the Auditor of Public Accounts, Entry 145, Harpers Ferry Fund. The amount authorized to be paid on April 14, 1860 was $64.58 to cover 19 days of service from 19 November to 6 December: I claim as quarter master Sergeant of 1 Reg. V. Vol. for fifteen nineteen days service from 19 Nov to 6 Dec [Signed] John Booth.
52

Alfriend, Edward M. Recollections of John Wilkes Booth by Edward M. Alfriend, The Era, October 1901, pg 604.
53

Alfriend, Edward M. Recollections of John Wilkes Booth by Edward M. Alfriend, The Era, October 1901, pg 604 [Nearly every night before taps Booth would entertain us with dramatic recitations from different plays. He

Lecture Room. Arthur Wells Hawks, a resident of Charles Town and young boy at the time, recalled later in life that Booth gave dramatic readings in the Episcopal Lecture Room and how those readings helped ease the tension incident to Browns trial and subsequent conviction for treason. Arthur Hawks served in the Civil War (he was the son of Major Wells Hawks of Stonewall Jacksons staff) and later enjoyed a long and successful career as Sunshine Hawks, a noted philosopher, minister and lecturer on the Chautauqua Circuit.54 Mrs. Charles E. Ambler, the wife of Rev. Charles E. Ambler, rector of Zion Episcopal Church in Charles Town recorded in her diary, John Wilkes Boothe [sic] who is here as one of the guards of the John Brown Jail, has been giving Shakespearan [sic] readings each evening in the Episcopal Meeting House, to quell the population.55 Another account of Booth the actor at Charles Town comes from Gordon Samples Lust for Fame where he writes: [d]uring free evenings from guard duty [Booth] entertained his companions with dramatic monologues, of which he had a great store in his fantastic memory. His theater at this time was any shelter or lean to; his audience of soldiers sat around on mounds of straw, bales of cotton, or other warehouse commodities available. 56 From the above, it is reasonable to conclude that Booth was presented the personally dedicated commemorative John Brown pike by Major B. B. Washington that Asia Booth Clarke mentioned in The Unlocked Book in appreciation for his dramatic performances. It is a known fact that John Brown pikes57 (metal forged spear heads some with and without wooden handles) intended for Browns hoped-for army of insurrection which never materialized, were divided up and provided en masse as souvenirs after the conclusion of the events at Charles Town.58 There were at least two pieces of physical evidence of Booths service at Charles Town

was very fond of reciting, which he did in such a fiery, intense, vigorous, brilliant way as to forecast that great genius he subsequently showed on the stage.]
54

Chautauqua was an adult education movement in the United States, highly popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Chautauqua assemblies expanded and spread throughout rural America until the mid-1920s. The Chautauqua brought entertainment and culture for the whole community, with speakers, teachers, musicians, entertainers, preachers and specialists of the day.
55

Alfriend, John S. History of Zion Episcopal Church, Saint Andrews Parish, Charles Town, West Virginia Privately published 1973, pg. 3
56

Samples, Gordon. Lust for Fame: The Stage Career of John Wilkes . Jefferson, North Carolina and London: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1982. pg.41.
57

See generally Hodder, Frank Heywood. The John Brown Pikes, Kansas Historical Quarterly, Nov. 1933, Vol. 2, No 4, pg 386-390.
58

Tucker, Glenn. John Wilkes Booth at the John Brown Hanging, Lincoln Herald, Spring 1976, Vol. 78, No. 9, Pg. 9

From Asia Booth Clarkes The Unlocked Book we know that Asia saw a group photograph which included her brother dating from this time and a John Brown souvenir pike that had been personally dedicated to him from Major B. B. Washington, known to have been present. It is undeniable that John Wilkes Booth was present at Charles Town during this time and both a photograph and a personalized John Brown pike are evidence of his participation. What is unknown is if they still exist, and if so, where? Where Booth might be in these Photographs It is important to remember that comparison photographs for John Wilkes Booth were taken during his stage career. Booth was repeatedly photographed by leading professional photographers under studio conditions with careful lighting and staging to provide for the subjects best possible presentation. These are the photographs that readily come to mind when thinking of him. In contrast, the Richmond Grays photographs were poorly lit group photographs of militia men who happened to be present during a military deployment. Due to the militia garb being worn, the black curly hair and dapper clothing so indelibly associated with photographs of Booth cannot be expected to be seen, nor should their absence discredit the balance of the visual information still comparable. Likewise the comparison photographs of Booth in civilian attire cannot be expected to correspond to the same exact pose of the individual highlighted as potentially being Booth in the militia group photographs. Booth was known for his remarkably handsome physical appearance. George Crutchfield, iron oxide merchant at Richmond and a member of the First Virginia Volunteers stated: I knew Jno. Wilkes Booth quite well in 1858-1860 and frequently met him sociallyHe was a man of high character & sociable disposition & liked by everyone with whom he associated. Was considered very handsome, having coal black hair and eyes59 and from George W. Libby: He was a remarkably handsome man, with a winning personality and would regale us around the camp fire with recitations from Shakespeare.60 Seldom has the stage seen a more impressive, or a more handsome, or a more impassioned actor. Picture to yourself Adonis, with high forehead, ascetic face corrected by rather full lips, sweeping black hair, a figure of perfect proportions and the most wonderful black eyes in the world. Such was John Wilkes Booth. At all times his eyes were his striking features but when his emotions were aroused they were like living jewels. Flames shot from them.61

59

Samples, Gordon. Lust for Fame: The Stage Career of John Wilkes . Jefferson, North Carolina and London: McFarland & Company, Inc., 1982. pg. 43. [Attributed in a letter to E.V. Valentine, Richmond, Va, July 5, 1909. Original in the Valentine Museum, Richmond]
60

Rhodenhamel, John & Taper, Louise. Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: The Writings of John Wilkes Booth., Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press 2001, pg.45; (Quoting from George W. Libby, John Brown and John Wilkes Booth The Confederate Veteran 37, April 1930, 138-9)
61

Rhodenhamel, John & Taper, Louise. Right or Wrong, God Judge Me: The Writings of John Wilkes Booth., Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois Press 2001, pg Pg. 6; (Quoting from Wilson, Francis. John Wilkes

One individual who appears in both RG#1 and RG#2 meets the unique physical descriptions of Booth. As documented below, in each instance this individual of interest from RG#1 and RG#2 compares well against known photographs of John Wilkes Booth. In both pictures the individual wears the same distinctive hat with the insignia covered by a protective oil cloth. In RG#1 he is standing just behind and to the viewers left of the man in the middle:

RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society http://www.vahistorical.org

Booth, Boston and New York; Houghton Mifflin Company, 1929, pg. 15, in turn quoting Wyndham, Sir Charles. Interview, New York Herald, June 27, 1909.

Booth Gutman #4 (circa 1859-60) (cropped & flipped) Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

Booth ? RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Booth Gutman #32 (circa 1864)

Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

In RG#2, an individual is observed in the upper right hand portion, above and to the right of the man with the long flowing beard. While the face is obscured partially in shadow, when compared against a known photograph of John Wilkes Booth taken three years later, the facial resemblance is noticeable. Although in each of the RG photographs, the man who is possibly Booth has his hair concealed by a hat, in RG#2 a distinctive hair flip indicative of curly hair can still be discerned on the left hand side of the face.

RG#2 - Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77) (red highlight) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Booth ? RG#2 - Ambrotype, Group Portrait of Richmond Grays (1960.77) (cropped)

Booth Gutman #20 (circa 1862 - cropped)

Virginia Historical Society

http://www.vahistorical.org

Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

In RG#3, the photographer captured an individual in the foreground in a highly theatrical posture. The dramatic posing is indicative of an actors personality and we know that Booth, the actor, was at Charles Town. By his actions, the man staging the dramatic stab while holding a theatrically poised knife is a candidate to be Booth. Unfortunately this individuals profile is too diffused by shadow and blurred by motion to be easily compared with the provided known profile of Booth. In searching for photographic evidence of Booth at Charles Town, the primary value of RG#3 is in the action which the attacking man is performing and in the unique weapon he is holding.

RG#3 Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) Valentine Richmond History Center http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment)

(cropped)

Valentine Richmond History Center http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Again, as in the photographs of the candidate for Booth in RG#1 and RG#2, the cap of the attacking man in RG#3 is covered with an oilcloth and the insignia is not visible. While this mans profile is barely discernable, being diffused and in shadow, the mans pose is clearly a staged theatrical one. This man is holding a fellow militiaman by the collar while dramatically threatening him with a unique knife or improvised weapon. We know from actor Edwin Adams that Booth reportedly took a knife with him to Charles Town. The drama of the pose is further heightened by a man immediately to the side who has extended his hand grasping and restraining the hand of the attacking man. This restraining man was previously discussed as potentially being Booths friend and fellow Richmond Gray, Edward Morrison Alfriend. Restraining mans other hand is resting along the attacking mans shoulder and upper arm. Again, indicative of a familiar relationship. Restraining man is participating in, and supportive of, the action being staged.

Booth ? RG#3 - Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) (cropped & exposure lightened) Valentine Richmond History Center
http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

Booth Gutman #30 (circa 1863 cropped & flipped) Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

RG#3 - Ambrotype, Militiamen RG#3 - Ambrotype, Militiamen (CC 3648 First Virginia Regiment) (cropped) Valentine Richmond History Center http://www.richmondhistorycenter.com

A close-up of the hand-held weapon in RG#3 reveals that it appears to be a single edged weapon about seven or eight inches long overall, with a short flat shoulder, no quillion, and occasional lines running perpendicular to the shaft/spine and blade. The weapon does not correspond to a bowie knife, side knife or any identifiable military edged weapon.62 As such, it appears to be more suitable as a gentlemans personal (concealed) weapon of opportunity, rather than a military issue item. Whatever its identity, its size and shape obviously do not meet the design requirements for military edged weapons of the day. A reasonable conclusion is that while the object being used as a knife may qualify as a weapon, it is a unique personal item rather than one of standardized military combat. John Wilkes Booth was reported to have carried a knife and pistols when he boarded the box car at the Richmond Depot. 63

62

See generally Albaugh, William A. Confederate Edged Weapons . New York: Harper & Brothers , 1960, pgs. 168-179[where Albaugh discusses blade lengths: 17 , 16 , 13, 12 , 10 5/8 , 10 , 7 with the smallest one only identified as a dirk, which is a two edged stabbing weapon, all others described as side arms, side knives or bowie knives.] Kimmel, Stanley. The Mad Booths of Maryland. Indianapolis, New York: Bobbs-Merrill. 1940, pg 156. Quoting Edwin Adams unpublished letter to My Dear Reakirt,, dated Long Branch, N.J. April 17, 1865, War Department
63

Who were the clients for these photographs? The reference work Richmond Volunteers 1861-1865 contains a photograph of RG#1, identifying Julian Alluisi of the Virginia Rifles as the owner of the original ambrotype.64 At the time of the books publication in 1969, the image was in the possession of his grandson. As Alluisi is only in one of the three photographs, it is reasonable to conclude that he left the group after posing for RG#1 and that RG#1 was probably the first of the series taken that day. Additionally, the members of the Grays immediately around Alluisi are taking care not to lean into him and thus obscure the cameras view. It is reasonable to assume that Alluisi was the client for RG#1. Aylett Reins Woodsons family donated the original ambrotype for RG#2 to the Virginia Historical Society65, and thus it was in the familys possession. Woodson is in RG#1, RG#2 and RG#3, but his image appears best in RG#2. It is reasonable to assume Woodson was the client for RG#2. We know that RG#2 was a sixth plate ambrotype. We know from the 1917 Times-Dispatch article, previously mentioned, that John Tyler owned the original ambrotype of VM#4. It is reasonable to assume Tyler was the client for VM#4. The Meade Family donated VM#5 to the Virginia Historical Society.66 We know that Booth was not in either VM#4 or VM#5, and the original ambrotype owner was one of the six individuals who posed for each picture. That leaves one original ambrotype and customer unaccounted for; namely RG#3. RG#2 has been documented to be a sixth plate ambrotype. As RG#1 and RG#3 were likely made at the same time, it is highly likely that all three ambrotypes were the same sixth plate size. This size would make its cased size of 2 x 3 easily transportable. As ambrotypes were one per customer, we could ask who a reasonable client would be to purchase RG#3? A possibility is the man who is starring in the action for whom the others serve as a backdrop. Of the three photographs, it is possible that RG#3 is the one Asia recounts seeing. This possibility is even more likely as the individual possibly identified as Booth in RG#1 and RG#2 is located off to the side of the center focus in these two photographs. Further, Asia would have not likely seen the original ambrotypes of RG#1 or RG#2, as we know who owned them. It is probable that when a photo opportunity presented itself, Booth, the actor, would most likely

Archives, National Archives, M599, Reel 2, Frames 0059-62; Kincaid, Deirdre Lindsay. Rough Magic: The Theatrical Life of John Wilkes Booth, PHD thesis, Univ. Hull. 2000, pg. 101[also quotes same letter to My Dear Reakirt.]
64

Manarin, Louis H., Wallace, Lee A. Jr. Richmond Volunteers 1861-1865, Richmond: Westover Press, 1969, pg. 190
65

Donor of picture, Julia E. Saunders, daughter of Woodson. Virginia Historical Society, Search the Collection, 04/29/10. [enter keyword 1960.77 at http://vhs3.vahistorical.org/starweb/vhs/servlet.starweb?path=vhs/vhs.web ]
66

Donor of ambrotype picture, Meade family. Virginia Historical Society, Search the Collection, 04/29/10. [enter keyword 1983.72 at http://vhs3.vahistorical.org/starweb/vhs/servlet.starweb?path=vhs/vhs.web ]

gravitate to a place in front of the camera, as in all three of these group photographs. It is also likely that an actor, wanting a memento of his service at Charles Town, would dramatically stage a tableau like that shown in RG#3 and purchase that photograph. VI. CONCLUSION Has John Wilkes Booth been hiding in plain sight in the Richmond Grays photographs? This investigation has identified: 1. First-hand evidence of a uniformed group photograph containing John Wilkes Booth taken at Charles Town in 1859 2. The Richmond Grays confirmed presence at Charles Town in 1859 3. John Wilkes Booths confirmed presence with the Richmond Grays at Charles Town in 1859 4. Three documented photographs of the Richmond Grays taken at Charles Town in 1859 that do not preclude Booths presence in the photographs 5. An individual in two of the three Richmond Grays photographs (RG#1 and RG#2) with a comparable visual resemblance to documented images of Booth 6. An individual in one of the three Richmond Grays photographs (RG#3) who by his dramatic action and unique weapon invites comparison with Booth, the actor 7. An 1859 newspaper account which indicates that there was at least one more group photograph taken, showing six members of the Richmond Grays From the narratives documenting John Wilkes Booths involvement with the Richmond Grays, and the visual analysis of each of the best known photographs taken from that time, merely dismissing him as not being the man in the middle in RG#1, and thus concluding that no picture exists of him at Charles Town, is no longer a sufficient response to the evidence. This investigation does not purport to reach a final answer if he is in one or more of the examined pictures, but the possibilities presented warrant serious debate and consideration. The presence of hundreds of men in Charles Town makes it extremely likely that many more photographs were taken besides the group pictures addressed in this investigation. We know that at least one other Richmond Grays group picture remains missing or misidentified. Perhaps there are others still in existence which have been misclassified as Civil War photographs. It is hoped that this research will prompt a thorough re-examination of group photographs documenting the aftermath of John Browns raid and motivate a search for new ones. Where is the picture Asia saw? Has John Wilkes Booth been hiding in plain sight with the Richmond Grays in these photographs, or is he in others yet to be identified? As a result of this investigation, the six individuals in VM#5, originally catalogued as unidentified militiamen, were identified. What else may be out there waiting to be discovered? To believe we have already discovered everything means we have learned nothing. ______________________

Booth Gutman #4 (circa 1859-60) (cropped & flipped)

Booth ? RG# 1 Photographic Print, Group of men at Harpers Ferry, by unknown (2010.1.38) (cropped) Virginia Historical Society
http://www.vahistorical.org

Booth Gutman #32 (circa 1864)

Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

Collection of Richard & Kellie Gutman

Acknowledgments

Mark Greenough - Gentleman and Scholar, for his invaluable research contributions about the Virginia militia in general and the Richmond Grays in particular, and for the unfailing encouragement and insightful editorial guidance he so graciously provided during the course of the entire project Richard and Kellie Gutman, for their generosity in allowing me the opportunity to include their wonderful images of John Wilkes Booth and for their unfailing kindness and courtesy Art Loux for providing daily information compiled on John Wilkes Booth during the Charles Town timeframe Lois McCord Mousty, whom I never had the pleasure of meeting, but who for the last 20 years had always wondered who was the man next to the man in the middle David Smythe, husband and true partner, without whose love and support Hiding would not have been researched or written William Theriault for providing the initial image of RG#3 and key information on Lewis Dinkle Hampden-Booth Theatre Library Raymond Wemmlinger Museum of the Confederacy John Coski Ann Drury Wellford Spirits of Tudor Hall Dinah Faber Surratt House Museum Joan Chaconas Laurie Verge Sandra Walia Valentine Richmond History Center

Meghan Holder Meg Hughes Virginia Historical Society Jamison Davis Jeffrey Ruggles Katherine Wilkins