July 7, 1865: Adjusting the ropes before hanging the conspirators,
fltr Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold and Georg Atzerodt.
A detail from one of the photographs of the execution by Alexander Gardner.
fltr Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold and Georg Atzerodt.
A detail from one of the photographs of the execution by Alexander Gardner.
Today in 1865 the four main conspirators of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln were executed (John Wilkes Booth was already killed by Boston Corbett). The execution was supervised by General Winfield Scott (more about him later this week). The famous photographer Alexander Gardner and his assistant Timothy O’Sullivan took a series of ten photographs using a large format camera using collodion glass-plate negatives (more about that later this month).
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OOh how gruesome, but morbidly fascinating.
ReplyDeleteGruesome; but not as bad as it would be later.
ReplyDeleteWas this a public hanging? (I should know but I don't)
The execution took place in the courtyard of the Washington D.C. Arsenal Penitentiary. It was not open for public, a signed pass was required for admittance.
DeleteInteresting bit of American history. Thanks Rob!
ReplyDeleteDid you see that 2010 film, The Conspirator? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0968264/
ReplyDeleteI've read about it. It looks interesting, also because Robert Redford is the director. But according to the reviews it is a rather dull legal drama. So I'm not sure if I'm going to watch it.
DeleteSuch a disturbing picture. I located a news article written the day of the hanging. Mary Surratt's attorney made an attempt to stay the execution the day before, but it was rejected.
ReplyDeleteIt is fascinating. There is something both gruesome and barbaric about executions like this, but at least there weren't cheering crowds.
ReplyDeleteThat would be 1865, not 1867 !!!!!!
ReplyDeleteYou're entirely correct, sorry.
DeleteGruesome. But this was the nineteenth century I guess...
ReplyDelete