Who caught John Wilkes Booth?

Answer 1

Booth and a co-conspirator named David Herold, were found in the barn of a farmer named Garrett in Virginia by the 16th New York Cavalry. When the commander of the unit ordered the men to come out, they refused, at which point the commander ordered the barn set on fire. Herold decided to give himself up at that point but Booth refused. So one soldier was sent around the back to set the barn to set the barn on fire and another, Sergent Boston Corbett, was positioned at a gap in the boards at the side of the barn. Booth must have changed his mind about coming out because through the open door the commander claims to have seen Booth turning away from the flames at the rear to face the door when Sergent Boston Corbett's bullet caught him in the back and he stumbled and fell to the ground. The commander said he had to drag him out of the barn. Booth was carried to the farm house porch where it took him several hours to die.

Answer 2

They are called co-conspirators and the level and degree of their culpability in the event varies. It depends on "Who knew what and when" as well as "Who did what and when". Four co-conspirators were charged, convicted and hanged. They included Mary Surratt who was the first woman put to death by the Federal Government. She surely had a clear knowledge in advance of the plot and she certainly did certain things that aided and abetted her fellow conspirators such as transporting weapons, concealing weapons, acting as a go between and providing a meeting place. She was hanged.

Lewis Powell was also tried, convicted and hanged. He knew in advance the details of the plot and made a failed effort to assassinate the Secretary of State.

George Atzerodt was knowledgeable about the whole plot and was charged by Booth with the killing of Vice President Andrew Johnson. He got cold feet and got drunk instead. He committed no direct violence and he was hanged.

David Herold knew the complete plan. He committed no violence, acted as a guide for Booth's escape and he was hanged. These four were tried and convicted by a military tribunal which virtually guaranteed their conviction and execution. Mary Surratt's son, John Surratt, Jr evaded capture via Canada and Catholic connections until arrested in Egypt on 23 November 1866. He knew in advance all of the plot, was a paid Confederate agent and was tried by Civil Law and not by a Military Tribunal. He walked because of a hung jury.

Others were named, tried and received lesser sentences, some of which may not have known anything about a plot against President Lincoln.

Answer 3

Booth was caught in a barn in Virgina after 12 days by the Union Army. A Sgt. Corbett is the man who took the killing shot to Booth. Corbett took his shot through the slats of the barn wall and hit Booth in the neck. Booth will live for a few hours, but will die. Corbett will eventually commit suicide.

Answer 4

Sgt Boston Corbett who was part of the 16th New York Cavalry that cornered Booth in a barn on the Garrett Farm.

Answer 5

Sergeant Boston Corbett shot John Wilkes Booth.