George Atzerodt
George Andrew Atzerodt arrived in the United States during 1843 at just eight years old. He came from Prussia, specifically a region now known as Unstruttal within Saxony. Life in America did not bring him immediate success or fluency. Despite living here for most of his life, he could never speak English with full command. As an adult, he opened a carriage repair business in Port Tobacco, Maryland. The venture failed, leaving him without steady work or income. This economic struggle set the stage for future choices.
John Surratt brought George Atzerodt into contact with John Wilkes Booth in Washington D.C. during January 1865. This meeting occurred several years after Atzerodt had closed his carriage shop. Booth was seeking accomplices for a plan to kidnap President Abraham Lincoln. Atzerodt agreed to join this initial conspiracy later admitting it during his trial. The connection between these men changed the course of American history forever. A simple introduction led directly to a national tragedy.
On the 14th of April 1865, Vice President Andrew Johnson stayed at room 126 of the Kirkwood House. At 10:15 P.M., while Booth shot Lincoln elsewhere, Atzerodt sat alone in that hotel room. He did not attempt to kill the man sleeping upstairs. Instead, he began drinking heavily at the hotel bar and lost all courage. He spent the rest of the night walking drunk through Washington streets. During this wandering, he dropped a knife into a nearby gutter. A sharp-eyed woman spotted the weapon and reported it immediately to police.
Police searched Atzerodt's room on April 15 and found a loaded revolver under his pillow. They also discovered a concealed Bowie knife and a bank book belonging to John Wilkes Booth. Authorities arrested him on April 20 at the home of his cousin Hartman Richter in Germantown Maryland. His attorney Captain William Doster argued during the trial starting May 1 that Atzerodt was a constitutional coward. Doster claimed Booth never intended for him to actually commit murder due to his known lack of bravery. The military tribunal rejected this defense completely.
Atzerodt confessed to Reverend Butler after being convicted of conspiracy. He stated that Booth wanted David Herold to assassinate Vice President Johnson because Herold had more pluck. Atzerodt believed Booth only asked him to back up Herold and give him courage. On the 7th of July 1865, four conspirators including Mary Surratt were hanged in Washington D.C. Atzerodt spoke his last words saying May we all meet in the other world God take me now. He was re-interred in Glenwood Cemetery three years later in 1869.
Common questions
Where was George Atzerodt born and when did he arrive in the United States?
George Atzerodt arrived in the United States during 1843 at just eight years old. He came from Prussia, specifically a region now known as Unstruttal within Saxony.
How did John Surratt introduce George Atzerodt to John Wilkes Booth?
John Surratt brought George Atzerodt into contact with John Wilkes Booth in Washington D.C. during January 1865. This meeting occurred several years after Atzerodt had closed his carriage shop.
What happened on the night of April 14 1865 involving George Atzerodt and Vice President Andrew Johnson?
On the 14th of April 1865, Vice President Andrew Johnson stayed at room 126 of the Kirkwood House while George Atzerodt sat alone there. At 10:15 P.M., Atzerodt did not attempt to kill the man sleeping upstairs but instead drank heavily and lost all courage.
When were authorities arrested George Atzerodt and what evidence was found in his room?
Authorities arrested him on April 20 at the home of his cousin Hartman Richter in Germantown Maryland. Police searched Atzerodt's room on April 15 and found a loaded revolver under his pillow along with a concealed Bowie knife and a bank book belonging to John Wilkes Booth.
Why did George Atzerodt refuse to assassinate Vice President Andrew Johnson according to his confession?
Atzerodt confessed that Booth wanted David Herold to assassinate Vice President Johnson because Herold had more pluck. Atzerodt believed Booth only asked him to back up Herold and give him courage due to his known lack of bravery.
All sources
9 references cited across the entry
- 1webAbraham Lincoln's Assassination – George AtzerodtAbraham Lincoln Research — December 29, 1996
- 2webThe Trial of the Lincoln Assassination Conspirators 1865Douglas Linder — Law.umkc.edu
- 4webPort Tobacco Archaeological ProjectJim — 8 September 2010
- 5bookAbraham Lincoln's ExecutionJohn Chandler Griffin — Pelican Publishing — 2006
- 6bookThat's Not in My American History Book: A Compilation of Little-Known Events and Forgotten HeroesThomas Ayres — Taylor Trade Publishing — 2000
- 7webThe Trial of the Lincoln Assassination Conspirators 1865 – George AtzerodtDouglas Linder — Law.umkc.edu
- 8newsWithin the past week the remains...1869-02-19
- 9citationThe Assassination of Abraham LincolnNeil Marshall — 2016-10-10