The Life of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd; Containing His Letters From Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas Island, Where He Was Imprisoned Four Years for Alleged ... of Mrs. Samuel A. Mudd, Dr. Samuel A....

by Samuel Alexander Mudd, Nettie Mudd (Creator)

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. To ensure a quality reading experience, this work has been proofread and republished using a format that seamlessly blends the original graphical elements with text in an easy-to-read typeface. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

348 pages, Hardcover

First published November 10, 2007

Reviews

[Tamara · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting book with a great deal of history and behind the scenes personal accounts. Reading these letters from Dr. Samuel Mudd and his wife, we get a firsthand account of what they experienced. There is a detailed account of the trial by a Military Court over a citizen which his lawyer noted in many different ways was illegal. Regardless, Dr. Mudd was sent to Dry Targus, FL to serve a life sentence with a trial by a jury and proper disclosure of evidence (specifically, the Diary of J. Wilkes Booth). He would be pardoned by outgoing President Johnson after serving 4 yrs.

This is a story I have known in passing for many years and I found these firsthand accounts interesting. I was made aware of this book by a retired English Teacher while attending a Library Book Sale. As we discussed various biographies we enjoyed, she brought up this unique account of Dr. Mudd. Our Librarian was able to obtain this book from a special collection for me to read. This was enlightening to find the number of people imprisoned based on passing conversations or providing a legitimate service for Booth they would have performed for anyone.

Today, in the year 2024, we want to believe we are living in a unique world with social media and instantaneous news sources. But in 1864 when a President has been assassinated, a General was heard to say 'someone must pay' in regards to why Dr. Mudd was arrested. From a letter written by Dr. Mudd in 1867, approaching 4 years of imprisonment, he says it best even with 157 years in between.


"Our country seems now not to be governed by the Constitution, or by law, but by unbridled popular or public opinion, of which I have no doubt many others, as in my case, have been made victims."


This is a really deep dive into history as you read these letters. There is some narration by Dr. Mudd's son who created this book. I have given this a 3* rating because I find it interesting. But not earth shattering or a must read. But for a student of this event in history, it is a must read book.