11. The fugitives arrived in Virginia on April 23, having eluded the manhunt in Maryland
On April 23, 1865, Booth and Herold arrived on the Virginia side of the Potomac, and walked in a generally southern direction, taking to the woods when approached by others. The fugitives continued on their trek, moving south and west towards Port Royal. Herold contacted a member of the Confederate underground, Thomas Harbin, who had been a part of the kidnapping plan, but disapproved of the assassination. Harbin reluctantly supplied them with horses and directed them to the home of Dr. Richard Stuart. Booth removed two blank pages from his diary and wrote a note to the Stuart, delivered by Harbin.
Dr. Stuart (sometimes spelled Stewart) was another sympathizer, but he refused to help the fugitives, and also refused to examine Booth’s leg. The fact that he violated his Hippocratic oath in doing so gives an idea of his opinion of Booth, though it is possible he feared retaliation from the authorities. Booth and Herold spent the night in the cabin of a black farmer and his family, who were relegated to sleep outside. The following morning, they left the vicinity, traveling by wagon to King George, Virginia and the Rappahannock River ferry. Wary of the activity of Union troops in the area Booth sought help from Richard Garrett, as Herold sought out other contacts.