7. The federal government offered a $50,000 reward for Booth as he hid in the woods
By April 20, 1865, federal authorities had most of the conspirators who had planned to kidnap Abraham Lincoln in custody. Several had had little to do with the assassination, though they were held anyway. Three were not, Booth, Herold, and John Surratt remained at large. The fact was announced by the War Department in a wanted poster released in Washington on April 20, which reported a $50,000 reward for Booth, and $25,000 apiece for Herold and Surratt. The latter was at that time in Canada, aware of his mother being in federal custody, and making plans to flee to Europe. Booth and Herold cowered in a pine thicket, relatively helpless. Booth spent his time drinking whiskey and scribbling in his makeshift diary over the unfairness of his reception. He believed his action had made him a martyr to the Confederate cause.
Although some believed the fugitives moved to cross the Potomac into Virginia on April 20, most evidence indicates the first attempt took place on the night of April 21. Jones’s guidance consisted of verbal instructions directing them to a waiting boat. Neither Booth nor Herold were experienced boatmen, and attempting to cross the Potomac at their chosen location required accounting for winds, tides, and a swift current. Not surprisingly, they failed. Booth noted in his diary entry regarding that night, “…last night being chased by gunboats till I was forced to return wet, cold, and starving”. His overly dramatic entry exaggerated what may have been an encounter with USS Juniper, positioned in the river near their point of crossing. Juniper’s log did not include a report of chasing anything that night. Booth likely spotted the gunboat and discouraged, returned to the Maryland shore.