Lizzy’s Latest – Booth’s Escape Route and Behind the Scenes of the 1993 Gettysburg Movie

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Sometimes chance encounters are fated to spark spontaneous adventures.  While photo shooting at a recreated Union encampment at the Dr. Samuel A. Mudd House Museum in Southern, Maryland, an unassuming man rode towards us in his ATV.  Dad, my photographer, worried he would kick us off the set. 

Fortunately, Dad’s concerns were quelled when the man introduced himself as Eddie Roberts, the person who built the set.  Eddie was happy to see us make use of the stage and explained that some of the 13th NY occupied the Mudd farm for a short period of time in April 1865 during the manhunt for John Wilkes Booth, President Abraham Lincoln’s assassin.  This theater is Eddie’s interpretation of an officer’s quarters.

We had an informative conversation with Eddie.  It turns out he and I have a mutual friend, Dave Purschwitz.  I know Dave from my time volunteering at the former Museum of the Confederacy in Richmond, VA.  Eddie and Dave are both part of the 8th Virginia Infantry re-enactors group.  What a small world!

Dave is Santa during Court End Christmas at the former Museum of the Confederacy and I am his elf. 🙂

After our talk, Eddie offered to give us a private tour of one segment of John Wilkes Booth’s escape route.  Not wanting to pass up this exciting opportunity, Dad and I accepted the invite. 

We boarded Eddie’s ATV and held on for dear life as Eddie sped down the path John Wilkes Booth and his co-conspirator, David Herold, took when they left the Mudd House.  Booth had come to Dr. Mudd seeking medical treatment for a broken leg.    

This is the path from the Mudd House that Booth and Harold took.

Eddie pointed out that back in 1865, the path was not clear like it is now.  He spent a long time clearing the path as he plans to turn this into an official tour in the future.  When we got to the end of the path, we were surrounded by dense woods and dangerous quicksand!

Quicksand! I’ve never seen quicksand! We didn’t get too close.

This area is known as Zekiah Swamp and is so treacherous, Booth and Harold paid Oswell Swan, a black tobacco farmer, $12 to escort them though the swamp. 

This shot is a tiny portion of the swamp. The swamp is 21 miles!

The Mudd property begins the escape route and I hope to detail the rest of Booth’s escape in a future Heels on the Battlefield post.  That’s if my best friend, William, who grew up in this area and has been studying the escape route for years, ever gets around to showing me the course.  Yes, William, I’m calling you out!  😉 

After our fun excursion, Eddie gave us a quick tour of his Civil War museum located in a converted barn on the Mudd property.  It is a treasure trove of family heirlooms and Civil War trinkets he’s acquired over the years.  It is well worth a visit if you have an interest or are curious.    

One interesting item that caught my eye was an original poster of the 1993 Gettysburg movie starring many great actors including Martin Sheen, Jeff Daniels, and Stephen Lang.  Dad and I watched this stellar movie many summers ago and asked Eddie if he’d seen it.

With a twinkle in his eye and a smile to match, Eddie revealed that not only did he see the film, he was an extra in it!  And the poster is significant because he is featured in it as the lone man facing the camera.  Eddie explained that the shot was supposed to show the majority of the men facing forward, but an unexpected commotion caused him to turn his head towards the camera the moment the shot was taken.  Though more shots were taken with the correct pose, the powers that be decided to use this shot giving Eddie Roberts a bit of glory and a unique place in cinema trivia.  🙂

Eddie is located in between the Confederate flags facing the camera.

Eddie reminisced fondly about his time on set.  His best memory was filming Pickett’s Charge.  Stephen Lang played swashbuckling General George Pickett, who on the final day of battle, led thousands of Confederate soldiers across a field in a failed attempt to break the Union’s center lines.

Stephen Lang as General George Pickett. In an interview, Lang said in part, “…The role I really wanted to play was George Pickett…in many ways, he did represent this kind of mythic southern ideal. He was anxious for glory. Just one of those lucky times in life that years later I was fortunate to play the role.”

The real George Pickett.

The following is a recollection of Eddie and Dave’s memories from that day:    

On the day Pickett’s Charge was filmed, every re-enactor was invited to participate in the Confederate assault, even the Union re-enactors. Wardrobe had plenty of grey uniforms for them to wear and the Union re-enactors were more than willing to don the grey.   

Thousands of men assembled in and around Seminary Ridge, the location where the real Pickett’s Charge began.  To recreate the ill-fated march across the same hallowed grounds our ancestors crossed under fire one hundred fifty plus years ago, Stephen Lang galloped on horseback along the ranks in full General George Pickett splendor rallying the troops for the task at hand.  He pointed off in the distance to the place the National Park Service (NPS) had forbidden us to cross.  A place where not only park rangers, but a crowd of tourists had assembled. 

Some of the re-enactors of Pickett’s Charge (Photo Credit: Dave Purschwitz)

With an air of one born to command and without a drop of cynicism, Lang shouted:

‘There boys is the place we’ve been told to stop.  The say we didn’t make it beyond that spot.  That’s why boys we’re not gonna stop!  Today we go all the way!  All the way for Old Virginia!” 

Mad cheers erupted and when the cameras started rolling, we marched with passion all the way to the markers as Lang yelled off script:

“CHARGE BAYONETS!  CHARGE!!!”

And we charged! The yellow arrow is the location of the 8th Virginia Infantry, Dave and Eddie’s Regiment. The original 8th passed through this area. (Photo Credit: Dave Purschwitz)

We charged with conviction past the markers and towards the crowds of tourists and stunned park rangers.  The crowds cheered!  Cars stopped in the middle of the road to take pictures and cheer us on.  Dangerous for them, but we loved it!  In that moment, we were all from Old Virginia!

Dave and friends taking a break between takes. Dave is on the right with a 20 Mass canteen that he got from a Union re-enactor who no longer needed it.  The field behind them represents the field of Pickett’s Charge. (Photo Credit: Dave Purschwitz)

Dave during filming.  I love his uniform!  According to Dave, they were permitted to carry their weapons, but no ammunitions due to Park regulations.  He and the others felt so honored to be able to “follow in their footsteps” under arms.  This is something Dave believes may never happen again and took pride in being a part of history. (Photo Credit: Dave Purschwitz)

Hope you enjoyed this post!  I haven’t done a history post in a while!

And if you’re interested in more Civil War history, Eddie Roberts performs in a series called, Footsteps.  In this one man show, he portrays his great grandfathers.  One who fought and died for the Union cause and one who fought for the Confederacy and survived the war.  Send me a message and I can put you in contact with him.  🙂

Eddie performs as Union Infantry Private Jacob Presley. Yes, Eddie is related to Elvis Presley. He even has the sideburns to prove it! 😉

Mr. Easter-Day, a friend of Eddie’s, shows us a picture of Jacob Presley. He definitely has the Elvis hair, in my opinion.

Eddie portrays Confederate Brigadier General William Paul Roberts. At 23, Roberts was the youngest General officer in the Confederacy. At the surrender, Roberts broke his sword into 3 pieces and hid it in his saddle bags rather than surrendering it to the Union.

This is the sword! Priceless piece of history.

Can you see the “CS” on the sword?!

Have a great week!

I will be back to featuring heels in my next post.

Style with a Smile!  🙂