Rewriting History: The Case of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd

Talk about history coming alive! This is the type of video that answers the age-old question, "Why do we have to study old stuff that isn't relevant anymore?" The story of Dr. Samuel A. Mudd--hardly a household name--is a fascinating one which offers a good historical conundrum. On April 15, 1865, Dr. Mudd received an unusual pair of travelers at his home, which also served as his office. One man was suffering from a severely broken ankle and could barely walk. Dr. Mudd repaired the ankle as best he could and let both men stay at his home while the patient recuperated. It wasn't until a few days later that Dr. Mudd learned of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and immediately suspected that his patient may have been John Wilkes Booth. Through a relative, he notified Army officials and waited for them to come and take his statement. Little did he realize that his life was about to be changed forever. Rewriting History is historical drama at its best. The grandson of Samuel Mudd describes his crusade to clear his ancestor's name, a crusade that brought him to the attention of every president since Truman. His efforts culminated in a hearing; the case for Dr. Mudd was handled by the great-granddaughter of the Union general who had defended Mudd back in 1867, and one of the judges was related to Supreme Court Justice Salmon Chase who had upheld Mudd's conviction. There's a lot to like in this his­torical thriller and it will be of interest to all ages. Highly recommended. Aud: H, C, P. (J. Carlson)