Arriving at Cleydael, approximately eight miles from Gambo Creek, Booth and Herold attempted to secure accommodations from Dr. Stuart. Aware of the president's assassination, it was clear to Stuart who the two men were despite their use of fake names. Stuart declined to give them beds for the night and also refused to treat Booth's leg on the grounds that he was a physician and not a surgeon. After some persistent arguing, Stuart did allow the men to quickly dine, though he remained outside. Hustling them out the door, Stuart told Bryant to take them to the nearby cabin of William Lucas.
A free black, Lucas also was reluctant to take in Booth and Herold. A racial fanatic, Booth was angered by having to stay with a black family, but saw little alternative. Commandeering the cabin, they forced the Lucas family to sleep outside. Believing his actions to have been of the highest patriotic value to the South, Booth was stunned by the cold reception he had received in Virginia. The following morning, April 24, Lucas' son, Charles, drove Booth and Herold to the ferry landing at Port Conway. Arriving around noon, Booth and Herold found that the ferry was across the Rappahannock River at Port Royal. After having a local fisherman, William Rollins, decline to take them across they settled in to wait for the ferry's return.
While waiting, they met three former Confederate soldiers, First Lieutenant Mortimer B. Ruggles, Private Absalom Bainbridge, and Private William S. Jett. In talking with Jett, Herold first identified himself as Boyd and that his companion was his brother, James W. Boyd. As they continued to talk, Herold admitted their true identities and that they had killed the president. Hearing this, Jett agreed to aid the fugitives in securing lodging once they crossed the river. Once they reached the south bank, Jett sought beds at the house of Randolph Peyton in Port Royal. Refused, he decided to take Booth and Herold south towards Bowling Green with the goal of finding lodgings with the Garrett family. Arriving at the Garrett Farm, Jett introduced Booth as Boyd. Richard Garrett agreed to let "Boyd" stay until Jett returned for him. Herold remained with Jett and the party continued onto Bowling Green.