To the Potomac

Regardless of the conditions of Booth and Herold's departure, Mudd neglected to immediately inform the authorities of their visit claiming that he did not wish to leave his family in case the pair returned. Instead, he waited until the following day when he asked his cousin, Dr. George Mudd, to alert Lt. Dana. This delay, coupled with Mudd's failure to mention his December meeting with Booth during questioning led him to be considered one of the conspirators in the plot.

Leaving Mudd's house, Booth and Herold made for the home of Confederate sympathizer William Burtles southeast of Bryanstown and on the eastern side of Zekiah Swamp. Getting lost en route, they engaged a free black named Oswell Swann as a guide. While traveling to Burtles', the two changed their request and asked Swann to take them to the home of Samuel Cox. A prominent member of Charles County society, Cox was known to support the Confederacy. Arriving at Cox's home, Rich Hill, Booth and Herold received a cool welcome. While Swann claimed they stayed 3-4 hours, Cox, when interviewed, denied letting them in the house. After paying off Swann, the fugitives left Rich Hill and hid in a pine thicket approximately two miles away. The next day, Cox sent his adopted son to bring Thomas A. Jones, a known Confederate agent, to Rich Hill. After he arrived, Cox asked Jones to get Booth and Herold across the Potomac and into Virginia. Locating the two in the pines, Jones informed them that he would get them across as soon as it was safe.

For the next four days, Booth and Herrold hid in the pine thicket and were supplied with food by Jones and Cox's overseer, Franklin Robey. During this time, Federal troops came dangerously close and both horses were shot (by Herold or Robey depending on the source) to prevent them giving away their location. On Thursday April 20, Jones came for them. Placing Booth on his horse, Jones walked with Herold to his home, Huckleberry, where he brought them food but did not allow them to enter.