What do you think the phrase "Atzerodt was guzzling like a Falstaff" means?

George Atzerodt was heavily drunk like a fat man or like a character in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV.

Explanation:

George Atzerodt, who would soon be charged and convicted as one of the conspirators in the assassination of Former United States President, Abraham Lincoln. During the court proceedings, and in the bid to save George Atzerodt, the lawyer representing George Atzerodt described that, "Atzerodt was guzzling like a Falstaff at 10:15 P. M."

Having lodge in the the same hotel in which the Vice president also lodged, nd visiting the bartender, in the hotel to drink and inquire opinion or information.

Hence, the quote from George Atzerodt's lawyer means that, George Atzerodt was heavily drunk like a fat man or like a character in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor and Henry IV.