Quote:How could the military justify using its resources to pursue the assassin if this was a police matter?
I just saw this, and as far as this part of the question is concerned, it's simple. At the time, it was legal for a civilian law enforcement official to use the military as a posse comitatus. Plus, the National Detective Police was under the command of the War Department. The reason for the formation of the First District of Columbia Cavalry, which Everton Conger had de facto command of in 1864 before he was wounded a second time, was to give Lafayette Baker a mounted force to help him with his investigations. Later it was merged with the First Maine Cavalry.
I discuss this in my
article on the battle for the War Department rewards.
Best
Rob
