The Surratt Courier

[J. Beckert]

I hope I don't step on your question, Laurie, but I want to commend Bill & Rick for their excellent article in this months Courier regarding if Booth could have shot himself. I liked that they approached this from several angles; not only physical, but also taking into account Booth's mental state. I thought that was very important. Now, if I may, my two cents...

Dr. Woodward's report stated the ball traveled downward and backward. He states the ball made it's exit at the left side of the neck. If he is correct, the ball had to enter from the right front quarter of the neck. Roger and I discussed this next fact last week. Barnes' report states this: "...passing out through the body of the sterno-cleido of right side , 3 inches above the clavicle". We have two different interpretations from two men who were present and actually performed the autopsy. While we will never know what actually transpired that morning, these conflicting and vague reports coupled with the physical evidence that it was indeed possible, shed some new light on an old story. I side with the Rebels on this one. Great job, men.