Payne's Statement?

[brtmchl]

I think as a soldier Powell may have written out the details pertaining to his own involvement. Never giving names about others involved. If one believed, which I do not, that Ms. Surratt was innocent, I believe as a soldier Powell would have eagerly tried to vindicate her. As a man in those times, I also believe, regardless of her guilt, Powell would have been chivalrous. Protecting a Southern Woman to the end. It could have been a combination of the two. Powell may have felt that Mary, while involved, wasn't part of the actual physical deed and didn't deserve the same fate. regardless, even though quiet natured, I believe a statement trying to help Mary is exactly within Powell's nature.