Jefferson Davis and the Conspiracy

[L Verge]

Agreed, Betty. And Anita, when I was referring to a head of state who could sanction a death mission against Jefferson Davis and the officers of the Confederate government, I meant Lincoln! If not Lincoln, then who else had the power to issue such an order that the U.S. military would obey? Did we have a rogue agent usurping power in D.C.? And, yes, I do believe that the Kilpatrick-Dahlgren mission was a legitimate one.

As for JWB, James O. Hall always considered him a "loose cannon" once Richmond fell, Harney was arrested, and the lines of communication were blown. "Something decisive" had to be done - and Booth was going to do it.