Richard Baynham Garrett on Finis Bates

[RJNorton]

One of the people who identified the remains aboard the Montauk was Charles Dawson, clerk at the National Hotel where Booth was staying. He was questioned by Holt aboard the Montauk on April 27, 1865.

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Question: "Have you just examined the dead body which is claimed to be that of J. Wilkes Booth, on board of this vessel?"

Answer: "I have."

Question: "Will you state whether or not in your judgment it is the body of J. Wilkes Booth?

Answer: "I distinctly recognize it as the body of J. Wilkes Booth - first, from the India ink letters: J.W.B. on his wrist, which I have very frequently noticed, and then by a scar on the neck. I also recognize the vest as that of J. Wilkes Booth."

Question: "On which hand or wrist are the India ink initials referred to?"

Answer: "On the left."

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Source: p. 123 of Tom Turner's The Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.