The Spur Question

[JMadonna]

(02-07-2018 04:59 AM)RJNorton Wrote:  On April 15, 1865, eyewitness James S. Knox said that, "Just after the third act, and before the scenes were shifted, a muffled pistol shot was heard, and a man sprang wildly from the national box, partially tearing down the flag, then shouting 'sic semper tyrannus, the south is avenged,' with brandished dagger rushed across the stage and disappeared."

I am not entirely sure what he meant by "partially tearing down the flag." Possibly the flag became disarranged, but did not come all the way down to the stage floor?

Well I would interpret that as adding credence to J.Beckert's assertion that the flag was tacked up under the bunting displaying, "it's large hand painted eagle". "Partially tearing down the flag" would mean that only one of the two tacks was dislodged by Booth.

Flags are made of light material so they can flutter in the breeze. Since Booth's spur went through the bottom seam of the flag like a knife through butter, I would speculate that the flag had no effect at all on Booth's landing. It gave way easily and did not affect his balance or cause him to fall when he hit the stage.

I know this puts me at odds with people who believe that the flag caused the broken leg but the evidence is what it is.