How I see John Surratt.

[SSlater]

(08-19-2018 12:17 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Thanks for sharing your thoughts, John. Do you have an opinion on the possible validity of what Dr. Lewis McMillan testified to during John Surratt's trial (regarding the shooting of escaped Union soldiers)?

I have never read the official verbiage pertaining to the execution of the "captured escaped prisoners", so I don't know who said what. I am aware that Sarah Slater, as well as several others, were present at the same "murdering of the prisoners in COLD BLOOD."
Sarah may have been the one who said it is legal to "Kill them."
Sarah lived in a town that had a large prison. I feel certain they got authorization to do just that, if they were accosted by escaped prisoners.
In the case discussed here, I doubt the either Sarah or John could have, or did, "Execute" the escapees.
I would not be surprised to learn that the prisoners also knew of those orders. So it is truly NOT "in Cold Blood".
I wonder if those same orders are applicable, today.