Identification of Booth's body

[wpbinzel]

Yes, thanks Steve and Roger for posting!

The reporter certainly took liberties. Most are obvious, so I will take exception with just one that may not be well known: "a bright full moon sped along over the clouds," which is subsequently directly contradicted by "he entered the dim moon light." The latter reference to the phase of the moon is more accurate.

In April 1865, the full moon (100% illumination) was on the night of April 11-12. On the night of April 14-15, Booth and Herold rode with Moon illumination of 86.9%. The new moon (0% illumination) was on the night April 25-26, and the illumination on previous night was 0.5%. So, the 16th NY Cavalry and its leaders were operating in the dark.

Here is a link to phases of the moon in April 1865: https://www.moongiant.com/calendar/April/1865/