Emergency Answer Needed

[L Verge]

(03-01-2017 06:54 PM)JMadonna Wrote:  

(03-01-2017 04:40 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  "As a very large number from the Army stationed near Washington frequently visited the city, a general order was in force that none should be there without a special pass and all wearing uniform and out at night were subject to frequent challenge. To avoid this inconvenience officers stationed in Washington generally removed all signs of their calling when off duty. I changed to civilian's dress and hurried to Ford's Theatre, where I had been told President Lincoln, General Grant, and members of the Cabinet were to be present to see the play, "Our American Cousin."

Sounds like security was pretty tight that night. It also sounds like they may have suspected someone to be impersonating an officer.

I think this regulation applied all the time (at least near the end of the war) and not just the night of April 14, 1865. I suspect that it might have been an effort to cut down on AWOLs who just wandered off post?