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L Verge · 05-01-2013, 06:32 PM

After reading Rick's and Bill's article for about the fifth time over the past 3-4 years, there is still one question that pops out at me: Many moons ago, I was told first by James O. Hall and then again by Michael Kauffman that they had found no documentation for the assertion in many books that Stanton had ordered that Booth be taken alive. In fact, I was led to believe that such an order is rarely given because it puts the police in a precarious position where they might be afraid to fire in order to save their life or protect the lives of others when a criminal comes out firing.

So, my question yet again is - Does documentation exist to prove that the government ordered that Booth be taken alive?

J. Beckert · 05-01-2013, 06:36 PM

I'm thinking something must have been implied at some point. Why else would Corbett be brought before Stanton?

L Verge · 05-01-2013, 06:44 PM

If it were a verbal order, could it have been successfully transmitted to every soldier/agent in on the search for Booth? Didn't Corbett walk out of Stanton's office sort of a hero in the making?

J. Beckert · 05-02-2013, 10:18 AM

I hope I don't step on your question, Laurie, but I want to commend Bill & Rick for their excellent article in this months Courier regarding if Booth could have shot himself. I liked that they approached this from several angles; not only physical, but also taking into account Booth's mental state. I thought that was very important. Now, if I may, my two cents...

Dr. Woodward's report stated the ball traveled downward and backward. He states the ball made it's exit at the left side of the neck. If he is correct, the ball had to enter from the right front quarter of the neck. Roger and I discussed this next fact last week. Barnes' report states this: "...passing out through the body of the sterno-cleido of right side , 3 inches above the clavicle". We have two different interpretations from two men who were present and actually performed the autopsy. While we will never know what actually transpired that morning, these conflicting and vague reports coupled with the physical evidence that it was indeed possible, shed some new light on an old story. I side with the Rebels on this one. Great job, men.

Rob Wick · 05-02-2013, 10:44 AM

(05-01-2013 06:32 PM)L Verge Wrote: After reading Rick's and Bill's article for about the fifth time over the past 3-4 years, there is still one question that pops out at me: Many moons ago, I was told first by James O. Hall and then again by Michael Kauffman that they had found no documentation for the assertion in many books that Stanton had ordered that Booth be taken alive. In fact, I was led to believe that such an order is rarely given because it puts the police in a precarious position where they might be afraid to fire in order to save their life or protect the lives of others when a criminal comes out firing.

So, my question yet again is - Does documentation exist to prove that the government ordered that Booth be taken alive?

I don't have the document in front of me, but I think in his statement aboard the Montauk, Conger said there had been no orders to bring Booth back alive. It would have been better if they could have, but no orders had ever been given. Byron Baker made the claim that Corbett defied orders and was going to be brought back to Washington in irons, which they didn't have in the first place.

Best
Rob

Gene C · 10-04-2016, 08:01 AM

Interesting article in this month's Courier, "All Hallow's Eve Approacheth..."

The article indicates it's about Tombstone Symbolism 101. I could have used that this past weekend, I'm saving this one.
Angel

Thanks to whoever wrote it.

RJNorton · 10-04-2016, 08:58 AM

In addition to the article Gene mentioned, kudos to forum member Diane Putney for her article entitled "Seizing Ford's Theatre and the Dunbar Contract." Diane includes many fascinating details of what happened with Ford's during the 1865-1867 time frame.

L Verge · 10-04-2016, 01:00 PM

(10-04-2016 08:58 AM)RJNorton Wrote: In addition to the article Gene mentioned, kudos to forum member Diane Putney for her article entitled "Seizing Ford's Theatre and the Dunbar Contract." Diane includes many fascinating details of what happened with Ford's during the 1865-1867 time frame.

I'm amazed that some of you have received your issues already. They never left my office until this past Friday. Maybe the postal service has been hearing the curse words I use at times...

Roger, I agree about Diane's article that really finished up the history of Ford's for me. Thank you so much, Diane.

Wesley Harris · 10-05-2016, 01:34 PM

(10-04-2016 01:00 PM)L Verge Wrote:
(10-04-2016 08:58 AM)RJNorton Wrote: In addition to the article Gene mentioned, kudos to forum member Diane Putney for her article entitled "Seizing Ford's Theatre and the Dunbar Contract." Diane includes many fascinating details of what happened with Ford's during the 1865-1867 time frame.

I'm amazed that some of you have received your issues already. They never left my office until this past Friday. Maybe the postal service has been hearing the curse words I use at times...

Roger, I agree about Diane's article that really finished up the history of Ford's for me. Thank you so much, Diane.

Eagerly awaiting Diane's book on Ford's Theatre. Hard to find a building with such a crucial and fascinating history.

RJNorton · 12-30-2016, 03:25 PM

There is a very interesting article in the January 2017 Surratt Courier. It is entitled The Christiana Riot and is written by Ed Steers. The article has lots of fascinating details about a relatively obscure event in American history and has an unexpected piece of information (at least to me) at the end. Kudos, Ed! Well done.

Eva Elisabeth · 12-30-2016, 07:28 PM

Absolutely agree!

Dawn E Foster · 01-02-2017, 12:32 PM

(12-30-2016 03:25 PM)RJNorton Wrote: There is a very interesting article in the January 2017 Surratt Courier. It is entitled The Christiana Riot and is written by Ed Steers. The article has lots of fascinating details about a relatively obscure event in American history and has an unexpected piece of information (at least to me) at the end. Kudos, Ed! Well done.

Yes! I had actually heard the story on an episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" when actress Zooey Deschanel traced her ancestry back to the Pownalls. Fascinating!