What Was The Role of David Herold

[John Fazio]

(02-05-2013 09:21 AM)JMadonna Wrote:  

(02-04-2013 10:32 PM)John Fazio Wrote:  

(02-03-2013 07:52 AM)JMadonna Wrote:  John,
There is no record that I know of where Auger reprimanded Cobb much less in a severe manner. Neither is there any example that I know of that sentries had discretion as to enforcing the orders.

Jerry:

Here are three references:

1. The war being at a close, the restrictions were not so exacting at this bridge, and the sentinels were at liberty to judge the proper persons to pass over. (Osborn H. Oldroyd, about 1902)

2. Nobody expected an enemy asssault on the Navy Yard. So wartime restrictions had been somewhat relaxed, and an occasional after-dark traveler who could prove legitimate business had been allowed to cross the span. (Theodore Roscoe, about 1959)

3. However, it appears the rules had been relaxed following General Lee's surrender five days earlier. The threat to the city, if there was one, came from individuals entering the city, not leaving it. (Ed Steers, about 2006)

and here are four references to the reprimand of Cobb:

1. Steers, Encyclopedia, p. 144; Blood, p. 136 ("reprimanded"; "dressed down")

2. Tidwell, Hall and Gaddy, p. 443 ("a tongue lashing")

3. Roscoe, p. 139 ("severely censured")

4. Chaconas, "Crossing the Navy Yard Bridge", Surratt Courier, June, 1996 ("blessed out")

Thank you for considering the same.

John

John,
Thank you for answer. But do these references have any roots in the historical record or are the authors repeating a previous author's speculation?
Jerry



Jerry:

A very good question, and one I have often asked myself in connection with other assertions by various authors. I don't know. I suppose one would be hard pressed to find a contemporaneous record wherein someone made reference to the fact that Cobb, or other sentries, were passing people after 9:00 with little or no regard for legalities. But there may be such.

As for the "severe reprimand", Joan Chaconas is, first of all, a first rate scholar, and, secondly, she worked closely with Bill Hall on the article, the Dean of assassination historians. Steers, Roscoe and Oldroyd are not slouches either.I would have to say that she and they, therefore, represent at least a prima-facie case on the issue, subject to compelling rebuttal evidence, which I find nowhere. Much as I enjoyed your book, and read, and continue to re-read portions of it, assiduously, I do not believe there is evidence that Booth and Herold had passes. I believe what evidence there is points in the opposite direction. Lincoln did not issue a pass on the evening of the assassination; he issued a note saying passes were not necessary. He did issue a pass the previous day, but that was probably his way of assuring passage with no possibility of impediment.

Thank you for staying with me on this. Your input is very valuable to my writing.

John