(10-16-2013, 05:10 PM)L Verge Wrote: I believe that Booth made that statement after reading newspaper accounts in the pine thicket. If I'm not mistaken, Rathbone had just been promoted to colonel, but would still have been a major that night because all the paperwork wasn't complete? Caleb, where are you?
He was in civilian attire, I've found a couple sources that stated this fact, he was referenced as being "in mufti". It seemed to be common practice among soldiers going out for social activities, because if they were in uniform the provost marshals of DC could stop them and question their activities. This is why he was unarmed. He later carried a gun and knife at all times.
Also, he was promoted to Major in late March of that year, just a few weeks prior to the assassination. I believe Booth got his info from the papers as well.
Major Rathbone's accomodation in Hannover
