Life, Crime and Capture of John Wilkes Booth

[Wild Bill]

In my opinion Booth and the whole Confederate war movement, in the field and behind the lines, with some exceptions like the Lee and Jackson combo, was "last minute." For their efforts, it is fashionable to say L and J caused too many casualties that the South could not afford.

Passes could be for a certain time or open in validity, depending on the issuing officer. They were often given out without much mind as to who was really getting them. Booth got the one from Grant's AAAG after he sympathized with him for family war losses. He did not ask for it, it was just rendered as a "thank you." I do not think it was time limited.

Roger is correct about Jerry Madonna's book and passes, which caused a lot of discussion some years back in another forum.