Extra Credit Questions

[RJNorton]

Many thanks to Steve for sending this information. Steve writes, "I have a few document images to post to the Forum. One is the New York state copy of John Walley's service summary. Another is his pension index card.

I hoped some people out there picked up on the contradiction that Walley claimed he was discharged on June 24, 1865 and also saw Mary Surratt being condemned to death as a guard. According to his service record Walley was discharged on June 26, 1865 which is still four days before Mary Surratt sentenced. Walley also claimed he "acted as a captain" in the Veterans Reserve Corp although all the records list him as no higher than a private during his time in the VRC. ( I can't see a private being breveted as a captain in those circumstances.) During the time of the trial he was a member of E Co. 18 Regiment VRC. The 18th Regiment VRC was guarding Confederate prisoners in DC at the time although where Walley was, I don't know."