Best Generals in US History?

[JMadonna]

(10-14-2012 03:47 PM)L Verge Wrote:  When military passes were issued, wouldn't they be checked at each point and returned to the bearer in order for that person to pass through other sentry points? Granted that Booth and Herold would have had a much harder time approaching other sentries between Washington and the Confederacy, but I can't imagine that they would relinquish or toss those passes (if they existed) once they cleared the Navy Yard Bridge.

Has anyone ever seen what a U.S. military pass looked like in 1865? Was there a place for a sentry to initial or stamp approval for passage? Would Johnson have issued a personalized pass instead of a standard one?

You are correct Laurie, sentries would have given them back. I found this item after I published my book but included it in later editions.

When Col. Roger E. Cook of the 13th Maryland Infantry received the news from Washington early on April 15th he immediately passed along the following order: "Maj. You will immediately cause all your pickets along line of Railroad to be instructed to arrest all persons attempting to pass the lines with or without passes who are not known to be trustworthy...”.

This order to disregard passes is an indication that authorities were aware that Booth had a pass.

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(10-14-2012 03:30 PM)RJNorton Wrote:  Possibly Johnson was alone and just took some time in answering. But, could another person in the room simply have needed some time to hide?

Roger,
Obviously you've never tried to hide a hooker in your hotel room. Neither have I, but I don't think it's possible.