"Alias Paine"

[J. Beckert]

Since becoming involved with these forums a few years ago, my thoughts have evolved on many aspects of the Lincoln assassination, thanks to the guidance and input of the experts that have so unselfishlessly shared things with me. One of the most surprising was the probable Confederate involvement in the kidnap scheme. The fact that this involvement was a rogue tangent of the CSA headed by Judah Benjamin seems rather apparent, but that may never be conclusively determined. From what I've gathered so far, Powell was "detached" for the kidnap scheme. The fact this scheme turned to murder, with the disruption of most of the communication lines and the disarray of the CSA leaders, proves to me that Booth had become a loose cannon and decided he was in a position to change the orders. If I put the north in the position the south was in, I still can't place any blame on anyone but the ringleader. If the tables were turned and the north's fortunes were as poor as the south's, a rogue scheme like this could easily have been an option. I believe Powell was taking his orders from Booth and was the type of (good) soldier who didn't question orders, but made sure they were followed out.