Military Response Time To Assassination

[irshgrl500]

(12-05-2013 12:51 AM)John E. Wrote:  Hi folks,

Considering the lack of communication technology in 1865, can anyone argue that the military's response to Lincoln's assassination was anything but swift and overwhelming ?

In just 12 days, Booth was dead and all of his suspected accomplices (that were prosecuted) were in custody.

Two weeks later, they were put on trial. Its hard to imagine anything happening that fast nowadays.

I know Stanton said he wished all of the conspirators to be tried and executed before Lincoln was buried but I think that was an emotional response and not realistic one, even to him.




Thoughts ?

Swift & Overwhelming? Far from it, and also met with enormous errors.
Also, even if the trial was held in a Civilian Court, the defendants had a right to a speedy trial, which is normally waived by the defendant, (today) in order that they may be able to prepare adequately for trial. So, no, considering the defendants were arraigned after their arrest, (and in 1865, one was NOT given a court appointed Attorney – this did not occur until Gideon v. Wainwright, (1963) ), so the defendants likely could not afford an Attorney, thus their right to a speedy trial was not waived, and trial would begin immediately. So, no this would not be unusual, today, IF the same laws (which includes Case law, which has highly evolved and changed trials, since 1865.), were in place, today.

Also, Abraham Lincoln was the first President to be assassinated, and this must be taken into consideration, in any analysis, no matter how brief, or general.

The statements are a bit difficult to address; you have made some enormous assumptions, and thus formed your opinions. This is not meant to offend, just an observation.