Drawing of Booth Body

[RJNorton]

IMO, Gene is correct. Dawson answered what was asked of him, and made a positive identification. He wasn't asked about how many scars or freckles the dead body had. To me it's a short, straightforward examination of a man who had seen John Wilkes Booth two weeks beforehand. During the John Surratt trial Dawson was asked if he knew Booth well. Dawson replied, "I saw him a great number of times in the course of two years."

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Holt: What is your name and what your occupation?

Dawson: My name is Charles Dawson. I am clerk in the National Hotel Washington, and have charge of the office of that establishment.

Holt: Will you state if you are acquainted with J. Wilkes Booth and how intimately?

Dawson: I have been acquainted with him since October, 1863 - merely as intimately as I would be with any guest in the hotel.

Holt: Have you just examined the dead body, which is claimed to be that of J. Wilkes Booth, on board of this vessel?

Dawson: I have.

Holt: Will you state whether or not in your judgment it is the body of J. Wilkes Booth?

Dawson: I distinctly recognize it as the body of J. Wilkes Booth - first, from the India-ink letters: J. W. B. on the wrist, which I have very frequently noticed, and then by a scar on the neck. I also recognize the vest as that of J. Wilkes Booth.

Holt: On which hand or wrist are the India-ink initials referred to?

Dawson: On the left.