Who Had The Worst Job?

[L Verge]

I would have to agree with everyone else (for a change). The ministers had to deal with the human factor. The military court was made up of generals who had each sent many men to their deaths with their decisions during the war. The young soldiers who were the prop knockers waiting for the death signal were still soldiers, who are supposed to be conditioned to death. The lawyers had to know when they accepted their cases that the decks were stacked against them. And I do believe that each got some remuneration - I know that Aiken and Clampitt put a claim against the Surratts.

Even though ministers and priests are trained to deal with death and mourning, to have to do it in such a charged and national spotlight must have been quite difficult.

BTW: Kate, this is a great post.