What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

[OleMissRebel]

Most of us know about the Second Inaugural photograph that has Booth in the background, but apparently five of the conspirators are in the same pic, standing right below Lincoln.







But anyways, what coats are Powell and Surratt wearing?

[GreencoatCross]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

If that really is Surratt, it appears that he is wearing a Veteran Reserve Corps jacket and a forage cap with a rain cover on it. The alleged Lewis Powell looks to be wearing a starched collar and maybe some kind of jacket or frock with military buttons. Your guess is as good as mine!

[jake.koch]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Is it a 100% documented fact that those gentleman in the photograph are for certain the Lincoln conspirators, or is it just speculation? Looking at the comparison photos it looks like a stretch to me.

[OleMissRebel]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

It's not a documented fact, but the only that I really have problems with is Spangler. That pic really doesn't look like him in the least bit and also historically I don't know if Spangler would have been hanging around the rest of them. He wasn't part of that inner circle and also those guys were all in their early 20's and he was in his 40's, so I doubt that'd be his "crew" to hang out with, so to speak.

As far as the others, I think that's them. The likelihood that 4 random guys would be standing together who each happen to resemble one of the chief Lincoln conspirators seems like a stretch.

If nothing else, I'd wager my house that's Powell. Powell was a very large man and so is that fella. Also, Powell was known to wear a Union coat during his time in D.C. To me that one is almost a dead-ringer.

Also, if that is indeed a Veterans Reserve Corps jacket, then it would make sense that Surratt would be wearing something like that since he was in fact a Confederate secret agent.

[Michael Comer]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

I sure like that hat the alleged Powell is wearing.

[David Fox]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Ryan: did you REALLY write that you didn't think "Spangler would have been hanging around with the rest of them"?

[OleMissRebel]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Ryan: did you REALLY write that you didn't think "Spangler would have been hanging around with the rest of them"?

LOL, wow. I didn't realize the pun when I wrote it. :-)

[GAR]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Spangler didn't hang with them. Only Powell (Paine), Atzerodt, Herold and Mary Surratt (John's mum) were executed. John Surratt escaped through Canada and became part of the Papal Zouaves in Italy. Spangler was sentenced to 6 years and was released by a Presidential pardon after a year and a half.
It does appear to be the conspirators in the picture, but funny enough, it doesn't look that much like Lincoln.
The two images of the conspirators are from two different pictures, based on the angles and Atzerodt's shifted position next to Powell.

[Brandon]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

A conspirator conspiracy? Interesting.... I do agree that it looks like the alleged Surratt is wearing a VRC jacket. It also looks like the assumed Powell is wearing some sort of military styles jacket, possibly with a collar of a different fabric, velvet maybe?

[OleMissRebel]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Spangler didn't hang with them.

I knew. That's why it was funny when I accidentally said that he "wouldn't" be hanging around with them i.e. he wasn't executed with them.

[Secesh]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Urban myth.

[Secesh]

Re: What are Lewis Powell and John Surratt wearing?

Copmpare the ear lobes on Powell and Surrat to their supposed "doubles"...Ear lobes to people are like finger prints.