Conspirator'S Court - Execution Before Lincoln Was Buried

The Military Commission for the trial of the Conspirators involved in the Lincoln assassination convened for the first time on May 8 in a newly-created courtroom on the third floor of the Old Arsenal Penitentiary in Washington.  The voting members of the Commission were Generals David Hunter (first officer), August Kautz, Albion Howe, James Ekin, David Clendenin, Lewis Wallace, Robert Foster, T. M. Harris, and Colonel C. H Tomkins.  Judge Advocate General Joseph Holt served in the problematic dual roles of chief prosecutor and legal advisor to the Commission.  John A. Bingham (later an influential member of Congress) served on the Commission as Special Judge Advocates and handled examination of witnesses and gave the government's summation.  H. L. Burnett was the third member of the prosecution team.  . (Photo by Matthew Brady/Buyenlarge/Getty Images)