Which weapon did Booth use to injure Major Rathbone?

Which weapon did Booth use to injure Major Rathbone?

• A. Colt revolver
• B. Bowie knife
• C. Dagger
• D. Rio Grande Camp knife

Answer: (D)

The key idea here is remembering what Booth used to injure Major Rathbone during the onstage struggle. After Booth shot Lincoln with a pistol, he fought with Rathbone and stabbed him with a large knife. Historical accounts describe this knife as a Rio Grande Camp knife, a substantial Bowie-style blade. This distinguishes it from the firearm Booth used on Lincoln and from more generic terms like “Bowie knife.” So the best answer is the Rio Grande Camp knife because it names the specific knife described in the record of the incident.

The key idea here is remembering what Booth used to injure Major Rathbone during the onstage struggle. After Booth shot Lincoln with a pistol, he fought with Rathbone and stabbed him with a large knife. Historical accounts describe this knife as a Rio Grande Camp knife, a substantial Bowie-style blade. This distinguishes it from the firearm Booth used on Lincoln and from more generic terms like “Bowie knife.” So the best answer is the Rio Grande Camp knife because it names the specific knife described in the record of the incident.