Does " life or death consequences" mean "the consequence is either dead or alive"? Scout, captured, hanged; spy, left behind and captured, executed. Both were dead. What distinction is there?
Context:
American Civil War spiesFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search Tactical or battlefield intelligence became very vital to both armies in the field during the American Civil War. Units of spies and scouts reported directly to the commanders of armies in the field. They provided details on troop movements and strengths.
The distinction between spies and scouts was one that had life or death consequences. If a suspect was seized while in disguise and not in his army's uniform, the sentence was often to be
hanged. A spy named Will Talbot, a member of the 35th Battalion, Virginia Cavalry, was left behind in Gettysburg after his battalion had passed through the borough on June 26–27, 1863. He was captured, taken to Emmitsburg, Maryland, and
executed on orders of Brig. Gen. John Buford.[1]
More:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Civil_War_spies
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