The military commission 's decision on December 10 , 1864 , found Milligan , Bowles , and Horsey guilty . The men were sentenced to hang on May 19 , 1865 . Humphreys was found guilty and sentenced to hard labor for the remainder of the war . With President Lincoln 's support , General Hovey modified the sentence for Humphreys , allowing his release , but Humphreys was required to remain within two specific townships in Greene County , Indiana , and could not participate in any acts that opposed the war . Efforts were made to secure pardons for Milligan , Bowles , and Horsey , with the decision passing to President Johnson following Lincoln 's assassination
Lincoln 's assassination
Assassination of Abraham Lincoln
Ex parte Milligan