Military Trial Rulings from Civil War era

SWMODave

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Image showing a rogue's march courtesy of @tmh10 thread from 2010
and US govt archives​

Court Martial December 10, 1861
Headquarters Department of The Missouri

Private Thomas L. Wooldridge, of Company '"K," 23d Indiana Regiment, on the following charges and specifications;
" Absent from his quarters at night without leave from his superior officers."
" Abusive and threatening language toward superior officers.''
" Drunkeness."
'' Stealing chickens."
" Running away from Camp when detailed for duty."
' Declaring that he did not mean to do duty, but would be about pay day to receive his pay."

Specifications : "Said Wooldridqe, absented himself from his quarters on the night of November 25'th, 1861, without the consent of his superior officers, contrary to Art. 42 of the Articles of War. Not long since—time not definitely known—he threatened to kill his superior officers the first opportunity he could get, and at the same time used abusive and disrespectful language in regard to them. On the night of Monday, November 5th, he came into his quarters in a state of beastly intoxication, and made himself very disagreeable to the whole camp.

On the morning of the 25th of November he was detailed for guard duty at roll call in the morning ; but as soon as he got his breakfast he went out of camp, and a file of men hunted him all day without being able to find him. He has not done one day's duty in a month, and he has declared that he would not do duty, hut would take good care to be present on pay day. About four weeks ago, as near as can be remembered, in connection with some others, he stole from one Mr. Schafer, of Paducah, one dozen chickens, which he sold in the town,—four of them to a negro belonging to a Mrs. Petty, living on Market street, in said city the remaining eight to a man named McCoy, living in the lower part of said city.

To which charges and specifications the accused leaded as follows :

Guilty of absenting himself from Camp without leave.
Guilty of stealing chickens.
Not guilty of being drunk on the time specified.
Guilty of leaving camp when he was detailed for duly.

The Court having fully advised itself in the premises, find the said Thomas L. Wooldridge, guilty of the charges specified, (in full,) and therefore we the Court, do adjudge and affix the penalty as follows :
1st. That all his pay be reduced and that it be applied to the Regiment Fund.
2d. That one half of his face and head be shaved closely.
3d. That he be drummed out of the service at the point of the bayonet to the tune of the Rogue's March, bare feet and head, and without coat.

Source - Free military trial rulings of Civil War era

Site is a pretty cool time killer with a ton of information. District of Missouri 1861-63 book has over 1200 pages alone.
 
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