Beschreibung:

Lot of 22. Five issued by the War Department in Washington: May 26, 1863; July 23, 1863; October 22, 1863; Nov. 24, 1863; and April 5, 1864. Several of these crimes took place in Washington, a city nearly within Confederate territory. This made it tempting to trade with or supply the enemy, and a few of those tried violated these laws. Others were tried for "assisting parties to cross into the enemy's lines." George Woolfolk was charged with "Being secretly within the line of the United States forces, at the same time belonging to the so-called Confederate Army." He was found guilty and sentenced to death. However, since he "voluntarily left [the Confederate Army], and had expressed a willingness, through a prominent Union citizen, to take any obligation to the United States required of him... In view of all the circumstances in the case, the President remits the sentence, and directs that the prisoner, George Woolfolk, be allowed to take the oath of allegiance, giving satisfactory sureties for his future good conduct; or, failing to do this, that he be exchanged as a prisoner of war." The remainder are from the Department of the Missouri, 1863-1865. Jan. 7, 1863 - Most of these are citizens, arrested for "Violation of the Laws of War," plus other charges, some, robbery, one, murder. Most are sentenced to time in a military prison. April 29th, 1863 - Similar to the first, most charged with "violation of the Laws and Customs of War," but at least one charged with attempted murder. Sentences from a year to the duration of the war at hard labor in military prisons. May 18, 1863 - There are several soldiers accused of "gross neglect of duty," "being absent without leave," "Desertion," and various specific articles of War. Most of these guys sentenced to hard labor. Sept. 18, 1863 - Many are charged with "Violation of the Oath of Allegiance..." or "Violating the laws and customs of war." One individual was M.V.B. Mosbey, "a Captain in the army of teh so-called Confederate States of America,...did come within the lines of the lawfully organized military forces of the United States...in or about the month of May, A.D. 1863, disguised in dress and garb of a peaceable citizen,...lurking about and having concealed on his person a commission from one Colonel John Q. Burbridge, ...to raise and recruit a Company of Cavalry for service in the so-called Confederate army. This in the State of Missouri..." This is not the guerilla raider, but a case slightly different from the typical court martial. Sept. 21, 1863 - A couple of these are for desertion, but since the individuals reported under "the President's Proclamation to deserters," they were restored to duty, only losing pay for the time they were gone. Another individual did not turn himself in and was sentenced to death. Dec. 4th, 1863 - Disorderly conduct, disobedience of a lawful command," and "desertion." All confined to military prisons. May 9, 1864 - Most "violations of the oath of allegiance" or "transgression of the Laws of War." May 14, 1864 - These are mostly lesser crimes, such as selling whisky to a soldier or operating a hotel without a license. Most of the sentences in this group are fines. June 16, 1864 - Resulted in acquittal of "Neglect of duty" for a Missouri Quartermaster. The court concluded that he did not have enough help to fill out his paperwork correctly, and it was not willful neglect. June 21, 1864 - More "Violations of the oath of allegiance" trials. June 22, 1864 - Most of these are "Selling articles contraband of war without permission..." October 7, 1864 - A group of "desertion," AWOLs," "Drunkeness on duty," and the like. Jan. 13, 1865 - "Violation of the oath of allegiance," "Larceny," and "Violation of the laws of war." March 9, 1865 - "Being a guerilla" - trial of Marion D. Erwin, alias Robert St. Clair. Sentenced to hang, rather than the more common being shot to death. April 27, 1865 - "Desertion," "Robbery," "Wounding with intent to kill." May 10, 18