Wortham, George (ca. 1823-1883) Charges and specifications preferred against 1st lieutenant A Landis Jr of the 2d Regt. North Carolina Volunteers
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02233.12 Author/Creator: Wortham, George (ca. 1823-1883) Place Written: [s.l.] Type: Autograph document signed Date: 1861 Pagination: 5 p. ; 30 x 19 cm. Order a Copy
Charges Landis with violating the sixth and forty-fourth articles of war and with "conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline." Charges resulted from Landis's failure to report for "guard mounting" and subsequent "violent, insulting and insubordinate language" directed towards Wortham, his superior officer.
Excerpt: "…On Capt. Wortham replying 'I will be treated with respect in my office' the said Lieut A. Landis Jr. of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteer did say 'Damn you' or 'damn it' 'I treat you with as much respect as you deserve' or words to that effect…."
Augustus Landis Jr. was a First Lieutenant in Company D of the Twelfth North Carolina Infantry. Would later reach rank of Captain.
Augustus Landis Jr. was a First Lieutenant in Company D of the Twelfth North Carolina Infantry. Would later reach rank of Captain.
George Wortham was a Confederate officer, who served as a Captain in the Twelfth North Carolina Infantry and later Colonel in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
Near Sewell Point, Norfolk VA
August 19, 1861
Charges and Specifications preferred again 1st Lieutenant A. Landis Jr. of the 2d Regt. North Carolina Volunteers
Charge 1st - Violation of the 6th Article of War
Specification - ? this that 1st Lieutenant A. Landis Jr. 2d Regt. North Carolina Volunteers did on or about the 19th day of August 1861 he having been regularly detailed as officer of the day at Camp Fisher? Near Seawells Point Norfolk Co. VA and having absented himself from ? mounting did in reply to John C. Pegraun Adjutant of the 2d Rgt. N. N. when asked by said Pegraun why he was absent from guard mounting reply and say that it ? guard mounting was all a damned humbug on a ? or words to that effect and that when said John C Pegraun Adjunctant or aforesaid reported said words to George Wortham Captain 2d Regt N.C.V command my detachment of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers near Seawells Point said 1st Lieut A. Landis Jr. being in said detachment and said Captain Geo. Wortham approached said Landis and inquired why he was not guard mounting said Landis replied that he was not there because he was not ready or words to that effect. Said then asked said Landis why he did not give this to the Adjutant as a reason for his absence when said Landis… the same sort or words to their effect. On Capt. Wortham replying "I will be treated with respect in my office" the said Lieut A. Landis Jr. of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteer did say "Damn you" or "damn it" "I treat you with as much respect as you deserve" or words to that effect. All this at an encampment of a detachment of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers near Seawell Point Norfold Co. Virginia (at a place called Camp Fisher) on or about the 19th day of August A. M. 1861.
Charge 2d - Violation of the 44th article of War
Specification - In that 1st Lieutenant A. Landis Jr. of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina volunteers having been regularly detailed at dress parade on the evening of the 18th of August 1861 as officer of the day for the 19th day of August 1861, did fail to appear at guard mounting on the morning of the 19th of August 1861 All this at the encampment of a detackment of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers near Seawell Point Norfolk Co. Virginia on or about the 19th day of August 1861.
Charge 3d - Conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.
Specification - In that 1st Lieutenant A. Landis Jr. of the 2d Regiment of North Carolina volunteers on or about the 19th day of August 1861 did address violent, insulting and insubordinate language to Capt. Geo. Wortham on the 2d Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers than being in command of a detachment of the second Regt. North Carolina volunteers and the commanding officer of said 1st Lieut. A. Landis Jr. said 1st Lieutenant A. Landis Jr. declined that guard mounting and everything else he had seen at the encampment near Seawells Point where he then was a humbrig (or a farce) or words to that effect and giving this as a reason for absenting himself from guard mounting. When regularly detailed for that purpose. And further that the said 1st Lieut. A. Landis Jr. 2Regt. North Carolina Volunteers did at the same time demand in an insulting manner of Capt. Wortham his commanding officer if he had any more questions to ask and when informed by said Capt. Wortham that he did not desire to hear anymore such language ? and say "Damn it sir you shall hear a plenty more of the same sort" or words to that effect; and when informed by Said Captain Geo. Wortham his commanding offier that he would be treated with respect in his office the said A. Landis Jr. of the 2 Regiment of North Carolina Volunteers did answer and say "damn it" "damn it I treat you with as much respect as you deserve" or words to that effect. All this as the encampment of a detachment of the 2d Regiment of North Volunteers near Seawells Pointin Norfolk Co. VA on or about the 19th of August 1861.
Geo. Wortham
Capt. 2d Regiment
North Carolina Volunteers
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