Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Ford, George B. (1828-1911) [Court Martial proceedings in the case of Theophilus Goddin for being absent without leave]

High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02233.27 Author/Creator: Ford, George B. (1828-1911) Place Written: Greenville, North Carolina Type: Autograph document signed Date: 27 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 30 x 18 cm. Order a Copy

Details court martial proceedings of Theophilus Goddin, who pled guilty to the charge of "absence without leave." Goddin was sentenced to carry a twenty pound stick eight hours a day for sixteen days. With the names of James Dalrymple as the Judge Advocate and Captain William H. Borden as if signed, but likely in Ford's hand.

George B. Ford was a captain in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
James Dalrymple was a third lieutenant in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
William H. Borden was a Lieutenant in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.

Camp 50th NC Regt. near Greenville NC
May 27th 1863
Proceedings of a Regimental Court Martial convening in pursuance of Special Order No 35
The Judge Advocate having read the order convening the Court asked the prisoner if he objected to any member of the Court to which he answered "no" and the court being duly sworn the charge & specification against the prisoner being read aloud as follows
Charge & specification against private Theophilus Goddin Co "E" 50th NCI
Charge - absence without leave
Specification - In this that the night of the 5th of May 1863 while his Regt was encamped near Kinston NC the said ? Goudin private Co "E" 50th NCI did absent himself from his Co & Regt without permission from his commanding officer. This also while the Regt was under marching orders.
Signed Wm. H Bordin
The Judge Advocate addressing the prisoner private ? Goudin Co E 50th NCI - you hear the Charge & Specification preferred against you, how say you - guilty or not guilty? To which he answered "Guilty" No evidence being addressed on the part of the prosecution the Court was cleared for deliberation and after having maturely considered the case do find the said private ? Goudin Co E 50th NCI as follows
Off the Specification - Guilty
Of the Charge - Guilty
And the Court do therefore sentence the said ? Goddin private Co E 50th Regt NCI as follows
That he be compelled to carry a stick of wood weighing twenty pounds on a ring in the Regimental Parade Ground eight hours each day for sixteen days allowing half an hour intermission each day and that he be closely confined in the Guard House during the interval.
G. B. Ford

Ford, George B., 1828-1911
Dalrymple, James, 1835-?
Borden, William Henry, 1841-1895
Goddin, Theophilus,1839-?
Wortham, George, ca. 1823-1883

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources