Ford, George B. (1828-1911) [Court Martial proceedings in the case of Moses J. Hill 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 #: GLC02233.28 Author/Creator: Ford, George B. (1828-1911) Place Written: Greenville, North Carolina Type: Autograph document signed Date: 28 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 29 x 18.5 cm. Order a Copy
Details court martial proceedings of Moses J. Hill, who pled guilty to the charge of "absence without leave." Hill was sentenced to carry a twenty pound stick eight hours a day for fourteen days. With the names of James Dalrymple as the Judge Advocate and Captain Thomas R. Youngblood 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.
Thomas R. Youngblood was a Captain in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
Moses J. Hill was a private in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
Camp 50th NCI near Greenville NC
May 28th 1863
The court having met according to adjournment and all the members being present the Judge Advocate read the order convening the Court and 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 and specification against the prisoner being read aloud as follows
Charges and specification against private M. Hill Co "C" 50th NCI
Charge - Absence without leave
Specification - In this that said private M Hill Co C 50th NCI did on or about the 6th of May 1863 absent himself from his Co & Regt near Kinston without proper authority and remained absent therefore till the 20th May 1863 at which time he returned at his Co & Regt of his own account.
Signed J. R. Youngblood
Capt Co "C"
The Judge Advocate addressed the prisoner private M. Hill Co C 50th NCI you have heard the charge & specification against you, how say you - guilty or not guilty, to which he answered "guilty"
No evidence being addressed to Court was cleared for deliberation and after having maturely considered the case do find the said private M. Hill Co C 50th NCI as follows
Of the specification - Guilty
Of the Charge - Guilty
And the Court do therefore sentence the said M. Hill private Co C 50th 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 fourteen days allowing half an hour intermission and to be closely confined in the Guard House during the intervals.
G. B. Ford
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.