Ford, George B. (1828-1911) [Court Martial proceedings in the case of Festus Oliver 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 #: GLC02233.29 Author/Creator: Ford, George B. (1828-1911) Place Written: Greenville, North Carolina Type: Autograph document signed Date: 28 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 30 x 18 cm. Order a Copy
Details court martial proceedings of Festus Oliver, who pled guilty to the charge of "absence without leave." Oliver was sentenced to carry a twenty pound stick eight hours a day for eighteen 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.
Festus Oliver was a private in the Fiftieth North Carolina Infantry.
Camp 50th NCI near Greenville NC
May 28th 1863
Proceedings of a Regimental Court Martial convened by Special Order No 33
The Judge Advocate having read the convening the court asked the prisoner is he objected to any number of the Court to which he answered "no" and the court being duly sworn the charge & specification against the private Festus Oliver Co "E" 50th NCI
Charge - Absence without leave
Specification - In this that about the night of the 5th May 1863 while his Regt was encamped near Kinston NC the said Festus Oliver 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. Borden
The Judge Advocate addressing the prisoner private Festus Oliver Co E 50th NCI - you have heard the charge and specification preferred against you - how say you, guilty or not guilty to which he answered "Guilty" No evidence being addressed the Court was cleared for deliberation and after having maturely ? the court do find the said private Festus Oliver Co E 50th NCI as follows
Of the Specification - Guilty
Of the Charge - Guilty
The court do ? sentence the said Festus Oliver private Co e 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 eighteen days allowing half an hour intermission and to be closely confined in the guard house during the intervals
GBFord
Capt Co K 50th NCI
& Prest. Court Martial
There being no further business before in the Court adjourns Live die
GBFord
Capt Co K 50th NCI
& Prest. Court
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.