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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02233.30 Author/Creator: Ford, George B. (1828-1911) Place Written: Greenville, North Carolina Type: Autograph document signed Date: 28 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. ; 29.5 x 18 cm. Order a Copy

Details court martial proceedings of Stephen 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 fourteen 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.
Stephen Goddin 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 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 him was read aloud as follows.
Charge and Specification against private Stephen Goddin Co E 50th NCI
Charge - Absence without leave
Specification In this that on or about the night of the 5th May 1863 while his Regt was encamped near Kinston NC the said Stephen Goddis private Co E 50th NCI did absent himself from his Co & Regt without permission from his commanding officer. This also while the Regt wa under marching orders.
Signed Wm A Borden
Lt Commd Co #
Witness Lyn Latham
The Judge Advocate addressing the prisoner private Stephan Goddin Co E 50th NCI you have heard the charge & 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 considered the case do find the said Stephen Goddin private Co E 50th NCI as Follows:
Of the Specification - Guilty
Of the Charge - Guilty
And the Court do therefore sentence the said private Stephen Goddin 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 [illegible] 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

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

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