Post by markland on Feb 13, 2007 12:26:49 GMT -5
Diane, we can blame this on Elisabeth as she got me curious about court-martial records.
General Orders No. 2
1. At a General Court Martial which convened at Maricopa Wells, Arizona Territory, on the 7th day of November, 1865, pursuant to separate Brigade Special Orders, No. 47, District of Arizona, and of which Lieutenant Colonel Clarence E. Bennett, 1st Cavalry, C. V., is President, was arraigned and tried –
Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V.
“Conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman.”
Specification 1st: In this, that he, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, of the 7th Infantry, C. V., did, on the 3d day of April, 1865, while on the march from Drum Barracks to Fort Yuma, California, before arriving at the station known as Dutchman’s Ranch, become disgracefully drunk, and, after arriving at said Dutchman’s Ranch, did conduct himself in a noisy, boisterous, turbulent manner, threatening the lives of other officers of the command, and also that of his wife, and endangering the lives of men in his command, by the flourishing of his pistol, which pistol was loaded and cocked, and was fired off once during the time; and further, that he did conduct himself in a manner unbecoming an officer and gentleman, in using the language following, to wit: - That he was so drunk that he did not know his ass from a hole in the ground, that he would shoot any damned son of a bitch that had his pistol, that Captain Olmstead commanding could put him under arrest and be damned, that he did not care about going to Fort Yuma anyhow; and also several times speaking to, and of the Second Lieutenants present as understrappers. All this in the immediate presence and hearing of the entire command.
Specification 2d: In this, that he, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, of the 7th Infantry, C. V., did conduct himself in a manner unbecoming an officer and gentleman, in this, that he drew his pistol, cocked it, and aimed it at or near the head of Private Howard, of Company ‘K,’ 7th Infantry, C. V., saying to his wife: “If you want some beef, I’ll shoot it for you,” or words to that effect; thus greatly endangering the life of Private Howard and the officers and men of the command. This at or near Dutchman’s Ranch, in the county of Bernardino, and State of California, on or about the 3d day of April, 1865.
“Drunkenness on duty.”
Specification: In this, that he, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, of the 7th Infantry, C. V., while on duty as officer of the day, in charge of the guard of the train, while on the march, between Vallecito and Crisa Creek, on the road between Drum Barracks and Fort Yuma, in the State of California, did become disgracefully drunk, noisy, and abusive, and conducted himself in an unofficer-like manner in the presence of the guard and the men of the command, in violation of the 45th Article of War. This at or near Crisa Creek, in the State of California, on or about the 7th day of April, 1865
Plea:-“Guilty.”
The Court, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, finds the accused, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V.:
Of the 1st Specification to 1st Charge “Guilty”
Of the 2d Specification to 1st Charge “Guilty”
Of the 1st Charge “Guilty”
Of the Specification to 2d Charge “Guilty”
Of the 2d Charge “Guilty”
And the Court does therefore sentence him, Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V.: “To forfeit all pay and allowances that are now, or may become due him, and to be cashiered.”
II. The proceedings, findings, and sentence in the foregoing case are approved, and Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V., ceases to be an officer in the United States service from this date.
Upon the recommendation of the District Commander, so much of the sentence as inflicts forfeiture of pay and allowances is remitted.
III. The General Court Martial of which Lieutenant Colonel Clarence E. Bennett, 1st Cavalry, C. V., is President, is hereby dissolved.
By Order of Major General McDowell,
R. C. Drum
Assistant Adjutant General
Head Quarters Department of California
San Francisco, Cal., January 5, 1866.
General Orders No. 2
1. At a General Court Martial which convened at Maricopa Wells, Arizona Territory, on the 7th day of November, 1865, pursuant to separate Brigade Special Orders, No. 47, District of Arizona, and of which Lieutenant Colonel Clarence E. Bennett, 1st Cavalry, C. V., is President, was arraigned and tried –
Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V.
Charge 1st:
“Conduct unbecoming an officer and gentleman.”
Specification 1st: In this, that he, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, of the 7th Infantry, C. V., did, on the 3d day of April, 1865, while on the march from Drum Barracks to Fort Yuma, California, before arriving at the station known as Dutchman’s Ranch, become disgracefully drunk, and, after arriving at said Dutchman’s Ranch, did conduct himself in a noisy, boisterous, turbulent manner, threatening the lives of other officers of the command, and also that of his wife, and endangering the lives of men in his command, by the flourishing of his pistol, which pistol was loaded and cocked, and was fired off once during the time; and further, that he did conduct himself in a manner unbecoming an officer and gentleman, in using the language following, to wit: - That he was so drunk that he did not know his ass from a hole in the ground, that he would shoot any damned son of a bitch that had his pistol, that Captain Olmstead commanding could put him under arrest and be damned, that he did not care about going to Fort Yuma anyhow; and also several times speaking to, and of the Second Lieutenants present as understrappers. All this in the immediate presence and hearing of the entire command.
Specification 2d: In this, that he, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, of the 7th Infantry, C. V., did conduct himself in a manner unbecoming an officer and gentleman, in this, that he drew his pistol, cocked it, and aimed it at or near the head of Private Howard, of Company ‘K,’ 7th Infantry, C. V., saying to his wife: “If you want some beef, I’ll shoot it for you,” or words to that effect; thus greatly endangering the life of Private Howard and the officers and men of the command. This at or near Dutchman’s Ranch, in the county of Bernardino, and State of California, on or about the 3d day of April, 1865.
Charge 2d
“Drunkenness on duty.”
Specification: In this, that he, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, of the 7th Infantry, C. V., while on duty as officer of the day, in charge of the guard of the train, while on the march, between Vallecito and Crisa Creek, on the road between Drum Barracks and Fort Yuma, in the State of California, did become disgracefully drunk, noisy, and abusive, and conducted himself in an unofficer-like manner in the presence of the guard and the men of the command, in violation of the 45th Article of War. This at or near Crisa Creek, in the State of California, on or about the 7th day of April, 1865
Plea:-“Guilty.”
Finding and Sentence.
The Court, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, finds the accused, First Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V.:
Of the 1st Specification to 1st Charge “Guilty”
Of the 2d Specification to 1st Charge “Guilty”
Of the 1st Charge “Guilty”
Of the Specification to 2d Charge “Guilty”
Of the 2d Charge “Guilty”
And the Court does therefore sentence him, Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V.: “To forfeit all pay and allowances that are now, or may become due him, and to be cashiered.”
II. The proceedings, findings, and sentence in the foregoing case are approved, and Lieutenant William J. Perkins, 7th Infantry, C. V., ceases to be an officer in the United States service from this date.
Upon the recommendation of the District Commander, so much of the sentence as inflicts forfeiture of pay and allowances is remitted.
III. The General Court Martial of which Lieutenant Colonel Clarence E. Bennett, 1st Cavalry, C. V., is President, is hereby dissolved.
By Order of Major General McDowell,
R. C. Drum
Assistant Adjutant General
