Augustus Bullard
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Summary
Augustus Bullard was arrested and tried for absent without leave, robbery, and threatening to kill. In November of 1864 he was found guilty of Absent without leave, and was sentenced to forfeit $10 pay monthly to the U.S. Government.
General Transcription of Court Martial Proceedings
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Proceedings of a General Court Martial which convend as Beaufort S. C. by virtue of the following Order.
Head Quarters U. S. Forces District of Beaufort
Second Separate Brigade
Beaufort S. C. October 24th 1864
Special Orders
No 185
III A General Court Martial is hereby ordered to convene as Beaufort S. C to morrow Oct 25 th 1864 as 10 oclock a m or as soon thereafter as practicable for the trial of 1st Lieut Sylvester Soper C. B 26 th U S CT and such other prisoners as may be brought before it.
Detail for the Court[1]
Colonel H.L. Chipman[2] 102d U.S.C.T.
Captain J.E. Thorndike 26th US.CT.[3]
1 st Lieut C.S. Miller C.a 26 th U.S.C.T.
1 st Lieut G. T. Holmes .S 102 U.S.C.T.
1 st Lieut A. S Bodine .C 127 U.S.C.T
2 nd Lieut G.F Eaton .K 127 U S.C.T
1 st Lieut A P Ketchum 56 th U.S.C.T. ACS Judge Advocate
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No other Officers than those Named can be assembled without manifest injury to the service. The duties of this Court are not intended to interfere with Co. duties of Officers Named.
By order of Brig. Gen. R. Saxton
(Signed) Stuart m Taylor
A.A. General
Case of Private Augustus Bullard
C “A” 102 Regt USC Troops.
Beaufort S. C. Nov 12 th 1864.
The Courmet pursuant to the foregoing orders
Present
Colonel H L Chipman 102 USCT
Captain JE Thorndike AADC
1 st Lieut C.S. Miller C. 26 th U.S.C.T.
1 st G. T. Holmes Co. I 102 U.S.C.T.
1 st A. S Bodine .C 127 NY Vols
2 nd G.F Salon .K 127 NY Vols
1 st Lieut A P Ketchum 56 th USCT D Judge advocate
The Court than proceeded to the trial of Private Augustus Bullard C “A” 102 Regt USC Troops who was called before the Court and hearing heard the order appointing the Court read, was asked if he had any objection to any Member Named in the order. To this he replied in the Negative. The accused having no objection to any of the Members the Charges and Specifications were read by the Judge advocate for the information of the Court.
The Court was then in presence of the Accused duly sworn by the Judge Advocate and the Judge Advocate was duly sworn by the President of the Courts also in presence the Accused. The Accused was than asked if he desired to introduced Counsel, and to this he replied in the Negative.
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The Accused Private Augustus Bullard Co “A” 102 Regt US.C. Troops was arraiged on the following charges and Specifications
Charge 1 Absence without leave
Specification – In this that Private Augustus Bullard Co A 102d US.C. Troops did leave the quarters and Camp of his Company taking with him his arms and accoutrements, without leave, from competent authority, and did re-main absent between the hours of Nine pm and Twelve. m on the night of October 19 th 1864. This at Ladies Island S.C.
Charge 2 nd Robbery
Specification - In this that Private Augustus Bullard Co “A” 102 USC Troops did in Company with Private Hardie[4] and Thomas Johnson[5] of Co “A” 102d USC Troops leave the quarters and Camp of his Company and between the hours of Nine pm and Twelve m proceed to the house of Adam Cohen[6] Citizen and Establishing a Guard at both doors of the house and threatening to shoot the imamates. Lucretia Simmons and Emma Cohen[7] did seize and carry away from the premises certain property belonging to the said Adam Cohen Citizen. This at Ladies Island So Ca[8]. on or about the 19 th of October 1864.
Charge 3 rd Threatening to Kill
Specification In this that Private Augustus Bullard Co “A” 102 USC Troops did in company with Private Nelson Hardee and Thomas Johnson Co “A” 102d USC Troops threaten to shoot Lucretia Simmons and Emma Cohen while as the
house of Adam Cohen (Citizen) between the hours of 9 pm and 12 m on the Night of October 19 th 1864 using as the same time language as follows viz “God damn You I will shoot you” Damn You if You know what is best for you You will stay in the house” of words to that effect they Privates Bullard Hardie and Johnson having their arms accoutrements[9] with them as the time All this at Ladies Island S.C. on or about Oct. 19 th 1864.
To which Charges and Specifications the accused pleaded as follows
To the Specification of 1 st Charge “Guilty” except the words “taking with him his arms and accountments”
To the 1 st Charge “Guilty”
To the Specification 2 nd Charge “Not Guilty”
To the 2 nd Charge “Not Guilty”
To the Specification 3 rd Charge “Not Guilty”
To the 3 rd Charge “Not Guilty”
Private Richard Cross[10] Co “A” 102d Regt USCT a witness for the prosecution being duly sworn testifies as follows
Question by J.A. – To what Regt Co do you belong
Answer. – Company “A” 102d USCT.
Question by J.A. – Where were you on the night of Oct 19 th 1864
Answer – I was on Picket[11] at on Ladies Island Brick yard Point[12] as that time Oct 19. Augustus Bullard Thomas Johnson & William Thompson[13] occupied the same tent with me. I did not see anything of Augustus Bullard the accused that Night from the time I went on picket a little before sundown until next morning near sunrise. I did not come back to my tent at all that Night as I had no right to leave my post. I stay at my post all Night. I did not see Bullard when I went on picket but he was
there when I came back. His arms & accoutrements where there in the morning but I dont know whether they were there the Evening before or not. I do not know where WM Thompson was that Night. I dont know whether he was on Picket or not
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1st Lieut George A. Southworth[14] Co “A” 102nd Regt USCT a Witness for the prosecution being duly sworn testified as follows
Question by J.A. – To what Regt & Co do you belong
Answer . – Co “A” 102d Regt USCT
Question by J.A. – Were you in Command of the Picket guard on Ladies Island at Brick Yard Points on the 19th of Oct 1864
Answer – Yes Sir
Question by J.A. – Did you see anything of the accused Augustus Bullard on the night of said Oct 19th 64
Answer – I did not after Roll call as 5 ½ pmt 8 in the Evening
Question by J.A. – Was there an order previously issued & then inforce prohibiting the Men of your Co then as Brick Yard point from being out of or away from Camp at Night.
Answer – Yes Sir
The court adjourned at 2 pm to meet again Monday November 14th 64 at 9 am
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9 am Beaufort S. C Nov 14th 1864
Present all the members the Judge advocateand the accused
The Proceedings of previous day were read by the Judge Advocate
Private William Thompson Co A 102nd USCT a Witness for the prosecution being duly sworn testified as follows -
Question by Judge Advocate : - To what Company and Regt do you belong
Answer: - Co A 102d Regt USCT
Question by Judge Advocate : - Where were you stationed and what were your duties on the 19th of Oct last
Answer : I was on Picket on Ladies Island. I was on Picket duty that Night I went on Guard the afternoon of that day. When
the Sun was an hour high, I then left my tent and did not return to it until next Morning when the Sun was about a hour high. I then remained on my post all Night. - - Augustus Bullard the Accused – Richard Cross and Thomas Johnson quartered with me. I did not See anything ofAugustus Bullard, the Accused that Night of Oct 19th. I did not See him till next Morning his arms & Accoutrements were in the tent.I dont Know when they were during the Night
Question by the Court :- Did You ever hear the accused say, in the presence of other persons, where he had been and what he had been doing in the Night of Oct 19th last
Answer :- No Sir
and the Accused were introduced in Evidence by the Judge Advocate and received by the Court
The Prosecution was here closed. The Accused having no testimony to offer presented to the Court the written Statement
(appended and Marked “C:”) which was read by the Judge Advocate in his defence.
The Judge Advocate having no reply to make, the case was then submitted to the Court.
The Court having maturely considered the evidence adduced find the Accused Private Augustus Bullard Co A 102nd Regt USCT – as follows –
of the Specification of the 1st Charge “Guilty” except the words “taking with him his Arms and Accoutrements –
of the 1st Charge “Guilty”
of the Specification 2nd Charge “Not Guilty”
Of the Second Charge “Not Guilty”
Of the Specification of 3rd Charge “Not Guilty”
Of the 3rd Charge “Not Guilty”
And the Court do therefore sentence him Private Augustus Bullard Co “A” 102nd Regt USC Troops to forfeit to the United States Ten Dollars ($10) of the Monthly pay for one Month
Henry L. Chipman
Col. 102nd Regt U.S.C.T
President
A.P. Ketchum
1st Lieut 56th N.Y.S.Vols & A.D.C
Judge Advocate
Hd Qrs Dist of Beaufort
Beaufort SC
Nov 18 1864
The proceeding’s findings and sentence of the general Court Martial in the case of Pvt Augustus Ballard Co “A: 102d Regt USCT are approved and the sentence will be carried into effect accordingly by
R Saxton
Brig Gnl
Comd
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At 1.30 P.M. the Court adjourned to meet again at 9 A.M. to morrow Nov 15th 1864.
Henry L. Chipman
Col. 102d Regt U.S.C.T.
President
A.P. Ketchum
1 A Lieut N.Y.S.Voh & A.D.C.
Judge Advocate
“A”
State of South Carolina} ss.
District of Beaufort}
Adam Cohen of Pleasant Point Plantation[15] Ladies Island, being duly sworn says that on the 19th of October last he went to the house of his brother in law Peter Deroe on the said Plantation and that when he was coming out of said house he heard the firing of a musket or rifle apparently but a short distance off and on the said plantation, that as soon as he had heard the said firing he came right down to his own house he met his wife Emma Cohen and his mother Lucretia Simmons who were apparently in great trouble on account of some soldiers who they said had been there at the house abusing them and threatening to shoot them and deponent[16] says that at the time he left the house of his said brother in law as before mentioned it was between ten and eleven o’clock. And deponent further says that he went immediately to the hen house where his chickens were kept with a light in his hand and discovered that eight of the said chickens had been carried away and their heads left lying on the ground. That following morning deponent went to the head quarters of the Picket at Brick yard plantation following the tracks of footsteps marked in the sand and that for the entire distance feathers were scattered along the road leading to the said Brick yard Plantation. And deponent further says that deponents mother Lucretia Simmons is ill and unable to attend upon the Court.
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Sworn before me this his
11th day of November 1964} Adam x Cohen
A.D. Smith mark
Provs Justice Peace[17]
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“B”
State of South Carolina} for
District of Beaufort}
Emma Cohen being duly sworn says that she reside on Pleasant Point Plantation Ladies Island that on the night of the 19th of October last when three or four hours after dark she was waked by a noise in the yard. Then she went immediately to the front door of the house, and heard some persons apparently in the hen house catching fowls that without opening the door, she called out to them and said “Mind now, and don't go away with my fowl” A man outside made aware and said “Damn you, if you come out I will shoot you.” Deponent further say that there was no further conversation at that time, and deponent did not go out of the house and did not see the men but at the same time that deponent went to the door, as aforesaid, deponent mother in law, Lucretia Simmons, whom was in the house at the time went to the window and having opened the shutter, was meet by a man who told her that if she didn’t push her head back he would shoot her. This was while the noise was going on at the hen house. And deponent further say than after the said persons had left the premises she went to the hen house, saw blood and feathers on the door, and the heard of chicken scattered on upon the ground.
Sworn before me this
11th day of November 1864
-
D. Smith
Provs. Justice Peace
“C”
Statement of the prisoner, Augustus Bullard Co. “A” 102d Regt U.S.C.Troops in Defence
We went down to the adjoining plantation, visitingI was absent about an hour, I then returned to camp again, to my tent and went to bed.
his[18]
Augustus x Bullard
mark
Witness
A.P. Ketchum
1st Lieut, 56 th. N.Y.S.V.A.D.C.
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Proceedings of a General convened Court Martial[19], by virtue of Par III Special Order No 185, dated U.S. Forces
Second Separate Brigade
Beaufort S. C[20] Oct 25 th
1864.
Prisoner tried Private Augustus Bullard[21] Co “A” 102nd U.S.C. Troops[22]
President Col Henry L. Chipman[23] 102d U.S.C.T.
Judge Advocate[24] 1st Lieut A. P. Ketchum A.D.C. 56 th N. Y. Vols
Head Qrt U.S. Forces
District of Beaufort S.C.
November 18, 1864
Approved
R Saxton[25]
Brig Genl
Comd
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[1] Details of the court hearings.
[2] Born in 1823. He was given command of the regiment at the age of 41 on April 15, 1864. He was present at the General Court Martials in September and October of 1864. He would eventually be promoted to Brig. General on August 22, 1865.
[3] United States Colored Troops – these were regiments in the United States Army composed of mostly African American soldiers. By the end of the Civil War, the 175 regiments made up one- tenth of the man power in the Union Army.
[4] Nelson Hardie was an illiterate 22-year-old boat-hand born in Richmond Virginia; he is listed as free. He enlisted on January 4, 1864 in Detroit and mustered in on the 14th. He is a Private in Company A. In Sept. And Oct. Of same year he was absent in confinement then present again during Nov. and Dec. Owing $10 for his court martial sentencing. In Aug. 1865, he is sick at a General Hospital in Charleston, SC. There is a $300.00 bounty on him as well. He was mustered out in Charleston, South Carolina on September 30, 1865.
[5] Before being mustered into Co. A of the 102nd USCT, Johnson was a Free Blacksmith. On January 11, 1864, at the age of 23, he was mustered into the 102nd USCT. He was Court Martialed in October of 1864 which resulted in the loss of $10 pay. After the war, he lived in Missouri and filed for his pension (based on a gunshot wound to the chest) in 1882. His wife received the pension after his death in 1885. It is not clear whether he received his pension before his death or not.
[6] Adam Cohen (age 47 per 1870 census) was a “Black” “farmer” who could not read or write and had a real estate value of “850” (all info from 1870 census). He was married to Emma Cohen (age 38 per 1870 census). Both were inhabitants of Pleasant Point Plantation at the time of incident involving members of the 102nd who were Court Martialed.
[7] Lucretia Simmons was the mother of Adam Cohen. Emma Cohen was the wife of Adam Cohen.
[8] is an island in Beaufort County, South Carolina. At one point this island housed several indigo plantations. Its original name was Combahee Island until it was renamed in 1698 by Governor Joseph Blake. He renamed it after his wife Elizabeth Axtell Blake. Shrimping and fishing are now big industries on this island.
[9] One’s weaponry and other accessories besides their uniform and weaponry
[10] He was a soldier in the Company A who enlisted October 3, 1863 in Detroit. He was promoted to Corporal June 1, 1865 for steadiness & soldierly conduct under fire. Could have been free, or slave, during service.
[11] an outpost position or guard for a larger force, usually within distance for deterring enemies or supporting the main encampment that they are protecting. In case of enemy attack, warnings would be sounded by the picket.
[12] Here Cross means to say “Ladies Island, Brick Yard Plantation.” The Brick Yard Plantation was a plantation that manufactured bricks. Also, Adam and Emma Cohen lived here.
[13] He was a member of Company A, 102nd U.S.C.T, and he enlisted Oct. 10, 1863 in Detroit. He was discharged on account of wounds received in action at Beaufort, SC on June 8, 1865. He died Jan 19, 1912. He was free throughout his service.
[14] He was a white man who enlisted into the military on April 22, 1861 in company I at Kalamazoo. He was discharged on October 2, 1863 to accept commission in the U.S. Colored Troops in company A. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on November 5, 1863 and then First Lieutenant on November 15, 1864.
[15] This plantation is located at the North end of Lady’s Island, S.C. Today it is owned and operated as a golf-course and residential community
[16] one who testifies under oath, giving evidence or acting as a witness, either in a deposition or by affidavit for use as evidence for the court.
[17] The head of military police inside of a camp.
[18] an x mark signature is made by a person who is unable to complete a full signature to a document because of a disability or illiteracy.
[19] a judicial court that tries members of the armed services for any offense against military law.
[20] is a city on Port Royal Island, South Carolina. During the Civil War, this was the first southern city conquered by Union forces after the U.S. Navy victory in Port Royal Sound on November 7, 1861. Beaufort became the headquarters of the U.S. Army, Department of the South, and the base of operations for the 102nd U.S.C.T.
[21] He was a Corporal who got demoted in Company A 102nd U.S.C.T. He enlisted September 30,1863 in Jackson. He was a freeman while in service.
[22] Originally called The First Michigan Colored Infantry, it was made up of black soldiers and white officers. Created in July of 1863, this regiment served on picket duty, built fortifications, destroyed railroads, and engaged the enemy.
[23] Born in 1823. He was given command of the regiment at the age of 41 on April 15, 1864. He was present at the General Court Martials in September and October of 1864. He would eventually be promoted to Brig. General on August 22, 1865.
[24] an officer of the Court who provides legal advice (lawyer of the military).
[25] Rufus Saxton