Radford University
Court Martial of John Anderson
John Anderson was part of the 102nd U.S. Colored Troops. He was born in Ohio and lived his life before service as a boatman. He enlisted in Detroit and was mustered into service on January 21, 1864. He was arrested in September of 1864 for deserting the army from Camp Casey. He was found in clothing other than his uniform with no pass and no legitimate excuse to be away from duty. He was charged with desertion and found guilty. His punishment was to be returned to his military duties with the loss of all his pay and had to continue to pay ten dollars a month for a year.
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No. 42.
Proceedings of a General Court Martial in the case of John Anderson alias Porter
102ndU.S. Cold Troops
Proceedings of a General Court Marshall convened at Alexandria, Va. By virtue of the following General Orders:
Head Quarters Military Governor, Alexandria VA. December 31st1864
General Orders No 139
(Extract) x x x x
II A General Court Marshall is hereby appointed to meet at Alexandria, Va. on Tuesday January 3rd1865 at 10 O’clock A.M. or as soon there after as practicable for the trial of such prisoners as may be brought before it.
Detail for the Court:
1 Lieut Col J. Wesley AW. 201stRegt, Pa. Vols
2 Capt D.W. C James. Co “C” Ind Pa. Infty
3 Capt G.W. Carpenter 116thRegt N.Y. Vols
4 Capt A.M. Erwin. 117thRegt N.Y. Vols
5 Capt F.E. Crawford 116thRegt. Pa. Vols
6 Capt A.C. Landis 201stregt. Pa. Vols
7 Capt B.Y. Asheufelter 201stregt. Pa, Vols
Capt G. Washington Fenn 201stregt. Pa, Vols
Judge Advocate.
No other officers than those names can be assembled without manifest injury to the service.
The court will sit without regard to hours.
By command of Brig Gen Slough
(sig’d) Rollin C. Gale
Asst. Adj. Genl
General Court Martial Rooms
Alexandria, Va. January 10th, 1865
4.15 Oclock P.M.
The court met pursuant to the foregoing orders and adjournment
All the members were present.
The court then proceeded to the trial of private John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops who was brought before the Court, and having heard the orders appointing the Court read, was asked if he had any objectives to any member named in the orders?
The accused answered, “None at all, sir”
The court was then duly sworn by the Judge Advocate and the Judge Advocate was duly sworn by the President of the Court, in the presence of the accused,
The accused was then arraigned on the following charge and specification:
Charge: Desertion
Specification: In this, that the said John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops, having been duly enlisted in the military service of the United States did without proper authority, absent him-self from his Camp and so remain until appre-hended at or near
Washington D.C. on or about the 1stday of September 1864. This at or near Camp Casey on or about the 15thday of August 1864.
(Sig’d) H.H. Wells
Col. and Pro. Mar. Genl.
Def. So, of Potomac
To which Charge and Specification the accused, Private John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops, plead as follows:
To the specificiation: “guilty”
To the charge: “Not Guilty”
The Judge Advocate on the part of the prosecution submitted an original statement duly acknowledge by the prisoner which is appended and marked “A”.
The accused having no evidence to bring in his defence, the Judge Advocate submitted the case to the court without remark.
The court was then cleared and after mature deliberation, find him, private John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops
Of the specification: “Guilty”
Of the charge: Guilty
The court does therefore sentence him private John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops to be returned under guard to his Regiment for duty with loss of all pay and allowances now due to forfeit ten dollars per month of his monthly pay for a period of twelve (12) months and make good all time lost by absence.
G. Washington Fenn
Capt. 201stPa, and
Judge Advocate
J. Wesley AW
Lt. Col. 201stPa. and
President
Head Quarters Military Governor
Alexandria VA Jun 14th1865
General Orders No 34 Extract
IIII The proceedings, findings, and sentences in the cases of John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops are approved, they will be released from confinement and returned under guard to the regiments for duty. Their sentences will be carried into execution by the commanding officers.
By Command of Brig Genl Slough
(sgd) Rollin C. Gale. AAC
Hd. Qrs Mil Gov
Alex VA Jan 14th1865 Official
John P. Slough
Brig Genl Vols
Washington St. Mil Prison
Alexandria Va 14thDec 1864
Statement of John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops
I was mustered into the U.S. service some time in Nov. 1863 at Detroit Mich. and sent to Camp near the City from that I was sent to Camp Dis Va and from that back to hospital at Alexandria from the Hosp. I was again sent to Camp Distribution from there to Camp Casey on or about August 15th1864 I received a pass for one day. I did not return at the expiration of my pass. Was arrested Sept 1st1864 in Washington D.C. by a police taken to the Pro. Mar. and by him committed to prison.
John Anderson his mark
Witnesses:
L.H. Davis 1stLt. Co. C. Ind. Pa Vols
Geor WM. Sharon
2ndLt Co C Ind. Pa Vols
Court Martial
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Charge “Desertion”
Specification: In this, that the said John Ander-son alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops, having been duly enlisted in the military service of the United States did without proper authority, absent him-self from his camp and so remain until apprehended at or near Washington D.C. on or about the 1stday of September 1864.
This at or near Camp Casey on or about the 15thday of August 1864
To which charge and specification the prisoner Private John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops pleaded
To the specification “Guilty”
To the charge “Not Guilty”
Findings
The court having maturely considered the evidence adduced finds the prisoner John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops as follows:
Of the specification “Guilty”
Of the charge “Guilty”
Sentence
The court does therefore sentence him private John Anderson alias Porter 102ndUnited States ColdTroops to be returned under guard to his regiment for duty with loss of all pay and allowances now due to forfeit ten dollars per month of his monthly pay for a period of twelve (12) months and make good all time lost by absence.