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GENERAL ORDERS

HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF THE GULF, 19TH ARMY CORPS,

No. 48.

Before Port Hudson, June 9, 1863.

I. Before a General Court Martial, convened at New Orleans, Louisiana, pursuant to Special Orders No. 80, of March 25th, 1863, from these Headquarters, and of which Lieutenant Colonel R. FITZGIBBONS, 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, is President, were arraigned and tried:

1. Captain William II. Seamans, 41st Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers, Provost Marshal at Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

CHARGE FIRST.

"Disobedience of Orders."

SPECIFICATION 1st--"In this that Captain William H. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, did charge and receive fees for passes granted to various persons to travel within and beyond the lines of the United States troops, in violation of General Orders No. 113, dated Headquarters, Department of the Gulf, December 2d, 1862. This at various times, between the 20th day of December, 1862, and the 30th of January, 1863, at Baton Rouge, in the State of Louisiana."

SPECIFICATION 2d--" In this, that Captain William H. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid at said Baton Rouge, did grant passes to various persons to go beyond the lines of the United States forces, in violation of General Orders No. 113. This at sundry times subsequent to the date of said General Orders."

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SPECIFICATION 3d-In this, that said William H. Seamans, in his capacity as aforesaid, permitted sundry persons to pay out gold and silver (for cotton or other merchandise), to be carried to a section of country heretofore declared to be in insurrection,' in violation of the regulations of the Secretary of the Treasury, dated August 28th, 1862; and in that, said Seamans permitted placards to remain for weeks posted within sight of his office, inviting disloyal persons who were admitted within the lines of our forces, to engage in such unlawful trade, in violation of the regulations above mentioned. This at various times subsequent to January 1st, 1863, at Baton Rouge, as aforesaid."

CHARGE SECOND.

"Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline."

SPECIFICATION 1st- --"In this, that said William H. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, did permit one Frederick Zeigler to receive into his store at Baton Rouge, spirituous liquors in large quantities, and to sell and dispose of the same to soldiers. This at various times, after the 1st day of January, 1863, at Baton Rouge aforesaid."

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SPECIFICATION 2d-- In this, that said William H. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, did permit sundry other persons to sell spirituous liquors to soldiers and others, in violation of military orders. This at various times subsequent to January 1st, 1863, at Baton Rouge, as aforesaid."

CHARGE THIRD.

"Relieving the Enemy."

SPECIFICATION" In this, that said William II. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, granted passes for pay, by which sundry persons have been permitted to carry provisions, medicines and other articles into the camp of the enemy. This at sundry times, between the 20th of December, 1862, and the 28th of February, 1:63, at Baton Rouge, as aforesaid."

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SPECIFICATION--" In this, that said Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, granted passes by which sundry persons had frequent intercourse with the enemy, enabling those in arms against the United States Government to obtain information of the condition of the army of the Union. This at said Baton Rouge, at sundry times, subsequent to January 1st, 1863."

CHARGE FIFTH.

"Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline."

SPECIFICATION "In this, that said William H. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, received cotton from the enemy's country, and through the aid of Government transportation, conveyed the same to the city of New Orleans, disposing of the same for his own private benefit, in violation of the aforesaid regulations of the Treasury Department. This at said Baton Rouge, at some period subsequent to the 20th of December. 1862."

CHARGE SIXTH.

"Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman."

SPECIFICATION 1st- In this, that said Seamans, in his said capacity, arranged with one William S. Pike, a known enemy of the United States Government, by which said Pike was granted special privileges of transit, communication and trade with and into the enemy's country, in violation of the Articles of War and the instructions of the Commanding General of the Department. This at sundry times after the 20th of December, at Baton Rouge aforesaid."

SPECIFICATION 2d--"In this, that said William H. Seamans, Provost Marshal as aforesaid, for the purpose of gain and for pecuniary considerations, granted to sundry persons special privileges for trading beyond and within the enemy's lines. This at Baton Rouge aforesaid, at various times between December 20th, 1862, and March 7th, 1863."

To all of which charges and specifications the accused pleaded "Not Guilty."

The Court, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, finds the accused as follows:

Of the first specification, first charge--" Guilty."

Of the second specification, first charge-" Guilty."
Of the third specification, first charge—“Guilty.”

Of the first charge-"Guilty."

Of the first specification, second charge--" Not Guilty."
Of the second specification, second charge--"Not Guilty."
Of the second charge--"Not Guilty."

Of the specification, third charge--" Not Guilty."

Of the third charge--" Not Guilty."

Of the specification, fourth charge--" Not Guilty."
Of the fourth charge--" Not Guilty."

Of the specification, fifth charge--" Not Guilty."

Of the fifth charge--" Not Guilty."

Of the first specification, sixth charge--"Not Guilty."

Of the second specification, sixth charge--" Not Guilty."

Of the sixth charge--" Not Guilty."

And does therefore sentence him, said Captain William H. Seamans, late Provost Marshal at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, “to be dismissed the service of the United States."

2. Second Lieutenant John J. Langdon, 128th Regiment New York Volunteers.

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SPECIFICATION—“In this, that he, Second Lieutenant John J. Langdon, 128th Regiment New York Volunteers, while Officer of the Guard, without urgent necessity, and without the leave of his superior officer, did quit his guard and remain absent therefrom until sent for by the Field Officer of the Day. This at Camp Parapet, Louisiana, on or about the 23d day of March, 1863."

CHARGE SECOND.

"Disobedience of Orders."

SPECIFICATION "In this, that be, Second Lieutenant John J. Langdon, 128th Regiment New York Volunteers, while Officer of the Guard, having been ordered by his superior officer, Captain S. Rygard, Company B, 1st Artillery Native Guards, Louisiana Volunteers, Field Officer of the Day, in substance to remain constantly at his guard quarters during his tour of guard cuty, in order to examine passes and papers of parties applying to pass the lines, did disobey said order by absenting himself from his said guard quarters, and remaining absent therefrom until sent for by his said superior officer, thereby disobeying the lawful commands of his superior officer. This at Camp Parapet, Louisiana, on or about the 23d day of March, 1863."

To all of which charges and specifications the accused pleaded" Not Guilty.” The Court, after mature deliberation on the evidence adduced, finds the accused as follows:

Of the specification, first charge-" Not Guilty."

Of the first charge-"Not Guilty."

Of the specification, second charge--" Not Guilty."
Of the second charge--"Not Guilty "

And does therefore acquit him.

3. Second Lieutenant Patrick Ingoldsby, Company C, 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers.

CHARGE FIRST.

"Conduct to the prejudice of Good Order and Military Discipline."

SPECIFICATION--"In this, that he, Second Lieutenant Patrick Ingoldsby, 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, at or near Hickok's Landing, Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, on or about the 2d day of April, 1863, being on duty as Lieutenant of the Picket Guard, did then and there wrongfully and without proper authority grant a pass to one Robert Gould, permitting him to go to Frenier, Louisiana."

CHARGE SECOND.

"Conduct unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman.”

SPECIFICATION 1st-"In this, that he, Second Lieutenant Patrick Ingoldsby, of Company C, 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, at or near Hickok's Landing, Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, on or about the 3d day of April, 1863, being on duty as Lieutenant of the Picket Guard, and having authority over guards stationed along our lines adjacent thereto, to prevent persons improperly passing to and from the enemy, did wrongfully and corruptly accept and receive from one Henry Perry, Jr., a bribe of fifty dollars, or thereabouts, in currency, in consideration of the wrongfully granting of the permission hereinafter mentioned, and did then and there, in consideration of such bribe, wrongfully and corruptly, and without proper authority, grant to said Henry Perry, Jr., permission to pass beyond said lines."

SPECIFICATION 2d---"In this, that he, Second Lieutenant Patrick Ingoldsby, of Company C, 9th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, at or near Hickok's Landing, Lake Pontchartrain, Louisiana, on or about the 3d day of April, 1863, being on duty as Lieutenant of the Picket Guard, and having authority over guards stationed along our lines and adjacent thereto, to prevent persons from improperly passing to and from the enemy's lines, did wrongfully and corruptly accept and receive from one Robert Gould a bribe of fifty dollars, or thereabouts, in currency, in consideration of the wrongful granting of the permission hereinafter mentioned, and did then and there, in consideration of such bribe, wrongfully and corruptly, and without proper authority, grant to said Robert Gould permission to pass beyond said lines.”

To all of which charges and specifications the accused pleaded "Not Guilty."

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