Court Martial Duty: From October 23, 1863 to November 19, 1863, William Townsend served as
a Judge Advocate (a military judge) in a General Court Martial (the
highest military court which tries violations of military law). These military tribunals,
formally established during the Civil War, prosecuted everything from
insubordination and desertion (common occurances), to murder and rape. Townsend relates his duties:
October 23, 1863
“. . . was detailed as Judge Advocate in
Genl Court Martial to meet tomorrow . . .”
October 24, 1863
“. . . Have been busy all day hunting room
Paper for Court martial and met
this after noon and tried one case
adjourned to meet Monday morning at 8 OClock we have a very nice room in Dr. Sims house on
Main Street I am going to sleep in the room
. . .”
October 25, 1863
“. . . I got my papers all copied up
staid at the room last night and shall as long as we hold the court. .
.”
October 26, 1863
“Sat on Gen court martial to day J.A .[Judge Advocate] tried
two cases . . .”
October 29, 1863
“Court to day nothing from Look Out still fighting Bassett has written for me this is the third
Eve on court martial Proceedings this
makes 5 days the court has set had 5
men come back 3 Pvt 2 corporels”
October 30, 1863
“We held court until noon to day making the sixth day when we adjourned until
Monday”
November 1, 1863
“Was busy to day writing up my proceedings . . .”
November 2, 1863
“Court martial again to day the Rebs have
been shelling us to day one shell bust
right in front of the house where we were holding court . . .”
November 7, 1863
“Court to day have not felt at all
well severe headache I am afraid I am going to be sick Ed has not got back as yet I do not write up any cases lately as Bassett
does it all he writes in the afternoon
some”
November 9, 1863
“Court to day case of a deserter from
the 51st Ill who had excepted 1st Lt commission in 86th
Ind it is going to be a long and tedious
case . . .”
November 10, 1863
“Court to day Still on trial of the
Officer who deserted as a private . . .”
November 16, 1863
“Court to day but did not try but one case
will get through tomorrow or the day after I think . . .”
