Index Of General Court-Martial Orders. [Adjutant General's Office, 1873.]

E. D.-ADJUTANT GENERAL TOWNSEND

Publication: Government Printing Office, 1873, Washington

First Edition. 12mo. Original Three-quarter Leather with marbled Boards. No General Pagination, each case individually paginated. A record of 62 court-martial orders for the year 1873, with a 2-page Index, and a brief synopses of each case. Most noteworthy is General Court-Martial Orders No. 32 records the case against a group of Modoc Indian captives, including Captain Jack, Schonchis, Black Jim, Boston Charley, Barncho, alias One Eyed Jim, and Sloluck, alias Cok, for "Murder, in violation of the laws of war." The charges were that when the Modoc met with the Peace Commission, under flag of truce, "and treacherously disregarding the obligations imposed by said truce under the laws of war, willfully, feloniously, and of malice aforethought, kill and murder said Brigadier General Canby. All this at or near the Lava Beds, so-called, situated near Tule Lake, in the State of California, on or about the 11th day of April, 1873." the same charges were also made for the killing of Eleazur Thomas. Additionally, separate charges were made for the attempted murder of Commissioner A. B. Meacham, as well as the arttempted murder of L. S. Dyer. All were found guilty and were sentenced "To be hanged by the neck until dead, at such time and place as the proper authority shall direct...". Subsequently, and contained herein, General Court-Martial Orders No. 34. states that President U. S. Grant has modified the sentences of Barncho, alias One Eyed Jim, Sloluck, alias Cok, changing their sentence to life in prison, in Alcatraz, instead of death by hanging. Captain Jack, Schonchis, Black Jim, and Boston Charley were all hung at Fort Klamath on October 3, 1873. The other 60 cases involve theft, embezzlement, assault, desertion, intoxication, and various violations of the standards of military conduct. An interesting look at military discipline in the decade following the Civil War. General Canby was the highest-ranking officer ever killed in the Indian Wars. Moderate general rubbing to edges, corners, and boards. Very good.

Inventory Number: 53306