Litchfield enquirer., 1842-03-17


been administered to the members, Capt. Whiting
Wilcor, Of the 5lh company, 18th Regt. was put on
trial on the following charges: -ls dsobedence Of
orders and 3D. unofcer.like conduct. In the speci-
cations under the first charge, it alleged that at
the officer drill Of the 18th Regt, in Salisbury, on the
ID of Sept. last, when ordered by Col. HOLSTER to
march the subalterns and nor-commissoncd officers
Of his company into the Regimenal line, he refused
to obey also that when ordered to lace to the right
he refused to obey; and also that when ordered 10
march four PAGES in front Of the Reglmenal line, he
disobeyed the order.
Under the second general charge were four specit-
cations LIST, that at the officer drill aforesaid when
ordered by Co.. HOLSTER talking in the ranks,
Capt. w. replied and used opprobrous and insulting
language: 3D. that he left his post in the lines and IN
serfered with body of men who were executing the
orders Of Col. HOLSTER in removing disordcrly per-
son from the parade ground: Sd, that no refused to
answer to his name when called by the Adjutant OF
the Regiment: and 4t, that he left the parade ground
before he was regularly dismissed.
To these charges and specifications, Capt. Wilcox
having pleaded Not Guilty the case for the prosecu'
ton commenced by the following evidence:
George M. Hollister, sDorn-Col. Of the 18Th Regt.
AT the officer drill of the 18th Regiment, held at
Salisbury on the I'd Of September last, Capt Wilcox
with some other officers formed in line south Of the
meeting house under Mr.. julius B. Harrison. ] had
previously paraded the rest of the officers in field
hired for the occasion. went to Capt. w. and the
others and ordered them to face to the right for the
purpose of marching :hem into the field-the order
was disobeyed then returned to the field, and in
short time Capt. w. and his companions marched in
and took their post in the line. The roll was then
called by Adjutant Cowles, and heard no answer
from Capt. w. when his name was called In the
course of the forenoon observed man from Corn
wall by the name Of CatIin, who was creating dis
.urbance by talking with the officers and mingling
with them while paraded in line. ordered him to
leave the ground which he refused to d. at the same
time threatening me with q cane which he had in his
hand then ordered Capt. Wheeler, with tho off,
GERS under his command, TO remove him from the
ground, and while thus engaged, and after having
forced him off few rods from the line. Capt. Wilcox
left his post and went there they were taking him
along. When got there they were engaged IN loud
conversation, but cannot say that Capt w. pre-
\,.,:.d the removal Of Catlin. Soon after Capt. w.
reNiSsu " hls Poo. Sc G-n and commenced talking.
I ORDERED HIM to stop; he replied ne would talk as
much as he pleased. and would no. stop for me.
Cross. Eramined.--I do not know that Wilcox aided
at all in the removal Of Ca.n from the ground-qute
q number of the officers left the ranks at the same
time with Capt. w. but think he was one OF the
6rst-thcre seemed 10 be rush from all parts Of the
line.
Waller S. Coolies, s,Do,n, Adjutdnt the Regiment,
a. claimed by the proseeuon.-An order to right face
was given by Col. Hoister stated by him. and it
10 my impression that Capt. Wilcox refused to obey
it still, cannot say positively. think that when
the order was given by COL H. to the officers in the
field to march four PAGES to the 'front.' Capt. w. was
one Of those who refused obedience ,oit.
held the post of Adutant on the day in question,
and received my appointment by warrant from COL
H. dated the Sd day Of July, ls4l and in obedience
to his order proceeded to call the roll Of the officers Of
the res',. Quite number OF the officers refused to
answer to their names, and think that Capt Wilcox
was one. Irecollect distinctly that Capt. w. inter.
fored to prevent the execution Of an order as set
forth in the I'd specification under the I'd charge
Col II. ordered Capt. Wheeler to remove Ca,lin from
the ground, and on his attempting 70 do SO several
officers left the ranks to prevent its execution, and
among them am very sure was Capt. Wilcox.
Cross. ErGminad.-I cannot state whether Wilcox
requested Catn to leave the ground and not make a
disturbance. When the order was given by Col. II.
TO face TO the right, as have stated. was in the
field and not in the street.
Drigh w. Pierce, ssDOrn-Lisus. Col. cfths l3th
,sginsnt. The order was given by COL Hollster to
certain officers paraded in the street, south Of the
meeting house, to march into the field and form on
the right Of the left wing Of the officers there paraded
Capt. w. was among those 50 ordered. but did not
obey as saw. He also refused to march four PAGES
in front ofthe line when general order to that effect
was given by the Colonel.
Cross Eransinsd.- officers in the street were
ordered to march into the field by COL II. lie order.
ed them to wheel, but whether to the right or left
do not recollect It was sometime after the issuing
Of the order that saw them in the 6eld--perhaps
half an hour.
Wm. r King, sWorn-Major q the l3iA regimsns-
believe Capt. Wilcox was one Of those ordered TO
march and form as stated in the first specification,
bu, canno. say positively. COL H. gave another or
der TO the officers Of these companies to face TO the
right which was disoheyed by them. Icannot swear
positively that Wilcox was one Of tho number. Col.
IT, ~hile in the field gave an order to Capt. Wheeler
III remove Ca.ln from the ground. While attempting
10 execute il. interference took place or appeared
Ia. IshOud thing Capt. Wilcox was One-Ihey rush
Cd eSs. Whs. their object was don't know. Al
neon. two companies left the ground before they
Dismissed. and think Cap, Wile0x's company was
one Of them.
Csoss.E samins6- The conduct Of Capt. Wilcox In
the after pass Of tho day was Oesslike. end % faE
reeollacs perfectly orderly.
.KaAn C. SniiA. j.. smerM.-I sac Cant WhanleP |