Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-06-28
GENERAL COURT MARTIAL.

|
ors Generel D. E. Twggs, fpresdent,l E. Wool, P.
F. Smith, B. Riley, G. Gibson; Brgaders General J..
B. Walbach S. Churchill, J. G. Totten, II. Childs, j..
]. Albert; Colonel ]. B. Crane; Brevet Colonel j.
Plympton; Brevet Major J. F. Lee, judge advocate
]. NJ Carlisle, Esq, counsel for Gen. Tacott. Brevet
Major General N. S. Clarke, absent.
| After the Court duly organized, the Judge Advo
cate read the order from the War Department to the
Court.
! In consequence of the absence of General Clarke
the Court adjourned.
| Tuesday,, June 24.--Ihe Court met at o'clock. A
note was received from General Talcot respectfully
requesting that the trial be not commenced until after
the arrival of the elevenocock train, in the hope that
the absent member (Gen. Clarke may arrve as he did
not wish the trial to proceed except with full board.
After consultation, the Court determined take
cess till IL M. At the appointed hour the Court
assembed-all the members present except Gen. Clarke
and concluded to proceed with the trial. The usual
oath was then administered each of the members by
the Judge Advocate.
| The Judge Advocate asked Gen. Talcott if he objec
| ted 10 any members Of the Court.
No objection being made, the charges were then read
| as follows
| Charges and specifications TO charges preferred,
| against Brevet Brigadier General George Talcott
colonel OF the ordnance department, by order OF the
Secretary OF War.
| CHARGE I.-Vioation of l32d article of the regula-
tion for the government OF the Ordnance Department
Specfcaion.-"ln this that he the said Brevet Bril-
gadier General Talco colonel of the Ordnance depart
ment, in charge of the Ordnance bureau OF the War
Department did, without the sanction of the Secretary
Of War, at Washington, November 6, 1850, write and
transmit by the hands of Doctor Edward Carmichael,
to Blevet Colonel Benjamin Huger, captain in the
| Ordnance department, commanding the Arsenal at
For, Monroe, the following letter of instructions, to
| wit:
|
Washington, November g. 1850.
"SIk 1t may be well to provide more shot and shell
from time to time tor the post OF Fort Monroe; and
for this purpose YOU are authorized TO procure them
reasonable extent ias suppose (the price of iron be-
ing now ow,) they can be had on favorable terms.
You will make the necessary estimates OF funds meet
the deliveries they occur they should be procured
by open purchase only
81 am, sir, respectfully your obedlent servant,
"G. TALCOTT,
Brevct Brig. Gen, Col. of Ordnance.
"Colonel B. HUGER, Fort Monroe Arsenal.
and on the receipt whereof the said Benjamin Huger
having on the 9Th November 1885, at Fort Monroe
senal given to The said Doctor Carmichael order in
"FoRr MONROE ARSENAL,
| "November s. 1850.
"SIR: You will please furnish the Ordnance depart
ment with five hundred tons 32-pounder solid shot, at
scuh times within year from this date shall be prac
ticabe, to be delivered the Ordnance wharat Fort
Monroe subject 10 Inspection and free OF all cost to the
| United States.
l
cents, three and fourth mills per pound g 81
mls,) with the understanding that the department
may, at any time within the year specified order and
receive from YOU shot and shells of any caibre in any
quantities exceeding five hundred tons, at the above
named price for shot, and at the rate Of tour cents and
oneiourth Of mill per pound a cents milD for shells
| Respectfully,
| "BENJ. HUGER,
"Brevet Colonel.
| doctor EDWARD CARMICHAEL
accept, and upon the terms and conditions thereof, did
con tract with said Huger for shot and Shells and the
said Huger having thereafter that is to say, the 2lst
November, le5O-at Washington, communicated to the
| said George Talcott CO onel othe Ordnance depart
ment, that he had, under the instructions contained in
The aforesaid letter from said Tacott, dated the 9th
November, 1880, given the said order to said Carm-
chae and upon the terms and conditions thereof, con:
ciuded contract with said Carmichael, he, the said
Talcott, did allow and approve the said act of said
Huger, thereby permitting and sanctoning contract
for supplies to be made and carried into effect without
the sanction the Secretary OF War, and 10 violation
OF the 32d article OF the regulations for the government
of the Ordnance Department"
CHARGE H.-"Wilfu sobedience of orders and in
strucons from the Secretary OF War in relation to
a contract for supplies"
Specifcation-"in this. that he, the said Breve
Brigadier General George Tacot colonel of the Ord
nance department. in charge OF the Ordnance bureau OF
| the War Department, having accompanied Doctor Ed
ward Carmichael to the War Department. on the Let
November, 1850, and being then and there present in
|
the Secretary of War application for contract to
furnish shot and shells the Ordnance department. and
when said Secretary did then and there reject said ap
picatlon and refuse to make contract with I'D Car
michael, and did, moreover, refuse to recognise one
which said Carmichael alleged to have been previously
made with him, nevertheless he, the said Talcott, did
| aerwards-hat Is to say, on The 9th November, 1850
at Washington write and send by the hands OF said
| Carmichael TO Brevet Colonel Benjamin Huger, cap
tain in the Ordnance department, commanding the arse
nal Fort Monroe, the letter of instructions hereinbe-
thac ~
the design and purpose authorize and for said
Carmichael contract for shot and shells, and thereby
to evade and dsobey the aforesaid decision OF the Sec,
| rotary of War, by which means the said Carmichael
did procure from said Huger the order and contract for
shot and shells forth in the said specification 10 the
1t char ge. And the said Tacott being thereafter to-
| wit, at Washington, on tine 2st November lS50-in-
formed by said Huger of said contract, and well know
ing that the contrary TO the decision OF the
Secretary of War, in regard to which decision he the
said Talco was duly informed and instructed by the
said Secretary, nevertheless he, the said Talcott, did
| allow and sanction said contract made by Huger with
said Carmichael; therein and in these premises, viola
ting his duty and dlsobeyng the orders and Instructions
| OF the Secretary OF War"
CHARGE Ill "Conduct unbecoming an officer and
| gentleman
! Specification lst "In this: that he the said Brevet
Brgadier General George Tacott colonel of the Ord
nance Department, in charge of the Ordnance bureau
of the War Department, did, by the and contri
set in the specification to the first charge
and in the specification to the second charge-that is
to say, by his letter OF instruction Bfeve Colonel
Huger Of the 9th November 1885, sent by the hands Of
Doctor Carmichael, and by his subsequent approval of
the contract made by said Huger with said Carmichael
auth orze and procure and cause to be made
tract for the purchase OF large amount OF ordnance
sores-to wit, shot and shes-whch he, the said Tai
colt knew, and had previously reported to the Secreta
ry Of War; not needed for the public service such
conduct being abuse of the authority Of his office,
breach OF the trust reposed in him, and unbecoming an
officer and gentleman"
Specification I'd. "In this that he, the said Brevet
Brigadier General George Tacott, colonel of the Ord
nance Department in charge of the Ordnance bureau of
the War Department, did by the and contrivau-
ces atoresad-iha is to say, by his aforesaid letter OF
the 9Th November, 1850, Breve Colonel Huger sent
by the hands of Doctor Carmichael, and by his subse-
uuent consent to the contract aforesaid made by said
Huger with said Observation-Disclosures and procure
and cause 10 be made, and did confirm contract for
large amount OF ordnance stores-to wit, shot and