The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-27
rnIatAry Court Martial.

military Court Martial.
THE TRIAL or BREvET BROADER GENERAL TALcoTT,
COLONEL AND CHIEF or TlIR BUREAU OF ORDNANCE.
DAYS PROCEEDINGS
The Court assembled at the appointed hour; all the
members being present except General Clarke But the
Court concluded to proceed with the trial and the usual
oath administered to each Of the members and the
TIE Judge Advocate asked General Tacott II he OBJ
jected TO any members Of the Court.
No objection being made, the charges were then read
They are three in number all relating TO the same trans
action the various facts and being SET out
in a number Of specifications ~
The Judge Advocate then asked the accused II he
plead guilty or not guilty. General Tacott re- piled in
the negative and handed the court the following which
was read
interpoe obstacle TO full fair inquiry into the
facts upon which these charges and specifications have
constituted respectfully request that may be al
lowed reservel matter touching their sufciency in
law be used in tie discretion Of counsel at the
ming Of my defence; and with this reservation
plead to all and singular the said charges and spechcs
tons, not guilty
Appearing before you under circumst for which
have not been prepared by anything in the experience
my past life desire ntrst the defence of my no
and character to professional friend here present.
and this end request that J. Nj. Carlisle Esq a
member Of the bar Of this city may be allowed to attend
during the open LESSONS Of the court under the
stricons ordinarily imposed upon counsel in courts
martial. q. TALC0Tri
JrNE "a 1851 Brevet Brgadier General.
bir Carlisle stated that the accused had time
since summoned the Hon. VIM. L. Marcy a witness
his part but that be had not yet come and in Of
his not appearing he should expect reasonable delay
the court in order that his testimony might be OBJ
tanned.
The wdge Advocate remarked to the court that by an
with the counsel Of the accused they had de-
termined to examine witnesses only upon the points in
the in the time in which they occurred and
thus pm sent continuous narrative This would neces
sary involve the calling Of some of the witnesses several
tines but the court would that they
the facts much sooner in way than in any other
Capt Maynardier called-Iie stated that he was the
principal assistant Chief OF the Ordnance Depart
ment and had been that duty from February l. lsi2
the present time continuously and during that period
General Talcctt had been in charge Of the bureau lie
stated that the for of
the bureau 100000 which for ortifcations
and the purchase Of munitions Of war generally He
Talcott in 1850 was in charge Of the bureau Doctor
Carmichael called and submitted to certain papers
from President Tyler and Secretary wilkins by
virtue Of which he claimed 10 be entitled to contract
for shot and shells referred him to the Secretary of
War, (Mr Crawford) by whom the papers sent to
me for official report
The report then read. The purport Of it was
that the did not require any shot Shells
but even If it did it would first be necessary that an
appropriation should be made there funds
was absent from the bureau from 10th October to LIST
November 1850 and my return learned that Doctor
Carmichael had been there the business but he
bad gone before came back
The secretary Of War called.
Queston-Dd Doctor Carmichael apply to you for
contract to furnish shot and So state the parti
cuars.
Auswer-some time about the latter end Of October
1850 early in November, General Talcott into
my ct the department shortly aftt reached il in
the morning accompanied by gentleman whom he in
troduced 70 Doctor Carmichael, Of Virginia. Ar
ter the gentlemen seated General Talcott told
that the Doctor wished to business which he
would explain Doctor &. then observed that he came
10 me in relation contract for making shot lie
said that be made contract for considerable quantity
that he had left Office before the contract executed
and therefore the contract had been fulfilled that
hs had. however applied to my immediate predecessor
had recognized it. but had also left office before the
contract was executed and that he called upon
to execute the contract asked him If he had the
tractor il was in wrtpg-I forget which; he stated
that twas not in writing but that fully understood
mr. hat Grauf pxAu "a. tha 80
the contract and recognized its validity. asked if
he had any evidence of that cognition
colt who was present during this conversation, had
bundle OF papers in his hand L asked General T. If
those were the papers and he replied they
quested him 10 hand them to me, which he did ext
mined the papers look simply for the recognition Of
Mr. Crawford found paper which read attentiyely
and Hter doing so observed TO DIR. Carmichael that
according 60 THU paper IL seemed that Mr. Craw-
ford 20 far from acknowledging the existence Of any
positively negstyed the existence Of contract The
Doctor ssid he thought differently aud then read to
him the last clause Of Mr. Crswfrds letter in which he
refers the report Of the bureau of Ordnance and said
that whenever the means granted the department
would pursue the ordinary and legal mode OF making
contracts " The Doctor still contended time
Lhat bis view Of the letter and stated
That there was verbal understanding between himself
and Mr. Crawford by which he make this con. |
tract In answer 10 that, told him that had adopted
rule since had been in the department hsv.
pg frequently called upon TO recognise promises
made by with my predecessors to recognise nothing
partment In writing The Doctor made a very earnest
appesl 10 TO be allowed to make some snot aud pre-
sented what lac considered good many arguments 10 in
dLce let him make shot; but persisted in
my refusal in very positive lie left the Office
somewhat dissatisfied at my decision.
Questionable General Talcott take any part in the |
Answrr-My recollection Is that during the whole Of
the conversation General Tacoi remained silent In.
deed somewhat surprised after had looked ut the
papers at his remaining silent and allowing Doctor Car
michaeIs statement that there recognition OF
contract by Mr.. Crawford to 20 unoontradictcd |
thought u Il aer they had left the singular
circumstances and being in the habit Of taking the
bal statement q the heads Of bureaus facts should
have believed that Dir Crawford had made contract
General Tslcott had not had the papers in his hand
surprised from the fact that day two after
General Talcott into my Office other business
aud introduced the subject of this conversation with
Doctor CARMEL aol and observed to me, You right
there recognition Of the contract and
spoke thought what sesingiy Mt Doctor Car
mehses declaration that there had been such recog
milton.
mnstcn Tho counsel for defence asked the
witness General Talcott had any part in the
yersatiou with DR. Carmichael who replied that he did
Question by pefence-Did General Tacott have the pa
pers IN his possession or only pass them TO you from
hector Carmichael
Arswtr-IIe had them. and brought them with him
Question by Deicnce-Did Doctor Carmichael state the
time and place where the verbal contract with Mr. Craw
ford made
Answer-I DO not think that Dr Carmichael stated
shy particular time or place.
Question BY d, fcnce-Dd you consider II necessary
for General Tacot to expsn 20 you the nature Of the
oD When you ma 'h' 'n''' = your own examine
Answer-My looking At the papers al al wss entirely
accidental II General Talcott had stated officially
that there vas tuch conrnct. would have taken the
fact for granted an In the daily habit q doing IN
reference 90 contracts made hy all the bureaus Aud
when Do Carmch te made ths seryion "a his presence
ard he rtmait cd silent considered Il AZ the time
equivalent to his making the declaration himself, or
sry and took the papers with entire conviction
that sbould find In them recognition 81 the contract
by Dir. CraNford. and was good deal surprised when
fund that Il not
The hour Of three O'Clock having arrived the Court
adjourn a
THIRD DAY.
The record q yeaserday read
The crcss-cxamination Of the Secretary q War was
continued
Question You stated ia your direct examinatio
ycterday that when you asked Mr. Carmichael he ha
tuy evidence ~ the recognition Of his contract H.
tstrtd thst the papers In the would shor Il;
~ you tlereuIcn asked General Tacutt II the paper
D. held In Lie hand the papers In the % which
Il. ar.WnrLh they b md handed them 10