The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-03-14

The COURT MARTIAL.-The Court Martial
was yesterday engaged in the important trial
of Eben M. Field on the very grave charge OF
desertion before the enemy, viz: at Golden's
Farm, near Richmond, on the 18th oil June,
1862. The court is convened in Adams build
ing, second story, Market Square, and the
place is very suitable one, having convenient
ante rooms for the accommodation of the
members of the court, witnesses, soldiers and
citizens. Col Mason presides with his usual
dignity and ability, and rules very fairly on
points of law as to the admssibility OF test-
mony; the other members of the court, Cap
tains Freese, Jones, Cochran, and Lieutenants
Walker, (of the 9th regiment,) Nickerson,
Whttemore, and HILL of the gallant It'll regi-
ment, are officers of intelligence, and high
sense of honor and justice. Moses Palmer,
Jr., of the eth, is Clerk of the court. As such
Court Martial is something novel in our quiet
and unmiltary community, we will give some
account of its proceedings, the forms of which,
under all rules and regulation, are laid down
in laws which are reduced to science, as
much so as the civil law of the United States
The Judge Advocate is the prosecuting off,
Ger Of the government. In this case it is Capt.
S. c. Fletcher, and well does he discharge his
unpleasant duty. All questions are put in
writing by the Judge Advocate, and none by
any member of the court, or by the defendants
counsel, except through him. All the argu-
ments are made in writing, and the whole
record Of the proceedings is sealed up and
sent on to Maj. Gen. Wool for approval. In
case of the approval Of the finding of the
Court Martial, by him, there is one last appeal
and review-that is the Commander-in-C Chief
Of the Army and the Navy, the President of
the United States. The court is cleared when
ever any question of law, or objection is to be
decided.
The court is open TO the public and several
citizens have availed themselves of the privi-
lege of seeing Court Martial in session.
The prisoner is now in custody and is con-
Quoted to and from the court by Sergeant and
file of men. He is native OF Windham, in
this county, and is a former employee at the
Powder Mill in that town. John 4. Rich, ESQ.,,
defends him with considerable tact and acute
ness. The prisoner is tall and pale looking
young man of % years of age, and evidently
feels mpressed with sense of the enormity
of the crime alleged against him. The evil
dence proves to be strong and clear, from
which we learned that he deserted while on
pioneer duty in front of Richmond some seven
miles therefrom, went to White House Land
ing on the Pamunky river, and from there
found his way home to Windham, where he
was seized some six weeks ago; about fort
night previous TO which he was married..
John Neal; Esq, was present in court and
appeared to be an advisor of the government
officers. Several days will doubtless be taken
up in the hearing Of this case, involving the
life or death Of fellow man. Many think
that more stringent measures should be adopted
to secure good and efficient service from the
army, and that some examples should be had
to deter Others from desertion and other crimes
against the military laws of the country.