Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-15
THE CLEARFIELD COUNTY CASES
BEFORE THE MILITAhY COMMISSION AT
HARRISBURG, Pa.
CASE OF JACOB WILHELM.


Dotes of the evidence taken before the Mill
tary Commission, at Harrisburg, in the cases
from this county. We intend 10 publish
the proceedings in each case, commencing
with that of Maj Wilhelm, the first one
tried
The Commission consisted of Col. Ew-
ING President, Col ZINN, and CAPT HAP
PER, and CAPE III. L. JOHNSON Judge Ad-
vocate. The perons tried were all defended
by eminent and distinguished counsel, and
all the witnesses they desired were brought
at the expense of the Government
Maj. Wilhelm was defended by Senator
FLEMING, of Dauphin County. The or
| der convening the Court was first read to
him, when he was asked if he had any ob-
lection to be tried by the Court as constitu-
ted. He replied that he had not He was
then arraigned, and plead mot guilty to
the several charges and specifications, of
which the following is an abstract:
CHARGE 1.-Entering into, confedera-
ting and assisting in forming combinations to
resist certain provisions Of an ''act for en-
rolling and calling out the national forces,
and the several supplements thereto.
Specification Limiting, confederating,
and combining with Patrick Curley, Jacob
Huber, and other disloyal persons in
Clearteld county. to resist the draft, and
prevent persons who had been drafted from
entering the service resisting and evading,
and counseling others to resist and eyade
the execution of the act of Congress- All
this about the Sd of Oct, 1864, and at 9TH
er times and places.
!Specifcatjaa 2-U niting, confede rating,
and combining, with Huber, Curley and
other disloyal persons in a society by the
name of Democratic Castle, the object of
which organization was and is TO resist the
draft, and prevent persons drafted from en-
terlng the service.
The sections of the Act of Congress, of
which these specifications constitute viola
ton provide, as follows
''if any person shall resist any draft of
men enrolled under this act, or shall coun-
sci or aid any person to resist such draft, or
shall counsel any drafted men not to appear
at the place of rendezvous, or wilfuliy dis
suade them from the performance OF militia
~ duty, &c, he shall be punished by fine
not exceeding $500, and imprisonment not
exceeding two years. Again, any person
who shall forcibly resist any enrolment. or
shall lnclte, counsel, encourage, or shall con-
spire or confederate with any other persons
to resist or oppose such enrolment. or shall
assault, obstruct, hinder, impede or threat
en- any officer or other person employed in
the performance or in aiding in the perform
ance of any service in any way relating
thereto, CT in arresting or aiding to arrest
any spy or deserter, shall be punished by
fine not exceeding 5000, and imprison-
ment not exceeding five years.
Before commencing the testimony, it is
proper to explain, that in Military Courts,
all the witnesses are excluded FROM the room.
and are called in and examined separately
Each witness is therefore ignorant of what
has been stated by the others.
Jacob Rinehart, was tue first witness cal
led Tor the prosecution. He testified as
follows:
| reside in Graham township, Clearfeld
county; am farmer, and know Jacob Viii
helm, the accused. On Monday before the
State election last fall, | attended a secret
meeting, at the Polk School House. in Gra
ham township. Jacob Wilhelm, Samuel
Lansberry, Henry Huber, Patrick Curley,
William Wilhelm, and others, twenty or
twenty-five In all, were present. Jacob
Wilhelm was President, | went there little
after dark. | live few rods distant. [ sup
pose there were a dozen or more there when
l arrived Officers were first appointed
Jacob Wilhelm was President, and Amos
Huber Vice President, and Patrick Curley
Secretary Then all the men except Viii
helm, Huber, and Curley went out Four
were admitted at time. [ was admitted
with three others. When we got in Patrick
Curley read the papers to us, and we then
had our choice to sign or not. His instruc-
tions, as far as l could understand them,
were to the effect that those drafted men
who chose to 60 to the war could do So and
those who did not choose to go, would be
protected by the other members We were
to stick together and help each other. Cur
ley SAID those that chose to report could do
so, and those who did not want to go could
join. Wilhelm said the same thing. Cur
ley said if any Provost Marshal come to ar
rest a drafted man and member of the club,
the other members were to demand his re-
lease, but they were not to kill anybody.
| believe it was considered desirable to get
| all the drafted men in the club. The idea
was that the club would be stronger so that
in case member was arrested there would
be more to secure his release We were
sworn to help each other. Patrick Curley
| SNOIe U.s. cdcOU w unelln SIOOO III front OF
the desk, and Patrick Curley stood at the
side when the papers were read to me.
There were several men present who had
been drafted
| attended meeting at Jacob Hublers
I think Wilhelm was there. | do not re-
member who was President There were
probably twenty or thirty persons pres
ent. | did not hear the object of the meet
ing stated. | was sworn in. The obliga-