The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-04
TRIAL OF HON. H. ]. HARRIs.
WASHINGTON Nav z


The following officers comprise the
Court Martial for the trial of Hon. B. j.
Harris, of Maryland: Major General ].
G. Foster, Major General John G.. Psrke,
Major General o. B. Wilcox, Brevet Brig.
General g. II. Sharp, Brigadier General
VIM. Gamble, Colonel Charles Albright,
202d Psnnsylvsnis Volunteers, Lieutenant
.. L. BsbcOck, Aid-de-Camp and Captain
of n. s. Engro, Msjor w. w. Winthrop,
Judge Advocate, all of whom we're
present.
The following officers were detailed, but
were not present: Major General A. A.
Humphreys, Brevet Major General J. A.
Rawlings. The charges and specifications
against Mr.. Harris are as follows:
Chsrge-Violation Of the 56sh Article of
War.
Specification 1s.-In this, that Benjamin
g. Harris, citizen of Maryland, and a
member Of the Congress Of the United
States, did relieve with money, to wit, the
sum Of two dollars, public enemies, to wit
Sergeant Richard Chapman and Private
William Read, of company Z, 32d Regi-
ment of Virginia Infantry, soldiers of the
srmy of the so-cslled Confederate States of
America, then in rebellion against and at
war with the United States, said Harris
then and there well knowing said Chap
man and Resd to be soldiers of said army.
and treating and offering to relieve
them as such, and at the same time
advising and melting them to continue in
said army and make war against the
United States, and emphaticslly declaring
his sympathy with the enemy and his op-
.,
States and its efforts to suppress the rebel
lion at, or near, Leons -dto WI, s.. Marys
county, Md, on or about the 26th day of
April, 1865.
Specification 2d-In this that Benismin
G. Harris, citizen of Maryland and s
Member of Congress Of the United States,
did knowingly harbor and protect public
enemy, TO wit, sergeant Richard Chapman
and private Read, of Co Z, 32d Regiment
Virginia Inf4ntry, soldiers of the sO-called
Confederate States of America, then in
rebellion against and at war with the
United States by procuring them to be
lodged an fed in 3 private house,
and, further, by furnishing them with
money therefor; and said Harris then
and there well knowing said Chspmsn and
Read to be soldiers of said army, and treat
ing them and offering to give them money
as such; and at the same time advising and
melting them to continue in said army, and
70 HERe WIT aEyaIHsT TIIs United CEaSes !. iIo
emphatically declaring his sympathy with
the enemy, and DIS opposition TO the Gov
ernment of the United States in its efforts
to suppress the rebellion. This at or near
Leonsrdstown, st. Msrys county, Mary
land, on or about April 10Th, 1865.
Sergeant VIM. Chapman and private
VIM. Read, 20. X, 321 Virginia Infantry
were examined and cross examined yestei-
day before the Court.
Upon the opening of the Court today,
the proceedings which are as follows, were
brought forward.
Two psroled rebel prisoners were ex-
-smined, and testified that Harris had, at
his residence, given them money and sd.
vised them not to regard their parole, and
to continue their hostilities to the govern
ment.
Mr.. Harris objects to their testimony
on the ground that they were guilty Of
treason, and therefore being enemies of the
country could not testify against citizen.
The Judge Advocate then proposed to
prove by neighbors OF Mr.. Harris that he
himself WAS disloysl, and, with the wit
nesses, a mutual enemy of the United
States, and consequently no: privileged 10
make exception to their testimony.
The court then took a recess to deliber-
ate upon this point, and the doors were
closed until 1l:45, and upon reassembling,
the court adjourned until tomorrow.