Brownlow's Knoxville Whig, and rebel ventilator. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1863-1866, 1865-09-27
curt met pursuant to adjournment.
pRFcENT

l-'6ASNl - DASCOs,i
Major and A. A. 6.
Court met pursuant to adjournment.
PRESENT:
Col. j. F. Curtiss, 18th Ind. V. Y. l.
1t Col Philip Grund, 44th Ind. V. V. /
Maj. I. B. Kirby, 18th L. 5. c. 1.
Maj. JnO. A Gordon, 18th U. s. G. l.
Capt Geo. II. Casper, 44th Ind. WI
Capt a. P. Koontz, 4ith Ind. v 1.
First Lieut.. Otto Leissring 18th U. S. c. l.
First Lieut.. Thompson Doke, 44th Ind. V. V. l.
First Lieut.. s. j. Stowe, 4lth Ind Y. VI.
First Lieut.. Hiram Pontiesr, 44th Ind. V. Y. |.
Lieut.. Col. II. c. Corbin, l4th L. s C. L, Judge
Advocate
ABSENT;
Capt f. j. Cressy I4th Z. S. Z. l.
Capt j. s. Dearborn, 44th Ind. V. V. l.
Lieut. w. F. Carson, 42d [. s. c. l.
Cause, sickness.
The court then proceeded to the trial Of the ac-
cused, 10. Parsons Colonel 9th Tennessee Cavalry,
who having been brought before the court, and hav
ing heard the order converting the court was asked
if he objected to any member named in the order
now present to which he replied in the negative -
The members of the court we're then severally duly
sworn by the Judge Advocate, and Recorder were
duly sworn by the President of the court, all of
which oaths were administered in presence of the
accused.
The accused then made application to the court to
introduce John NJ. Fleming and G. A. Wood as his
counsels which application granted by the court
The accused, 10. Parsons 9th Tennessee Cavalry,
was then arraigned upon the following charge and
specification
Charge-lHtTder.
Specification 1st-In this, that the said JO Par
sons Colonel 9th Tenn. Cavalry, did, wiluly, felo
niously maliciously and of his malice aforethought,
kill and murder, or cause to be killed and murdered
in the first degree by shooting or causing to be shot
with pistol, one JnO. 4. ThOrnhil
This at Jefferson county, in the State Of Tennessee,
on the 2lth daV of ,June 1865
Specification 2d.-In this, that the said 10. Par
sons Colonel 9th Tennessee Cavalry, did, willfuy,
felonousy, and maliciously and of his malice afore
thought kill and murder, or cause to be killed and
murdered in the first degree by shooting or causing
to be shot, one Jno. \. Thornhil citizen Of JEFF
ferson county, Tenn.
This at Jefferson county, Tenn on the 9th day
of June 1865.
To which charge and specifications the accused
plead a follows:
To lst Specification, Not Guilty.
To ID Specification, Not Guilty.
To the Charge, Not Guilty.
]. w. Bell, Captain Co d, eth Tenn. Cav, being
duly sworn, testified as follows:
Question by Judge Advocate.-State to the court
your name rank and command, and whether you
are acquainted with the accused now before the
court. Al. w. Bell, Captain Co. D. 9th Tenn.
Cav, am acquainted with 10. Parsons, Col. 9th
Tenn. Cav.
What do you know Of his connection with the
killing and murder of one Jno. \. ThOrnhill on or
about the oath day Of June last Ale was not
present at the killing of Thornhill if he killed.
State to the court all that you know as 70 his or
dering the killing Of Thornhill?
To which question the witness replied by prOduC-
ing written order in the handwriting and over the
signature Of the accused which, on being handed TO
the accused was admitted by him to be genuine
The order referred to is appended to the record
marked 4.
Was this order carried into effect? Al believe
II was but cannot swear that it was in full.
Did you delegate the authority to carry the order
into effect? If so, TO what person persons? A
1 did; Job Powell, Veterinary Surgeon, 9th Tenn.
Cavalry.
Did Powell carry the order into effect? Ale
reported that he had executed my order to the best
Of his ability.
State clearly the language you used in giving the
order to Powell? A.-OD the morning Of the cath
1 gave him orders TO 90 forward and see Thornhill
and if he resisted him any way to shoot him-to
kill him.
What had he to resist? Was Powell ordered to
arrest him Ale was ordered to arrest Thorn
hill and if he resisted Powell in executing his
der, he was to be shot.
How did you understand that the difficulty was
to be ended as referred to in Col. Parsons order
A.-That Thornhill was 70 be killed.
What act on the part of Thornhil, Or what Occa-
Parsons order to end the difficulty with him A
Because he had on many occasions threatened Col
Parsons life and the lives of officers and men IN
der him.
How many men went with Powell to do the kill
ing, and who were they? Al think there were
Cav; another Frazier, Co. L, 9th Tenn. Cav; Jas
Reeves private, Co. \, 9th Tenn. Cav; David Sat
Ure Co. 4, 9th Tenn. Cav; Pleasant Rigg, Co. d,
eth Tenn. Cav; Ben Thacker, Co. \, 9th Tenn.
Cav I do not remember the names of any others.
Did you receive any other orders or Instructions
save those set forth in the written order Of Colonel
Parsons? Al received verbal instructions; the
written orders substantially cover the instructions
received verbally. 1 am fully satisfied that the
written order intended the killing Of ThornhiL
CROSS EXAMINATION.
Question BY Defendant.-Are you well acquainted
with the accused if SO, please state what is his
character as a gentleman and soldier. Ais
character Is very good as gentleman and soldier.
Were you acquainted with the character of John
A. Thornhill? If So what was his character If
You know Of any threats on his part towards Col
Parsons and other officers Of his regiment? A
| was acquainted with Thcrnhill; he had the char
actor of a verv bad man and desperate. In Nash
Vile few days after his release he told me tie
difficulty between Col Parsons and himself was not
settled but would be to the sorrow Of Col. Parsons
and his friends.
Do you know Of any difficulty between ThOrnhill
and officers of the 9th Tennessee Cavalry, at Knox
ville previous to the shooting of him Please state
all you know about it. A.--On the evening OF the
18th of June, Lieut. Col P. c. Rutherford 9th Ten
nessee Cavalry. was in Knoxville l understood he
ordered Col r. out of town, and conducted himself
in q way TO create suspicion. He was armed.
Testimony was read over 10 the witness and ne
was permitted TO retire.
Second Witness for the Prosecution j. Il.
Hornsly, eth Tenn Cavalry, being duly sworn tes-
titled as follows
Question by Judge Advocate-Stste to the court
if YOU know the accused it, so state his name, rank
and command Al know the accused, he is the
Colonel Of 9th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, in the
service Of the United States
What do you know of his connection with the
murder of John a. Thornhill citizen Of the county
Of jefferson, State of Tennessee Al do not know
ANYTHING more than Captain Bell said to me while
encamped at Flat Creek, on the sd day of June
that he was going up into Jefferson county to arrest
or dispose Of Capt Thornhill saying he had orders
from Col Parsons to do so.
What do you know of ThOrnhills connection
with the 9Th Tenn. Cavalry? About the goth
day of June 1868, met Capt. Thornhill with
squad of men at Lexington, kentucky, which men
were recruited for the 9Th Tenn. Cavalry. After
then a few days We went to Camp Nelson Captain
Thornhill remained with Us until some time IN the
latter part Of July-he left there for 1ennes-
see to recruit ! heard him and Colonel Parsons
say that if he succeeded in getting sunclent num-
Der of men be was 70 be a Captain IN the 9Th
Tennessee Cavalry. ! did not see him again until
some time in December about the beginning Of the
seige Of Knoxville. He stayed with the regiment,
and 7 think in command Of company B, during the
seige After the seige was over, the regiment went
to Kentucky with prisoners, and Capt. ThOrnhill
no oaTfs 10, al