Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-29
THE CLEARFIELD COUNTY GASES
BEFORE THE MILITARY COMMISSION AT
HARRISBURG, PA.
CASE OF GAINoR P. BLOOM, ESQ.

trIdf on the. "a or March idSt- Inc COIl-
mission consisted of Col. CHARLES EWING
of 4th New Jersey, President; Col GEO.
ZINN of 57th Penn'a, and CAPT. A. G.
HAPPIER of 1Ith Penn'a a. and CAPT. III.
L. JOHNSON, A. A. g., Judge Advocate.
Mr.. Bloom was defended by the by WM
2. jerks, Esq, of Brookville. The order
cOnvening the Court was first read to him,
when he was asked if he had any objection
to be tried by the Court as constituted. He
replied that he had not lie was then ar
raigned, and plead mot guilty to the sev-
eral charges and specifications, which are as
follows
CHARGE I.-Entering into, confederating
and assisting III forming combinations to re-
sist the execution of certain provisions of an
Act of Congress approved the Sd day of
March, 1868, entitled An Act for enrolling
and calling out the National forces, and
the several supplements thereto.
Specification lst. In this: that he, the
said Gainor p. Bloom, citizen Of Clear
field county, State of Pennsylvania, did
unite, confederate and combine with A. L.
Hickock and Samuel Miles and many 9th
er disloyal persons, whose names are IN
known, at or near the county of Clearfeld
State OF Pennsylvania, to resist the draft
and prevent persons who had been drafted
under the provisions of the said Act of Con-
greSs, approved March Sd, 1868, and the
several Supplements thereto, from entering
| the military service of the United States
and the said Gainor T. Bloom did resist
and evade and counsel and advise Others to
resist and evade the execution of certain
provisions of the said Act Of Congress and
the several supplements thereto. All this
in or near the county OF Clearfeld, State of
| Pennsylvania, ON or about the 10th day of
October 1864, and at divers times and pla-
ces before and after said mentioned day
Specification 2d In this: that he, the
said Gainor 2. Bloom a citizen of Clear
field county, State of Pennsylvania, did u
| nite confederate and combine with A L.
Hickock and Samuel Miles and many 9TH
er disloyal persons whose names ale un-
known, and form OF unite with a society or
organization, commonly known and called by
the name OF the Democratic Castle, " the
object Of which society or organization was
and Is to resist the execution of the draft
and prevent persons who have been drafted
under tt provisions Of the said Act of Con-
gress, approved March Sd, 1868, and the
| several supplements thereto, from entering
| bilC IIliIiNdiy SCIhlCC VI lIIC OllbCt bCLdlcS
This done in or near Clearfeld county, State
of Pennsylvania, on or about the 10th day
| Of October 1864, and at divers times and
places before and after said mentioned day
CHARGE I-The commission of acts of
| disloyalty against the Government of the
United States, and uttering disloyal senti-
ments and opinions, with the object OF de-
feating and weakening the power of the
| Government in its efforts to suppress the
unlawful rebellion now existing in the Uni
ted States.
Specification La this: that he, the said
| Gainor p Bloom citizen of Clearfed
county, State of Pennsylvania, did by words,
in substance, threaten and declare that he
would resist by force all the officers and 9TH
ers in aid of the Government Of the United
States, concerned in enforcing the laws of
the United States for enrolling and drafting
any and all persons subject to military duty
under the laws thereof, and counseled and
advised others to resist by force all officers
and others in aid of the Government of the
| United States, and of persons drafted into
| the military service of the United States.
This done at or near Clearfeld county, State
of Pennsylvania, on or about the 10th day
of October, 1864, and at divers times and
places before and after said mentioned day.
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 wilfully dis
suade them from the performance of militia
ry duty, &c, he shall be punished by a fine
| ,,nt axoaaI1nr. anH mt nt
exceeding two years. Again, any person
who shall forcibly resist any enrolment, or
| shall lncite, 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 III the perform
ance of any service IN any way relating
| thereto, or in arresting or aiding to arrest
any spy or deserter, shall be punished by
a fine not exceeding $1,000, 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
GEORGE KoRB, of Brady township, was
the first witness called, who testified as fol-
! lows:
[ am farmer, and reside in Brady town
ship, Clearfeld county, Pa. [ know Coin
or p Bloom, Esq. [ attended secret
meeting in Brady township, called THE
! Democratic Castle sometime last fall, / do
not remember the month, OF George Weav-
er's house The first night there were
some 20 members. | was at vendue on