Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-05-04
Trial of Hon. Isen.j. G. Harris
The Charges and Specifications.

WASHINGTON, May 3.-The following Off
GERS compose the cOurt-martial for the trial
OF Hon. B. G. Harris, of Maryland: Major
Gen.J. G. Foster, ajor Gen. Jno. G. Parke,
Major Gen. o. B. Wilcox, Brevet Brig. Gen.
G. Ii. Sharp, Brig. Gen. VIM. Gamble, Col.
Chas. Amight, of the 202d Pennsylvania
Vols; Lieut.. Col. o. Il. Babcock, Abide
Camp, Capt. of U. S. Engineers; Major w.
w. Winthrop, Judge Advocate; all Of whom
detailed but were not present: Major Gen.
A. A. Humphreys, Brevet Major Gen. j. A..
Rawlins. The charges and specifications
against Mr.. Harris are as tollows
Charge-Violation of the 56th article OF
war.
Specification 1st.-In this, that Benjamin
e. Harris, citizen of Maryland and mem
Der Of Congress of the United States, did
relieve with money, to-wit: the sum of two
dollars, the public enemy, to-wit, Sergeant
Richard Chapman and Private VIM. Read,
of company X, 32d Regiment Virginia in
fantry, soldiers OF the army of the so-called
Confederate States of America, then in re-
belion against and at war with the United
States; the said Harris then and there well
knowing said Chapman and Read to be
soldiers of said army, and treating and Of
fering to relieve as such, at the same time
advising and melting them to continue in
said army and make war against the United
States, and emphatically declaring his SYM
pathy with the enemy and his opposition to
the Government of the United States and
its efforts to suppress the rebellion, at or
near Leonardtown, st. Marys county, Md,
on or about the 26th day of April, 1866.
Specification 2d-In this, that Benz. G..
Harris, citizen of Maryland and member
of the Congress of the United States, did
knowingly harbor and protect public
enemy, to wit, Sergt. Richard Chapman
and private Read, Co. X, 32d regiment Vir-
glnia infantry, soldiers of the so-called Con-
federate States of America then in rebel
lion against and at war with the United
States, by procuring them to be lodged and
fed in a private house, and furnishing them
with money therefor; and the said Harris
then and there well knowing said Chapman
and Read to be soldiers of said army, and
treating them and Offering to give them
money as such, and at the same time adj
vising and melting them to continue in
said army and to make war against the
United States, and emphatically declaring
his sympathy with the enemy and his oppo-
sition to the Government of the United
States in its efforts to suppress the rebel
lion. This at or near Leonardtown, st.
Marys county, Nd, on or about April Goth,
1865.
Sergt. Richard Chapman, and private
VIM. Read, Co. X, 32d Va. Infantry, Con-
federate army, were examined and cross
yesterday before the court.
Upon the opening of the court to-day the
proceedings, which are as follows, were
brought forward: ....-.
Two paroled rebel prisoners were exam
ined and testified that Harris had, at his res
idence, given them money and advised them
not to regard their parole, and to continue
their hostilities to the Government.
Mr.. Harris objected to their testimony, on
the ground that they were guilty of trea-
son, and therefore being enemies of the
country could not testify against citizen.
The Judge Advocate then proposed to
prove by the neighbors of Mr.. Harris that
himself was disloyal, and, with the witness
es, mutual enemy of the United States,
and consequently not entitled to make ex-
ceptions to their testimony.
The court then took a recess to deliberate
upon this point, and the doors were closed
until 1l:45, and upon reopening them the
court adjourned until tomorrow.