The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-12-19
The Conflict Of the Civil and Military
at Mobile.
Closing Decision Of Judge Busteed.
UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT,
NT.urrr. No. II TsE.

q
MOBILE, Dec. IL, 1860.
The regular term Of this court convened
today, the Hon. Richard Busteed presiding.
At precisely u o'clock Judge Busteed
took his seat, and after the formal ceremO-
mes Of opening the court were gone through
with, his Honor stated that no appointment
to the Office of District Attorney Of the
United States for this District having been
made, no business 10 which the United
States was "a party, could, for the present,
be transacted, but that be was prepared 20
hear any other matter.
Rufus s. Andrews, ESD, counsel for T. e..
A Dexter. then rose and said the attachment
against General Woods had been served
upon that officer by United States Marshal
Hardy, whom, together with General Woods,
he observed present in court; and moved
the court up Tor iUdgment on the writ
The Jadge, addressing himself to General
Woods, inquired what he hsd b. say ia ex-
PLANTATION of his dIsObedience 10 the orders
Of the Court that had been served upon him
IN the Dexter ease, whereup0n the gallant
soldier sud gentleman handed 90 the court
the 10 lowing written auswer-
10 the Hon. Richsrd bustsed, United States DIS
uct iud,
The undersigned, Chsrles Z. Wood. n
the military service Of the United states,
10
commanding the Department of Alabama,
in answer 70 az attachment issued against
him bv your Honor, amt served upon him
by the United States Marshal, and returua-
bic this llth day Of December, ls6J. res
pectfuliY saws;
That no further proceedings under the
said writ OF attachment should be had
against him, because he says that there has
not been at any time any intention upon his
part TO treat with disrespect the authority
or process Of the Courts 0fthe United States
or the Judge thereof.
That the first return made by the under
signed 10 the writ OF haJzas CO.. yi.s issued to
him 70 produce the body Of the said T. e.. A.
Dexter before your Honor, was intended %
be such cOmpIiauce with the exigeucr OF
said writ as would discharge the duty that
the undersigned owed % his military supe
riOrs, and also to the laws Of the land
As u respects the second return made by
the undersigned to said writ he says. that
before II was ordered T. be made, military
commission had been convened tor the trial
Of the said T. c. A. Dexter. and Ia. said
return was intended 20 convey respectfully
20 the Court, the Official knowledge Of thIs
fact, and was not IN suy way intended %
be disrespectiul 70 the Judge presiding.
The undersigned further says. that he
be ievsd himself fully justified IN his refusal
20 produce the body Of the said T.. G. 4. Dex
ter, in court, OF 10 stay the proceedings of
the military commission, 80 convened by
him as Aforesaid, and IL he had acted other
wise, would have violated his duty OF ODE
dience o. the orders Of the President oi The
United States and Major General George II.
Thomas, Commanding the Military Division
Of the Tennessee.
The undersigned here snuexes O copy Of
the orders under which he il acting "a this
matter, add produces now here the orig
mails Of said orders, FOR the inspection % the
court.
All Of which is respectfully submittsd.
CHks. r. W00Ds,
Bry. Mai. teen.