Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-03-22
THE GLEARFIELD COUNTY CASES
BEFORE THE MILITARY COMMISSION AT
HARRISBURG, PA.
CASE OF SAMUEL LANsBBRRY.

mission consisted of Col. CHARLES EWING
of 4th New Jersey, President Col GEO.
ZINN of 57th Penn'a, and CAPT. A. G.
HAPPIER of 11th Penn'a, and CAPT. III.
L. JOHNSON, A. A. g., Judge Advocate.
The persons tried were all defended by emf
nent and distinguished counsel, and all the
witnesses they desired were brought at the
expense of the Government.
Mr.. Lansberry was defended by the Hon.
JOHN G. KUNKLE of Harrisburg, and VIM.
p 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. He was then ar
raigned, and plead mot guilty to the sew
eral charges and specifications, which are as
follows:
CHARGE I.-Entering into, confederating
and assisting In forming combinations TO re-
sist the execution of certain provisions OF an
| Act of Congress approved the Sd day OF
March, 1868, entitled An Actsfor enrolling
and calling out the National forces, and
the several supplements thereto.
Specification 1St In this: that he, the
Il
field county, State Of Pennsylvania, did
unite, confederate and combine with Jacob
Wilhelm and Patrick Curley and many 9th
| er disloyal persons, whose names are un-
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 Samuel Lansberry 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 Clearheld, 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 I'd In this: that he, the
said Samuel Lansberry a citizen Of Clear
| field county, State Of Pennsylvania, did u
mite, confederate and combine with Jacob
| Wilhelm and Patrick Curley and many 9TH
er disloyal persons whose names ale un-
known, and form or unite with 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 3D. 1868, and the
several supplements thereto. from entering
| the military service Of the United States.
| This done in or near Clearfed 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 II-The commission of acts of
| ltrra bn II a
| 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. In this: that he, the said
| Samuel Lansberry a citizen of Cleartield
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
aud 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. 1861, and ar 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
| ~ duty, &c, he shall be punished by fine
not exceeding $500, and imprisonment not
| exceeding two years. Again, any person
| who shall forcibly resist any enrolment, or
| shall incite, 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 in 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 $5, 600, 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.
| The first witness called on the part of the
Government was S. b. BENSON, Deputy
| Provost Marshal, who testified as follows:
| / have been employed for nearly two years
past as Deputy Provost Marshal OF the
Nineteenth District. | know the prisoner
| hv SIGHT He lives in (lear6eld cnunfv