Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1922-01-10
Famous Trials
COLONEL HENLEY

During the exciting period of the Revo-
luton there were frequent clashes between
the British military and the civil and mil
ftary authorities OF the United States, es-
pecially in and around Boston at the out
break of hostilities.
When the British surrendered at Sara
toga on the 18th of October, 1777, con
vention was entered into between the two
opposing generals which provided that the
British army should be marched to Boston
and should be allowed a free enbarka-
ton and passage to Europe upon condi-
ton of not serving again in America.
The quartertng of these soldiers IN
Boston, was not regarded with much favor
and the people, who held General Bur
goyne and his army in the utmost detes-
tatdon, were not disposed to exert them
selves very much for their accommodate ion.
The British soldiers Inundated by their
capture by the ''slovenly and uuhandsoTne
foe failed to respect the rules and reg
ulations Of their captors and their were
| frequent clashes.
Colonel David Henley, who had the i'm
/ mediate command at Cambrgddge was a
brave and good officer but OF a somewhat
! irritable and inpetuous disposition, and he
| had frequent personal collisions with the
prisoners, in some of which, being pressed
beyond endurance, he adopted a course Of
| punishment which, to say the least, was
scarcely consistent with the dignity of his
position, although the circumstances were
of a most aggravating character.
On Jan. s, 1878 report was made to
! Henley that on the night before a British
soldier had struck a sentry unconscious.
and when other soldiers came to his res
cue they were attacked by the British.
During the fracas Col. Henley rushed up
on the crowd with fixed bayo11et an5
pricked a soldier with his sword.
Gen. Burgoyne made comp lain to Gen.
Heath the American commander and the
uatter ordered a court of inquiry to sit al
the court house in Cambridge "for the tr-
al Of Col. Henley, late ccmmandnfg offic-
or at that post accused by Lieut.. Gen.
Burgoyne of q general tenor Of language
and conduct henously criminal as an Of
f1cer and unbecomfng a man; of the mos
indecent, violent, Vilfdifive severity
AGAINST unarmed men, and Of intentional
murder.
The court assembled on Jan. 90 1878
and continued by adjournment TO the 25t'
of the following month. The president OF
the board was Brig. Gen. Glover and til.
Judge Advocate was Lieut.. Col. William
Tudor.
When Col Henley appeared befor tn,
court he pleaded mot guilty The tria
was begun by the reading Of the fettel
containing the CHARGES that en-. Burgoyn'
addressed to Gen, Heath. Gen. Burgoyn,
was the first witness to testify. He madp
| a long speech in which he set out hi
charges AGAINST Henley and his dasa5
pofnment that Heath did not join issu
with the prosecution thereby placing tn
court martial upon more enlarged basi
than the honor OF an individual, howeve
kg-E-.z
: of the ccmplairants."
Burgoyne was followed by a. number o
pettey officers and privates who told 0
) Henley's action IN the affair that Gale
; out the court martial. After they wer
. heard Burgcyne made another long pie
l for FIenIey's conviction. Upon this con
] elusion of HIS address, the judge advo
= cate declined making any observation
: on the evidence until the witnesses i
!, behalf of Col. Henly had been examined
4 Henley was the first witness to be Gale
[ In the defense, but he declined ct the tim
8 to enter into a detail OF his conduct. bu
n instead requested that the witnesses in hi
t half might be examined. Mai Swase
= was the first to testify, followed by Sila
J. Wild, captain in the militia Col. Gerisl
= Col Eleazer Brooks, Col. Caleb Brotl
= and other.
t The court then adjourned for four day
= and at the next meeting Col. Henley clio:
ed the defense with a short speech
S which Burgoyne replied at length. TIL
n court then began mature consideration {
= the charges and, the evidence and decide
n that Col Henley was not guilty and I
e was discharged from arrest. en- Heat
d approved this decision and ordered Her
It ley to reassunne his command At Can
= bridge Immediately.