May 3, 1779 U.S. Continental Army. Court Martial of William Dunbar and Thomas Needham
2021.0122.002 two sides
side 1
At a garrison Court Martial held at Fish Kill, May 3, 1779, by order of Lieut Colonel Commander Ezra Bedlam
Capt. Cogswell, Presidnet
Members: Lieut. Frick, Lieut Bailey, Lieut Price, Ensign Pring
The Court being met and duly sworn proceeded to the trial of Rufus Johnson, a waggoner in the Continental Army confined by Col. May for desertion pleads guilty. The Court do sentence him to lose the pay the time he was absent and to serve nine months after his enlistment is expired to make good his time which he was absent from the service and to receive one hundred lashes on his naked back.
Also William Dunbar a matross in Capt. Seward’s Company of Artillery confined by Capt. Lt. Heeman for selling his shirts, pleads guilty. The Court do sentence him to receive sixty lashes on his naked back.
Also Thomas Needham, Sargeant in Col. Putnam’s Regiment, confined by Capt. Lt. Sherman for buying a shirt of William Dunbar, a matross in Capt. Seward’s Company of Artillery pleads guilty. The Court do sentence him to be reduced to a private sentinel and to lose the money he paid for the shirt. And P. Dunbar to return what money there is left to the use of the sick in the hospital. The Court do recommend Sergeant Needham to the Colonel’s mercy.
Amos Cogswell, Capt. and President
side 2
The Lieut Colonoel approves the opinion of the Court and orders that their punishment be inflicted tomorrow morning at troop beating.
Fish Kill, 3 May 79 Ezra Badlam, Lt. Col., Commander