acourtm.txt: EXECUTIONs following sentences issued by court martials. These cases were identified through the search engine of the "FOUNDERS" website (see below) by using the keyword "hanged" (which includes also "hanging" and "hung"). The "FOUNDER" website contains letters exchanged between founders of the American republic, such as Washington, Franklin, Adams and also several major generals. It contains also "General orders". Altogether, * some 74 executions by hanging are mentioned. * in addition 15 soldiers were sentenced to be shot to death. These are cases which somehow reached Washigton's Headquarters. In addition here were also court martials at the level of regional theaters of war whose data were scatterred after the war among many officers. Apart from court martial sentences, some letters were included which had their own interest, e.g. a letter (see below) in which Gen. Washington gives his opinion about the fire which destroyed 20% of NY following the British occupation. ========================================== From George Washington to Lund Washington, 6 October 1776 Had I been left to the dictates of my own judgment, New York should have been laid in ashes before I quitted it; to this end I applied to Congress, but was absolutely forbiden. Providence, or some good honest fellow, has done more for us than we were disposed to do for ourselves, as near one fourth of the City is supposed to be consumed. ----- In another letter one learns that Americans were catched by the British as they were setting fire to houses. Some were killed. -------------------------------- PAPERS OF FOUNDERS -> WEBSITE and SEARCH ENGINE https://founders.archives.gov/?q=hanged%20oyer&s=2111311121&sa=&r=4&sr= Keyword: hanged Dates: 1776-1785 -> 532 letters ----- FRICTIONS DU COTE AMERICAIN General Orders, 31 August 1776. The plunderers of Lord Stirling’s house, are ordered to restore to the Quarter Master General, what they have taken, in failure whereof they will certainly be hanged.2 The General is sorry to see Soldiers, defending their Country, in time of imminent danger, rioting and attempting to do themselves justice.1 ----- INCENDIE DE NY: AMERICAINS ARRETES LONGUE LETTRE DE WASHINGTON To Jonathan Trumbull,(23 Sep 1776) Head Quarters Heights of Harlem Sepr 23d 1776 General Howe, in a letter received from him Yesterday evening by a Flag, On Friday night about eleven or twelve oClock a fire broke out in the City of New York, which burning rapidly till after Sunrise next morning, destroyed a great number of Houses By what means it happened we do not know; but the Gentleman who brought the letter out last night from General Howe, and who was one of his Aid De Camps informed Colo. Reed that several of our Countrymen had been punished with various deaths on account of it. Some by hanging, others by burning & c, alledging that they were apprehended when committing the fact. VOIR PLUS LOIN COMMENT WASHINGTON DIT CLAIREMENT QU'IL VOULAIT VOIR TOUT NY DETRUIT. ---------- E1 General Orders, 1 October 1776 SANS DOUTE LE PREMIER EXECUTE PAR COURT MARTIALE James McCormick of Capt: Farrington’s Company, Col. Sergeant’s Regiment, having been tried and convicted by a Court Martial whereof Col. Lasher was President of “Desertion and Mutiny”—is ordered to suffer Death, on the 8th and 5th Articles of War—The General approves the sentence, and orders him to be hang’d to morrow at 11 O’Clock—The troops off duty are to be paraded on the Grand Parade at that time. ------------- JUGEMENT LUCIDE SUR LES MILITIA. LE FRIC NE SUFFIT PAS To John Adams from William Tudor, 3 October 1776 These Troops [militia] I understand are raised only for two Months, and therefore at the very Time when they could be of any Service (if Militia could be of Service at any Time) will be discharged. Never before did any Country carry on so expensive a War as America has done this Summer. Calling in a Rabble, called Militia, who would run as soon as they saw an Enemy, and who when collected, at a vast Expence, would not stay half their Time, but desert home by hundreds, or get Certificates from Rascals of Surgeons that should carry them home under Pretence of Sickness, is a Peice of Policy which would have been fallen on only by Americans. If we could but make our Punishments severe, and keep the Government firm and steady, the Army would become orderly, and disciplind. -------- WASHINGTON VOULAIT BRULER TOUT NY ET SE FELICITE QUE 1/4 SOIT DETRUIT. Quels livres US le disent clairement? From George Washington to Lund Washington, 6 October 1776 Had I been left to the dictates of my own judgment, New York should have been laid in Ashes before I quitted it—to this end I applied to Congress, but was absolutely forbid3 Providence, or some good honest Fellow, has done more for us than we were disposed to do for ourselves, as near One fourth of the City is supposed to be consumed. ------- DESERTEURS REJOINANT LES TROUPES BRITANNIQUES To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 4 January 1777 About 300 it is said are engaged with the Enemy, and are to march down from the upper parts of Dutche’s County in small parties, lying concealed in the day time—We have found out some of their Stages on the Roads, and have a number of parties out to intercept them—We have just taken one Strang, with his Warrant from Rodgers [un anglais] to enlist men, secreted in the inside of his Breeches; we also suppose him to be a Spy—I have ordered a General Court Martial to sit this day, for his Tryal.3 -> sentenced him to be hanged 4–5 Jan. 1777 GW concurred with the court’s verdict (see GW to Heath, 12 Jan.), and Strang was executed on 27 Jan. at Peekskill (see Shonnard and Spooner, History of Westchester County, 432) ------ NO PRISONERS TAKEN To George Washington from Samuel Chase, 23 January 1777 It is reported here that several of our Officers were Shot or stabbed with the Bayonet, after they had surrendered, Genl Mercer and Lieut. Yeates are mentioned among that Number; It is also said that several Bodies have been found in the Jersies hanging on Trees. ------ E2 LE PREMIER "SPY" To George Washington from Major General William Heath, 24 January 1777 A man was hang’d in York for being a Spy, the day before my Informant came out & Two others were to be try’d the next day. ----- E3 To George Washington from the Pennsylvania Board of War, 31 March 1777 James Molesworth, a native of Staffordshire, England, who before the war had been a clerk in the Philadelphia mayor’s office, was tried and convicted of spying on 29 Mar. by a court-martial headed by General Gates, and he was hanged on this date on the commons near Philadelphia -------- E4 To George Washington from Major General Israel Putnam, 19 July 1777 Edmund Palmer (d. 1777) of Cortlandt Manor, Westchester County, N.Y., was captured near Peekskill on 15 July 1777 after allegedly breaking into the house of a “Mr. Willis” and attacking its occupants. He was tried and convicted of spying and sentenced to death by a court-martial at Peekskill in late July. Although Palmer’s wife appealed directly to Putnam to spare her husband’s life and the British tried to save Palmer by claiming that he held a lieutenant’s commission in a Loyalist regiment and thus should be exchanged as a prisoner of war, Palmer was hanged at “Gallows Hill” at Cortlandtown on 1 Aug. 1777. ------- E5 To George Washington from Major General Stirling, 24 July 1777 I found one of them (Daniel Curvin) to be a Spy,2 he Confessed that he belonged to Colonel Byards Regiment, that the Colonel sent him last Thursday to Veiw the Scituation & Motions of our Army, that he Came and remained in the Neighbourhood of the Army ’till Sunday and observing our Motions on that day,3 he pushed off to give Intelligence to Colo. Byard, but was Catched on his way near the Closter,4 this being fully Coroborated by a Number of Circumstances, there Could be no doubt of it, and therefore I ordered him to be Instantly hanged which I hope will deter others from comeing on the like Arand. ------- Israel Putnam desavoue sa condamnation instantanee From Major General Israel Putnam, 26 July 1777 The unhappy event that took place here the Other day, the hanging a man for a Spy without a Trial, [execution of Daniel Curvin] was wholly without my Knowledge or privity1 ------ E6 To George Washington from Preudhomme de Borre, 2 August 1777 The 31 July 1777 the Court martial hath condemned a guilty tory to be hanged I confirmed this Sentence to be executed in the Room Where Live the torys for the exemple, he hath been hanged near nowark mountains. ------ E7 To George Washington from George Clinton, 9 October 1777 New York Loyalist Daniel Taylor had been accused in August 1777 of conspiring with his mother and two sisters to smuggle counterfeit Continental currency from New York City, and on 18 Oct. he was hanged as a spy. --------- E8 To George Washington from Brigadier General David Forman, 15 October 1777 I immediately ordered a Court to be Called for his trial [pas de nom]. The Fellow Confessed the paper, and That it was given him by a Colol Taylor. The Court Sentenced him to be hung; Which was Executed Monday Twelve OClock.3 ------ E9 General Orders, 9 January 1778 Samuel Armstrong, a second lieutenant in the 8th Massachusetts Regiment, wrote in his diary on 10 Jan.1778 that “This day there was a Man [pas de nom] Hung here for Desertion and Carr[y]ing two Criminals away with him [cad?], he was a Roman Catholick. ------ E10 To George Washington from Lieutenant Colonel Adam Hubley, Jr., 9 February 1778 “Last week a court-martial was held here to try a fellow which General Howe had sent out to buy horses from the tories, and to take such as belonged to the whigs. He was taken upon his return near the enemy’s lines, with a number of horses procured as aforesaid. Two others also were made prisoners, who accompanied a flag from Gen Howe, but broke off from the same some miles into the country, and were taken up as spies, and tried with the former. It is said that they are all condemned to be hanged, but the judgment is not yet made public.” ----------- E11 To George Washington from Colonel Israel Shreve, 10 April 1778 At the court-martial on 8 April 1778, William Seeds pleaded “guilty as to desertion & being found in Arms against the Country,” and the court sentenced him to death by hanging. Samuel Carter pleaded not guilty to the same charge, but “The Evidence in Support of this Charge being, that the Prisoner with one other Man, ran off from Capt. [John] Stokes & his Party who commanded the Prisoner to surrender, which he did, begging on his Knee that Capt. Stokes would not kill him, that he the Prisoner was well armed & accoutered & seem’d about to make a Defence,” the court found him guilty and sentenced him “to suffer Death” -------- E12 General Orders, 12 April 1778 At a General Court Martial whereof Coll Vose was President April 6th 1778—William McMarth, Matross in Captain Lee’s Company Coll Lamb’s Regiment of Artillery was brought prisoner before the Court charged with desertion to the Enemy; After mature deliberation the Court are of Opinion that he is guilty of a breach of 1st Article, 6th section of the Articles of War and do sentence him to be hanged ’till he be dead.2 His Excellency the Commander in Chief confirms the opinion of the Court and orders William McMarth to be executed next friday, ten oClock A.M. -------------- https://founders.archives.gov/?q=hanged%20Dates-From%3A1776-07-01%20Dates-To%3A1785-07-31&s=2111211121&sa=&r=121&sr= SUITE (26 Dec 2023) ----------- General Orders, 5 May 1778 At a General Court Martial at the Gulph Mills May 2nd A.D. 1778—John Morrel a soldier in Coll Henry Jackson’s Regiment tried for desertion from his Post while on Centry and unanimously found guilty and unanimously sentenced to be hung by the neck untill he is dead.2 [2] -> Morrel was pardoned on 6 May; see the General Orders of that date. -- E13 At a Brigade Court Martial April 24th 1778 Thomas Hartnet a soldier in the second Pennsylvania Regiment tried for desertion to the Enemy, found guilty & unanimously sentenced to be hung by the Neck ’till he is dead.3 His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the aforegoing sentences. ------ E14 General Orders, 3 June 1778 Head-Quarters Valley Forge June 3rd 1778. Sgt. Ebenezer Wild of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment wrote in his diary on 4 June that “This morning at guard mounting Thoms Shank was hanged on the grand parade for being a spy for the enemy from Philadelphia” --------- To John Jay from James Duane, 22–24 August 1778 (longue lettre) UN EXEMPLE DE QUERELLE: Schuyler-Gates After Gates was placed in charge at Ticonderoga in March 1777, rumors circulated that Schuyler had profited from appropriating specie for his personal use. Duane initiated a Treasury Board investigation that not only found Schuyler innocent of the charges, he having only reimbursed specie previously advanced on public account, but concluded that the government still owed him $3,250. Soon after, Schuyler was reinstated as commander at Ticonderoga. Furious at the turn of events, Gates obtained permission to address Congress and proceeded on 18 June 1777 to attack Duane with such vehemence that Congress ordered Gates removed and directed that he make all further communications only by memorial. ---------- E15 General Orders, 14 September 1778 Head-Quarters W. Plains Monday Septr 14th 1778 At a General Court Martial held in the Highlands January the 13th 1778—by order of Major Genl Putnam Matthias Colbhart of Rye in the State of New-York was tried for holding a Correspondence with the Enemy of the United States, living as a Spy among the Continental Troops and inlisting and persuading them to desert to the British Army, found guilty of the whole Charge alledged against him and therefore sentenced to be punished with death by hanging him by the neck until he is dead. ----------- E16, E17, E18, E19 General Orders, 23 October 1778 Head-Quarters Fredericksburgh Friday Oct 23 1778 DS CE GENERAL ORDER: 4 FOIS 100 LASHES + 6 peines capitales <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< IL Y A 10 LONGUES NOTES QUI SEMBLENT PROUVER (SANS REF) QUE 4 DES CONDAMNES ETAIENT ENCORE EN VIE DES ANNEES APRES. CEPENDANT 2 ESPIONS FURENT EXECUTES HATEVIL Colston of Coll Nixons Regiment was tried for entering the house of Reuben Crosby an Inhabitant of Frederick’sburgh, by force of Arms: sentenced to receive 100 lashes on his bare back well laid on.3 Joseph Timberlake a Soldier of His Excellency’s guard was tried for knocking down Lieutt David Zeigler sentenced to receive 100 lashes on his bare back.4 The Court do sentence Jesse Goldsmith and Gibbs Lamb to receive 100 lashes each on his bare back well laid on; Thomas Glover to suffer Death John Ferguson sentenced to receive 100 lashes each on his bare back.7 Which Sentence was approved of by Major General Putnam. His Excellency the Commander in Chief orders him to be executed tomorrow morning nine ô Clock on Gallows Hill. The Court (upwards of two thirds agreeing) do sentence John Herring to suffer Death. The Court (two thirds agreeing) do sentence Moses Walton to suffer death. The Court (upwards of two thirds agreeing) do sentence Elias Brown to suffer Death and John Herrick to receive 100 lashes on his bare back well laid on.8 (1) Thomas Glover will be hanged tomorrow morning at Guard mounting at the Camp in presence of all the troops on the Ground who will be assembled for the purpose near Frederick’sburgh. (2) John Herring will be sent to the Division under Baron De Kalb to suffer the same Punishment. (3) Elias Brown to the Division under Major Genl MacDougall and (4) Moses Walton to be executed in like manner; Their Execution to take place as soon as they arrive. NOTE 8 Walton and Brown escaped before they could be executed (see note 9) A certain (5) David Farnsworth and (6) John Blair were tried for being found about the Encampment of the Armies of The United-States as Spies and having a large sum of counterfeit Money about them which they brought from New-York, found guilty of the charges exhibited against them and sentenced (two thirds of the Court agreeing) to suffer death. The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders them to be executed as soon as they arrive at General Gates’s Division.10 [10] 10. FARNWORTH and BLAIR were executed at Hartford on 3 November 1778. The sentences of corporal punishment to be put in execution tomorrow morning near the Village at the time aforesaid.9 -------------- From George Washington to Joseph Reed, 12 December 1778 DS CETTE LETTRE WASH DECRIT UN SERIEUX DIFFERENT AVEC GEN. LEE. ----------------- E20 To George Washington from Captain Nathan Strong, 30 March 1779 For CLAUDIUS Smith’s capture, imprisonment, and subsequent hanging on 22 Jan. 1779, see the New-Hampshire Patriot and State Gazette (Concord), 2 April 1846 CE LOYALISTE AVAIT TUE UN COMMANDANT DE LA MILITIA. ------------ E21, E22 From George Washington to Colonel Thomas Clark, 16 April 1779 DEUX EXECUTIONS AVEREES William Cole (d. 1779) enlisted in the Loyalist King’s Orange Rangers in April 1777 but left the regiment later that year because of illness Thomas Hall of the 7th Maryland Regiment and James Farrel of the 4th—were tried on the 15th instant, “On suspicion of intended desertion”—found guilty & sentenced to suffer Death. His subsequent activities as a Loyalist gang member led to his capture and imprisonment in January 1779, and although he immediately informed on his fellow marauders, he was tried and executed by hanging in Hackensack, N.J., on 9 April. Thomas Welcher (d. 1779), who evidently used the aliases of William Welcher and Jack Straw, served briefly as a private in a New Jersey Loyalist regiment before being captured and executed along with Cole on 9 April. ----------- E23, E24, E25, E26, E27 4 FOIS 100 et 200 LASHES, 5 Peines capitales General Orders, 22 April 1779 Head-Quarters Middle-Brookthursday April 22nd 1779. Serjeant WILLIAM Zimmerman guilty of robbing -> 100 LASHES Private Linch Gray -> 100 LASHES Joseph Garthon -> 200 LASHES Richard Fisher guilty of robbing -> 100 LASHES Private Philip Lankford -> 200 LASHES John Garner -> 200 LASHES Thomas Hall of the 7th Maryland Regiment -> Death James Farrel On suspicion of intended desertion -> Death. Henry McManus (6th Maryland regiment) -> Death John Williams (1st Maryland Regiment) -> Death Richard Hollowell (9th Pennsylvania Regiment) to be executed.4 [4] CETTE NOTE DIT QUE 3 DES 5 FURENT PARDONNES AU PIED DE LA POTENCE PAR WASHINGTON MAIS SANS REFERENCE 3 of them received a pardon from the commander-in-chief, who is always tenderly disposed to spare the lives of his soldiers. ALORS POURQUOI NE PAS PARDONNER LES 5? --------- E28, E29, E30 ARTICLE CITE DS UNE NOTE ACCOMPAGNANT UNE LETTRE DE MAI 1779 On 3 Feb 1779 the New-Jersey Gazette (Burlington) printed an “Extract of a letter from Monmouth Court-house, January 29, 1779,” describing Van Kirk’s recent exploits against the Loyalist raiders inhabiting Monmouth County’s pine barrens: “The Tory-Free-Booters, who have their haunts and caves in the pines, and have been for some time past a terror to the inhabitants of this county, have, during the course of the present week, met with a very eminent disaster. On Tuesday evening last [26 January] Capt. Benjamin Dennis, who lately killed the infamous robber Fagan, <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< with a party of his militia, went in pursuit of three of the most noted of the Pine-Banditti, and was so fortunate as to fall in with them, and kill them on the spot. Their names are Stephen Bourke, alias Emmans, <<<<<<<<<<<<<< Stephen West and <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Ezekiel Williams. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Yesterday they were brought up to this place, and two of them, it is said, will be hanged in chains. -------------- E31, E32, E33 General Orders, 12 May 1779 Head-Quarters Middle-Brook The Court do unanimously sentence, Peter Robinson to suffer death, and two thirds of the court agreeing thereto do sentence George Baker and James Ford also to suffer death, all being guilty of a breach of the 1st Article 6th section of the Articles of War. His Excellency the Commander in Chief confirms the sentences and orders said Robinson Baker and Ford to be hung tomorrow morning 11 oClock at Pluckemin.3 ------------- E34, E35, E36 General Orders Head-Quarters Middle-Brook Tuesday May 18th 1779 Thomas Carson, -> Death George Garnick -> Death Thomas Cane -> 100 LASHES James Johnston -> 100 LASHES William Hitchkock -> 100 LASHES Robert Perry -> Death Fifty men from each brigade, properly officered, to attend the above executions.5 [5]These executions were rescheduled for the morning of 24 May. --------- E37, E38, E39, E40, E41, E42 (no names) General Orders, 14 June 1779 Head-Quarters Smith's Tavern [N.Y.] Monday June 14th 1779. Last week 6 daring villains in Smith’s Clove, had the audacity to fire on two of our light horse, as they were passing in the rear of the army, one of which they wounded in the body, and broke the thigh bone of the other: They were immediately pursued by a party from the army, taken, and one hung; the other 5 were conducted to head-quarters, and a court-martial being held on them, they were found guilty, and received sentence of death. --------------- E43 To George Washington from Brigadier General James Clinton, 26 June 1779 H. Qrs Connojoharis Creek [N.Y.] June 26th 1779 I enclose a Copy of the Proceedings of the Genl Court Martial by which Henry Hare and New Burrow were tried the former was executed last Monday, the latter is under sentence of Death.2 no 210 https://founders.archives.gov/?q=hanged%20Dates-From%3A1776-07-01%20Dates-To%3A1785-07-31&s=2111311121&sa=&r=211&sr= ------------------- To Benjamin Franklin from John Paul Jones, 28 July 1779 IL EST ICI QUESTION D'UNE SENTENCE DE 250 LASHES! ------------------ E44 General Orders, 7 November 1779 Head-Quarters Moore’s House [West Point] sunday Novr 7th [1779] Pvt. Zebulon Vaughan wrote in his journal for that date: “friday today thar was a Light horsman hanged for Desartion and Stellen and Some other Crimes yet in Camp and his Name was thomas Edwards” ------------- E45 General Orders, 19 November 1779 Head-Quarters Moore’s House [West Point] Reason Rickets (1750–1779) enlisted as a private in the 9th North Carolina Regiment in January 1777. The service records for Rickets noted: “Hanged 21 Novr 1779” (DNA, RG 93, Compiled Revolutionary War Military Service Records, 1775–1783, 9th North Carolina) DNA= ? RG=Record Group ---------------- E46, E47 General Orders, 18 February 1780 Head-Quarters Morristown friday Feby 18th 1780. James Hammell and Samuel Crawford, soldiers of the 5th Pennsylvania regiment were tried, “On suspicion of robbery” and found guilty and sentenced to be hanged (more than two thirds of the Court agreeing). ------------ General Orders, 13 March 1780 Head-Quarters Morristown Monday March 13th 1780 4 CONDAMNATIONS A MORT , MAIS PARDONNEES By a Division General Court Martial of the Pennsylvania line held the 22 February last, Col. W. Stewart President Samuel Bell and Robert Powers, soldiers of the 10th Pennsylvania regiment and Thomas Brown and Jacob Justice soldiers of the 7th Pennsylvania regiment confined for “Plundering Mr Bogart an Inhabitant near Paramus” were tried and sentenced each of them to be hanged, more than two thirds of the Court agreeing. The Commander in Chief approves the sentence.3 EVIDEMMENT LA NOTE 3 DIT QUE TOUS LES 4 FURENT PARDONNES MAIS CELA APPARAIT DS UN "GENERAL ORDER": General Orders, 9 May 1780 "On the earnest intercession of Mr Bogart (CAD LA VICTIME) in their behalf: His Excellency the Commander in Chief is pleased to pardon them." On ne voit pas la copie de la lettre que Washington a forcement envoye ET QUI DEVAIT SE TROUVER DS LES PAPIERS DE WASHINGTON ET AURAIT DONC DU ETRE PUBLIEE DS LES "PAPERS OF GENERAL WASHINGTON". --------- E48 General Orders, 5 April 1780 Head-Quarters Morristown Wednesday April 5th 1780 MAIS LA SENTENCE EST PRONONCEE UNE SEMAINE AVANT At a division General Court-Martial held March 30th Thomas Brown of the 2nd New-Jersey regiment was brought before court charged with “Desertion” and plead guilty The Court on considering the charge against Thomas Brown and finding him to be an old offender, guilty of repeated desertion, do unanimously sentence him to be hanged by the neck until he is dead.3 The Commander in Chief approves the sentence. GW pardoned Brown and other soldiers under death sentences on 26 May 1780 (see Proclamation of Pardon, that date, DLC:GW; see also General Orders, 25 May). Brown again was court-martialed on 15 June 1780 and convicted of “‘Desertion and persuading another soldier to desert’” (General Orders, 16 June). A muster roll dated 6 Sept. reported Brown’s execution on 17 June (see DNA: RG 93, EXPLICATION: IL Y A 2 THOMAS BROWN!! Thomas Brown (NJ) of the 2nd New-Jersey regiment Thomas Brown (PA) of the 7th Pennsylvania regiment ON A DONC LE TABLEAU SUIVANT PR LES 2 THOMAS BROWN. 22 Feb 1780: (PA) CONDAMNE A MORT (avec 3 AUTRES PR "PLUNDERING") 30 MARCH: BROWN (NJ) RE-CONDAMNE A MORT (DESERTIONS REPETEES) 09 MAY: DATE DU "GENERAL ORDER" ANNONCANT LE PARDON CELA POUR UN SOLDAT SOUS DOUBLE CONDAMNATION A MORT 26 MAY: SECOND PARDON CEPENDANT (NJ) EST VRAIMENT CONDAMNE DEUX FOIS --------- E49 To George Washington from Major James Moore, Jr., 26 April 1780 14 SOLDATS QUITTENT LEUR CAMP POUR DESERTER. IL FAUT FAIRE UN EXEMPLE Sergant Williams fully Convinced me he was a Verry Proper Object, & him, I reluctantly, ordered to be hanged.2 ------- E50 General Orders, 16 June 1780 Head Quarters Short Hills [N.J.] Friday June 16th 1780 COURT MARTIALE dU 15 JUIN PR (NJ) Thomas Brown soldier of the 2nd Jersey regiment was tried for “Desertion and persuading another soldier to desert” found Guilty. sentenced (more than two thirds of the Court agreeing thereto) to suffer Death. The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and orders it to be put in Execution tomorrow morning Nine o clock at such place as General Maxwell shall think proper.2 ------------- John Adams to Abigail Adams, 17 June 1780 DESCRIPTION DES GORDON RIOTS (AVEC QQ PTS PRECIS) A Spirit of Bigotry and Fanaticism mixing with the universal discontents of the nation, has broke out into Violences of the most dreadful Nature, Books, Manuscripts—burnd the Kings Bench Prison, and all the other Prisons, let loose all the Debtors and Criminals. * burnt Lord Mansfields House * Tore to Pieces Sir G. Savilles House insulted all the Lords of Parliament. Many have been killed martial Law proclaimed many hanged Lord George Gordon committed to the Tower for high Treason. where it will end God only knows. The Mobs all cryd Peace with America, and War with France—poor Wretches! as if this were possible.2 In the English Papers they have inserted the Death of Mr. Hutchinson with severity, in these Words—Governor Hutchinson is no more. On Saturday last he dropped down dead. It is charity to hope that his sins will be buried with him in the Tomb, but they must be recorded in his Epitaph. His Misrepresentations have contributed to the Continuance of the War with America. QUE LUI REPROCHENT LES ANGLAIS? -------------- E51 General Orders, 16 June 1780 Head Quarters Short Hills [N.J.] Friday June 16th 1780 Thomas Brown soldier of the 2nd Jersey regiment was tried for “Desertion and persuading another soldier to desert” found Guilty of both charge: DEATH ------------ E52, E53, E54 3 EXECUTIONS General Orders, 18 June 1780 Head Quarters Short Hills [N.J.] Sunday June 18th 1780 At a General Court martial held this day: John Clawson Ludwick Lasick and William Hutchinson were tried on the following charge "Coming out from the Enemy with Arms and found lurking as spies in the Vicinity of the Army of the United States" By the Judgement of the Court found Guilty and severally sentenced (more than two thirds of the Court agreeing) to suffer Death. The Commander in Chief confirms the sentence and orders them to be hanged tomorrow morning at Guard mounting.3 ---- Accounts of the trials and executions of those apprehended in the Gordon Riots filled the London newspapers from late June to early August. See, for example, the "London Chronicle" and "the London Courant". --------------------- E55, E56 General Orders, 20 August 1780 Head Quarters Orangetown Sunday August 20. 1780 The 25th ulto Jesse Hensley and Michael Bourk of the 4th regiment of Light dragoons1 were tried for “Robbing the house of the widow Sarah Sanford. sentenced each of them to receive 100 Lashes on his bare back. At the same court July 26th John Quaile of the same regiment3 was tried for “Desertion. He is sentenced to be picketted 15 minutes and to receive 100 Lashes on his bare back. To Stand upon the Picket, is when a Horseman for some Offence, is sentenced to have one Hand tied up as high as it can reach, and then to stand on the Point of a Stake with the Toe of his opposite Foot; so that he can neither stand, nor hang well, nor ease himself by changing Feet” ET APRES IL AURA LE PIED ABIME ET NE POURRA PLUS MARCHER. C'EST TRES CONTRE-PRODUCTIF. ------------------ E57, E58, E59 NOV 1781 en GEORGIE: IL SEMBLE Y AVOIR EU DES MASSACRES Marquis de Chastellux. Travels in North America in the Years 1780, 1781 and 1782. Translated and edited by Howard C. Rice, Jr. 2 vols. Chapel Hill, N.C., 1963. description ends , 1:131 https://founders.archives.gov/?q=hanged%20Dates-From%3A1776-07-01%20Dates-To%3A1785-07-31&s=2111311121&sa=&r=330&sr= Major General Chastellux, who met Pendleton in Philadelphia on 30 Nov. 1780, praised him for "the courage to hang three Tories at Charleston, [est-ce l'execution rapportee par un temoin militaire?] a few days before the surrender of the town," an act that endangered "his life, had he not escaped out of the hands of the English" (Chastellux, Travels in North America, p.90). CE LIVRE EST SUR HATHI, MAIS IL S'AVERE IMPOSSIBLE D'AFFICHER CETTE PAGE: CA TOURNE SANS FIN ------ To John Adams from James Lovell, 8 January 1781 The terms Gen. Clinton offered for a mass desertion were rejected immediately by the leaders of the mutiny and to demonstrate their continuing loyalty to the American cause they arrested Clinton’s emissaries: John Mason and James Ogden. The two men were tried as spies on 10 Jan. and hanged the following day (Carl Van Doren, Mutiny in January 330 https://founders.archives.gov/?q=hanged%20Dates-From%3A1776-07-01%20Dates-To%3A1785-07-31&s=2111211121&sa=&r=331&sr= ------------ LES ANGLAIS PENDENT UN COLONEL. GREEN DIT QU'IL VA LE VENGER To George Washington from Nathanael Greene, 26 August 1781 Head Quarters Camden August 26th 1781 Since I wrote your Excellency nothing very material has taken place, except the hanging of Colonel Isaac Haynes one our militia Colonels, who the enemy hung in Charles Town a little time since, as a traytor as they call him. ---------- General Orders, 4 October 1781 Head Quarters before York Thursday October 4th 1781 Every Deserter from the American Troops, after this public Notice is given who shall be found within the enemies lines at York, if the place falls into our hands, will be instantly hanged. --------------- E60, E61, E62, E63, E64, E65, E66, E67 General Orders, 3 November 1781 Head Quarters near York Saturday November 3d 1781 8 CONDAMNATIONS A MORT EN 1 PROCES, SANS DOUTE DES DESERTEURS SE TROUVANT A YORKTOWN At a Brigade General Court martial held at Camp near Yorktown in Virginia October 26th 1781 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< the following prisoners were tried. James Stite, William Selwood, Michael Hatman and John Stanton late of the German regiment severally charged with "Desertion" were found Guilty but from some peculiar Circumstances the Court sentence them to Receive each one hundred lashes on the bare Back. (1) Owen Curly late of the same regiment charged with Desertion, Inlisting with the Enemy and bearing Arms against these United States found Guilty in breach of Article 1st Section 6th of the Rules and Articles of war and Sentenced to be Hanged by the Neck till he is Dead. (2) James Johnston late of the same regiment charged as above found Guilty and Sentenced to be Hanged by the Neck untill he be Dead. (3) William Timmans late of the first Maryland regiment charged with Desertion, inlisting with the Enemy and bearing arms against these United States, Marauding, and burning the Houses of different inhabitants of the State of Maryland found Guilty of the whole of the above Charges and sentenced to be hanged by the Neck till he be dead. 100 Thomas Crawford late of the same regiment charged with Desertion, Inlisting with the Enemy and bearing Arms against these United States, found Guilty of the two last Charges and sentenced to receive One Hundred lashes on his bare back. 100 Jeremiah Owings, Thomas Williams and Andrew Warick all late of the same regiment, severally charged as aforesaid were found Guilty of the two last Charges and Sentenced each to receive One Hundred Lashes on the bare back. (4) Edward Cosgrove late of the first Maryland regiment charged with Desertion, Inlisting with the Enemy and bearing Arms against the United States found Guilty in breach of Article 1st Section 6th of the Rules and Articles of War and Sentenced to be Hanged by the Neck untill he be dead. 100 James Reynolds late of the aforesaid regiment charged as aforesaid found Guilty of the two last charges and Sentenced to receive one Hundred Lashes on his bare Back. 100 John Wise of the Delaware regiment charged as aforesaid found Guilty and Sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back. (5) Matthias Carty late of the Second Maryland regiment charged with Desertion enlisting with the Enemy and bearing Arms against these United States found Guilty of the whole of the Charges and Sentenced to Suffer Death. 100 Henry Oston late of the Second Maryland regiment charged as aforesaid found Guilty of the two last Charges and Sentenced to Receive One Hundred Lashes on his bare back. (6) Abraham Erwin late of the Second Maryland regiment charged with Desertion inlisting with the enemy and bearing Arms against these United States, Marauding in one of the Barges in Cheseapeak bay found Guilty of the above Charges and Sentenced to Suffer Death. (7) Richard Ariss late of the third Maryland regement charged with Desertion inlisting with the Enemy and bearing Arms against these United States, the Court after maturely considering the Charges and the Prisoner’s defence find him Guilty in breach of Article 1st Section 6th of the Rules and Articles of war and Sentence him to be Hanged by the Neck untill he be Dead. (8) Patrick Denison late of the 4th Maryland regiment charged as aforesaid found Guilty in breach as above and sentenced to be Hanged by the Neck untill he be dead. 100 Michael Clark late of the 4th Maryland regiment charged as aforesaid found Guilty of the latter Charges and sentenced to receive One Hundred lashes on his bare back. 100 Edward Marshall late of the Delaware Regiment charged with Desertion inlisting with the Enemy and bearing arms against these United States found Guilty of the two last Charges and sentenced to receive one hundred lashes on his bare back. The Commander in Chief approves the foregoing Sentences and orders William Timmans to be immediately executed. CURIEUSEMENT IL N'Y A PAS UNE SEULE NOTE --------- E68 General Orders, 1 March 1782 Head Quarters Philadelphia Friday March 1. 82 The Commander in Chief is pleased to Pardon William English a soldier belonging to the New Hampshire Line now under sentence of Death for Desertion, and orders him to be released from Confinement. At a Brigade General Court Martial held at the Hutts near Morris Town Feb. 14. Ult. James Furry Soldier in the 2d Jersey Regiment was Tryed, charged with Desertion to the Enemy, The Court find him guilty of Desertion and sentence the said James Fury to suffer Death by Hanging (more than two thirds of the Court Martial agreeing thereto) The Commander in Chief approves the sentence of the Court. ----------------------------- https://founders.archives.gov/?q=hanged%20Dates-From%3A1776-07-01%20Dates-To%3A1785-07-31&s=2111311122&sa=&r=405&sr= IN THE ARTICLE BY FRANKLIN THE BRITISH FACE A "NURENBERG TRIBUNAL TRIAL" FOR THE WAR OF INDEPENDENCE DESCRIPTION OF SCALPS OF COLONISTS GIVEN BY THE SENECAS (according to Franklin) WHO WERE ALLIES OF THE BRITISH. FRANKLIN DEMANDS REPARATIONS Supplement to the Boston Independent Chronicle, [before 22 April 1782] Passy, second edition, printed by Benjamin Franklin, 1782 [1] By April 22, Franklin had printed this hoax, a purported supplement to a Boston newspaper. Not since he and Lafayette had drawn up a “List of British Cruelties” in 1779 had he written in such detail about the savage acts visited upon American citizens.3 If Franklin could get the articles reprinted in England, he wrote John Adams, “it might make them a little asham’d of themselves.” Extract of a Letter from Capt. Gerrish, of the New-England Militia, dated Albany, March 7. SCALPS of our unhappy Country-folks, taken in the 3 last Years by the Senneka Indians from the Inhabitants of the Frontiers of New-York, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, and sent by them as a Present to Col. Haldimand, Governor of Canada, in order to be by him transmitted to England. No. 1. Containing 43 Scalps No. 2. Containing 98 of Farmers killed in their Houses No. 3. Containing 97 of Farmers killed in their Fields No. 4. Containing 102 of Farmers, mixed of the several Marks above; only 18 marked with a little yellow Flame, to denote their being of Prisoners burnt alive, after being scalped, their Nails pulled out by the Roots and other Torments No. 5. Containing 88 Scalps of Women No. 6. Containing 193 Boys' Scalps, of various Ages No. 7. 211 Girls’ Scalps Discerning readers might have noticed that the type was French rather than English. The form of the hoax was nearly perfect, from the newspaper’s number (No. 705 of Boston’s actual Independent Chronicle and Universal Advertiser was issued in March, 1782) A pirate makes war for the sake of rapine. This is not the kind of war I am engaged in against England. Our’s is a war in defence of liberty, <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< the most just of all wars; and of our properties, which your nation would have taken from us, without our consent, in violation of our rights, and by an armed force. Your’s, therefore, is a war of rapine; of course, a piratical war: and those who approve of it, and are engaged in it, more justly deserve the name of pirates, which you bestow on me. --------------- E69, E70, E71, E72 To George Washington from "Not Assigned", 1 May 1782 John Farmun, Jonathan Burge Loyalists from Monmouth were taken in 1781 and executed at Freehold, BY MILITIA SOLDIERS PROBABLY Joseph Mullinee A Loyalist and Captain of a Whale Boat Privateer was taken in 1781 carried to Freehold removed to Burlington Tried and Executed Richard Bell, John Thompson, Loyalists from Monmouth were taken in November 1781 from Off Sandy Hook and carried to Freehold and hanged. ------------- E73 General Orders, 22 May 1782 Head. Quarters Newburgh Wednesday 22 May 1782. General Court Martial held in Albany 6 May 1782 The prisoner Shem Kentfield was sentenced to Death by Hanging. ---------------- E74 General Orders, 11 August 1782 Head Quarters Newburgh sunday August 11th 1782 At a general courtmartial held on 2 July 1782 near Morristown Corporal Gibbs of the 1st Jersey regiment was tried for desertion and sentenced to suffer death by hanging. -------------- To Benjamin Franklin from Mary Maccatter and Amy Kelly, 12 September 1782 On May 14, 1782, captain EDWARD Macatter (in London) and Captain John Kelly (in Dublin) were condemned to be hanged. The day before the scheduled execution the King issued a respite (after the intervention of Shelburne and the cabinet). Both men received a full pardon on March 2, 1783 -------- To Benjamin Franklin from Anthony Benezet, 8 May 1783 Louis XV signed two ordinances in February, 1745, imposing additional penalties on nonconformists: Guillaume de Félice, History of the Protestants of France …, trans. Henry Lobdell (New York, 1851), pp. 453–6, 478–9, 487 ----------- To George Washington from Bartholomew Dandridge, 13 March 1784 John Price Posey was hanged in January 1788 for having destroyed the New Kent County clerk’s office and jail by fire. ============================ SENTENCED TO BE SHOT TO DEATH -> 15 cases General Orders, 21 February 1777 S1 John Porterfield, Serjt in the 3rd Pennsylvania Battalion, tried by a General Court Martial, is found guilty of desertion, and sentenced to be shot to death. Note 1 John Porterfield’s execution for desertion apparently was not carried out. see General Orders, 14, 21, 28 Mar., and 3 April 1777) EN FAT DS LE GENERAL ORDERS DE 3 APRIL ON APPREND SEULEMENT QUE L'EXECUTION EST REPORTEE AU 11 AVRIL 1777. POURQUOI TOUS CES REPORTS? MAIS SI WASH AVAIT VOULU LE GRACIER IL POUVAIT LE FAIRE SANS TOUS CES REPORTS. REMARQUE: EN PRENANT COMME MOTS-CLES "General Orders" on obtient plus de 4,000 resultats -------- General Orders, 21 February 1777 Head-Quarters, Morristown, Feby 21st 1777 John Porterfield, Serjt in the 3rd Pennsylvania Battalion, tried by a General Court Martial was found guilty of Desertion, and senteHead-Quarters Frederick’sburgh Wednesday Octr 28th 78nced to be shot to death. The General approves the Judgment of the Court, but respites the execution of the sentence for one week. ------ S2, S3 To George Washington from Brigadier General Francis Nash, 14 August 1777 Trenton [N.J.] August 14th 1777 Court-martial proceedings against John Marsh and Willoughby Johnson. They were sentenced to be shot to death, but GW left the final determination of the men’s fates to Nash ------- S4 General Orders, 28 October 1778 Head-Quarters Fredericksburgh Wednesday Octr 28th 78 John Yeomans a soldier in Coll Dubois’s Regiment was tried for desertion and robbery. The Charge of robbery was not supported, but he was found guilty of desertion and sentenced to be shot to death at the head of the Brigade. ----------- S5 From George Washington to Brigadier General James Clinton, 31 December 1778 Philadelphia Decr the 31st 1778 Aaron Williams was sentenced to be “Shot to Death. ------------------------------------------- S6, S7, S8, S9, S10 General Orders, 3 January 1780 Head-Quarters Morristown monday Jany 3rd 1780. William Barrett a soldier in the 3rd Pennsylvania regiment charged with deserting with his arms was tried, found guilty sentenced to suffer death. Edmund Burke was tried and sentenced to be shot to death.2 Joseph Waterhouse was sentenced unanimously to suffer death. Amos Rounds was sentenced to suffer death. William Straw sentenced unanimously to suffer death. Il y a aussi une dizaine de sentences a "100 lashes" pr desertion ---------- S11 General Orders, 4 February 1780 Head-Quarters Morristown friday Feby 4th 1780 Thomas Warren of the Invalid Corps was tried for “Leaving his post when centinel and sentenced to suffer death.1 ------- S12, S13, S14 General Orders, 18 May 1780 Head Quarters Morristown Thursday May 18th 1780 Matthew Bell, James Hanly and Lancaster Lighthall were tried for attempting to desert to the Enemy and sentenced to be shot to death. -------- S15 General Orders, 13 August 1780 Head Quarters Orange town Sunday August 13th 1780 George Hutchinson Matross in the 4th regiment of Artillery was tried and sentenced to be shot to death.