CIVIL WAR TULLAHOMA TENNESSEE SEXUAL ASSAULT COURTMARTIAL 1864 For Sale

During the American Civil War the commissionof sexual assault was a capital offense, unlike the American Revolution where such assaults were underreported and often ignored by commanders. The US Army Civil War code of conduct severely penalized such acts but again accusations were seldom followed up. A rare Union Army Courtmartial General Order issued at the War Department, Washington, April 4, 1864 detailing charges against 3 men for various crimes , including the trial of Lt Harvey H John, 49th OhioInfantry, who on August 8, 1863 did "forciblyand unlawfullyravish and carnally know Mrs Catherine Farmer, against the will of the said CatherineFarmer. This near Tullahoma, in theState of Tennessee and beyond the picketline of the 2d Division, 20th Army Corp, at said Tullahoma". The officeris also charged with straggling form his command of enlisted men detailedfor the purpose of gathering berries, and with visiting the house of various citizens . The officeris found guilty and sentenced to be cashiered and given 2 years penitentiary imprisonment, the sentence approved by the Presidentof the United States.6pp 8 x 5". Edge wear, minor age stains, 2 punch holes in left margin, OverallVG.