Court Martial Case of William Fordham, Seaman, USN.

3328.

Proceedings of a Naval General Court Martial convened on board the U.S.S. Clara Dolsen,

off Cairo, Illinois, by virtue of an order from Rear Admiral David D. Porter,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron, September 14th, 1863.

Case of William Fordham, Seaman, U.S.S. Baron de Kalb.

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U.S.S. Clara Dolsen,

off Cairo, Ill. Monday, Septr. 14, 1863.

The Court met at 10 a.m. pursuant to adjournment, all the members and the Judge Advocate present, William Fordham (Seaman) the accused, also present. The Judge Advocate read the order from Rear Admiral David D. Porter, convening the Court. The Judge Advocate then asked the accused if he had any objection to any member named in the order, to which the accused replied that he had not. The Judge Advocate was then duly sworn by the Presiding Officer and the Court was duly sworn by the Judge Advocate in the presence of the accused.

The Court then asked the accused if he required counsel, to which he replied that he did not.

The Charges and Specifications were then read to the accused by the Judge Advocate. The Judge Advocate then addressing the accused, William Fordham (Seaman):

You have heard the charges preferred against you, how say you accused, are you guilty or not guilty?

To which the accused William Fordham (Seaman) pleaded as follows:

To 1st Specification of the Charge: Guilty.

To 2nd Specification of the Charge: Guilty.

To Charge: Guilty.

and threw himself upon the mercy of the Court. The accused was asked if he wished to call evidence as to previous character, to which he replied that he did not.

Lt. Com'r. John G. Walker called and duly sworn as a witness. The accused objected to the examination of witness, and took the full benefit of his plea of guilty.

The accused then submitted the following defence which is annexed to proceedings:

Defence

I respectfully submit to the Honorable Court, that previous to the time mentioned in the charges, I was on board the USS Benton. A drunken row occurred there and I was charged with being a participator therein. Without any examination into the truth of the charge, I was sent on board the De Kalb, with one other person, with the reputation of a bad character attached to me, which naturally placed me in a very hazardous situation, liable to be considered a ringleader in any difficulty that might occur on board. I asked Capt. Walker to let me communicate with Admiral Porter, to explain the difficulty and to try and get back to my old shipmates on board the Benton, to whom I was much attached. When the Capt. refused my application, I was completely discouraged and had no heart to do anything more, feeling convinced that nothing I could do would be looked upon with favor, on account of the character I was supposed to bear.

Witness [Signed:] Benj. Sebastian, Wm. (his mark) Fordham.

Act. Master, U.S.N.

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The Court was then cleared by order of the Presiding Officer and after mature deliberation agreed upon the following verdict:

Of the 1st Specification of the Charge: Guilty.

Of the 2nd Specification of the Charge: Guilty.

Of the Charge: Guilty.

The following sentence was then agreed upon, two thirds of the members of the Court concurring:

Sentence:

To be confined, at hard labor, in any penitentiary under the control of the Honorable Secretary of the Navy, for the term of his natural life; and to lose all pay and emoluments, that may be now due him, or that may accrue to him, during the said term of confinement.

This sentence to be read publicly, upon the quarter deck of every vessel in the Mississippi Squadron.

[Signed:] T. Pattison, Lt. Comd'r.

President.

[Signed: name illegible.]

[Signed:] James W. Shirk, Lieut. Commd'r.

[Signed:] LeRoy Fitch, Lieut. Comd'r.

[Signed:] James M. Pritchett, Lieut. Comd'r.

[Signed:] J.M. Alden,

Acting Ensign,

Judge Advocate.

Approved,

David D. Porter,

Rear Adm.

Comd'g. Mississippi Squadron.

At the conclusion of the proceedings in the above case a recess of 15 minutes was taken at the expiration of which the Court was reopened and the case of Henry Hines (Seaman) was taken up.

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Charges and Specifications of Charges.

Preferred by Rear Admiral David D. Porter,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron,

against William Fordham (Seaman)

on board U.S.S. Baron de Kalb.

Charge: Mutinous Conduct.

Specification First:

That on or about the tenth day of February, One thousand, eight hundred and sixty three, the said William Fordham (Seaman), on board the U.S.S. Baron de Kalb, positively refused to obey the orders of Acting Ensign H.H. Goringe, the officer of the deck on board said vessel, saying that he would not do any duty on board the vessel.

Specification Second:

That on or about the twelfth day of February, One thousand, eight hundred and sixty three, the said William Fordham (Seaman), on board the U.S.S. Baron de Kalb, refused to obey the orders of Acting Master's Mate J.W. Meacham, and Acting Volunteer Lieutenant J.V. Johnston, the Executive Officer of the said U.S.S. Baron de Kalb.

Very Respectfully,

[Signed:] David D. Porter,

Rear Admiral,

Commanding Mississippi Squadron.

Witnesses:

Lt. Com'r. John G. Walker.

A. Voltr. Lieut. J.V. Johnston.

Acting Ensign H.H. Goringe.

Acting Master's Mate J.W. Meacham.

Acting Asst. Surgeon Jno. Wise.

M.M. Cummings, U.S. Str. Lafayette.

July, 2001.