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| U.S.S. Fort Henry |
 
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Trials Held at Events
In the 1990's, military trials were held at the Brooksville
Raid (Florida) on a few rare occasions. Starting in 2006,
Military Court Martials were resurrected with improvments as
more information on trails was found. Trials are now
held at several West Central Florida eventsThese trials have been well received by spectators while providing a different aspect to the Civil War period, that of the accused men and how the military handled them. Photos (copyrighted) for this page have been provided by Lester's Studios and printable copies are available from them.
Approximately 80,000 U.S. Military Court Martials were conducted during the Civil War. For enlisted men, about 43% were for desertion, 7% for assaulting an officer, 6% for murder, and 4% theft/robbery. Court Martials were divided into three systems, a Regiment or Garrison Court Martial (for minor offenses), a General Court Martial (for serious offense), and Military Commission (for spying, etc.).
Event hosts wishing to enhance their event by having a Court Martial should contact us as to the possibility of doing so. The trials usually take 15-45 minutes depending on the complexity. Note that a finding of guilt for a serious charge of murder resulting in a sentenance of "death by firing squad" - the execution can not be held right after that trial. The records had to go to the Adjutant Generals office in Washington for review. If it was sent back in agreement, the execution could be weeks or months later. For events wanting a trial and execution, we would hold a trial for one men, and later call a previously "convicted" man in for the carrying out of the execution order as the appeal was denied.
Military Law during the Civil War
The Civil War is noted for many
"firsts" - events that changed warfare and history.
The general public is aware of trial law thanks to TV
programs like Law and Order. Few people know the
origination of modern law and how it was implemented during
the Civil War.
On June 30, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established 69 Articles of War to govern the conduct of the Continental Army. On April 10, 1806, the first United States Congress enacted 101 Articles of War.
On April 24, 1863 President Lincoln signed General Order Number 100. This was also known as the Liber Code or Lieber Instructions. (It was written by Dr. Francis Lieber and revised by a board of officers.) This order was for the Union forces and dictated how soldiers should conduct themselves with main sections on martial law and the jurisdiction of the military. It covered the treatment of spies, deserters, and prisoners of war.
Both the Articles of war and General Order Number 100 are used as a basis of the trials we hold. Keep in mind that most lawyers during that time period were self-taught, including President Lincoln. Usually officers were taken from the ranks to hold Court Martials, so the trials were most likely not as are accustomed to seeing today.
On June 30, 1775, the Second Continental Congress established 69 Articles of War to govern the conduct of the Continental Army. On April 10, 1806, the first United States Congress enacted 101 Articles of War.
On April 24, 1863 President Lincoln signed General Order Number 100. This was also known as the Liber Code or Lieber Instructions. (It was written by Dr. Francis Lieber and revised by a board of officers.) This order was for the Union forces and dictated how soldiers should conduct themselves with main sections on martial law and the jurisdiction of the military. It covered the treatment of spies, deserters, and prisoners of war.
Both the Articles of war and General Order Number 100 are used as a basis of the trials we hold. Keep in mind that most lawyers during that time period were self-taught, including President Lincoln. Usually officers were taken from the ranks to hold Court Martials, so the trials were most likely not as are accustomed to seeing today.
Setting the Scene for "Reenactment" Trials in Florida
The west coast of Florida was under the control of the
East Gulf Blockading Squadron. Much of the action
was conducted by the U.S. Navy. Most U.S. Army
units involved is area operations came out of Key West
and were usually transported by Navy ships. Some
of the "Florida" (U.S.) Army units were
organized by the
Navy
and joint operations were common as were the
intermixing of units. Several Navy officers
transferred and became
Army officers.
Trials were usually held at Key West. There was also a U.S. District Court located in Key West as well as a prison.
Some of the trials held are based on actual events. Other trials are fictitious based on known offenses, but "localized" by injecting names of local towns, rivers, ships on patrol, etc. Our objective is to add as much of a historical perspective as possible.
Cases vary from spying to assault, murder, sabotage, theft, drunkenness, absent from duty (including desertion), and more. Sometimes they involve civilians, the enemy, ships, etc.
Most of the trials are unrehearsed. Each reenactor is given a role with their particular pieces of information. Witnesses are given information on what they "have seen" or "know" and evidence is created. The defense attorney and prosecutor are given their lists and an outline about the crime. The judges know only the charges, and proceed through the trial and at the end, they make their decision(s) based on the evidence and witnesses' testimony.
Photos
Top left, defense attorney (Scott also writes the outlines for the trials). Top right, pre-trial information collected.
Above left, prosecutor. Above right, prisoners being brought in.
Below row, swearing a witness in, witness 1 and witness 2.
Bottom row, reading the verdict and execution.
organized by the
Navy
and joint operations were common as were the
intermixing of units. Several Navy officers
transferred and became
Army officers.Trials were usually held at Key West. There was also a U.S. District Court located in Key West as well as a prison.
Some of the trials held are based on actual events. Other trials are fictitious based on known offenses, but "localized" by injecting names of local towns, rivers, ships on patrol, etc. Our objective is to add as much of a historical perspective as possible.
Cases vary from spying to assault, murder, sabotage, theft, drunkenness, absent from duty (including desertion), and more. Sometimes they involve civilians, the enemy, ships, etc.
Most of the trials are unrehearsed. Each reenactor is given a role with their particular pieces of information. Witnesses are given information on what they "have seen" or "know" and evidence is created. The defense attorney and prosecutor are given their lists and an outline about the crime. The judges know only the charges, and proceed through the trial and at the end, they make their decision(s) based on the evidence and witnesses' testimony.
Photos
Top left, defense attorney (Scott also writes the outlines for the trials). Top right, pre-trial information collected.
Above left, prosecutor. Above right, prisoners being brought in.
Below row, swearing a witness in, witness 1 and witness 2.
Bottom row, reading the verdict and execution.
Higher resolution copies of the above are available depending on the owner (see Copyright Info) from the webmaster.
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Unit - All rights reserved.