Benjamin Smith court martialed Valley Forge 1778

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Sale 2404 Lot 28 (AMERICAN REVOLUTION--1778.) Minutes of a regimental court martial at Valley Forge. Manuscript Document Signed by Lieutenant Nathaniel Gilman as president of the court. One page, 12 3/4 x 7 1/2 inches; folds, moderate wear, trimmed on left edge with partial loss of docketing on verso, mounted to mat along top edge. (MRS) Camp Valley Forge, PA, 20 April 1778 Estimate $2,500 - 3,500


The minutes of a court martial convened at Valley Forge by officers of the hard-fighting 3rd New Hampshire Regiment, commanded by Colonel Alexander Scammell (who also served as General Washington's Adjutant General). This court was convened to try two soldiers. Private Benjamin Smith pled guilty of "going out of camp without leave & being absent at roll call after being repeatedly cautioned to the contrary," and was sentenced to "fifteen lashes on his naked back at the publick whipping post." Samuel Hodgdon assumed guilt for "denying his duty & disobedience of orders" and received the same sentence, but "considering the prisoner to have been a good soldier & the first offence of the like nature," the court recommended that the sentence be suspended. P

rovenance: Sold by Jim Best, the Bookman of Kent, at an antiquarian book fair to the consignor.

Benjamin Smith Muster Roll