Correspondence between George Sargent, N. A. M. Dudley, and John Tyler to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; 1868

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Correspondence between George Sargent, N. A. M. Dudley, and John Tyler to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; 1868

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People

Ames, Adelbert, 1835-1933 Brayman, Mason, 1813-1895 Darling, Thomas E.Dudley, N. A. M.Gillem, Alvan C. (Alvan Cullem), 1830-1875 Oglesby, Richard J. (Richard James), 1824-1899 Sargent, George Sargent, George W.Smiley, James M.Smith, C. B.Tyler, John

Events

Crime Crime--Murder Crime--Robbery Criminal Procedure--Arrest Criminal Procedure--Convicted Criminal Procedure--Declined to prosecute Criminal Procedure--Escapes Criminal Procedure--Execution Trial

Military Units

United States. Army United States. Army. Illinois. Infantry Regiment, 28th United States. Army. Infantry Regiment, 43rd

Organizations

Courts Courts--Courts-martial and courts of inquiry Headquarters, Military Judicial Districts Judicial Districts--1st (Hinds County, Miss.)Military Board Military Districts--4th (Miss.)United States. Adjutant-General’s Office

Occupations

Adjutants Judges Telegraphers

Places

Adams County (Miss.)Illinois Liberty (Miss.)Natchez (Miss.)Springfield (Ill.)Vicksburg (Miss.)

Page 1

S/58 'B' 4^th M D C a 68.

Headquarters 4^th Mil Dist
Vicksburg Miss Oct 31^st 68

Respectfully referred to Hon James M Smiley.

Judge of the 1^st Judicial District of Miss Liberty Miss for report whether the decision that the Courts cannot take action in cases of the nature herein reported has been made, and for such remarks, as may be deemed expedient.

By Command of
Bvt Maj Gen^l Gillem
Jno Tyler
1^st Lieut 43^rd Infantry
Bvt Major U. S. A.
Actg. Ant. Adjt. Genl.

E B C A Q P/1024 M D.

Headquarters 4^th Mil Dist Vicksburg Miss Dec 2^nd 68.

Respectfully referred to Bvt Maj Gen^l A Ames

Provisional Govenor of Miss with recommendation that the necessary steps be taken to have the murderer arrested. and a requisition made on the Govenor of Illinois for the return of the criminal to this state where he will be tried by the military if the Civil authorities "fail or refuse" to take action.

By Command of
Bvt Maj Gen^l Gillem

Jno Tyler
1^st Lieut 43^rd Infty
Bvt Maj U S A
Actg. Ass^t. Adj^t. Gen^l.

E. B. C A. 2 P/111 4 M D 68

Page 2

Natchez Miss Oct 22" 1868

L R S/58 'B' 4 M D C A 1868

Sargent George

States that in the year of 1864 his father was Murdered in the vicinity of Natchz by soldiers of the Garrison of this place. C B Smith formerly Ad Genl of Genl Brayman has arr-ested one of the Murders respectfully asks that these Murderes be taken in to the hands of the Military

Head Qrs Post Natchez
Natchez Miss Oct 20/68

Respectfully forwarded to Head Qrs 4 Mil Dist. Mr Sargent states that the Civil Courts de-cline to prosecute these parties if they are brought to this County (the scene of the murder) and asks if the Genl Comdg proposes to investigate the case with view of trial by Mil Commission that he will cause a telegram to be sent C B Smith telegraph oper-ator Springfield Ill requesting the retention of Darling subject to his requisition for him

N A M Dudley
Maj 24 Infty
Bvt Col U S A
E + M B141 Comdg Post

Wrapper 1 Enclosure 1

Page 3

Natchez Oct. 22^nd 68

Gen:

In 1864. my father George W. Sargent was murdered in the vi-cinity of Natchez by Soldiers of the Garrison here. The party committing the Murder Consisted of five privates; Two of these, and the main offender Escaped, the other two were tried by a Military court, convicted, & shot.

The murder was committed in an attempt to rob and was a very aggravated one.

I am in receipt of dispatches from C. B Smith, who was the adjutant Gen of Gen Brayman here, when the murder was committed. He informs me that he has one of the murderers arrested at Spring=field Illinois, whose name is Thom-as E Darling, and that one of the murderers will be arrested soon whose name is not now known but he was a private in the 28^th Illinois Reg. U. S. A.

I understand that the state Courts have decided that they Can=not take Cognisance of offences Committed while this part of the country was under Federal occupa

Page 4

=tion

These murderers will escape pun-ishment unless the interposition of a Military Commission will prevent it.

I would respectfully ask that these murderers may be taken in hand by the Military authorities It would be useless to go to expense in having the offenders & witnesses
brought here unless a trial Can had before a Commission.

I would respectfully ask that you will notify me if you would order a trial in case the criminals & witnesses are brought here.

Geo. Sargent

To
Gen. A. C. Gillem Comdg Dist Vicksburg Miss