Court Martial to Investigate the Charges Against Capt. Kalteisen
Document 1795Lewis Tousard notes that a Court of Inquiry does not have the same authority as a Court Martial but its findings will be presented to the Court Martial. He observes that Cox has had a month to prepare his defense related to his charges against Captain Kalteisen who could labor no longer under the weight of Cox's accusations. Since he is under arrest, Cox will be confined to his barracks pending the outcome of the Court Martial.
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[cover notation: Oct 26. [undecipherable] [undecipherable] 20 — / [undecipherable] to / [undecipherable] [undecipherable] ins. / two A[undecipherable] [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] ctre for [undecipherable] / [undecipherable] [undecipherable] / Copies] [oval seal] [Su[undecipherable] / Rect]
Copy of Lieutenant Cox's letter to Major Toussard.
West Point Octr 26. 1795.
Sir
I was greatly surprised to hear of the declaration you made on parade yesterday, that my charges against Capt A. Latticen [undecipherable: probable reading Kalttieen] proceeded from malice, and that he was a man of very great honor and integrity. If charges which he confest, and which were proved on oath by myself, could be declared to proceed from malice, I must conceive it to be contrary to all military Regulations — and to declare that man, to be a man of very great Honor and integrity before my present trial is finished, is again in my opinion inconsistant — for these and many other reasons, I must decline making, any other Defence, than this letter may be considered, but do not conceive that it is a consciousness of guilt that makes me decline a defence. No Sir, it is my innocence that dictates to me, that a defence would avail nothing after the proceedings that have lately transpired — I would wish you to let me leave the Garrison as soon as possible. I am Sir
Your most Obedt Servt
Signed Wm Cox Lt A E
[286]
Answer to Lieut Cox's letter.
West Point Octr 26. 1795
Sir.
I owe justice to every Officer under my Command. Capt. A. Kalttieen, on hearing that you had laid charges against him, requested that a Court Martial should be assembled to investigate into his Conduct since his being Commissioner in the Corps of A & E. the Count of Enquiry delivered to me the charges, and according to the Articles of War, I required their opinion upon the same; they have given their opinion, and it has been read by me upon the parade; as it was expressed by them. The Charges which you have to defend before the Court Martial, have no connexion with the charges laid by you before the Court of Enquiry; and I make no doubt but the same justice which has been paid to Capt A. Kalttieen, will also be paid to you. As my opinion will be Required upon the Sentence of the Court Martial which was not the case in the Court of Enquiry, I refrain from answering the other part of your Letter.
I am sorry to be under the necessity of Refusing to you, to grant your Request to leave the Garrison
Signed L. Toussart
Copy of Lt Cox's Letter to Major Toussard.
Sir. I Received your letter of Yesterday by Lt Lovell, and am happy to find that the Opinion delivered on Parade, was not your own, but I must acknowledge that your letter fixes me more in my opinion that a Defence could avail me nothing. When I consider the Court Martial direct in opposition, to the Articles of War, Relative to the Administration of Justice, Art. 70 to their proceedings should admitte of depositions when those depositions were taken without my knowledge, and when I was not present. Likewise their waving any objection I made to the Evidence; and proceeding on the trial, when I declared I was not prepared, nor could not be untile my papers arrived from South Carolina. When these objections had no weight I am doubtfull, whether my Defence in the present situation of things, would not have equalled the same. You mention, you make no doubt but the same justice which has been paid to Capt Kalttisen will also be paid to me. I must doubt it; from the proceedings heretofore gone through, and the proceedings of the Court of Enquiry; the Majority of that Court, ought to have considered, that they were Members of a Court Martial, then on my trial, and according to European Military Regulations, by which their patterns, could not possibly Sit in a different Court, untill my Trial was finally closed — And yet give an opinion, and now I disposed to make a defence it would be impossible at this present moment, for want of my papers from South Carolina, and when I shall be able to get them, God only knows: but I suspect not before the Spring. I having just arrived at age, my [undecipherable] requires my particular attention — I therefore beg, that you will lay a Copy of this and my former Letter before the Secretary of War, and know whether I can leave the Garrison or not.
I have the honor to be
Yours &c
Signed Wm Cox Lt A &c
Answer to the above letter
Sir A Court of Enquiry is not a Court Martial, they can pronounce no sentence; they do not give an opinion, but when required, the charges laid before the Court of Enquiry, have not the least analogy with your trial. The Court Martial indulged you, in granting a Month to prepare your Defence; but a Gentleman of Captain Kal-
Type
Autograph Letter Signed
Description
Lewis Tousard notes that a Court of Inquiry does not have the same authority as a Court Martial but its findings will be presented to the Court Martial. He observes that Cox has had a month to prepare his defense related to his charges against Captain Kalteisen who could labor no longer under the weight of Cox's accusations. Since he is under arrest, Cox will be confined to his barracks pending the outcome of the Court Martial.
Date
10/26/1795
Author
Recipient
Sent from
West Point
Document number
1795102690101
Page start
1
Note
Answer to Lt. Cox's letter enclosed in Cox to Tousard, 10/26/1795
Notable persons
William Cox
Lewis Tousard
Captain Kalteisen
Notable locations
West Point
Notable items
court of inquiry
court martial
barracks

