Autograph Letter Signed

Forwarding Report of Court-Martial, with Consideration of Execution for Desertion as an Example

Forwards the proceedings of a court-martial held in April at New York City, convened by the order of General Hamilton. Sgt. Richard Hunter, of the 2d Regiment of Artillerists & Engineers, was charged with desertion and of carrying off the payroll funds of his company, with which he was entrusted. Hunter pled guilty, and was convicted on all charges. McHenry notes that desertion is prevalent among the troops, and suggests that reinforcing examples will help assuage this. McHenry believes Hunter a fine candidate for military execution. Encloses the forms of both a pardon and a warrant for execution, subject to the president's wishes.

1799

05

27

War Department

Cited in Adams to McHenry, 06/05/1799.

Multiple copies of the document exist, listed under separate collections below.

Cited document sent from the War Office

John Adams

James McHenry

Major General Alexander Hamilton

Richard Hunt

sergeant

2nd Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers

Captain Still

War Department

New York City Hall

West Point

proceedings

court martial

trial

desertion

pay

money

death sentence

breach of trust

warrant of execution

seal of the War Office

1799052700001

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