United States vs. Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, USS Pampero
Proceedings of a General Court Martial convened on board the U. S. Steam Sloop 'Hartford' off New Orleans, Louisiana, by order of Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut
Thursday, December 10th, 1862 10 A.M.
The Court met pursuant to an Order (marked A) annexed to this record.
Present:
Captain James L. Palmer
Captain M. Smith
Commander James Alden
Lieutenant Commander R. B. Lowry
Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly
Lieutenant Commander A. B. Cummings
Lieutenant George H. Perkins and
E. C. Gabaudan, the Judge Advocate.
Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, the accused was also present.
The Judge Advocate read the Order (marked A annexed to this Record) convening the Court and asked the Accused, Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks if he objected to any Member named therein to which he replied that he did not object to any.
The Judge Advocate was duly sworn by the Presiding Officer and the Court was duly sworn by the Judge Advocate in the presence of the Accused.
The accused was then asked if he desired to employ Counsel, to which he replied that he did, and named Chief Engineer L. D. Hilbert U.S. Navy. The accused asked time to confer with his Counsel, which was granted and at 11:10 the Court took a recess.
At 11:25 the Court was called to order.
Present:
Captain James L. Palmer
Captain M. Smith
Commander James Alden
Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly
Lieutenant Commander A. B. Cummings
Lieutenant George H. Perkins and
E. C. Gabaudan, the Judge Advocate.
Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, the Accused was also present.
Lieutenant Commander R. B. Lowry, was excused from further attendance in this case as he had been called upon to appear before a Military Commission on shore.
The accused, Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, stated that he would not employ Counsel
The Charge (appended to this Record, marked "B") was read aloud by the Judge Advocate.
Judge Advocate: Mr. Weeks, you have heard the Charges preferred against you, how say you "Guilty" or "Not Guilty"?
The accused Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks plead "Guilty" and requested time to prepare his final defense, this was granted and at the 11:45 A.M. the Court adjourned to meet on Friday December 12th at 10 A.M.
Friday, December 12th 1862
10 A.M.
The Court met pursuant to adjournment
Present:
Captain James L. Palmer
Captain M. Smith
Commander James Alden
Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly
Lieutenant Commander A. B. Cummings
Lieutenant George H. Perkins and
E. C. Gabaudan, the Judge Advocate.
Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, the Accused was also present.
The proceedings of yesterday were read over when the Accused Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, presented and read the written defense (C) appended to these proceedings.
The Court was cleared for deliberation and having maturely considered the charge and the defense of the accused, do find the Accused, Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, U.S. Navy:
Of the first Specification of 1st Charge - Guilty
Of the second Specification of 1st Charge - Guilty
Of the third Specification of 1st Charge - Guilty
Of the fourth Specification of 1st Charge - Guilty
Of the First Charge - Guilty
Of the Specification 2nd Charge - Guilty
Of the Second Charge - Guilty
and the Court do therefore sentence the Accused Acting Master Edmund C. Weeks, U.S. Navy, to be dismissed from the Service of the United States.
James S. Palmer
Captain
Melancton Smith
Captain
James Alden
Commander
L. A. Kimberly
Lt. Comdr
A. B. Cummings
Lt. Comdr
G. W. Perkins
Lieut.
E. C. Gabaudan
Judge Advocate
Respectfully forwarded for the approval of the President
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
"A"
Flag Ship Hartford
New Orleans, December 10, 1862
By virtue of authority vested in me by the President of the United States in accordance with Article 11 of the Act of Congress "for better government of the Navy of the United States" approved July 17th, 1862, a Naval General Court Martial here hereby ordered to convene on ten o'clock A.M. on board the U.S. Ship 'Hartford' on the 11th day of December 1862, or as soon thereafter as practicable for the trial of Acting Master Edmund G. Weeks and of such other persons as may legally brought before it.
The Court will be composed of the following Officers, any five of whom are empowered to act. viz:
Captain James S. Palmer
Captain Mel. Smith
Commander James Alden
Lieutenant Commander R. B. Lowry
Lieutenant Commander L. A. Kimberly
Lieutenant Commander A. B. Cummings
Lieutentant George H. Perkins
and E. C. Gabaudan is hereby appointed Judge Advocate.
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
Commanding W. G. Blg. Squadron
"B"
Charge and Specification of Charge preferred by Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut against Edmund C. Weeks, Acting Master U.S. Navy.
Charge First: Disobeying the lawful orders of his Superior Officer
Specification First: In this that the said Edmund C. Weeks, Acting Master U.S. Navy, did on or about the twentieth day of September eighteen hundred and sixty two, refuse to permit and entered a protest against the removal of the furniture, appurtenances &etc., from the Hospital Building at Pilot Town, when ordered to assist in such removal by Lieutenant Commander P. C. Johnson.
Specification Second. In this that the said Edmund C. Weeks, Acting Master did on or about the twentieth day of September eighteen hundred and sixty two, when ordered by Lieut. Comd'r P. C. Johnson (through a Coxswain) to repair on board the U. S. Steamer "Tennessee" and bring with him the keys of the Hospital Building, ignore the order by remaining on board the "Pampero" two hours or so after receiving said order.
Specification Third. In this that the said Edmund C. Weeks, Acting Master did on or about the twentieth day of September eighteen hundred and sixty two, when ordered by Lieut. Comd'r P. C. Johnson to go from shore at Pilot Town to the "Pampero" and to return with the keys of the Hospital Building - declined to obey the order by replying "I will do as I choose" or "I don't choose to" or words to that effect.
Specification Fourth. In this that the said Edmund C. Weeks, Acting Master did on or about the twentieth day of September eighteen hundred and sixty two, when ordered by Lieut. Comdr P.C. Johnson to go on board the "Pampero" and to consider himself suspended and to turn over the command of the vessel to her Executive Officer, reply "I receive my orders from Commander Morris and I do not consider that you have the authority to order me" or words to that effect, and thereupon got into his boat and pulled across the river landing at the Telegraph Station in direct disobedience of the positive order of his superior officer Lieut. Commander P. C. Johnson.
Charge Second. Scandalous Conduct tending to the destruction of good morals.
Specification: In this that the said Edmund C. Weeks, Acting Master did write and send a letter to Commander H. W. Morris in which he falsely accused Lieut. Commander P. C. Johnson of stealing furniture for his own private use from the Hospital Building at Pilot Town.
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
Witnesses
Commander H. W. Morris
Lt. Comdr P. C. Johnson
Charles Spencer, Coxswain
Jacob Actlemon
Flag Ship Hartford
New Orleans, December 9th, 1862
"C"
U.S.S. Pensacola
Dec. 12th, 1862
I, Edmund C. Weeks, in answer to the charge and specification of charges preferred against me by Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut, and to which I plead guilty, and beg leave respectfully to represent -
That, at the time of the occurrence in question, I acted not from any right or deposition to be above the rules of the Service from a conviction of my duty in the present.
I have received orders from Commander Morris to deliver the property after Hospital had ceased to use it to the lawful owners, and therefore refused Lt. Comdr Johnson permission to removed it unless he should give me a written order, this I did to protest my self my expression of stealing was the result of the view I then took of the then action. Now being convinced of his right as a superior officer at all times to order me I withdraw and regret the expression.
Respectfully
Edmund C. Weeks
Acting Master
USN
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