United States vs. Samuel G. Scoven, Landsman, USS William G. Anderson

A Civil War-era example of "my recruiter lied to me about joining as an undes, screw this I'm getting out." Though in those days all sailors were undesigned.

Samuel G. Scovill's correct spelling of his name judging by the name written on the June Rock Island/Chicago Enlistment returns and the rendezvous index card was Samuel G. Scoven. Scoven was a "Galvanized Yankee", a former private in Company K, 25th Regiment Georgia Infantry who was captured as a prisoner at war at Calhoun, Georgia on 17 May 1864. He was sent to the POW camp at Rock Island, Illinois where he encountered a Navy recruiter who made him an offer to switch allegiances, which he did on 10 June 1864 when he enlisted as a landsman for a three year contract. Scoven disappeared from Navy records after 17 September 1864 and was not on the William G. Anderson long enough to have been entered in her muster rolls. Whether he was actually sent to prison is unknown.

US Ship Potomac
Pensacola Bay, Fla.
Sept 14 1864, 10 o'clock AM

The Court met pursuant to adjournment. The proceedings of yesterday were read over and approved.

The Court then proceeded to take up the case of Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman, serving on board the USS W. G. Anderson.

The accused was brought in, and the names of the members of the Court were called over the Judge Advocate, according to seniority.

Present
Commander Alex Gibson
Commander James H. Strong
Lieut. Commdr Henry Wilson
Lieutenant Thomas C. Bowen
Lieutenant O. A. Baucheller

Edmund du Grand-val, Judge Advocate and Samuel G. Scovill, the accused being present also.

The Judge Advocate read the order convening the Court (a copy of which is appended to the Records, marked A).

The accused was asked by the Judge Advocate if he had any objection to any member of the Court. He replied No.

The oath prescribed by law was administered by the Senior Member of the Court to the Judge Advocate and by the Judge Advocate to the members of the Court, in presence of the accused.

The accused was then asked by the Judge Advocate if he had any counsel. He replied no.

He was also asked by the Judge Advocate if he had been furnished a copy of the charge and specification. He replied yes.

The charge and specification (hereunto annexed and marked B) were then read aloud by the Judge Advocate, who said "Samuel G. Scovill, you have heard the charge preferred against you. How say you, guilty or not guilty?"

The accused answered guilty.

The accused here asked permission to make a statement to the Court, which was granted and the Court took a recess to allow the accused time to prepare his statement.

The Court reassembled at 11:40 AM. Present all the members, the Judge Advocate and the accused.

The accused submitted, and the Judge Advocate read the written statement appended to the record and marked C.

The statement of the parties being thus in possession of the Court, the Court was cleared for deliberation. After mature consideration of the case, the Court found the accused, Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman, serving on bard US Ship W. G. Anderson:

Of the specification: Proven by plea of guilty
Of the charge: Guilty

And the COurt do sentence the accused, Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman, serving on board the USS W. G. Anderson, to imprisonment for life in such prison or penitentiary as the Honorable Secretary of the Navy shall select. This sentence to be read on the quarter deck of all vessels of the W. G. B. Squadron at General Muster.

A. Gibson, Commander and Senior Member of the Court
J. H. Strong, Commander and Member of the Court
Henry Wilson, Lieutenant Commander and Member of the Court
Thomas C. Bowen, Lieutenant and Member of the Court
O. A. Baucheller, Lieutenant and Member of the Court

Ed. du Grand-val
Judge Advocate

Approved
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral Sept 16th, 1864
Forward for the further action of the Hon. Sec. of the Navy.
D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral

A

Flag Ship Hartford
Mobile Bay, Ala.
September 8, 1864

By virtue of authority in me vested a Naval General Court Martial is hereby ordered to convene on board the USS Potomac, lying in Pensacola Bay, Fla, on the 12th day of September, or as soon thereafter as practicable, for the trial of George W. Curtis, Landsman, serving on board the USS W. G. Anderson and such others as may be legally brought before it.

The Court will be composed of the following officers, any five of whom are empowered to act, viz:

Commander Alexander Gibson
Commander James H. Strong
Lieutenant Commander Henry Wilson
Lieutenant Thomas C. Bowen
Lieutenant O. A. Baucheller

Edmund du Grand-val of Pensacola is hereby appointed Judge Advocate.

D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral
Commanding W. G. B. Squadron

B

Charge and Specification of a Charge preferred by Rear Admiral D. G. Farragut, Commanding the W. G. B. Squadron, against Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman, serving on board the USS W. G. Anderson

Charge: Desertion

Specification: In this, that, on or about the third day of September, one thousand eight hundred and sixty four, the said Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman, serving on board the USS W. G. Anderson, then lying in Pensacola Bay, Fla., did desert from the said vessel, and did attempt to swim to the shore on the North side of the Bayou Grande, where a force of the enemy was said to be stationed, and did swim in the said direction until exhausted; when he was arrested and brought back to his vessel.

D. G. Farragut
Rear Admiral

Witnesses:
Acting Master's Mate Michael H. Burke
Yeoman George F. Peck
Quartermaster William McNully

C

Statement of Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman

I was at Rock Island, Illinois, in the month of June 1864. I had been in the rebel service and was captured by the U.S. forces in May of the same year.

While at Rock Island, a U.S. officer came to me, and wished me to join the U.S. Navy, that I would not have to go to sea, but that I would be employed in a Navy Yard. I told him I did not want to join the service to fight, but would rather remain a prisoner until the end of the war than do so.

He told me I need have no fear, and promised me that I would get a situation as carpenter in some Navy Yard and that I would receive a bounty of $100. I then took the oath of allegiance and went to Boston, whence I was sent here. On arriving here, I thought I had been enticed under false pretenses and I thought I would try and get home to my family. I did not intend to rejoin the rebel service.

I certify this to be a correct copy of the statement of Samuel G. Scovill, Landsman
Ed du Grand-val
Judge Advocate

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