U. S. Colored Troops Are Accused Of Stealing Six Thousand Dollars In Gold

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/31/2006

A rare group of three immediate post-war United States Colored Troops documents concerning the felony case of Sgt. Alexander Shepard and fifteen members of Company L, 4th U. S. C. Hvy. Artillery who were accused of stealing over $6000.00 in gold from a Tennessee resident. A manuscript 3pp. folio, document, "Hd. Qrts. Dept. of Kentucky, Louisville, Ky., Oct. 19, 1865", being "Gen. Court Martial Orders, No. 111", reading, in very small part: "…a Gen. Court Martial convened at Louisville…which Lt. Col. S. A. Whitfield, 123rd U. S. C. Inf't. is President were arraigned and tried…charge - Robery…that they…did unlawfully and felloniously enter…the premises of William Bowling, Sr. and with force of arms rob…the amount of…$6457.00 in gold…by putting him in fear of immediate injury to his person…this in Gibson County, Tenn. on or about the 25th day of July, 1865…the accused each…pleaded 'not guilty'…the sentence…a dishonorable discharge…six months imprisonment…confined in Kentucky State Penitentiary…PLUS; a partly-printed Union Descriptive List 1p. 18 1/2" x 10", Louisville, Ky., Nov. 25, 1865 giving details of Shepard's, pre-military occupation, enlistment date, last pay and that he was: "…sent to Louisville, Ky. for trial…PLUS; a manuscript note 1p. 8vo., Mound City, Aug. 14, 1866, reading, in part: "…enclosed find a copy of the Orders discharging Serg't. Alex. Shepard also his descriptive list…". Apparently, saved from a fire with the margins of each document charred, else very good.

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