Cincinnati, Ohio, April 21, 1865.
I. Before a military commission, which convened at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 11, 1865, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 278, series of 1864, and Nos.4 and 8, current series, from these headquarters, and of which Colonel Charles D. Murray, Eighty-ninth Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, is president, were arraigned and tried-
Charles Walsh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, and R. T. Semnes, citizens.
CHARGE I: Conspirking, in violation of the laws of war, to release the rebel prisoners of war confined by authority of the United States at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, Ill.
Specification.-In this, that they, the said Charles Walsh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, R. T. Semnes, Charles Travis Daniel, George E. Cantril, G. St. Leger Grenfel, and Benjamin M. Anderson, did unlawfully and secretly conspirite and agree among themselves, and with one Captain Hines, so called, allia Doctor Hunter, of the Confederate Army, and other, in violation of the laws of war, to release the rebel prisoners of war then confined by authority of the United States at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, Ill., numbering between 8,000 and 9,000 persons, by suddently attacking said camp on or about the evening of the 8th of November, anno Domini 1864, with a large number of armed men, overpowering the guard and forces then and there stationed and on duty, seizing the cannon and arms in the possession of said guard and forces for the purpose of guard and defending said camp, forcibly opening the gates of said prison camp and removing all obstructions to the successful escape of said prisoners confined within its limits. This, at or near Chicago, in the State of Illinois, within the military lines and the theater of military operations of the Army of the United States, at a period of war and armed rebellion against the authority of the United States, and on or about the 1st day of November, anno Domini 1864.
CHARGE II: Conspiring, in violation of the laws of war, to lay waste and destroy the city of Chicago, Ill.
Specification.-In this, that they, the said Charles Waslh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, R. T. Semmens, Charles Travis Daniel, George E. Cantril, G. St. Leger Grenfel, and Benjamin M. Anderson, did unlafully adn secretely conspire and agree amon themselves, and with one Captain Hines, so called, alias Doctor Hunter, of the Confederate Army, and others, in violation of the laws of war, to lay waste and destroy, on or about the evening of the 8th of November, anno Domini 1864, the city of Chicago, Ill., by capturing the arsenal in said city, cutting the telegraph wires, buring the railroad depots, taking forcible possession of the banks and public buildings, and leaving the city to be sacked, pillage, and burned by the rebel prisoners of war confined at Camp Douglas, near Chicago, Ill., which prisoners were to be forcibly released by them on or about the date above mentioned. This, at or near Chicago, in the State of Illinois, within the military lines and the theater of military operations of the Army of the United States, at a period of war and armed rebellion against the authority of the United States, and on or about the 1st day of November, anno Domini 1864.
To which each of the accused pleaded not guilty
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BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE, June 6, 1865.
The PRESIDENT:
The following report upon the petition of Richard T. Semmes, convicted by military commission of conspiring with others to destroy the city of Chicago and release the rebel prisoners of war there confined, is respectfully submitted:
Semmes was tried, jointly with Charles Walsh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, Charles T. Daniel, G. St. Leger Grenfel, and Benjamin M. Anderson, for conspiring with one Captain Hines, alias Doctor Hunter, of the Confederate Army, and others, to accomplish the above stated objects. of those convicted by the commission Semmes was one, and was sentenced to three years' confinement at hard labor at such place as the commanding general should direct. General Hooker approves the findings and sentence in the cases of all the accused, and designates the penitentiary at Columbus, Ohio, as the place of confinement.
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WAR DEPARTMENT, BUREAU OF MILITARY JUSTICE,
June 29, 1865.
The PRESIDENT:
The following report of the opinion of this Bureau upon the proceedings at the trial by military commission of certain persons charged with conspiring to liberate rebel prisoners of war confined in Chicago and to destroy and sack that city is respectfully submitted: The commission began its sessions on the 11th of January, 1865. The prisoners arraigned before if were: Charles Walsh, Buckner S. Morris, Vincent Marmaduke, R. T. Semmes, Charles T. Daniel alias Cahrles Travis, G. St. Leger Grenfel, and Benjamin M. Anderson. Walsh was convicted and sentenced to five years' penitentiary confinement; Morris and Marmaduke were acquitted by the commission; Semmes was convicted and sentenced to three years' imprisonment; Daniel escaped from confinement during the trial, but was, notwithstanding, convicted and sentenced to death; Anderson committed suicide in prison, and Grenfel was convicted and condemned to death.
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