GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 131. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, May 15, 1863. 
I..Before a General Court Martial, which convened in the city of 
Baltimore, Maryland, March 6th, 1863, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 
43, dated Headquarters Middle Department, Baltimore, Maryland, 
February 13, 1863, and of which Brigadier General L. P. Graham, 
U. S. Volunteers, is President, was arraigned and tried— 
Private James E. Free, Company “I,” 150th New York Volunteers. 
Ciiaege I.—“ Desertion.” 
Specification 1st—“In this; that he, the said Private James E. Free, 
Company “I,” one hundred and fiftieth Begiment New York 
State Volunteers, after having been duly enlisted and mustered 
into the service of the United States, did desert the same, on the 
eleventh day of October, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, while 
his Begiment was on its way from Camp Dutchess, Pough- 
keepsie, New York, to Baltimore, and did not return to his 
Begiment until arrested and sent on by the civil authorities.” 
Specification 2d—“In this; that he, the said Private Jam>s E. Free, 
Company “I,” one hundred and fiftieth Begiment New York 
State Volunteers, did, on the eighth day of December, eighteen 
hundred and sixty-two, desert the same, and did not return until 
the twelfth day of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-two.” 
Charge II.—“Violation of the ninth Article of War.” 
Specification—“In this; that he, the said Private James E Free, did, on 
the twelfth day of December, eighteen hundred and sixty-two, 
forcibly resist the Officer of the Day while in the execution of 
his duty, and did at the same time threaten to take the life of 
the said Officer of the Day.” 
To which charges and specifications the accused, Private James E. 
Free, Company “I,” 150th New York Volunteers, pleaded “Not 
Guilty.” 2 
The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds 
the accused, Private James E. Free, Company “I,” 150th New York 
Volunteers, as follows: 
ClIARGE I. 
Of the 1st Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the 2d Specification, “Guilty, except the word ‘desert.’ ” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Charge II. 
Of the Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Finding. 
Sentence. 
And the Court does therefore sentence “That said Private James E. 
Fret, shall forfeit all pay and allowances due and to become due ; and shall be 
shot to death with musketry at such time and place as the General Commanding 
the Middle Department shall prescribe, two thirds of the members concurring 
therein.” 
II..Before a General Court Martial which convened at Williamsport, 
Maryland, December 8, 1862, pursuant to Special Orders, No. 1, dated 
November 15, 1862, and No. —, dated November 16, 1862, Head- 
quarters Defences Upper Potomac, and of which Captain J. McF. 
Lykth, 1st Maryland Volunteers, is President, was arraigned and tried— 
Corporal St. Clair Lancaster, Company “I,” 7th Maryland Volun- 
teers. 
Charge I.— “Attempt to excite mutiny.” 
Specification—“In this; that the said Corporal St. Clair Lancaster, Com- 
pany ‘I,’ 7th Regiment Maryland Volunteers, on the 4th day of 
November, 1862, did disobey positive orders from his officers, 
declaring that he would go to Harper’s Ferry and serve his time 3 
on the works, unless certain government bounty was paid to him. 
Did also quit his post and inquired how many of his comrades 
would go with him. This at Moore’s House, Maryland.” 
Charge II.—“ Desertion.” 
Specification—“In this; that the said Corporal St. Clair Lancaster, Com- 
pany ‘ I,’ 7th Regiment Maryland Volunteers, on the 4th day of 
November, 1862, did desert from his company, and when arrested 
by patrol did declare his intention to never rejoin his company. 
Was arrested on the 14th day of November, 1862. This at 
Moore’s House, near McCoy’s Ferry, Washington county, Mary- 
land.” 
To which, charges and specifications the accused, Corporal St. Clair 
Lancaster, Company “I,” 7th Maryland Volunteers, pleaded “Not 
Guilty.” 
Finding. 
The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds 
the accused, Corporal Si. Clair Lancaster, Company “I,” 7th Maryland 
Volunteers, as follows: 
Charge I. 
Of the Specification. “Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Charge II. 
Of the Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Sentence. 
And the Court does therefore sentence him, Corporal St. Clair Lan- 
caster, Company “I,” 7th Maryland Volunteers, “ To be shot to death at 
such time and place as the Commanding General mag direct, two-thirds of the 
members concurring therein." 4 
III. .The proceedings of the Court in the case of Private James E. 
Free, of Company “I,” 150th Regiment New York Volunteers, have 
been approved by the General Commanding the Middle Department, 
and forwarded for the action of the President of the United States, who 
is pleased to remit the sentence awarded the prisoner, and directs that 
he be restored to duty. 
The proceedings of the Court in the case of Corporal St. Clair Lancaster, 
of Company “I,” 7th Maryland Volunteers, have been approved by 
the General Commanding the Middle Department, and forwarded for 
the action of the President of the United States, who directs that the 
sentence be commuted to imprisonment for one month, from the 
eleventh day of May, 1863. 
By order of the Secbetary of War: 
E. D. TOWNSEND, 
Assistant Adjutant General.