Part of Civil War @ Charleston & the 54th. Massachusetts / African American Pages
These charges are transcribed directly from the original transcript on file at the National Archives as part of the William Walker Internet and Living History Project. Other parts of the record transcribed and coded for the net can be found in the record table of contents. Linda Pinkney of the 54th. Massachusetts Reenactors graciously transcribed these handwritten records and great thanks are due her. Please direct any comments to William Hamilton.
Specification 1st: In this: That he, Sgt.William Walker, Company A, 3rd Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers, did on or about the 23rd day of August 1863, join in a mutiny at Seabrook Wharf, when on detail, and go away to camp, when ordered not to do so by lst Lieut. George W. Wood, commanding the detail.
This, at Seabrook, S.C. on or about the 25th August 1863.
Specification 2d: In this: That he, Sgt. William Walker, Company A, 3rd Regiment, South Carolina Infantry, did use threatening language such as AI will shoot him, meaning lst Lieut. George W. Wood. This he said in a loud voice so as to be heard all over camp, having at the same time, a gun in his hand.
All this at the camp of the Detachment at Seabrook, Hilton Head, South Carolina on or about the 23rd day of August 1863.
Specification 3rd: In this: That he, Sgt. William Walker, Company "A", 3rd Regiment, South Carolina Infantry, did refuse to obey Capt. Edgar Abel, 3rd South Carolina Infantry, when ordered to go into his tent under arrest, and did not go, using language in presence of a number of enlisted men who were mutinous and noisy. Such as AI will not be under arrest by you, "I will go to the Provost first."
All this at Seabrook, Hilton Head, South Carolina on or about the 23rd day of August 1863.
Specification 4th: In this: That he, Sergeant William Walker, Company AA", 3rd South Carolina Infantry, did, on or about the 31st day of October 1893, when ordered to fall into drill, used words towards Sergeant Sussex Brown, such as AGod-damn you, I will shoot you!" These words he repeated the third time in presence of the company as loud as to be heard in the Officers’ tent.
This at Drayton’s Plantation, Hilton Head, SC.
Specification: In this: That he, Sergeant William Walker, Company AA", 3rd South Carolina Infantry, did, when drummer, William Smith, 76th Pennsylvania Volunteers- Acting Drum Major, 3d South Carolina Infantry, made an attempt to arrest Ranty Pope, drummer, say if he (William Smith) tied up Ranty Pope, he would have to tie him (Sgt. William Walker also, thereby preventing the arrest of drummer Ranty Pope.
This at Camp Bennett, Hilton Head, SC on or about the 19th day of November 1863.
Specification 1st: In this: That he, Sergeant William Walker, Company AA", 3d South Carolina Infantry, did unlawfully take command of his Company AA", and march the same with others of the Regiment in front of his commanding officer’s tent (Lt. Col. A.G. Bennett)., and there ordered them to stack arms; and when his commanding officer, Lt. Col. A.G. Bennett inquired of the Regiment, what all this was about, Sgt. William Walker, replied, Awe will not do duty any longer for $7 (seven) dollars per month. And when remonstrated with, and ordered by their commanding officer (Lt. Col. A.G. Bennett) to take their arms and return to duty, Sergeant Walker did order his Company (AA") to let their arms alone and go to their quarters, which they did, thereby exciting and joining in a general mutiny.
All this at Camp Bennett, Hilton Head, SC on or about November 19, 1863.
Specification 2d: In this: That Sergeant William Walker, Company AA", 3d South Carolina Infantry, did on or about the 19th day of November 1863, unlawfully order his Company AA" to fall in, and go to the guard house to release Jacob Smith, Private of Company AA", 3d South Carolina Infantry from arrest. He _____________________ the hands of 2d Lieut. John E. Jacobs, who was endeavoring to put a pair of handcuffs on said Jacob Smith, and that he, the said Sergeant William Walker marked to the guard house at the head of his Company AA", and said words to this effect: ATake hold of him, snatch him" (thereby meaning Jacob Smith) Aaway my Bully Boys." Thus inciting, joining in and causing a general mutiny.
All this at Camp Bennett, Hilton Head, SC.
Specification: In this: That he, Sergeant William Walker, Company AA", 3d South Carolina Infantry, did, on or about the 20th day of November 1863, leave his tent without permission, and go into a tent in Company AD", 3d South Carolina Infantry, and play cards, after being placed in arrest by his commanding officer (Lt. Col. A. G. Bennett), who ordered him (the said Sergeant Walker) not to leave his tent without his, Lt. Col. A.G. Bennett’s permission.
All this at Camp Bennett, Hilton Head, SC.