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General Court Martial of Edward Handlin, Samuel Forrester, Ouly Johnston and Richard Perry |
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[Extract from the General Court Martial of which Major John BREESE was president, held in New
York City commencing 19 February 1781.]
The Court Proceeded to the Trial of Edward HANDLIN, Samuel FORRESTER, Ouly JOHNSTON, and Richard FERRY, Private Soldiers in Captain Deimar's Troop of Hussars, Charg'd with Desertion.
1st Evidence Captain Frederick DEIMAR being duly Sworn deposes that the Prisoners, are all Soldiers belonging to his Troop, that they have all been duly enlisted and Attested-- that they have all receiv'd pay regularly-- that they deserted some time in November last from New Utrecht on Long Island, and took away a Boat, belonging to one Mr. BERRY an Inhabitant of New Utrecht, and that they were taken up the day following at Sandy Hook.
2d Evidence Lieutenant George ALBUS being duly Sworn deposes that the Prisoners deserted from the Troop at New Utrecht on Long Island some time in November last, that they took away a Boat with them from New Utrecht and the next day were taken up at Sandy Hook.
The Prisoner Edward HANDLIN being call'd to and put on his Defence, Says he had no intent to desert that he wanted to make Staten Island and join some Regiment there.
The Prisoner Samuel FORRESTER being call'd to and put on his Defence, says He did not intend to desert, that he did not understand the Language therefore wanted to join some new Rais'd Regiment on Staten Island.
The Prisoner Ouly JOHNSTON being call'd to and put on his Defence says, he did not intend to desert, but wanted to join the Queens Rangers on Staten Island, that one of the Oars broke and the Boat was driven to Sandy Hook.
The Prisoner Richard FERRY being call'd to and put on his Defence, says he did not intend to desert, that he wanted to go to Staten Island, that one of the Oars broke and He with the others, made the best of his Way to Sandy Hook.
The Court having heard and Consider'd the Evidence in behalf of the Charge, as also the Defence of Each, of the Prisoners is of Opinion, that the Prisoners Edward HANDLIN, Samuel FORRESTER, Ouly JOHNSTON and Richard FERRY, are Guilty of the Charge brought against them, in breach of the first Article of the Sixth Section of the Articles ofWar, And do therefore Sentence them to Receive One Thousand Lashes Each-- in the usual Manner. John BREESE President Richard PORTER Confirmed H CLINTON
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