GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 52. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, March 6, 1863. 
I..Before a General Court Martial, which convened at Winchester, 
Virginia, January 16, 1863, pursuant to “ General Orders,” No. 5, 
dated Headquarters, Milroy’s Division, Winchester, Virginia, January 
15, 1863, and of which Lieutenant Colonel William C. Starr, 9th 
Virginia Volunteers, is President, was arraigned and tried — 
First Lieutenant Oscar H. Tate, 12th Virginia Volunteers. 
Charge 1st.—“Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.” 
Specification 1st—“In this; that the said Oscar II. Tate, 1st Lieuten- 
ant Company “E,” 12th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 
did, on the 11th day of December, 1862, at New Creek, Hamp- 
shire county, Virginia, and while on a march from New Creek, 
Virginia, to Burlington, Virginia, get drunk and remain behind 
his Company and Regiment.” 
Specification 2d—“ In this; that the said Oscar H. Tate, 1st Lieuten- 
ant Company “E,” 12th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 
did, on the 17th day of January, 1863, at Martinsburg, Virginia, 
whilst in command of guard for train of supplies from Martins- 
burg, Virginia, to Winchester, Virginia, get drunk, and compel 
one of the drivers of a team in the train aforesaid to leave his 
said team in the the train [town] of Martinsburg aforesaid.” 
Charge 2d.—“Conduct prejudicial to good order and fnilitary dis- 
cipline.” 
Specification 1st—“In this; that the said Oscar II. Tate, 1st Lieuten- 
ant Company “E,” 12th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 
did, on the 11th day of December, 1862, at New Creek, Hamp- 
shire county, Virginia, and while on a march from New Creek, 
Virginia, to Burlington, Virginia, get drunk, and remain behind 
his company and regiment.” 
Specification 2d—“In this; that the said Oscar II. Tate, 1st Lieuten- 
ant, Company “E,” 12th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 
did, on the 17th day of January, 1863, at Martinsburg, Virginia, 
whilst in command of guard for train of supplies from Martins- 
burg, Virginia, to Winchester, Virginia, get drunk, and compel 
one of the drivers of a team in the train aforesaid to leave his 
said team in the town of Martinsburg aforesaid.” 2 
To which charges and specifications the accused, 1st Lieutenant 
Oscar H. Tate, 12th Virginia Volunteers, pleaded “ Not Guilty.” 
Finding. 
The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds 
the accused, 1st Lieutenant Oscar II. Tate, 12th Virginia Volunteers, 
as follows: 
Charge I. 
Of the 1st Specification, “ Guilty.” 
Of the 2d Specification, “ Guilty, as to that part charging him with 
being drunk whilst in command of guard for train of supplies from 
Martinsburg, Virginia, to Winchester, Virginia.” 
Of the 1st Charge, “Guilty.” 
Charge II. 
Of the 1st Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the 2d Specification, “Guilty, as to that part charging him with 
being drunk whilst in command of guard for train of supplies from 
Martinsburg, Virginia, to Winchester, Virginia.” 
Of the 2d Charge, “Guilty.” 
Sentence. 
And the Court does therefore sentence him, 1st Lieutenant Oscar H. 
Tate, Company “E,” 12th Regiment Virginia Volunteer Infantry, 
“ To be dismissed the service." 
II..The proceedings in the foregoing case, in compliance with the 
5th section of the act approved July 17,1862, have been forwarded for 
the action of the President of the United States, and the sentence is 
approved by him. 
By order of the Secretary of War: 
L. THOMAS, 
Adjutant General. 
Official : 
Assistant Adjutant General.