GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 107. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, April 28, 1863. 
I..Before a General Court Martial which convened at the Camp of 
1st Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps, April 21,1863, pursuant to Special 
Orders, No. 89, dated Headquarters, 1st Division, 1st Army Corps, 
Army of the Potomac, April 21, 1863, and of which Colonel E. B. 
Fowler, 14th New York State Militia, is President, was arraigned 
and tried— 
1st Sergeant John A. Chase, Company “A,” 24th New York Volun- 
teers. 
Charge I.—“ Striking his superior officer.” 
Specification—“In this; that the said First Sergeant John A. Chase, of 
Company ‘A,’ 24th Regiment New York Volunteers, did assault 
and violently strike Captain John Ratigan, of said 24th Regi- 
ment New York Volunteers, while he, the said Ratigan, was 
attempting to quell a disturbance in said 24th Regiment New 
York Volunteers. All this at camp of 24th Regiment New York 
Volunteers, on the 20th day of April, 1863.” 
Charge II.—“Using threatening language towards his superior 
officer.” 
Specification—“In this; that the said First Sergeant John A. Chase, of 
Company ‘A,’ 24th Regiment New York Volunteers, did threaten 
to shoot Captain John Ratigan, of said 24th Regiment New 
York Volunteers, and did go to his tent and procure a gun and 
commence loading it, which was taken from him by force by 
the Officer of the Day, before he would desist from his threats 
of shooting the said Captain John Ratigan. All this at the 
camp of the 24th Regiment New York Volunteers, on the 20th 
day of April, 1863.” 
> To which charges and specifications the accused, First Sergeant 
John A. Chase, Company “A,” 24th Regiment New York Volunteers, 
pleaded “Not Guilty.” 2 
Finding. 
The Court, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds 
the accused, First Sergeant John A. Chase, Company “A,’’ 24th New 
York Volunteers, as follows: 
Charge I. 
Of the Specification, “ Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Charge II. 
Of the Specification, “Guilty, except the words ‘and commenced 
loading it,’ ‘ by force,’ ‘ before he would desist from his threats of shoot- 
ing the said Captain John Ratigan.’ ” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
And the Court does therefore sentence him, First Sergeant John A• 
Chase, Company “A,” 24th New York Volunteers, “ That he he shot to 
death with musketry at such time and place as the Commanding General 
may direct, two-thirds of the members of the Court concurring in the 
sentence.” 
11.. The proceedings in the foregoing case have been approved by 
the Army Corps Commander and by the Major General Commanding 
the Army of the Potomac, and forwarded for the action of the President 
of the United States. 
The following are the President’s orders : 
April 28, 1863. 
The sentence of death in this case is commuted to imprisonment at 
hard labor, with ball and chain attached to his leg, during the remainder 
of the present war; all to be in Fort Delaware. 
A. LINCOLN. 
111.. The Commanding Officer at Fort Delaware is charged with the 
execution of the sentence. 4 
By order of the Secretary of War: 
E. D. TOWNSEND, 
Assistant Adjutant General. 
Sentence.