GENERAL ORDERS, 
No. 145. 
WAR DEPARTMENT, 
Adjutant General’s Office, 
Washington, Mag 2ti, 1863. 
I..Before a Military Commission, which convened at the Head- 
quarters 3d Corps, March 5, 1863, pursuant to Special Orders No 61, 
dated Headquarters Army of the Potomac, Camp near Falmouth, 
Virginia, March 3, 1863, and of which Major General D. E. Sickles, 
L'. S. Volunteers, is President, were arraigned and tried— 
1. James R. Oliver, a citizen of Maryland. 
Charge.—“Treason.” 
Specification—“ In this ; that James R. Oliver, being a citizen of Maryland, 
was taken prisoner while in arms in the ranks and uniform of 
the rebel army. This at or near Rappahannock Ford, on or 
about February 25, 1863.” 
To which charge and specification the accused, James R. Oliver, citizen 
of Maryland, pleaded as follows : 
To the Specification, “Guilty.” 
To the Charge, “ Not Guilty.” 
Finding. 
The Commission, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, 
finds the accused, James R. Oliver, citizen of Maryland, as follows : 
Of the Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “ Guilty.” 
Sentence. 
And the Commission does therefore sentence him, James R. Oliver, 
citizen of Maryland, “ To he hung with a rope bg the neck until dead, at such 
* ime and place as the President of the United States may appoint ; two-thirds of 
the Commission agreeing therein.” 
2. Samuel C. Betts, a citizen of Maryland. 
Charge.—“Treason.” 2 
Specification—In this ; that Samuel O'. Betts, being a citizen of Mary- I 
land, was taken prisoner while in arms in the ranks and uniform J 
of the rebel army. This at or near Rappahannock Ford, on oifj 
about February 25, 1863.” 
To which charge and specification the accused, Samuel C. B.tls, a 
citizen of Maryland, pleaded as follows : 
To the Specification, “Guilty.” 
To the Charge, “ Not Guilty.” 
Finding. 
The Commission, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, 
finds the accused, Samuel C. Betts, a citizen of Maryland, as follows : 
Of the Specification, “ Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Sentence. 
And the Commission does therefore sentence him, Samuel 0. Belts, a 
citizen of Maryland, “ To be hung with a rope bg the neck until dead, at such 
time and pla<e as the President of the United States may appoint; twu-thirds of 
the members of the Commission concurring therein." 
3. James Rider, a citizen of Maryland. 
Charge.—“Treason.” 
Sjecification—“In this; that James Rider, a citizen of Maryland, was 
taken in aims in the ranks and uniform of the rebel army. 
This at or near Rappahannock Ford, on or about February 25, 
1863.” 
To which charge and specification the accused, James Rider, a citize’j 
of Maryland, pleaded as follows: 
To the Specification, “ Guilty.” 
To the Charge, “ Not Guilty.” 3 
Finding. 
The Commission, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, 
finds the accused, James Rider, a citizen of Maryland, as folloivs: 
Of thv Specification, “Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Guilty.” 
Sentence. 
And the Commission does therefore sentence him, James Rider, a 
citizen of Maryland, “ To be hung with a rope by the neck until dead, at such 
time and place as the Fiesident of the United States may appoint; two-thirds of 
the Commission concurring therein." 
II..Before a Military Commission, which convened at Camp near 
Rectortown, Virginia, November 7, 1862, pursuant to Special Orders 
No. 34, dated Headquarters of Provost Guard, near Rectortown, Vir- 
ginia, November 7, 1862, and of which Major Charles J. Whiting, 2d 
U. S. Cavalry, is President, was arraigned and tried— 
Private William Elliott, Company “G,” 8th United States Infantry. 
Charge.—“ Attempt to commit a rape.” 
Specification—“ In this; that Wdliam Elliott, private of Company ‘ G,’ 
8th United States Infantry, did attempt to commit the crime of 
rape upon the body of a colored woman named Kate Brooks. 
This on the premises of her master, (R. M. Johnson,) in Rector- 
town, on the 7th day of November, 1862.” 
To which charge and specification the accused, Private William Elliott, 
Company “G,” 8th United States Infantry, pleaded “Not Guilty.” 
Finding. 
The Commission, having maturely considered the evidence adduced, 
finds the accused, Private William Elliott, Company “G,” 8th United 
States Infantry, as follows: 
Of the Specification, “ Guilty.” 
Of the Charge, “Girlty.” 4 
Sentence. 
And the Commission does therefore sentence him, Private William 
Elliott, Company “G, 8th United States Infantry, “ To imprisonment 
for life in the Penitentiary in the District of Columbia. ’ ’ 
III..In compliance with the 5th section of the act approved July 
17, 1862, the proceedings in the cases of James R. Oliver, Samuel C. Betts, 
and James Ruler have been submitted to the President of the United 
States, who disapproves them, as the record shows clearly that the ac- 
cused are prisoners of war, and should be treated as such and exchanged. 
In compliance with the 5th section of the act approved July 17, 1862, 
the proceedings in the case of Private William Elliott, Company “ G,” 
8th United States Infantry, have been submitted to the President of 
the United States, who approves the sentence, and directs that the 
prisoner be sent to the State prison at Sing Sing, New York. 
By ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF War: 
E. D. TOWNSEND, 
Assistant Adjutant General.