SOLDIERS GIVEN LASHES ON BARE BACKS FOR DESERTION
William P. Bonney, "Soldiers given lashes on bare backs for desertion," History of Pierce County, Volume I, p. 248.
Desertions at Fort Steilacoom in the early part of April, 1858, gave the officers something to think about. At least seven took
French leave after the appearance of the previous week's issue of the Puget Sound Herald telling of the Fraser River gold strike.
Lieutenant Shaaff of Company C, Fourth Infantry, captured two of these men about twelve miles distant from the fort; while a
detail of men were pursuing five deserters from Company A, who had apparently set out down the Sound.
A general court martial was held at Fort Steilacoom during the week of April 16th, the deserters evidently having been
apprehended. It was presided over by Capt. D. A. Russell, of the Fourth Infantry. The members of the court were Capt. M.
Maloney, Lieutenant Bates, Lieutenant Kautz, Lieutenant Shaaff, all of the Fourth Infantry; and Lieutenant Reynolds, of the Ninth
Infantry.
The judge advocate was Dr. H. R. Wirtz. Over a month later the Puget Sound Herald of Steilacoom published an account of the
punishment meted out to some of the offenders who were tried, and those familiar with army life will easily distinguish the
difference between the edicts of court martials of seventy-five years ago and those of today.
The following men were given forty-nine lashes on the bare back, their heads were shaved, and they were drummed out of the army
for desertion on Monday, May 31, 1858: James A. Morris and James Wallace, of Company "H", Ninth Infantry; Patrick Wren, - Bonnar
and Timothy Malloy, of Company "C", Fourth Infantry. Patrick Murphy was sentenced to serve six months with
ball and chain and have $7.00 of his monthly pay of $11.00 retained.
Francis Stine was likewise given a ball and chain sentence, but only for three months, with a like reduction in his pay. Three
of the men tried were returned to duty.
William P. Bonney, "Soldiers given lashes on bare backs for desertion," History of Pierce County, Volume I, p. 248.