Court-Martial against Wilson Law, 9 May 1844, Copy
Source Note
, , , , , , , , and , Court-Martial, against , [, Hancock Co., IL], 9 May 1844. Version copied 9 May 1844; handwriting of ; docket in handwriting of ; three pages; Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.
Page [1]
At a Court Martial held at the of Lieutt. Genl. [Lieutenant General] Joseph Smith on Thursday the 9th. day of May 1844 at 9. A. M.
Present <Brevet> Major Generals , , , , .
Colonels , ,
Judge Advocate ,
Adjt. Genl’s. [Adjutant General’s] Secretary .
The said it would devolve on him to bring a charge against Major General for unbecoming conduct as an Officer and a Gentleman, and as the witnesses are present they are prepared to give the testimony— he then read the Affidavit of m[a]de before a Justice of the Peace, also the notice to .
sworn— I heard say, that Mr. Smith was the most foul, corrupt, guilty of crimes of the darkest kind of any man, at any time on the Earth, he appeared to be very calm, cool and deliberate, he read an affidavit and then went on to speak of the character of Mr. Smith— this was on Sunday 28th. April
X exd. [cross-examined] he said it calmly, deliberately, and without provocation, in his own house— there was no one offering any personal violence to him— he did not make any observations of Mr. Smith having said any thing against his Character— the object of the meeting was to organize a new Church— I do not know of any cause sufficient to bring forth such remarks
sworn. I have to confirm the last . after reading the affidavit said Mr. Smith was the most base, vile and corrupt villain of any man on the Earth— the things last said, are correct— there was no one opposing — he seemed to be positive and earnest— I should suppose it was a religious meeting opposed to Mormonism— it was entirely voluntary.
sworn the above is the substance of what I heard say— on the Monday following I was at his house in company with — he then said he knew Mr. Smith was the greatest villain, and guilty of the darkest deeds of any man on the earth— he said Mr. Smith was a whoremaster— all his religion was to carry out his points— He did not know but that he was guilty of every thing but murder— there were three or four present— he said Mr. Smith tried to seduce nearly every female in — I did not ask him questions, the conversation was all abuse of Joseph Smith and [p. [1]]