Report of the Trial of Brig. General William Hull; Commanding the North-Western Army of the United States By a Court Martial Held at Albany on Monday, 3rd January, 1814, and Succeeding Days, Etc.

William Hull; James Grant Forbes; United States Army

Published by Eastburn, Kirk and Co, 1814

About this Item

8vo - over 7¾" - 9¾" Brig Gen. Duncan McArthur's Orders to Attend General Hull's Court Martial A remarkable document from the Court Martial Brig. General William Hull following his surrender of Detroit, which resulted in a death sentence for cowardice. Although his sentence was later remitted, General William Hull is the only U.S. general to be sentenced to death by an American court-martial. This copy of the court martial transcript belonged to Hull's second in command, Brig Gen. Duncan McArthur, and includes the actual hand-written orders commanding him to attend (and testify). McArthur's testimony was an essential and central part of the trial, filling the entirety of pages 47 to 73. In it (as well as numerous contemporary accounts), his outrage against Hull's conduct as Commander of the Army of the Northwest during the War of 1812, including the entire campaign in and around Detroit, which ended with Hull's surrender not only of Detrit and the forces directly under his command, but for some reason of detached troops under McArthur's command (which particularly enraged McArthur). Tipped in is the handwritten order (a letter of summons) from Inspector General Abimael Youngs Nicoll to Brigadier General Duncan McArthur commanding his appearance at General Hull's court martial (letter is dated December 2nd, 1813) and includes the folded envelope addressed to McArthur. Duncan McArthur (1772-1839), Brigadier General, later Governor of Ohio. 156pp. + 177 + 29pp. appendices. Rebound in black cloth, gilt title on spine. Light foxing in places; cloth has light surface wear, else a Very Good copy. The President of the Court was Major General Henry Dearborn, and the special Judge Advocate was Martin van Buren, later President of the United States. There is a signature on the title page somewhat reminiscent of Van Buren's during this period, appearing to read 'M.v.B [illegible]'. Additional provenance: Later the property of Brig. General Thomas McArthur Anderson copy (grandson of Brig Gen. Duncan McArthur), with his signature to the title page, pg. 19, and the last page of text. General Anderson had four decades of decorated service (1861-1900), extending from his rise to brevet rank of Lt. Colonel during the Civil War, to command of the Army force sent to Skagway and Dyea Alaska to protect American miners heading to the Klondike Gold Rush, to his command of the first 'Philippine Expeditionary Force' during the Spanish-American War. During the Philippine campaign, he was promoted to the brevet Major General of U.S. Volunteers (two stars), and retired as a Brigadier General. Seller Inventory # 00535755

Bibliographic Details

Title: Report of the Trial of Brig. General William...

Publisher: Eastburn, Kirk and Co

Publication Date: 1814

Binding: Hardcover

Condition: Very Good

Dust Jacket Condition: No Jacket

Edition: First Edition.