“... a woman who I have the greatest regard for distracted me by her imprudent behaviour.”
III
A Regimental Court-Martial
The little domestic tragedy involving Sergeant Thomas Carlile, his wife, and Ensign Robert Johnson, the first two acts of which transpired in the last chapter, now comes to an end with the utter defeat and humiliation of the poor sergeant.
Brought to trial on a charge of being disrespectful to an officer, Carlile sought to get his case tried not by a regimental court-martial, but by a general court-martial which would have a larger number of judges, including officers from other units, who would be more likely to judge his case without prejudice. With Ensign Johnson sitting as a member of the court it is not surprising that Carlile’s request was denied nor that he was found guilty and reduced to the rank of private.
Carlile shortly was restored to his sergeant’s rating but only after agreeing to take back his faithless wife and writing a letter at Johnson’s order in which he abjectly begged forgiveness for daring to suggest that the ensign ought not to sit as a member of the court.
The record of Carlile’s court-martial was stricken from the regimental orderly book, but Morison copied the proceedings as follows:
Michilamackinac, February 16th, 1771.
Proceedings of a Regimental Court Martial, 2d. Battn. 60th Regt. by order of Capt. Turnbull, Commandant.
President—Lieut. Christie
Prisoner, Sergt. Carlile
Ens. Johnstone, member
Confined by order of Ens. Strickland for being insolent & behaveing with Disrespect to him. Ens. Strickland informs the Court that he went a Carrioling [riding in a cariole, a kind of sleigh] with a Woman under his Protection (namely Sergt. Carlile’s wife and Ens. Johnstone’s whore) [and] that the prisoner came up and wished that the Carriole, horse and all, might break in & go under the ice, with other insolent Language.
The Prisoner being put to defence denys the crime & says he will not be tryed by a Regimental Courtmartial, but desires a general one, & objects to Ens. Johnstone, for reasons he now will not mention. The Court is of oppinion the prisoner is guilty of the crime laid to his Charge, therefore do sentence him to be reduced and serve as private in the Ranks.
Signed/ Lieut. Christie, president
Approved, George Turnbull, Commandant.
Febry 1st. 1771. Ens. Johnstone by threats & promises prevailed upon Sergt. Carlile, by frequent tamperings & Solicitations, to take his wife back again. I imagine upon Examination of this accommodation it will appear equally abominable as the original iniquitous & intrigueing proceedings.