I will describe in detail the court that tried this case. The application, which was sent direct to the general, contained the charge, evidence, and the prisoner's previous character, with any remarks the commanding officer thought fit to make. A general court-martial is the highest tribunal. The president and members of the court are drawn from the several corps in garrison. The adjutant of the prisoner's corps was the prosecuting officer, but for this, the highest court, a judge advocate was appointed, who conducted the case for the Crown. This was Colonel Ansell, of the general's staff. When the general approved of the application the following orders issued from the brigade office:
"A general court-martial will assemble for the trial of Pte. E. Welsh, 2nd Battalion, 17th Regiment, and such other prisoners as may be brought before it.
President, Colonel Gordon, R.A.
Members:
| Royal Artillery | 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns. |
| Royal Engineers | 1 Captain, 2 Subalterns. |
| 2-16 Regiment | 2 Capt'ns, 2 Subalterns. |
| 2-17 Regiment | 2 Capt'ns, 2 Subalterns. |
The prisoner to be warned and all evidence ordered to attend."
Pte. Welsh was tried before this court for stabbing Sergeant Roe, was found guilty and sentenced to penal servitude for life. It was a long time before Sergeant Roe recovered from the effects of the wound.
At Easter we presented to the public Dickens' Christmas Carol, Scrooge and Marley, which had been postponed. Sergeant Smith had written a musical libretto, of which I remember the following:
"When we were for this preparing
Late last fall,