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Kentucky Gazette
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
What is this article about?
Captain Joseph Treat of the 21st Infantry faced a court martial at Sackett's Harbour in April-May 1815 for alleged cowardice in retreating during a picket skirmish at the Battle of Chippewa on July 5, 1814. He was honorably acquitted, with the decision approved by Major General Brown on June 28, 1815.
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It will be recollected that Major-General Brown, in his report of the battle of Chippewa has the following remarks relative to Captain Treat, of the 21st regiment:
"Early in the morning of the 5th (July 1814) the enemy commenced a petty war upon our pickets, and as he was indulged his presumption increased; by noon he showed himself on the left of our exterior line and attacked one of our pickets as it was returning to camp. Capt Treat, who commanded it, retired disgracefully, leaving a wounded man on the ground. Capt Biddle, of the artillery, who was near the scene, impelled by feelings highly honorable to him as a soldier and officer, promptly assumed the command of this picket, led it back to the wounded man, and brought him off the field. I ordered Capt. Treat, on the spot, to retire from the army: and as I am anxious that no officer shall remain under my command who can be suspected of cowardice, I advise that Capt. Treat and Lt.—who was also with this picket, be struck from the rolls of the army."
Immediately after the affair, General Brown issued an order suspending Capt. Treat from command. Captain T. demanded a court of Inquiry. It was not granted, but a Court Martial was ordered at Fort Erie. The left division of the army marched to Sackett's Harbour soon after and the Court was dissolved.
Capt. Treat immediately proceeded Sackett's Harbour by permission from Maj. Gen. Izard, and requested another Court Martial. Maj. Gen. Brown, on the 5th of April, 1815, after the repeated solicitations of Capt. Treat, issued an order organizing a Court, consisting of
Col M'FEELY, President.
Lt. Col. Smith,
Maj. M'Ilhenny,
Maj. Croker,
Maj. Chase,
Capt. Boyle,
Capt. White,
Capt. Seymour, Supernumerary.
Lt. Anderson, of the 13th regt. Judge Advocate.
The Court met and proceeded on the trial the 8th April, 1815, at Sackett's Harbour. They closed the investigation on the 8th May, when Capt. Treat was honorably acquitted.
The following is a copy of the decision of the Court:
"After mature deliberation on the testimony adduced, the Court find the accused captain JOSEPH TREAT, of the 21st infantry, not guilty of the charge or specification preferred against him, and do honourably acquit him."
The sentence of the court was APPROVED by Major General Brown, and promulgated on the 28th June—at Sackett's Harbour.
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Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Sackett's Harbour
Event Date
8th April To 8th May 1815
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Outcome
capt. treat was honorably acquitted. the sentence was approved by major general brown and promulgated on the 28th june 1815.
Event Details
Captain Treat was accused of cowardice for retiring from a picket under attack during the battle of Chippewa on July 5, 1814, leaving a wounded man. Suspended by General Brown, he requested a court martial. After an initial court at Fort Erie was dissolved, a new court was organized on April 5, 1815, at Sackett's Harbour, presided by Col M'Feely with members including Lt. Col. Smith, Maj. M'Ilhenny, and others, Lt. Anderson as Judge Advocate. The court met April 8, 1815, and acquitted him on May 8, 1815.