Titus County, TX - Military - Presidential Pardon of Pvt Marshal N. DALE, CSA *********************************************** This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: William David Farnham (ww2x57@aol.com) Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm *********************************************** President Jefferson Davis Pardons PVT Marshal N. Dale, CSA July 11 2002 Dear Mr. Farnham The following is in reply to your inquiry concerning the military court-martial of Marshal N. Dale who served in the 19th Regiment of Texas Infantry, C.S.A. during the Civil War We have enclosed copies of the documents concerning the court-martial which were cited in Dale's compiled military service record. Please be advised that we do not have a copy of the transcript of this trial among our holdings. The first document is paragraph #1 of A&IGO Special Order 214 (September 9, 1864) concerning Dale's sentence. The second is Manuscript File #3230. This is also the file which was cited as "filed with J. W. Burney, 32nd Ark." Sincerely, /s/ David H Wallace Old Miltary and Civil Records Textual Archives Service Division Enclosures National Archives and Records Administration 700 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20408-0001 FIRST DOCUMENT "323 Adjt and Insp. General's Office Richmond, Sept. 9, 1864 Special Orders No. 214 I. The Sentence of death against Private M. N. Dale Company A. 19th Regiment Texas Infantry, pronounced by General Court Martial convened by Special Order No. 5 of January 5th, 1863, Trans-Mississippi Department is remitted by order of the President. Liber D. 1713 II. ......................." SECOND DOCUMENT "Record Division Rebel Archives War Department Burney, James W. Capt. 3230 Please Note the Presidents' order in each case, and also his remarks, as appropriate. By order of the Secretary of War /s/R. G. McKean Chief of Staff of War Aug 24, 1864 J. A. Campbell Asst Sec War Submits for consideration of the President, the records of the following Court Martial Cases - ............ .......... D34 M. N. Dale Private Co A 19 Tex Regt. Tried Feb 3rd 1863 .......... ....... Confederate States of America, War Department, Richmond, Va. August 24 1864 His Excellency Jefferson Davis President C. S. Sir. The records for the following Court Martial cases are respectfully submitted for your consideration. ....... ...... 10. Pv M. N. Dale Co A 19 Tex Reg Feb 1863 Tried for desertion Feb 3 '63 at Pine Bluff and sentenced to be shot. Process, appointment and sentence reviewed by Lt Gen Holmes. ......... ........ In each of these cases the Commanding General appears to have exercised a power which under the 89th Article of War is expressly reserved to the President. In a large majority of the cases though the records have been first returned to his Department. There has been considerable lapse of time since the rendering of the judgement and on this account alone, independent of the merits, it would probably be advisable to confirm the action of the Command General. Without the confirmation of the President it is appropriate that the legal force of the sentence of the Court is still extent. By Order of the Sec. War /s/J. A. Campbell A.S.W “Sentences remitted” /s/ Jefferson Davis, President C S Richmond Virginia Sep 1864” Research Note: All of the above was to no avail because on 6 September 1863, Marshal N. Dale deserted a second time and returned to his home in the Cookville, Titus County, Texas area. There he remained “in hiding” between White Oak Creek and the Sulphur River until the end of the Civil War. He was protected among his family, friends and the many “creekers” who lived in that area.