Description:

Thomas Jefferson
near Charlottesville, VA, July 14, 1780
Jefferson Signed "Death by being Shot" Sentence for American Prisoner Found Guilty at Court Martial
AES

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826). Autograph Endorsement Signed, "Th: Jefferson," as governor of Virginia, 2pp, on the recto and verso of one leaf measuring 6" x 8.25", Albemarle Barracks, July 14, 1780, on a manuscript penned in a clerical hand regarding a proceeding held on March 24, 1780. Jefferson pens his endorsement at lower portion of verso: "In Council July 14. 1780 / The above sentence on La Brun is remitted." Weakened folds and creases with separation and minor loss. Expected age toning, soiling, and scattered foxing. Wear to edges. A vertical fold lightly touches the "h" and "J" of Jefferson's large, bold signature. Overall, in very good condition.

The court martial was held at Albemarle Barracks, Albemarle County, Virginia, on March 24, 1780, against soldiers Christopher Fossil and John La Brun from the 8th Regiment, Virginia Dragoons, for desertion and carrying off horses, arms, and accouterments. The deserters were captured in Shenandoah County, Virginia, eighty miles west of the barracks. They were both found guilty. La Brun was sentenced to "suffer Death by being Shot" and Fossil received Corporal Punishment to "run the Gauntlet through the troops of the garrison twice a Day for three Days."

According to the National Archives, Founders Online, a letter regarding these proceedings was written by James Wood, from Charlottesville, Virginia, on March 25, 1780, to George Washington, which read: "I have the Honor of Inclosing your Excellency, the Proceedings of a General Court Martial held at this Post Yesterday; I wou'd beg leave to Add, that the Prisoner La Brun was enlisted but a few Days before he Deserted, Appears extremely Ignorant, and is in My Opinion, an Object worthy of Mercy. I am with the Greatest respect. Yr Excellency's Very Obt Servt. / James Wood. Colo. Commandant."

Washington disapproved the death sentence for John Le Brun, citing the court's improper constitution, and ordered his release. His reply to Wood from Morristown, New Jersey, on April 20, 1780: "I have recd your favr of the 25th March inclosing the proceedings of a General Court Martial upon Fosill and Le Brun. I could not have confirmed the sentence against the latter on account of the irregular constitution of the Court - as a General Court Martial can only be held by order of the Commander in Chief or General Officer commanding in a separate department, or in one of the States. The prisoner may be therefore discharged and returned to his duty."

James Wood (1741-1813) was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and the 11th Governor of Virginia. He was an abolitionist. Wood was educated privately and became active in his local parish, Christ Episcopal Church in Winchester. In February 1760, he was appointed Deputy Clerk of the County Court. From 1766 to 1775, he served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. In 1776, Wood was appointed lieutenant colonel of the Frederick County Militia. In February 1777, he became commander of the 12th Virginia Regiment, and he led the regiment during the Philadelphia campaign and Monmouth campaigns of the next two years. His regiment was redesignated the 8th Virginia Regiment in September 1778, and Wood was appointed Superintendent of the Convention Army. He continued in that capacity until it was dissolved in January 1783, when he was promoted to brigadier general in the Virginia militia. From 1784 to 1796, Wood was a member of Virginia's Executive Council. In 1796, Wood was elected as Virginia's eleventh governor and served until 1799.

Albemarle Barracks was a prisoner-of-war camp near Charlottesville, Virginia, for British and German prisoners during the American Revolutionary War. The barracks consisted of about 300 unfinished log huts, each of which reportedly held eighteen or more prisoners. It operated from January 1779 to late 1780. Despite poor conditions, prisoners built gardens, taverns, and a theater, though hundreds escaped due to light guarding.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6" x 8.25"
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