Interesting Document for 5th Maine Battery declining prosucution of Officers. The Claimant is a disreptuble person who has "Raped a Negro Woman" among other crimes. Signed by Captain George F Leppian who would be killed at Chancellorsville. Interesting commentary on soldiers misbehavior!
Head Qrs 2d Division 1st corps
Jany 1st, 1863General Orders
No 2The following Report of the Board of Officers convened by Gen. Order NO 17, Hd. Qrs. 2d Division, is published for the benefit of all concerned.
“The Board after carefully examining Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates from every Co. and Lieut. Reilly __ I find no reason for preferring charges against any line officer of the 90th Regt. Penn. Vols. For having used the men’s rations on the contrary some of them have purchased rations for the men when they were short on rations. The Board finds that Private Miller, Co. H, 90th Regt. Penn. Vols. who complained to Genl. Gibbon on Nov 30, 1862 that his Officers used the rations of the men is a man of very depraved character a deserter and was guilty by his own confession to Lieut. Riley of Rape on a Negro woman, but as short time ____. The Board further finds that the said Miller perjures himself in his testimony before the Board.
The Board do therefore honorably excoriate the Officers of the Regiment from the charges implied by the Order”.By Command of Brig. Genl. Robinson
Commanding Division
(Signed) W.L. Kidder
A.A. GenlHdQrs Arty. 2d Div
Jany. 1st, 1863
Official: George F Leppian
Capt Comdy 5th Bty Me Vols
& Acty Chief of Arty.