Soldiers of the RegimentCaptain
James Symington Shortt
From Court Martial Records from the 1840s
Captain James Symington Shortt
G.O. Headquarters: Fort St. George, 19th February 1847. General Court
Martial held at Kamptee on Thursday 21st January 1847, on Captain James
Symington Shortt.
Charge: Conduct highly unbecoming the character of an Officer and a
Gentleman, in having at Viampter, on 7th October, 1846, attended the
funeral of the late Ensign William Thorpe of the Fourth (or the King’s
Own) Regiment, in a state of intoxication.
Sentence: To be severely and publicly reprimanded; lose three steps of
his regimental rank, by being placed next below Captain William Charles
Sheppard.
Remarks of Confirming Officer: The Commander in Chief regrets, that at a
time when every exertion is made, and happily with some success to
suppress the offence of drunkenness among the soldiers of the Army, an
Officer should be found so forgetful of his duty, and regardless of that
which is due to his own character, as to set so promiscuous an example
of intemperance to those who ought to look up to him with sentiments of
respect.
At all times this debasing vice is most humiliating, but more especially
on an occasion such as that referred to in the Charge, when the Officers
of the Station were assembled to pay the last tribute of respect to a
deceased brother officer by following his remains to the grave.
His Excellency cautions Captain Shortt seriously to reflect on the
reproach he has brought upon himself by this public exposure, and hopes
that he will in future, see the necessity of a great propriety of
Conduct.
These remarks will be read to Captain Shortt by his Commanding Officer
before the official of the Regiment, when he will be released from
arrest, and will return to his duty.
(Signed) Tweedale, Lieutenant General.
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