Trial of Colonel David Pinniger, Lt Col William P. Maxwell, Major.

1808 Court Martial of Rhode Island Militia Officers Who Refused to Select Six Guardsmen for Federal Service [Trial]. [Court Martial]. [Kentish Guards]. Trial of Colonel David Pinniger, Lt. Col. William P. Maxwell, Major Nathan Whiting, Captain Allen Tillinghast: Officers of the Kentish Guards, Before a General Court-Martial Holden at the Court-House, In Providence, April 27, 1808, For Disobedience of Orders and Neglect of Duty. Warren [RI]: Printed by Nathaniel & John F. Phillips, 1808. 41, [4] pp. Errata slip pasted to verso of p.41. Octavo (7-3/4"x 4-3/4"). Stab-stitched pamphlet, fragments of wrapper along spine, untrimmed edges. Moderate toning, early owner signature to verso of final leaf. $500. * Only edition. Formed in 1774, the Kentish Guards of Rhode Island boasted General Nathanael Greene as an original officer. The Guards distinguished themselves at the Siege of Boston and elsewhere. In 1807 Colonel David Pinniger refused an order to select six guardsmen for federal service, asserting that the Guards's charter permitted the call up of the entire unit, but not individual soldiers. Pinniger's refusal precipitated his court martial and that of the fellow officers who supported him. All were removed from office without further penalty. The guards elected replacement officers; no one went into the U.S. Army. This pamphlet was published by the officers after the "unfavorable result" of the court martial in order to protect their reputations. All aspects of the case are covered. Cohen, Bibliography of Early American Law 13588. …