I won't go into masses of detail in this post, as those who have been listening to my podcast will know the headlines already, but this is an almost completely neglected topic. The last dedicated piece of work on this relating to the Peninsular War was a paper by Charles Oman, back in 1912. I am drawing on a database of almost 9,500 cases to analyse the theory and practice of how military justice operated during the period.
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Bob, thank you so much for that link, it's an amazing story and although I've never seen it before, it bears an astonishing resemblance to part of the story I'm writing, which is set during winter quarters 1812-13. I'd say you couldn't make it up, except that I thought I was. It's a great help, and due credit will be given, so thank you.
Zack -
This sounds like a fascinating and long overdue study! When do you expect to have it completed? Also, hang on to your database and placing it on line once you are done with it for others to use.
Twenty years ago I wrote an article for the Napoleon Series on the murder of Lieutenant Alexander Dickinson, 42nd Foot, and the subsequent trial, conviction, and execution of Corporal M'Morran. It can be seen at:
https://www.napoleon-series.org/military-info/organization/Britain/Discipline/c_murder.html