Court Martial of Private Abraham Setts
In Dec. 1798 Private Setts of the Dragoon Company took a horse, saddle bridle, and $74 and deserted. Subsequently, he had been captured and imprisoned at Southwest Point.
On May 1st 1799, a military court found him guilty of desertion and was thus sentenced. Lt. Col. Thomas Butler ordered that Private Setts be given one hundred lashes with the wired cat-of-nine tails (whip). Each lash was administered at thirty second intervals lasting fifty minutes. He was then head shaven and branded with the letter D. To add further punishment he was drummed out of camp with signs worn front stating "This is the reward of perjury and theft", and on back "This is the effect of desertion".
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Law Enforcement. A significant historical date for this entry is May 1, 1799.
Location. 35° 51.64′ N, 84° 31.755′ W. Marker is in Kingston, Tennessee, in Roane County. It can be reached from South Kentucky Street north of Shannon Place, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located within Fort Southwest Point. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address:
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Regionally, this marker is in East Tennessee and in Greater Knoxville. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the original Cherokee Nation, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Command and Administrative Building #3 (here, next to this marker); Pillory (here, next to this marker); Soldiers Barracks #8 (a few steps from this marker); Quartermasters Supply Building #15 (a few steps from this marker); Soldiers Barracks w/ Cellar #14 (a few steps from this marker); Blockhouse #11 (a few steps from this marker); Blockhouse #13 (a few steps from this marker); Soldiers Barracks w/ Cellar #6 (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map
Credits. This page was last revised on January 12, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 10, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 321 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 10, 2021, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
