Footnotes

1. [1]

   An adjutant was “an officer whose business is to assist the Major by receiving and communicating order[s].” Every regiment had an adjutant who would take “orders from the Brigade Major, to communicate to the Colonel, and to subalterns. He places guards, receives and distributes ammunition, assigns places of rendezvous, &c.” At times, individuals were appointed “adjutant of the day.” The duties of those individuals were “to assist the general staff officer of the day, in the various details of it, and, in his absence, to perform his duty as such, and attend for orders at head quarters.” (“Adjutant,” in American Dictionary [1828]; Cooper and Macomb, Concise System of Instructions, 244–245.)

   An American Dictionary of the English Language: Intended to Exhibit, I. the Origin, Affinities and Primary Signification of English Words, as far as They Have Been Ascertained. . . . Edited by Noah Webster. New York: S. Converse, 1828.

   Cooper, Samuel, and Alexander Macomb. A Concise System of Instructions and Regulations for the Militia and Volunteers of the United States, Comprehending the Exercises and Movements of the Infantry, Light Infantry, and Riflemen; Cavalry and Artillery: Together with the Manner of Doing Duty in Garrison and in Camp, and the Forms of Parades, Reviews, and Inspections, as Established by Authority for the Government of the Regular Army. Philadelphia: Robert P. Desilver, 1836.

2. [2]

   Minutes of Court-Martial, 28 May 1842; Erastus H. Derby, Statement, Nauvoo, IL, 21 May 1842, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.

   Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

3. [3]

   Taylor was appointed judge advocate on 6 November 1841. According to the 1819 Illinois act that organized the state militia, the judge advocate was supposed to prosecute cases on behalf of the state but was also to “consider himself counsel for the person accused” and “see that right and justice shall be done to the prisoner.” (Nauvoo Legion, Hancock Co., Illinois State Militia Commission Records, 1834–1855, vol. 17, p. 43, Illinois State Archives, Springfield; An Act Organizing the Militia of this State [26 Mar. 1819], Laws . . . of the State of Illinois [1819], p. 295.)

   Illinois State Militia Commission Records, 1834–1855. Illinois State Archives, Springfield.

   Laws of the State of Illinois, Passed by the Ninth General Assembly, at Their First Session, Commencing December 1, 1834, and Ending February 13, 1835. Vandalia, IL: J. Y. Sawyer, 1835.

4. [4]

   On 16 May Bennett sent a letter to Chauncey L. Higbee, an aide-de-camp, instructing him “to summon a detailed General Court Martial” at Hyrum Smith’s office on 28 May to consider the charges against Law. (John C. Bennett, Nauvoo, IL, to Chauncey L. Higbee, 16 May 1842, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.)

   Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.

5. [5]

   Minutes of Court-Martial, 28 May 1842, Nauvoo Legion Records, CHL.

   Nauvoo Legion Records, 1841–1845. CHL. MS 3430.