Head-Quarters Department of the Cumberland,
Chattanooga, Tenn., July 22, 1864

General Orders,
No. 101

Before a General Court Martial which convened at Chattanooga, Tenn., pursuant to Special Field Orders, No. 116, Head-Quarters Department of the Cumberland, dated Chattanooga, Tenn., April 25, 1864, and of which Lieut. Colonel M. Mudge, 11th Michigan Vol. Infantry, is President, was arraigned and tried:

Major William W. Bradley, 7th Kentucky Cavalry.

Charge: Murder

Specification: “In this, that he, William W. Bradley, Major 7th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, U.S.A, did unlawfully, and with premeditated malice, discharge a loaded pistol at Lieut. Thomas T. Vimont, 7th Kentucky Volunteer Cavalry, thereby inflicting two wounds, which caused the death of the said Lieut. Colonel Vimont. This while on the march from Mossy Creek, Tenn., to Dandridge, Tenn, on or about the 14th day of January, 1864.”

To which charge and specification the accused, William W. Bradley, Major 7th Kentucky Cavalry, pleaded as follows:

On the specification, Guilty, as alleged, except the words, “unlawfully and with premeditated malice.”

To the charge, Not Guilty.

Findings:

The Court, after having maturely considered the evidence adduced, finds the accused, William W. Bradley, Major 7th Kentucky Cavalry, as follows:

Of the specification, Guilty, as alleged, except the words, “with premeditated malice.”

Of the charge, Not Guilty, and do find a case of justifiable homicide, and do therefore, honorably acquit the accused.

The proceedings and findings of the General Court Martial in the case of William W. Bradley, Major 7th Kentucky Cavalry, are confirmed, but the action of the Court in honorably acquitting him is not approved by the Major General Commanding the Department. The Army Regulations provide ample means for the settlement of personal difficulties before the proper military tribunals, and to justify the violent measures taken by Major Bradley, even upon great provocation, affords a precedent utterly subversive of discipline and fatal to good order in the army.

Major Bradley is hereby relieved from arrest, and will be restored to duty with his regiment.

By Command of Major General Thomas.

WM. D. Whipple,
Assistant Adjutant General.

Official:
Wm. M. Michael
Assistant Adjutant General.

[From the National Archives, Wm. Bradley's Military File]