I am in the midst of researching my paternal grandfather, William T. Durnal (1894–1954), Troop "H" 2nd U.S. Cavalry, at Fort Bliss, Texas, from June 1912 to the end of December 1913.
Using the "U.S., Returns from Regular Army Non-Infantry Regiments, 1821-1916; M744 Roll 014-025 Second Cavalry 1909-1913" (Ancestry.com), and "United States, World War I {sic}, Military Muster Rolls and Rosters; Rosters of Enlisted Men, 2nd Calv Regt, Troop G-L, Reel 15.11, Roll 524" (FamilySearch.org), I recreated a timeline of his service: My query today is based on two entries about him - specifically what appear to be a couple of Summary Courts.
- Dec 10, 1912 – Feb 28, 1913 -- “H” Troop on detached service to Fort Hancock, Texas to maintain neutrality of the United States and secure our national border.
- May-Jul 1913 – Troop “H” at Ft Bliss performing regular garrison duties, drills, and target practice.
- Apr 30, 1913 – “To forfeit $1.00, per S.C. Apr 29/13”
- Jul 31, 1913 – “To forfeit $10.00, per S.C. Jul 31/13”
In the absence of today's "non-judicial punishment" (Art. 15, UCMJ), I am hazarding a guess that “S.C.” most likely means a “Summary Court Martial.” This is based on “A Manual for Courts-Martial, Courts of inquiry, and Retiring Boards, and of other procedures under military law.” Revised Edition, 1908 (Corrected to August 1910). Page 78, “Inferior Court-Martial” “The Summary Court” Footnote: Established by act of June 18, 1898, and recognized by the 83d A. W, See pages 129 and 132, post.
Whatever my grandfather did in April 1913 (above), it must not have been too egregious. A one-dollar fine was a slap on the wrist (even out of $15 a month pay). However, apparently the Army didn't adequately get his attention because three months later he was seriously slapped with a fine to forfeit 2/3 of his salary that month (Ouch!!). I would argue that someone did get his attention that time, because the final entry in his enlistment record reads
"Apr 30, 1915 – Honorably Discharged (ETS) Character "Excellent" Service Honest and Faithful. No AWOL."
It sounds to me like he got his act together. 
To what, and where, do I turn in order to get a copy (or extract) of those court records?? I don't expect either one to be elaborate or extensive documents (hence the "Inferior Court-Martial moniker). I saw another post stating that "the National Archives has some court martial case files ... for Army court martials from 1809 to 1907". Alas, I'm looking for records six years beyond that inclusive date.
Many thanks,
Dale
Dale Durnell, SMSgt, USAF(Ret)
