Frederick Gotthold Enslin (and Sodomites at Valley Forge)

One of three possible cases of sodomy documented in the Continental Army under General George Washington. The case began with a charge against an Ensign for slander against another soldier. At Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, in February 1778 Ensign Anthony Maxwell was brought before a court-martial charged with "propogating a scandalous report prejudicial to the character of Lieutt. Enslin." The Ensign was ultimately acquitted of the charge. In March 1778 Lieut. Enslin was brought to trial before a court-martial. According to General Washington's report: "...Lieutt. Enslin of Colo. Malcolm's Regiment tried for attempting to commit Sodomy ..." Washington's secretary continues to describe the results of the trial in negative, descriptive terms: "His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and with Abhorrence & Detestation of such Infamous Crimes orders Lieutt. Enslin to be be drummed out of Camp tomorrow morning...." It seems that Ensign Maxwell had witnessed Lieut. Enslin in bed with another soldier. There is no record of the sentence ever being carried out, nor what happened to the dismissed Lieutenant.

 Head Quarters, V. Forge, Saturday, March 14, 1778.

Parole Ormskirk. Countersigns Otley, Ottery.

At a General Court Martial whereof Brigr. General McIntosh was President (10th. March) Colo. William C

ook of 12th. Pennsylvania Regiment tried for disobedience of orders in sundry instances (viz) About 20th. of December last when the Enemy advanced over Schuylkill, the Brigade to which he belonged was ordered and did march towards the Enemy, but Colo. Cook absented himself from his Regiment and did not join it again whilst on that service which was near ten days. After the Regiment was incamped again for about two days, Colo. Cook after having been refused leave of absence, did without leave abscond from Camp and did not return again until a few days since. For giving leave of Absence to Officers of his Regiment and reporting them absent without leave, by which they were brought to a trial by a Court-Martial and acquitted.


The Court having maturely considered the Evidence produced are of opinion that Colo. Cook after having been refused leave of absence, did without leave absent himself from Camp and did not return until near two months after he went away being a breach of General orders of 22nd. of december last and contrary to good order and military discipline and do sentence him on account of some particular Circumstances and on account of the good character he has sustained as an officer only to be reprimanded in General orders, but acquit him of furloughing his officers and reporting them absent without leave.

The Commander in Chief approves the sentence and hopes that the disgrace to an Officer of Colo. Cook's rank of being found guilty of the Charge of quitting Camp without leave will be a sufficient reprimand.

At a General Court Martial whereof Colo. Tupper was President (10th March 1778) Lieutt. Enslin28 of Colo. Malcom's Regiment tried for attempting to commit sodomy, with John Monhort a soldier; Secondly, For Perjury in swearing to false Accounts, found guilty of the charges exhibited against him, being breaches of 5th. Article 18th. Section of the Articles of War and do sentence him to be dismiss'd the service with Infamy. His Excellency the Commander in Chief approves the sentence and with Abhorrence and Detestation of such Infamous Crimes orders Lieutt. Enslin to be drummed out of Camp tomorrow morning by all the Drummers and Fifers in the

Sources:

Doctoral dissertation “The Administration of Military Justice in the Continental Army During the American Revolution, 1775–1783,” Robert Harry Berlin.

Benemann, William, 1949- Male-male intimacy in early America : beyond romantic friendships / William Benemann. p. cm. Includes bibliographical references and index.

Godbeer, Richard “The Cry of Sodom: Discourse, Intercourse, and Desire in Colonial New England,” William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, 52(2):259-286. © 1995 Omohundro Institute of Early American History and Culture.

Godbeer, Richard. The Overflowing of Friendship: Love Between Men and the Creation of the American Republic. United States, Johns Hopkins University Press, 2009.

http://maletomalefeeling.com/writings01.html
[Note 28: Lieut. Frederick Gotthold Enslin.] Army never to return; The Drummers and Fifers to attend on the Grand Parade at Guard mounting for that Purpose.

At a Court of Inquiry held in the Brigade of Artillery whereof Lieutt. Colo. Strohbogh was President March 11th. 78, to examine into a Complaint exhibited by one John Willson against Captains Rice and Proctor Senior29 of Colo. Proctor's Regiment for plundering and taking by force and for permiting the soldiers to take a quantity of houshold Furniture and other Articles from the Complainant. The Court after hearing the Evidence and Altercations of the Parties are of opinion that the charges exhibited against Captains Rice and Proctor Senior are groundless, consequently the Complaint quash'd.

[Note 29: Capts. Joseph Rice and Francis Procter, sr., of the Fourth Continental Artillery.]