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The Court Martial of Sgt. William Walker


A Lesson Plan developed by Michael Terboss, Jenny F. Snapp Middle School

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Background: In 1863, after the Emancipation Proclamation, the United States began to actively recruit African Americans to serve in the Union Army. Most black recruits, however, were not prepared for the racism they faced there. Discrimination included living in segregated camps, being assigned menial jobs, and confronting the racism of their white officers. But the policy of unequal pay for white and black soldiers led to the strongest responses.

In November 1863, African-American soldiers in the Third South Carolina Volunteers protested their unequal pay by putting down their rifles and refusing to obey orders. Their officers responded forcefully, charging the revolt's leader, Sergeant William Walker, with several crimes, including mutiny. Walker was tried by court martial, found guilty, and executed.

Directions to Students:
  1. Go to the web address http://www.awod.com/gallery/probono/cwchas/wlttest.html
  2. Read "The Alleged Mutiny & Historic Trial" section for detailed background of the case.
  3. In "the Online Trial Record" section, click on the "Table of Contents for the Trial Record" link. You will go to a series of documents about the trial; remember that after reading one section and answering the questions on the worksheet, you will need to click "Back" to return to the "Table of Contents" where you will find the link to the next document to read.
  4. Click on "Charge 3, Mutiny" and answer questions 1-3 on the worksheet (see below). Go back to the Table of Contents.
  5. Click on "Lt. Col. Aug. Bennett, Direct" and answer questoins 4&5 on the worksheet. Go back to the Table of Contents.
  6. Click on "2nd Lt. John E. Jacobs, Direct" and answer questions 6&7 on the worksheet. Go back to the Table of Contents.
  7. Click on "Defense Statement of William Walker" and answer questions 8-11 on the worksheet.
  8. Click on the "Articles of War" link in the fourth paragraph of Sgt. Walker's statement and read Article 10. Answer questions 12&13 on the worksheet.
  9. Complete the remaining questions on the worksheet (14&15).

Vocabulary:
  • court martial - a military trial
  • mutiny - revolt against authority
  • "stack arms" - to pile up weapons in protest
  • ignorant - unaware of

Extended Activities:
  1. Compare and contrast the William Walker Trial with the scene in Glory in which the 54th Massachusetts Regiment is informed that they would not receive equal pay. How were the situations handled differently? What were some similarities?

  2. Provide other examples of discrimination against African-American troops found in the movie Glory and elsewhere.

  3. Compare and contrast the treatment of African-American soldiers in other wars, such as the World Wars, to their treatment in the Civil War.


Student Worksheet: "The Court Martial of Sgt. William Walker"



  1. According to "Specification 1st" why did Sgt. Walker's Company "stack arms" in front of Lt. Col. A. G. Bennett's tent on November 19, 1863? 
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  2. According to "Specification 2d," why did Sgt. Walker's company go to the guard house on November 19, 1863? 
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  3. Why would these acts be considered mutiny in the eyes of the Union Army officers? 
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  4. According to Lt. Col. Bennett's responses to question four in his testimony, what did he warn would happen to the men for their actions if they continued? 
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  5. According to Lt. Col. Bennett, what was Sgt. Walker's response to this warning? 
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  6. According to questions 5-9 in 2nd Lt. Jacobs's testimony, why was Pvt. Jacob Smith arrested and handcuffed? 
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  7. According to 2nd Lt. Jacobs, what role did Sgt. Walker play in the incident? 
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  8. In paragraph 1 of Sgt. Walker's statement, how does he defend his role in the mutiny? 
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  9. In paragraph 2, what promise was allegedly made to Walker upon enlisting? 
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  10. In paragraph 3, why did Walker think that witnesses for his defense were more believable than testimony provided by the officers of his regiment? 
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  11. In paragraph 4, why, according to Walker, didn't he and his company know they were committing a crime on November 19, 1863? 
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  12. According to Article 10 of the U.S. Army Regulations in 1861, what were enlisting officers required to do for every non-commissioned officer or soldier? 
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  13. In your own words, what were soldiers swearing to when they took this oath? 
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  14. Based on the information you have examined, how would you have ruled on William Walker's case if you were on the jury? Justify your position with 3 arguments. 
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    What would be 2 arguments against your position? 
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  15. The Union Army eventually changed its policy and granted equal pay to black soldiers in 1864. What role may the Walker case have played in this decision? 
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