Court-Martial of Texas’ Top Sailor
T EXAS History
The court-martial of Edwin Ward Moore, former commodore of the Texas Navy, was gaveled to order on May 20, 1844.
Although the cocky excommander stood accused of 22 specifications on a half dozen different offenses, he welcomed the opportunity to clear his name and to strike back at his mortal enemy, President Sam Houston. The show trial was certain to be a marathon as a quartet of judges considered six counts of “neglect of duty,” six of “disobedience of orders,” five of “contempt and defiance of country,” three of “embezzlement of public property and fraud” as well as one count each of murder and treason.
An impressive cast assembled for the highly publicized proceedings. Despite the fact that the four members of the tribunal board were presidential appointees, the accused expected a fair shake from the presiding officer. Gen. Sidney Sherman was cozy with David G. Burnet and Mirabeau Lamar, Houston critics from way back, and usually took pleasure in defying the president.
Serving as judge advocate or prosecutor was Thomas “Ramrod” Johnson, editor and stalwart supporter of Houston, whose nickname advertised his well-known toughness. Counsel for the defense was talented attorney James S. Mayfield, who accepted the case as much out of anti-Houston animosity as a belief in his client’s innocence.
A 29-year-old lieutenant in the U.S. Navy with slim prospects of promotion, Moore resigned in 1839 to take charge of the mini-fleet of the Lone Star Republic. President Lamar, second chief executive of the infant nation, entertained notions of a far-flung empire, an impossible dream without sea power. To challenge Mexico for control of the Gulf required a man with audacity and ambition, two qualities Moore had in abundance.
Whipping the tiny navy into shape, the young commander won the admiration of most Texans with a string of victories over the Mexicans. Although the significance of the skirmishes was slight, Moore’s exploits did wonders for the moral of his adopted country.
Hoping to topple the central government in Mexico City, Lamar rented the navy to the Yucatan rebels in 1841 for $8,000 a month and a share of the spoils. The lame-duck president waited until the twilight of his term to let Congress in on the secret pact but still secured approval of the scheme by a two-vote margin.
Everyone knew the incoming president would veto the risky adventure. A harsh critic of Commodore Moore and his seagoing daredevils, Sam Houston denounced the navy as a frivolous expense the bankrupt Republic could ill afford. However, before the General and Lamar swapped places a second time, Moore hurriedly departed for Yucatan.
Houston ordered the recall of the navy on inauguration day, but his decree did not catch up with the elusive commander for three long months. Finally, in May 1843, Moore dropped anchor in Texas waters.
In a heavy-handed move calculated to goad Moore’s men into leaving their leader high and dry, Houston froze all naval appropriations and withheld promised back-pay. The commodore countered with a stirring appeal to his officers to stay at their posts and paid their wages out of his own pocket.
While in New Orleans for the refitting of several ships, Moore got wind of Congress’ clandestine okay of a presidential plan to sell the fleet. Stalling a group of bargain hunters from Washington, he made unauthorized arrangements with the Yucatan rebels. When Houston suddenly suspended his command, Moore defiantly sailed for Mexico.
The hot-tempered commodore soon realized that his private revolt was doomed to defeat. Branded a pirate in a public proclamation by the furious president, Moore had no place to go.
The Texas Navy docked for the last time at Galveston on Jul. 14, 1843. Houston quickly cashiered Moore and his key officers and started the piecemeal sale of the vacant vessels.
Demanding his day in court, Moore distributed a rambling 200-page defense of his controversial conduct that attracted widespread attention. Congress eventually responded by calling for a special court-martial of the ousted commodore.
After 72 days of legal wrangling, the tribunal adjourned. With the exception of four instances of disobedience, Moore was acquitted on all charges. For those petty infractions, no punishment was prescribed.
Moore won the courtroom battle but lost the war. After the annexation of Texas, he lobbied in vain for back-pay and reinstatement in the U.S. Navy. From his powerful position in the Senate, Houston easily thwarted his old adversary.
Although a native of Virginia, Edwin Moore sat out the Civil War in the North. His noshow may have resulted from political indecisiveness or a preoccupation with his impoverished predicament. Forlorn and flat broke, he passed away six months after Appomattox at the age of 55.
Bonnie and Clyde and other Thirties outlaws are all in “Texas Depression Era Desperadoes.” Order your copy by mailing a check for $24.00 to Bartee Haile, P.O. Box 130011, Spring, TX 77393.