Browse Items (8023 total)

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  Argument of Robert K. Bell before the General Court-Martial in the case of United States v. Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr.

  Argument of Robert K. Bell before the General Court-Martial at Redstone Arsenal in defense of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. Nickerson plead guilty and Bell's testimony was present in an effort to "extenuate or mitigate whatever he might have done." Bell calls Nickerson's judgment "bad" and his actions "unfortunate" and "careless" but argues that he is not disloyal, disobedient, or promoting his own welfare above that of the Army or national security.
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  Correspondence between T. C. King and Robert K. Bell and various attached letters.

  T. C. King writes to the Secretary of Defense, Neil H. McElroy, regarding the Nickerson case, calling it the "second Billy Mitchell case". He encourages McElroy to restore Nickerson to active duty, return to Redstone Arsenal, promote Nickerson and remove Medaris. The Adjutant General , Herbert Jones, replies that promotions are based on the officers' entire records and Nickerson plead guilty. King's reponse is included. This exchange of letters was forwarded to Robert K. Bell in the interest of the case.
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  Letter to the Commanding General, Third United States Army, from the Defense Counsel.

  This letter is the first request of a continuance of the trial of Colonel John C. Nickerson, Jr. by the defense counsel due to waiting on top secret clearance for information pertinent to the case and other various reasons.
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  Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and James L. Lawson.

  Lawson writes a brief letter to Bell wishing him luck in the Nickerson case and saying he is the right person for the job. Bell responds calls the case a "Herculean one" and hopes he can fulfill the responsibility.
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  Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Carl C. Brown.

  Brown wishes Bell the best in the Nickerson case and expresses support for the Colonel. Bell's response thanks Brown for his support.
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  Letter to Ed Willis, Jr. from Robert K. Bell.

  Bell writes to thank Willis for his support in the Nickerson case.
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  Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and Judge L. C. Walker.

  L. C. Walker, Nickerson's uncle by marriage, asks Bell if he and another uncle by marriage could be permitted to sit in on the hearing. Bell responds that they will have seating space for Walker and Mr. Scott.
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  Correspondence between Robert K. Bell and R. H. Cox.

  Cox writes to Bell asking if he could have the priviledge of reporting Nickerson's case, "unless other arrangements have been made." Cox includes his previous experience with court-martials. Bell responds by explaining that the defense counsel has little influence in the matters of appointing a court reporter.
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  Letter to Armistead Selden from Robert K. Bell.

  Bell writes to Selden in Washington D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Selden replies stating he will pass the information "if the opportunity present[s] itself."
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  Correspondence between John J. Sparkman and Robert K. Bell.

  Bell writes to Sparkman in Washinton D.C. on behalf of the defense counsel in an attempt to change Nickerson's case from trial by court-martial to a non-judicial punishment. Sparkman thanks Bell for his letter from May 8 and responds that he has already been "dropping some suggestions" regarding Bell's hope to give Nickerson a non-judicial punishment rather than trial by court-martial.