Sapper
 Charles A. Mould

Sapper Mould traveled to British Columbia on board the "Thames City" with his wife.

As a Sapper Mould's Regimental Pay per Diem would have been 1s. 2 1/2d. plus Working Pay per Diem of 1s. to 4s.

As a member of the Detachment Mrs. Mould was "On Strength" and as such received Rations and Quarters in the Married Quarters homes built in the Camp.  As a member of the Detachment, therefore, Mrs. Mould was under the restrictions of the Military in terms of her decorum and deportment.  Mrs. Mould appears to have had difficulties fitting into the Military definition of "wife".

In April of 1861, while Sapper Mould was working on the Harrison River under the command of Captain Grant, Mrs. Mould and rules governing wives came to a head.

New Westminster
13th April 1860

Sir,
I have the honour to aquaint Your Excellency that, in consequence of the repeated acts of misconduct of Mrs. Mould, wife of Sapper Mould belonging to the Detachment under my command, I have been obliged at last, after many warnings, to order her to be struck off the Strength of the Detachment for Rations and Quarters from the 11th Instant inclusive.

I have the honour to be,

Sir,
Your most obedient,
humble Servant.

RC Moody
Col. Commanding

Mrs. Mould appears to have left the Camp and made her way to Harrison to meet her husband Sapper Mould

On the 21st of April, Colonel Moody wrote the following:

 

 

 

Sapper C. Mould
-- + - J. Gillies.

 

 

The governor of Washington Territory has no authority to act in cases of simple desertion or even where [xxxxx] with theft. He can only order the [rendition[?] of criminals -- coming within the meaning of the extradition Treaty.  The application recommended by Col. Moody would therefore be fruitless. -[jd?]

New Westminster
21 April 1860

Sir,

  I have the honor to report the desertion of the two men (named in the margin) belonging to the Detachment of Royal Engineers under my command from Captain Grant's party at the mouth of the Harrison River.--

  There is every reason to believe that the latter, Sapper James Gillies, took with him the sum of Thirty-six Pounds, belonging to a comrade.

  I would therefore request that immediate steps may be taken with a view to his being apprehended [the word "to" crossed out] which [s???l], as there is but little doubt that he has gone over into American Territory. I would suggest the advisability of an application being made to the Governor of Washington Territory, who might be moved to give orders for his detention.

  He absented on the morning of the 14th and I should have communicated with Your Excellency before, had I not been waiting for a Descriptive Return to forward at the same time. it is herewith enclosed in duplicate.--

I have the honor to be,
      Sir,
Your most obedient,
  humble Servant,

RCMoody
[commanding?]

According to notes written at the top of the above --in Colonel Moody's handwriting-- both the above letter and the below report were received 25th April and answered April 26th.

 

REPORT OF A DESERTER from the Corps Regiment of Royal Engineers.
Dated at [camp?] Harrison River, BC this 14th day of April 18560

Number, Rank, and Name .......  4622, Sapper James Gillies
Age ............................................... 27 years and 6 months
Size............. {
 Feet.................. Five feet, nine inches
 Inches............... Nine inches
Colour of... {
 Complexion... Fresh
 Hair.................. Black
 Eyes................. Hazel
Date of Desertion........................ 14th day of April 1860
Place of Desertion...................... ???p , Harrision River, British Columbia
Date of Enlistment .................... 2nd of December 1856
At what Place Enlisted................ Glasgow
Parish and County in which Born .........................  }
Muckaiow, Town, "xxxx", County "Argyle"
Marks ........................................ None small pox (particularly about the cheeks)
Trade  ......................................... Sawyer
Coat or Jacket  ............................ Black coat
Waistcoat  ................................... Black velvet waistcoat
Breeches or Trowsers   .............. Trowsers
REMARKS ................................... A quiet demeanor with sxxx voice and drawling accent

Signature of the Commanding Officer    RC Moody           
                                                                                [commanding?]