the letter written by Trooper Cochrane, Colonel Hall summoned all Fort Edward officers and non-commissioned officers to Pietersburg on 21 October 1901. All were met by a party of mounted infantry five miles outside Pietersburg on the morning of 23 October 1901 and "brought into town like criminals". Morant was arrested after returning from leave in Pretoria, where he had gone to settle the affairs of his deceased friend Hunt. Indictments Although the trial transcripts, like almost all others dating from between 1850 and 1914, were later destroyed by the Civil Service, it is known that a Court of Inquiry, the British military's equivalent to a grand jury, was convened on 16 October 1901. The President of the Court was Colonel H.M. Carter, who was assisted by Captain E. Evans and Major Wilfred N. Bolton, the Provost Marshal of Pietersburg. The first session of the Court took place on 6 November 1901 and continued for four weeks. Deliberations continued for further two weeks, at which time it became clear that the indictments would be as follows: In what became known as "The Six Boers Case", Captains Robertson and Taylor, as well as Sergeant Major Morrison, were charged with committing the offense of murder while on active service. In relation to what was dubbed "The Van Buuren Incident", Lieutenant Handcock was charged with murder and Major Lenahan was charged with, "When on active service by culpable neglect failing to make a report which it was his duty to make." In relation to "The Visser Incident", Lieutenants Morant, Handcock, Witton, and Picton were charged with "While on active service committing the offense of murder". In relation to what was incorrectly dubbed "The Eight Boers Case", Morant, Handcock, and Witton were charged with "While on active service committing the offense of murder".In relation to the slaying of Heese, Morant and Handcock were charged with "While on active service committing the offense of murder". No charges were filed for the three children who had been shot by the Bushveldt Carbineers near Fort Edward. In relation to what became known as "The Three Boers Case", Morant and Handcock were charged with "While on active service committing the offense of murder". In a confidential report to the War Office, Colonel J. St. Claire wrote: Courts martial The first court martial opened on 16 January 1902, with Lieutenant-Colonel H.C. Denny presiding over a panel of six judges.