The Selma Morning Reporter of Sept. 4, 1863, includes the following account of mayor's police court proceedings for Sept. 3, 1863. Spelling has been reproduced as given in the news article.

The first subject arraigned before his honor, was John Faulkner, who was charged with having made use of violent and abusive language toward Mrs. Willis, in whose house he was boarding. The boarders in that establishment had just been paid off by their employers, and in order to celebrate the event, all got tight. The landlady was accused of calling them “a set of low-down Irish trash,” a statement John denied, asserting that he was “an Irish gentleman”. He certainly looked like one, but his looks could not prevent a fine of ten dollars and costs, which was promptly paid.

John Farley, a private belonging to the 3rd Maryland Battery, was accused of a similar offense in the house of Mrs. Gilman. His honor asked him what he had to say:
“I plade guilty, so I do,” said John, “but it was dhrunk, I wor. Yees needn’t be at the throuble to fine me, for the Lord me above knows I haven’t a rap, not even the price av a dhrink. Sorra the lie, I’m tellin’ yees.”
The Mayor informed him he was fined $20, or in default of payment, must be sent up for twenty days.
“Cuddent yer Honor thransfer me to the Provost Guard,” enquired John. “Sure me country needs me services, and if I don’t report to me quarthers, it’s a deserter I’ll be considthered.”
His Honor politely informed him that his Court claimed civil jurisdiction only, whereupon Mr. Farley left the Court exclaiming:
“Bother the civil Courts, anyway. Shure a dhrumhead court martial would have let me off aiser nor this. Och, wirra, wirra, what’ll I do.”

The soldier's name might be John Finley rather than Farley, as stated in the article.