Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-01-18
MILITARY COURT OF INQUIRY.

the Court was crowded IN antlci-
patton of the appearance OF MAJOR &C.
neral Gaines, whose objections to Maj.
General Macomb as the presiding off,
Ger Of this Court have been publicly a.
vowed, and whose well earned fame
as a soldier, will forever render him
dear to his countrymen. AS soon as
| the President announced the readiness
of the Court to proceed to business,
Major General Scott requested that the
deposition of Gen. Clinch in continual
ton of his chain of evidence might be
read" There were," said he, some
questions which | omitted to put to
General Clinch while here, Mr.. Presl-
dent, and | availed myself of the kind
ness of the Judge Advocate, who,
in visiting Washington, obtained from
the General in that city, the written
answers. IT'S to these refer, and
beg that they may be read" They
were read accordingly and are in kee-
ping with the testimony hitherto fur
nished by that General. Other unlm-
portant testimony was about being
read to elucidate which, Gen. Scott
was upon the floor, when the principal
door of the chamber was thrown open,
and in walked General Gaines, in full
uniform, wearing the splendid sword
presented to him by the Legislature of
Virginia !; accompanied by two aids.de
camp. General G. without taking a
seat, proceeded to the front of the Pre-
sident, and Selling the first interval OF
silence, addressed the court.
clam here, may it please the Court,
by the orders of the Secretary OF War,
and | ask that the Judge Advocate
may be directed to read the several or
ders from the War Department on the
subject" The Court accordingly in.
s:ructed the Judge Advocate to COM
ply with the Generals desire, and the
orders, calling a court to enquire into
the failure of the Indian campaigns in
Florida and Georgia, under the con-
duct of Major General Scott, and the
circumstances attending the unauthor-
lied publication of official papers by
Major General Gaines, were immedl-
aiely read. During the reading, Gen.
G.. remained standing, and at its COM
p%letion, observed, May it please the
Court, | have been ordered to appear
before you, and | have done so and |
must be allowed to say, that the Court
is proceeding Illegally. am a party
in the trial now pending, and demand
the right ofcross questioning the wit
nesses, examining documentary evil
dence, &C." The Court objected, and
assured Gen. Gaines, that it differed
with him in opinion Oh the subject, and
limited in very delicate terms, the ex-
pediency Of his taking a seat. and con.
cluded by assuring him, that, as soon
as the case of General Scott was con-
cluded, every facility in the prosecu-
ton of bis views should be awarded
him. General Gaines continued to
descant on the illegality of the procee.
dings thus far, Notwithstanding the as.
surance Of General Macomb, that his
language at this time was rather map.
propriate, and his great desire hat the
venerable Chief would be seated. "
come here, Sir" he continued, "not
to ask favors, but to demand Justice"
"Clear the Court" said the President
IL a short time we re-entered the
chamber, and General Gaines was in
formed by the Court, through the Judge
Advocate, that the Court had every
desire to extend to him at the proper
time the utmost latitude in the further
ance Of his inquiries but that, at the
present time, he would not be permit.
ted to interfere with the business ofthe
Court, by the introduction ofirrelevant
observations, and that it was hoped fur
Their suggestions on the subject were
Unnecessary" The General continu-
ed his perpendicular position.
Lieut.. Morris was sworn, and the
following interrogatory put to him.
Where and in what capacity were
you in April last 2"
Ans. AT Tampa Bay was com.
missary of the Depot"
Gen. u. 81 beg leave with due def.
erence to state, Mr.. President"
Gen. Macomb. General, | repeat
that you cannot be permitted to address
the Court, until your case is before it,"
Gen. G. 81 appear before you, Sir,
by orders"
Gen. NJ. "You will oblige the Court
Sir, by your silence"
Gen, G. "IProtest formally, against
the course pursued by this Court"
Gen. M. al have once more to say,
Gen. Gaines, that you cannot be al.
lowed to interfere in any way with the
progress ofthis trial, and a repetition of
such conduct will be viewed as a deli
berate contempt !! Pray be seated"
Gen. G. " beg your pardon, Sir
standing is a %favorite position of mine,
49, ri