The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-05-15

him whether he had enlisted in Baltimore city and that
question being objected 10 by the counsel for the defence
he said that he what was driving atthat was to
get an account OF a counmartia held upon him IN fior
da. said there was record in the War Ofice that
had seen. and might produce said nothing whatever
about the record OF court martial
Mr.. BRADLEY. Then, misunderstood the gentleman
understood him to say that be had copy OF the sen
tence OF The courl-martia and that replied that
must have the whole record
Mr.. MAY said thai would not give you the ab-
ac OF The records in the War Department which had,
because considered you had right 10 have il until
saw nj TO use II have the original here to-day of tho
records OF The War Department, TO which have al
The CouRr What do you propose to do
Mr. MAY. propose TO ask the witness whether he
was at Fort Shannon, in Florida
Mr. CARLISLE ! desire to have the judge advocate
general on the stand 10 say whether there any record
IN his Office touching the trial OF Col Abbott or not
Mr. MAY have not referred TO any such thing.
Mr. BRADLEY, object 10 the examination OF the wit
ness with reference to the subject OF his enlistment II
is wholly collateral TO this matter
The COURT. | thought I had been agreed that tho
matter should be inquired into.
Mr. May. The record of the court-martia is at San
Antonio. The headquarters OF his regiment, and too far
OIL to get II here IN time
Mr. BRADLEY. We understand that there is no record
Of any court martial on Colonel Abbott anywhere on the
face OF the earth.
Mr. MAY understood the witness TO say that there
was We understand that there is record OF court
martial held on Col Abbott in existence.
The witness. have requested that this matter shall
be investigated am anxious to have it investigated
whether they come from The prosecution or not
Mr. MAY. We will see how true they when
come TO look at the records OF the War Department
propose TO ask The Witness il please the court wheth
er at Fort Shannon, Florida, he was not raised to be
corporal then sergeant, and whether he was not re-
duced back 10 The ranks on the 18th OF April, lS41
The witness. hope there will be no objection to
this matter coming out
The CoURT The witness must be silent.
Mr. BRADLEY hope the witness will be INDUCED. l
maintain that where mans character is assaled, wheh
er IN church anywhere else he has right 10 be heard
in defence
The CouRT That is right enough, as matter of prn-
clple; but still certain rules must be observed,
Mr. BRADLEY. ! desire that this matter shall be in
vesigated al the proper time and place and as do not
think tins IS the proper time and place. as at present ad
vlsed, wish few momests reflection. will answer
your honor as TO whether object or not as soon as
Mr.. May The counsel on the other side put an inf
mite number OF questions of similar character to our
witnesses when they were on the stand
Here consultation took place between the counsel for
the defence
Mr.. BRADLEY. We agree that the United States may
Mr. MAY. ITO the winess.] | ask you, then.
whether you were not private IN company Il. OF the
20 regiment oil dragoons and enlisted at Baltimore
the 10Th OF May 1889, for five years whether you got
to be corporal in March, 1910. and sergeantin -.
1910; and whether al Fort Shannon, on the 18th, Of
April, lS4l you not reduced TO the ranks from
your position 8 sergeant2
| Mr.. BRADLEY. TO the wness.] You have right
to stale all rhe facts and circumstances connected with
your enlistment, and your being reduced in rank.
Ans. did enlist in Baltimore private Of the 2d
dragons From there went TO Fort Columbus, in New
was made corporal, and few days after that
geant | acted as qaartermaser sergeant OF company
H. had the forage of that company under my charge.
and had special guard to take of it every night
Two members OF that guard owing to some misconduct
on their part were placed by me in the guard house.
They were punished by Colonel Twiggs on the COM
plant made against them. On the night of the day
when one of them was relieved from the guard-hous
he was placed on guard in the forage house That day
negro, who had formerly been guide for the troops in
seeking out the Indians, down to camp from the
town, two miles above, riding poor Indian pony which
had been taken from the Indians The negro known
TO all the commissioned officers OF the regiment.
We had often listened 10 his stories about hunting the
ndlans told him that be ought TO be ashamed to ride
such pony. | asked him why Captain Bryant did not
give him forage for it, He replied that be was
too stingy then told him TO take up part Of bag of
forage ard I'd carry OF to feed his pony with H. carried
back before the guard mounted, and brought bottle
OF brandy, which he handed TO me. 1t cold, rainy
night, and the had placed in the guard -house be-
ing on guard and appearing TO be sck got up mseii.
took the bottle of brandy, and gave hum a drink OF It.
lie went next morning and complained to Siblsy, who
was in command OF the company that had sold forage
to negro for bottle OF brandy Your brother, lspeakng
to counsel,l Charles May referring TO Colonel Mayl
was president OF the cour-martal, which think was
very unfair
Cues Was Colonel Pike Graham PRESENT.
Ans. Yes, sir.
Ques Was Major wiuship member of the court
Ans. will not be sure about him.
Cues Have you him.
Ans. Not TO know him. remember Graham perfect
ly well. have him since came here. He came
TO Ceralvo.
MIR. Bradley. Who ranked in Mexico-you or Colonel
Grahami
Ans He was at that time breve major. was lieu.
tenat colonel of volunteer regiment think that the
charge made against by Sibey was embezzlemenf OF
the public property and giving liquor to soldier on
guard. admitted both the fact OF giving forage to the
negro and the liquor the soldier. | thought the AFFAIR
mere farce Think that the court martial did not find
guilty OF the first charge but they found me guilty OF
giving liquor the soldier. will not be positive, how
ever about that
Mr.. May. Do you say, on your oath. that the court
martial did not hnd you guilty OF embezzlement'
Ans. ! do not remember. My impression 10 that there
difference the court in regard 10 the matter
The was that to be reduced 10 the ranks
Ii there bad been any great embezzement my punish
ment would have been greater was short time alter
honoraby discharged, al the request of my friends.
Cues Was your discharge obtained while you were
with your regimentl
Ans No, sir Shortly afterwards was taken sick,
and an order given by the Secretary OF WAL at the
request of Mr. Gushing, member OF Congress ior Ihe
third district of Massachusetts for me to 60 TO Fort Co-
lumbus New York, the climate OF FLORIDA had AZ
fected my health. At Fort Columbus discharge was
granted me- at the suggestion OF Or. Russell and other
friends. -. -
Ques Were you discharged invalid soldier on
the 9th Of March, 1s42l
MIR Bradley Your discharge is in possession Of the
United States, and ask TO look at it, Have you dis
charge yourself
Ans. / have. l admit that was discharged at the
hospital al Fort Columbus, on the application Of Dr. Rus
cell and other friends.
Cues 1.-THE witpess's discharge having been handed
to him by Mr.. May1 Look on the margin OF that dis
charge and you will find the of il.
Aas IL is dated the 4th of March, 1912 IL states that
constitution seriously impaired that was anected