The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-07

MAAk A04 VIVA Va ANUSAAs4
RELATIVE TO TIE
LOSS OF THE STEAMSHIP SAN FRANCISCO.
-~~~>~~-~~~~~~~-~~~>~-~>~~~
Full Report OF the Proceedings.
OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS CORRESPONDENCE
TBLBeRAPHIo NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF WIT
HEssIs, ETC.
This court was convened by order Of the President OF
the United States inquire into the facts contested Win
the less Of the United States transport steamer SAu Fran
cisco rs also such matters may relate TO the e
baraon Of the troops and the conduct Of the officers
and men OF the command.
The Court met At II O'Clock at the office Oh tho Com
msnder in Chief General Soott) No Ia West Eleventh
street. all the members being present
The court having been previously In ss,ret session thsn
opened DOORS and upon entering the room Win CITY
reporter we informed by General Scott with the
Of the Court that there were any report
era In the he desired to say that they neither In
ved declined their presence but wished 1t to Do un
eesood that they would DO admitted just IS any other
citizens who might desire to hear the public proceedings
Of the court" The General very kindly added that no de-
sired MS al the facilities which the room anoraed
Tor writing table was furnished accordingly for
which, well ~ for the general courtesy extended 70 US
by the Judge Advocate and other members OF the court OF
INQUIRY We this opportunity for returning our os
sinoere thanks.
General SCOTT then observed to the Court that II would
be improper to proceed with the taking Of testimony until
the arrival Of the officer into whose conduct they were
more particularly directed to inquire, (refrripg to COL
GAtes) This oissr accordingly notified that the
| court was in session
General Winfield Scott, the president Of the court
whose glorious achievements have made his name
household word thr land seated 1t the
1 had of fba tab 4
presented to the old hero by the State Of louisiana 1t
| beArs the following in 'crlption:-
Pesened by the People of the Stats OF Louisiana to
General Winfield Scott for his gaAntry and gsnsralship
Cerro Gordo Contrerss Churubusco Aolno del Rsy Cha
putepec, And to his final entry Into the city OF Mexico.
We are happy say that the General Is looking WELL
though still suffering from the effects OF his fall On the
rgh, OF the President o, the Court seated Bgader
General Stanton Of the Department. aud
on bis left Colonel SUMNER Of the LIST Dragoons-ths
foot OF the table being occupied by Major John F. Les
the learned and able Judge Advocate Of the army who
conducted this investigation the part Of the govern.
mspt Col nel VIM Gates Of the Sd Artillery, who also
the troops board the San Francisco
whose conduct has be bitterly attacked by Of
the country pres without giving him IN opportunity to
defend himse-was then informed that the Court In
session and desired his presence The Colonel
ed in the undresa uniform Of his grade and upon entering
the took seat upon the right Of the Judge Advo
cate. reference to the order concerning this nvest.
CATION win show that the Of the conduct Of
this officer Is OF the principal objects contemplated
! In the institution Of the present inquiry.
The Court then and took the oath prescribed In
such cases by the regulations the Judge Advocate ad
miasterng It. The Jaige Advocate was In his tura then
sworn by the President Of the Court.
Upon the conclusion Of this ceremony the following or
der, concerning the court, read BY Major Lss:-
cory OF THE ORDER CONVEYING TIE COURT.
WAR DEPARTMENT. ApJuTASr- GENERALS OFFICE,
WASHINGTON Jan. 28, 1854. I
srEuM Orders No. 1.-The following order from tbs
War apartments published for the information Of al
| concerned -
| WAR DEPARTMENT, jan. n, 1884
BY direction Ct the President Of the United States
Monday the day Of FEBRUARY 1854 or Is soon there
after practicable to examine ato Gil the
attending the emSaIk.,iOn in peSsmIss last, 9. the
Third Arti ry board the steamship San Francisco,
destined for California the Of the lure Of the
expedition, And OF tho disorgAnSAon CT the command
sea- add al facts and circumstances which may
the conduct Of the commander, and Of ths officers
| and men Of the command.
The o. urt will be of Major General Windeld
ssost Commanding the army; Brevet Brsadief General
oes Ears, SrssS.
and Brsves Ms john T. Lee, Judgs Advocate Of the
army, ., Recorder.
case, with their opinion. By order.
JEFFERSON DAVIS Secretary Of War.
IL,
The Court proceeded to the taking OF testimony
Col Thomas Swords, OF the Quarter Master Generals
s eT s on sasd =. follows Ta
witness wssAled upon the part Of the United states
The cath administered to this vi,ness was ia the
form usually ed Ia swearing those who give owl
| dence before = military tribunal
Question by Judge Advocate-Are you Quarter Master
Q by Judgs Advocate--As such did You charter the
San Francisco 10 transport the Third Regiment Of Ar
| lery to the PscifaS Al did
! - AdyOca II nd
instIuotions this charter nader A-Under . requ.
son Of Col Gas. the commanding officer II the troops
to be embarked and the instructions Of the Quarter
| Master General.
Q-By Judge Advoca VIII you exhibit to the Court
that have all the inst uotions but have all the
papers which srs pertnsnt to the subject Here IL
Col Gstes'a requsitop (Ths witness hsre produced
sIR-Bsps urder orders for San Francisco California
with the BIZ companies Of artillery stationed along
the Allan c coast have to desre transportation for
them together With asuppy OF provisions for nine months
at least the voyage viii be round Cape Horn cannot
give you an accsssts statement OF whole number OF
men uncer my orders, becAufe there will b dis
CHARGE after the companies reach Fort Coumbus-they
having but shor ne to Bat my present belief
ia that there will be twenty Eve sicsrs and $50 men, be
sides women belonging to tbs six The exas!
amount OF provisions to be taken With the troops
rels OF pork, hour, 30.
As tine when the troops viii b ready to embark
cannot correctly inform you butI shall try 10
al ready BY the 18th day OF this month would say
sooner had the power but only inform you Of the
probaoites ~ This time The orders gone, and
must await the arrival Of the troops at Fort Columbus
| before can say ytbipg further.
eques you will Obtain clipper ship before any other
for the OF the troopo they will proceed
with greater speed than the packets now In use. Am,
| Gear air, respectfully, your obsdlent servant
| WIN CAT IS, Col 3D. Artillery, C,mm sndins.
Col Thoe cords Assistant QuArtermastsr New York.
This witness then ADDED
And here are the FIST instructions me from the Quar-
| termaster General.
| The following document here presented and read
| aloud TO the court by the Judge Advo,A.s:-
| QuARrKRNAsrER GxyRRAI's OrrcI
| WASHINGTON Cry, Sept 80, 1883
| SR-On receiving information the time when chs
companies OF artillery recently cred to the Pacific win
be ready to embark will provide transportation for
them via Cape Horn You will consult with Major Gen.
era Scott or such officer - he may designate the
amount OF transportation necesry to be provided. De-
tailed In, rucsons the subject will be piyen hereafer
Very respectfully your osediept servant