New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-28
MILITARY COURT MARITAL

col. LYONS VS. MAJOR COCKS.
A Court Martial convened, in compliance with Gen
era Order No So on Saturday evening at the Astor
House 10 inquire 20 the reason of the nonlnspec-
ton of the Eighth Regiment, October 10 last Brig.
Gen. DURrEA presided; Msjor BEsRs Judge-Adye-
cate acting The parties immediately Interested
are Gen. Hall and Col. Lyons on the one hand and
aior Cocks on the ether.
Major Cocks was first called on for his statement Of
the affair He IS Brigade Inspector, I'd Brigadei
Oct, Der 10 was parade DAY OF the eth Regiment which
turned ont under command of Col, Lyons he attended
according to law; Gen. Hall was present, arriving on
the ground Hamilton squsIel after Inspection was
CON menced; Col Lyons desired review oompl-
m, ntarv to the General, which witness refused 70
allow a. being only idle show; the Colonel dis
mi,sed the band, of which he the MAJOR compained
this displeased the Colonel, who, when the band was
replaced said to witness, in an ungentemanly tone OF
voice, "Wen, have you got them fixed TO SUIT you
now " witness simply answered " Yes the Soione'
oiVcd, by request of witness, "a lsp. otor the men
10 give the battalion Co. Lyons asked bow TO do N
and was told in doing it the captains on the right did
rot shift to the len of their commands witness re-
marked loudly that they should have done 40, when
the Colonel in ungentlemanike manner, sand that
the men were right and the Major wrong wltnees
asked for the protection of Gen. Hall, who said that
the Inspector had no tight TO take the CoonePs com
and out of bis hands, and that "a MAJOR happened
to get elected TO the Legislature and passes such
" a law he could neither sustain nor OBEY vi wiz
ness the left the ground.
Closs-examned-Had several interviews with Co.
Lyons about the inspection prior to ITS taxing paoei
was shown card OF manuevtrs, but did not agree
they were TO be the entire order of the day. CARD
pr sented in evidenced That looks like the card, and
Is doub ss a copy Of IL; mounted during the n-
sp,cton; Gen. Hall and Col. Lyons were dismounted
pant of the time when | tired To show the Colonel
low to perform meneuver, he refused "a receive
directions from inferior officer" Gen. Hall In
elfered with the inspection by sustaining the Colonel
and 10y refusing to protect me IN my uuussi VOL
yons did not offer of has stan officers TO convey my
orders claimed pay for the inspection considering
myset entitled TO IT, was willing TO complete and
dd commence the inspection, but was prevented.
Receipt for such pay put IN evidenced Gave ina
r, cept for my pays Col Lyons did not interfere further
than by not ordering the evoluti0ns required.
Capt. SwARTz, swom-Am Captain 9Th Regiment,
Company So was present az the late Inspection
saw Maj Cocks there heard him tell the Colonel that
something wrong, when the Colonelreplled that he
would " not submit to any inferior officer the MAJOR
then went and spoke to Gen. Hail. demanding the er
ercise of his authority TO enable him to fulfill his duty
Gen. Hall replied that the Inspector had no right "
" take command of a regiment TO interfere with the
" Colonel" the Ma Jon reioined that the law made u
his duty to exercise certain movements, when the
General said that I" If Major happens to be elected
to the Legislature. and passes such law, will not
" sustain il !" the Major said he had no more 10 do
then, and left the ground; some gentlemen spoke TO
the General about it, and he said that the Legsla.
" turc had no rig.t 10 paAs such law; the regiment
was subsequently Inspected.
Cross-examined-Can say that the General said he
would not "obcy" the law; spoke of the affair twice
to Naj. Cocks.
GEN HALL wGs then put on the stand-Am Com
mandant of the Third Brigade; was present 10th Got
cher; the Colonel went to the Major aud rendered him
a staff, fhcer, who was accepted the Mayor then
ordered the Colonel 10 stack arms, and then asked
where the band was; Col. Lyons replied that he had
ditmssed them; the band was called by the Adjutant
at tie Majors request, when be Cocks rode
through the ranks and hallooed in loud
ard improper manner; general alignment was
ordered and while it was being executed Major Cooks
called out in loud voice for the captains OF the rgpt
wing 10 shit to the LEFT of their commands; II being
too soon the Colonel ordered the officers to hold heil
places the Major gave all his orders in an uugentle-
nanke tone of voice he several times rode up TO the
cal tairs and gave il orders, which SHOULD have gone
through the Colonies he seemed To put the Colonel en-
trcy out of his commando bis conduct caused laugh
ter among the bystanden the Colonel gave some
order when | hear the Major call out In
rough manner You oil wrong, stop" the
people laughed again | felt unpleasant, and
saw that the Major wanted ~ break the
Colonel down and club his regiment; some little alter
cation ensued between them, AM hen the Mayor rode
ND to me and said that he wanted ~ interference and
projections stated TO Lin whsa Che time comes that
''you need my protection | will give III"
thought be had treated the COIsnel in an improper
II amer; the Major was much agiatcd aud was very
ra!e; he stat, that he thought he doing his duty
replied IL at be had 4" no right TO interfere with the
"comInand as be had done; be then said Il would
not protect him, he would leave the ground and told
Lin that he would do so at his own peril; never said
nything about major beng sent to the Legislature
and on; the Major gave .eyerol orders at once 10
not remember 10 have sad that we would drive Major
Cocks from the Brigade for the part he took 10 the o.
teraon of the Militia laws
Cro-s-examination reserved, and the Adjutant
OF the regimen mt next examined. lie but ooroD0-
rated the statement of Gen. Hall. The Inquiry was