The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-07-30

truction was Learly complete, and the riot
ers then in good order and quiet marched
back to their quarters. No further outrases
were perpetrated, and the excitement pass.
ed off without any further breach of military
discipline. tits clearly shown that the ex
ASPIRATION OF the soldiers engaged, was
great, and their spirit and bearing deter
mined. The Commission are unani nous in
the belief, that had Lieutenan Ball ordered
his guard to fire, the mere destruction of
property would have been darkened into
sangninary street brawl, with loss of life
which cannot be computed, resolute and
desperate as seemed to be the spirit ofthose
directly engaged. Of the fact that none
were subsequently arrested opinions may
differ as to whether Lieutenant Ball was
not entity of failing in duty. But of this
the Commission are emphatic in expressing
their belief that such arrests could not have
been made with any probability Of punish
ment 1t was under the hurried and excited
state OF feeling difficult matter to establish
any identity of the parties implicated; and
it appears in the evidence, that about the
number engaged were under orders to Join
their several regiments, and actually did
leave the next day. The opinion of the Com
mission is, therefore, that Lieut.. Ball did all
that could have been expected ola young
and inexperienced officer, acting in sud.
den emergency and with no one with whom
to advise or call to his assistance.
VI the second branch Of inquiry, the fir.
ing of cannon on the 9th day of March, un-
der the excitement of the supposed capture
of Richmond, the outrages were much more
insignificant, but at the same time equally
reprehensibie and unjustifable. The dam
age done was not ser Gus. and it was rather
an outbreak ofjubilant exhileration, induced
probably by some free indulgencies, com.
mon to hilarious and joyful occasions. On
this point there is but one portion of the ev.
idence which duplicates Lieut.. Ball, beyond
being spectator, with hundreds of others.
Two witnesses testify that Lieut.. Ball order
ed the soldiers, or rather consented that
they should take down the fence to adm it
the cannon into Judge Clagget's yard, but,
on cross-examination, they are not certain
IN that belief; while witnesses for the de.
Tense are positive in their declaration that
he gave no such order.
All of the testimony shows, that the night
was one of great excitement, and the rules
of military order and civil decorum general
ly relaxed. While the Commission do not
approve of the presence of Lieut.. Ball, at
the point indicated in the testimony, they
cannot. upon any evidence offered, connect
him in any manner, with advising, cooper.
ating, or in any regard, being accessory to
the actions of the parties who manned the
cannon, or selected the place where it was
fired. The gun was the property of the
State and in charge Of Col Vial, Aid 20
the Governor who seems to have had and
exercised full control over it.
The Commission would hold it further. to
be harsh justice to an officer who appears
to have done his duty well, in general ad-
ministration, and who unites in himself the
functions of Military Commandant, Com.
missary, and Quartermaster, responsible for
strict discipline with the charge of from 8
to 1900 soldiers and with no indepen dent
command, outside of the convalescents of
the Hospital.
The reputation of Lieut. Ball. and also
Surgeon Taylor, is unimpeached outside of
these transactions, and the Commission are
of the opinion that they have discharged
their duties with fidelity and zeal, and they
do not in the testimony discover any mat
ter of censure against either of them, which
would in their judgment render any further
proceedings in the case demanded by the
good of the service. TSiguedl
FITZ HENRY WARREN,
Brig. Gen. q. s. Cavalry, Prest.
[Signedl GEO. P. NORRIS,
Lieutenant and Recorder.