Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-07-14


emit, Colonel L. L. Lomax, LIT. Col Thomas Marshall
Lit. Col. 7. B. Massie, and Lieutenant W. NJ Hop.
kins, Judge Advocate. The Court then proceeded to
business. The Court was then duly sworn by the
Judge Advocate, and the Judge Advocate was duly
by the presiding officer of the Court in the
ence of Col A. w Hartman The order converting the
court having been read
Musician j. G. Hogan, 18th Va. Cavalry, witness
for the Defence duly and testified as fol-
lows: only know of some plated ware 1 captured
myself in Fairmont, in Adams Express Office also
got hat there, that am wearing This also got in
the Express office. The plated ware considered my
property, thinking had right to it, and intend.
ed to make present of it to Mrs. Hartman, and the
next morning gave it to the ColonePs colored man.
who going to Staunton In few days. That night
Saw Col. Harman having been absent from my regi-
ment nearly all day, and the Colonel asked me where
had been. 1 told him remained in town, and he
remarked: s'You always plundering" | merely
told Col. Hartman that intended to give the plated
set to Mrs Hartman, and sent it to Staunton without
any further consultation with Col. Hartman He told
me to take it away, that was always plundering /
gave it to the colored subsequent to this CONVEX
sation.
Cross examined. Ques.-Did Col. Hartman know
that you had gwen it to the coorod man?
A75s.-I don't know, but think he did.
q. Did Col. Hartman seem angry when he spoke to
you about plundering?
Il. He spoke very short, and remarked, damn it,
you always plundering.
Q. Did you state that you intended giving this
ware to Mrs. H. because you afraid of being pun
ished for being absent ?
H.. IT. L
was sufficient excuse
@. Did you see any other persons taking articles
from the Express office?
Il. | did. Some were taking lemons.
q, Had you permission to march in rear of your
Regiment on account of the condition of your horse
A. | had not.
@. Was Col Hartman aware of the condition of your
horse?
Il. l suppose he was as had complained, and had
been marching in for several days.
Capt. S. P. Eskridge, A. G. s., of 18th Regt Va.
Cavalry, sworn and testified as follows
After the regiment passed through the town. 1 went
to the depot to look for supplies tor the men of M
Regiment. After getting some, saw some boxes that
had been broken open, and among them was a box
that contained some plated ware All had been taken
out, and piece setting on top of the box IA
gan came to me, saying he had plated ware that
he intended to present to Col, Hartman. Having no
means of carrying it HIMSELF told him thought il
was very well to do So The set was composed OF four
peces, two teapots, coffee urn and castor. took
the piece that was on the top Of the box, teapot
suppose the whole set was worth from $50 to $50 |
have dealt in such articles to some extent.
1t. Col. 7. b Massie, 18th Va. Cavalry. a witness
for the defence sworn, and testified as follows.
[ was present when Mr.. Hagan came to camp. about
8 P. M. He commenced taking it out of bag, saving
to Col. Hartman he had plated ware he intended
for Mrs. Hartman, when the Colonel reprimanded him
saying he had better have been with his Regiment
that If he was able to about and plumber he az
able to march with the regiment and told him to take
it to his negro, who was leading packmule, and tell
niu " garry IL dS Ne udQ SOtten IT.
Capt. P. 81. Woodward A. @. M, 18th Va Cavalry
witness for the defence was duly sworn and testified
as follows Some plated ware, teapot coffee urn
and castor, were turned over as Quartermaster
as captured property this property not hav
ing had an opportunity to turn it over or get rid Of
it. was not with my regiment the expedition in
to Western Virginia Col. Hartman told me I think
on the day after getting back he wanted to turn it
Yer to me.
Brig. Gen. w, E. Jones, a witness for the defense
being sworn testified follows: The first interview
had with the Col. after his return to Staunton he
having lett US at Sntonyie forward supplies to the
command, he stated to me, that one of his men had
captured from the "Adam's Express Office at Fair
mount think, some articles Of plated ware and had
turned them over to him at Huttonsyie when hf
went to bring back the 9th Regt Va Cavalry and the
told them to leave them at Staunton; when he arri
we'd there he found that some one, giving statement
10 the papers OF our operations in the had
mat these articles had been presented to Mrs Har
man, his Wife, The editor of the other paper in that
place. kStaunton,l had made offensive comments
he either told that he had already turned them
over or would do so; and asked me if this was the
proper course to pursue. told him it was: the du.
ties required of Col. Harman were of such charac
ter that ne could not have been expected to have de-
voted much attention to matters OF so little mpor.
lance MY reason tor making this statement is that
the Court may not know the character of the duties
performed by Col Hartman. He had great deal to
do, and but little time to do it in.
Colonel Hartman, then submitted the following ora
statements At Huttonsville this was turned over
to me. had pack mule going directly to nv bouse
and told my servant to take it my house to be KEPT
until returned intending to turn over to the Quar-
termaster, there being no u NJ. with us then.
The Court after mature dellberation upon the eyi.
dence adduced is of the opinion that no further pro-
eeedings necessary and hat the imputat ions cast
upon Col. Harman's character as "a gentleman and a
soldier are without foundation, and the Court would
state that If so grave attention is paid such anony
nous productions the within, the character of no
officer is safe. [Signedl
L. L. LOMAX, Col. 18th Va Cav,
w. M. HOPKINS, Pres. Court.
LIT. and Judge Advocate.
. "a Stanton Spectator requested to copy and Sc nd
bill at once to this otIice.-R2ck. Reaister