The Cleveland leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1865-1865, 1865-05-08
Saturday Nights Report.
HARMS COURT 1ARTIAL-

WAsHISGTOA, May 6.
The trial Of Benjamin J. Harris was re-
sumed this morning before court martial
of which Major General Foster is President.
Judge Crane, Of Baltimore, appeared as
| council for Mr.. Hsrris.
Sergeant L. B. Stewart. Co. G, IIth Regi-
ment, Veteran Reserve Corps, was sworn
and testified that on the 27th of April last,
he was on duty at LeonardssoWn, Nd, and
was ordered by Captain Willoughby to pro-
ceed to the residence of Benja-
MIN G. Harris and arrest him. He effected
the arrest, and then took charge of Mr..
Harris and remained with him q couple of
hours. During that time witness had con-
versatiOn with Mr.. Harris, and the latter
maGe certain statements with regard to
Chapman and Read, paroled rebel soldiers
who had visited his, (Harris') house, on
the previous day. Accused said two men
came TO his house and inquired the way to
LeonardstoWn, and also the distance, and
they further stated that they wished TO get
to get to Baltimore as quickly as possible
and take the oath of allegiance. Accused
told witness that he told the men that they
could 60 to Baltimore, but the federais
could not compel them TO take the oath Of
allegiance, on account Of the agreement
entered into between General GTstt and
General Lee. Accused then gave the men
one dollar each and their supper. Accused
also said the men wished 10 stay oyer night
at his house, but he told them they could
not do so, as people about there knew his
political symPs, bies too we'll.
Upon his orOss examination and upon
questions put by the accused, witness testi-
fed that ho did not recoflect the accused
telling him (Witness1 that he (Harris) had
no wrong motive in giving Chapman and
Read money, nor did witness understand
the accused to say, he thought it was prop
er to give 70 Psroled prisoners money to
help them along on their way home.
Witness was asked TO state the whole
conversation be had with the accused rela-
tive TO the conversation between the SC
cused and Chapman and Read.
Witness replied by saying that in con- |
VersstiOn, after giving Of the money had
been spoken of, the accused said that all
the trouble was all the fault damned sbOli-
tiOnists; that if the abolitionists had stay
ed away it would have been all right. The
accused also said that few persons in
Washington interfering in the affairs that |
General Grant and General Lee had made, |
was damned piece of humbug that Re- |
puBlicsns would not rule long, but by God /
they would soon be shown who would rule |
Witness did not recollect that the accused |
said that he never did anything more in |
nOceDtly than he did wnen ne gave the |
men money 70 nolp tnem dlOuBs WnSn 1
this conversation took place no one was
present but witness and the accused. Mr.. |
Maddox was not present at that converse
tion, but he was there at some other con-
VersatiOn! The accused told Mr.. Maddox |
that he did not know what in hell he was |
arrested for, and Maddox replied that it 1
was said in LeOnardstOwn that Chapman |
and Read had reported him. To tins the /
accused replied, that he could not see what /
IN the devil they had reported him for.
The Judge Advocate here closed his case,
Ihe right to:call ssrgesnt Swan,
thelHitness for whom they have been waiting
when he should bs in attendance. Judge /
Advocate withdrew his offer 70 prove DIS
loyalty of the accused. By agreement be-
tween Judge Advocate and accused terms
of capitulaton between Gov. Grant and
Gen. Lee were put in evidence. The Judge
Advocate alse asked leave to correct the
record and Chapman wss called to settle 3
point in mis- testimony. 1t sppearediupOn
record that it was testified that Read re-
marked that it was too late then TO kill the
President; witnesses recollection Of it was
that it was Mr.. Morris and not Read who
made the remark. The Court then adjourn
ed until Monday, when the accused will
commence his defence.