The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1865-07-12

CHAMP PRECURSORS TEIAL.-This long an
ticipated trial commenced yesterday before
the Military Commission, OF which Capt.
Blackburn Is Judge Advocate, who read the
order detsiliDg the court, and asksd the ac-
cused's attorneys il they had any objection
TO any members Of il. Judge Joseph Gill,
senior counsel, replied that be had none, but
that be should make it ground Of his de-
fence that Ferguson surrendered upon the
promise Of Col. Blackburn that he should
Tor be mo,ested BY the United States author
itiss as long as he obeyed the laws Of the
locality where ne resided. All this, how
ever, wss informal hs the court hAd not yet
been sworn. Capt. Blackburn now admin
stered the usual oath, and was himself
sworl TO divulge nothing he might know Of
the findings, or Of thevoie Of the individual
members Of the court, until allowed legally
10 do 3d.
Capt. Go .dwin, one Of the counsel for the
accused, now read an affidavit Of 10 pages
length, setting .ouhr grounds for e continu-
ancs The grounds we're that Ferguson had
not been able to procure tho attendsnce Of
his witnesse', whose residence and materi-
slity were infinitely stated. The Judge Ad-
vocate suggested q fatal objection to the sil-
dayit, residing from the Army Regulations a
clause requiring the accused 10 state the
time required by him, in which 10 obtain
bis absent witnesses. This had not been
done bv the prisoner. The defect, how
ever was coon remedied and the affidavit
taken under a3visement. Capt. Blackburn
will this morning present his objections 10 it
10 writing, when she question ofcontinuanee
viii be referred 20 Heed Quarters, the
Commission having itself no power 10 cons
tinuc.
Ferguson 10 o iall, well built man, Of about
fouy.dve years Of age. His hair is black
ald tolcrably short, and seems from long
habit to have grown in one direction, at an
angle Of a. degrees backward from the sur
face Of his head This gives him some.
what fierce appearance. His forehead is
large white and wen proportional. Beneath
Il are two dark penetrating eyes which look as
shoueh they wero little accustomed 70 tears.
Ills cleek bones are rather prominent, sug-
resting 10 ones mind wei formed half
bred Indian. Added 20 these features, is a
well q mod nose. prominent and
slightly ucquillne Beneath .ihis Is a large
bulging lip covered with black brisiles Of
about two weeks growth. The lower lip Is
small aud when She mouth is shut gives the
Batter compTe sed snd somewhat puck
BRED spptarancc. The small chin aside
irom its lsuottmcss does not indicate great
frmness, but the whoe face beiokens en-
iinnensc sinouit ofit His beard Is shori
and seems to be about fortnight old. It's
blsclyness renders the small space Of clear
skin upon tho upper portion OF the checks
doubly transparent. Ii we mistake not there
are signs Of pretty free drinking in little
blood-shot network resembling the hectic
flush Of a consumpiive. A coarse, heavy
rusty sack coat covers his broad shoulders
while q checked hannel shirt and dark blue
pants with his half heavy boots, an pretty
vel worn, make mp the balance Of his
wardrobe.
when We 6rit saw him he was in the court
room, alone with his two guards, and evil
IDENTITY did not observe that We were watch
ing him with interest. lie was thinking
no doubt, Of very unpleasant things, and
was uneasy from causes other than weayi
ness Of body from long sitting. We wer,
not displcascl 90 notice that occasionally h
heayod a deep sigh. What memories {
other deys-days Of peaco--days Of youn
manhood, days whom the homes Of Tonnes
zee were quiet, sud the snnsls Of crime wer
vet untitled with the pictures Of blood, "a
pine, murder aad arson, now so iamilis
60 gs-were filling his soul, who can say
We viii not undertake to iatbom the depth
o. fechng-of agoay, Of aespair, 10 the hu
mah heart whose pulSahopsare at the mel
c. OF offended iustieei
Whatever Of intsresi Is developed in hi
trial We shat daily give cur readers, and
W present a picture o. crime hitherto an
known to our pages. h viii only be beeaus
We shall be compelled 10 detail facts testife
To By undouble8 Witnesses. No unkiud wor
shal ia'i from cur pen sgainstthe prisone
who is now joining issue with his govern
ment for his life. Re shall have from N
- We know he will from the court, the full
est Justice. None would more rejoice, "a
the sake OF human nature, to be found mis-
tskea in our estimate Of his character, tha
we.