Daily national Republican. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1862-1866, 1865-05-06
LoCAL n u w . .

THE TRIAL or BENJAMIN q. HAMS. THE
uSwoRTHY MRnBKR OF CosaRnas. Tho Court
Martial, Of which Major General Rostsr is presL
dent and Major Winthrop Judgo Advocate. mst At
when the case of benjamin o, Harris was re-
sumod. The Judge Advoeats stated that the cav
airy sergeant who was witness In the case, and
ior whom the seurs had se,a waiting for seyersl
and that all reasonable diligence had been exer.
eised TO have the witness here. He would not
keep the eoart waiting longer, aa he was not
certain at what time tho witness would be here.
Sergeant Reuben n, Stewart, company G, llth
V. X. e., the sergeant who made the arrest, was
called and sworn. Witness was requested 10
state the conversation which oeearrsd between
him aud Harris after the AHeSt was made. He
testified that on tho 9Th day of April he was de-
tailed with guard OF six men 10 proceed 10 the
residence Of Harris and make the arrest. Amer
the arrest was made, witness was luft Slone with
the accused for about two hours. Accused stated
20 witness that the night before two parolad rebel
| soldiers Chapman ard ReadJ came 10 his (ac-
enssd q house. aud inquired the way to Leon
| aTdtoWn.
The men also stated they wanted to 70 TO Baiu.
| more a. soon as possible The men said they
were paroled prisoners from Lees army. Ae-
eused said he told them they could 80 there with
out taking the oAts Accused also said Chapman
aud Read proposed 10 take the oath. Accused
| told them that our mon could not eofapel them
10 take the oath, according to tho terms OF
eapltulstion between Con. Lee and Gen. Grant.
Accused gave them one dollar each aud told them
that would pay their lodging, and n they wanted
any more he would give Il 10 them. The men
wanted 10 stop at the house Of accused during the
night, but accused refused to let them stay, tel.
ing them the people Of the nclghborhood knew
his political sentiments aud he could not letthem
stay. Accused aid not tell witness they asI ed hi I'm
| for money.
| Cross-examined by accused:
Odd not tell you these men came there
aud asked for lodgings, and said I did not wish
to lodge them hut gave them ono dollar eaebs
A.-YeA, sir; aud you said the people about
there knew your political feelings.
Q-Dld I not say had no Intention Of com.
mitting any oaencef
A.--No, sir,
The accused then wanted witness 10 rive All
IN. eonyersation which occurred 5g,ing IN ,Sa
hours This was objected 10 bV lie J1dge Ad.
vocats, and the Court cleared for deliberation,
on re-opening, the Court decided to allow ae.
worda; "siats ali that accused said 10 vs.i IN
that conversation relating sxolusively 10 inc
Conversation betweep accused and Chanmnn ana
Read - -
Accused declined 10 INIT The oue.tiop In Ana.
form, and wanted witness 10 relate ths whole
con yerSation, "
Al This poInt Harris asked leave "A introares
Jadgs crhps 4, his eoanssl 10 rb,,s ,hs,e Soss
no objection, and Judge Crane look His seat bv
Harris. ~ 77Ils - = =
The Judge Advocate stated that he xyonId
withdraw his offer 10 Introduce te1timonv a. ~
the disloyal character of accused.
He also stated thai he had received a telegram
from the ofheer who had been sent for the cavalry
sergeant as n witness. and had learned the rlass
whore the sergeant was atstioned' He Ioaid
here close the case for the Ooyern ment resrrring
the right 10 examine the .eroean M ~ nan ha shea5
nnpear ''S~'"
fhs Judge Advocate also requested aecused Ia