Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-05-04
INTERESTING sOUTHRN NEWS
Reduction of our Military
Strength.

&c. &c. &C.. nc.

WASHINGTON, May 3-The following officers
comprise the court martial for the trial of Hon
B. g. Harris. OF Maryland:
Major General j. c. Foster, Major General
John @ Parke. Major General o. B. Wilcox,
Breve, Brigadier General G. II Sharpe, Bsiga-
der General VIM. Gamble, Colonel Charles AL
bright, of 202d Pennsylvania volunteers, Lieu
tenant Colonel o. 4. Babcock. A. ID g and
Captain of U. S. Engineers; Major w ". Win
throp. Judge Advocate. all of whom were pres
ent. The following officers we're detailed. but
we're not present: Major General 4. A. Hum
phrey. and Brevet Major General J A Rswlns
The charges and specifications against Harris
are 60 follows:
Charge-violation of the seth article of war
Speculation lst.-ln this, That Benjamin G..
Harris, citizen of Msrylsnd and a me mber of
congress of the United States, did relieve with
money, 10 Wit the sum OF two dollars, the pub
tic enemy, wit: Sergt. Richard Chapman and
private n. NJ. Read. of Co X 32i regiment
Virginia infantry, soldiers OF the army OF the
so called southern confederacy. then in rebellion
against and at war with the United States
The said Harris. then and there we'll knowing
said Chapman and Read to be soldiers of said
army treating and offering to relieve as such
and at the ame time advising and melting them
to continue in said army and make against
the United States, aud emphaticslly declaring
bis sympathy with the enemy and his opposition
to the government of the United States and its
efforts TO put down the rebellion
All this. at or near LeonardtowD, st. Mary
county. Maryland, on or about the 26ih day OF
April, Ices
Specification I'd In this. that b. G Harris. a
citizen of Maryland. and member of the congress
of the United States, did knowingly harbor and
protect public enemy, to wit: Sergeant Rich
ard Chapman and private Read Co. X, 32d Va
soldiers of the so-caled confederate states of
America. then in rebellion against, and at war
with the United States. by procuring them to be
lodged and fed in private house, and furnishing
them with money therefor; and said Harris then
and there well knowing Chapman and Read to
be soldiers OF said confederate states, and offer
ing to give them money. and as such and at the
same time advising them to continue in said ar
my and make against the United States and
emphatically declaring that he sympathized with
the southern confederacy, and its opposition to
the government of the United States in its efforts
To suppress the rebellion This at or near Leon
srdstOwn St Mays Co Nd. on or about the
Goth of April. 1865
Sergeant Wm. Chapman and private VIM.
Read Co X, 800 Virginia infantry. Confederate
army, we're examined and cross examined yes
terday before the court.
Upon the opening Of the court TO day. the pro-
ceedings, which are as follows were brought
forward
Two paroled rebel prisoners were examined
AMI testified that Harris had his residence
given them money and advised them not to re-
gard their paroles. and to continue their hosti-
ties to the government.
Mr.. Harris objected TO their testimony on the
ground that they were guilty of treason, and
therefore. being enemies of the country, could
not testify against q citizen.
The judge advocate then proposed to prove by
the neighbors of Mr. Harris that he himself was
dislOyal. and with the witnesses mutual enemy
of the United States. and consequently not en-
tilted to make exception to their testimony.
The court then took 4 recess to deliberate on
this point. aud the doors we're closed until III 40
Upon re-openng them the court adjourned until
to- morrow
Simon Cameron. Thaddeus Stevens and other
prominent citizens of Pennsylvania called on the
president to day - and introduced by Mr.
Bameron, who addressed the president in few
concise remarks. assuring him Of the implicit
confidence of the state of Pennsylvania in his
ability. justice and integrity.
The president replied at some length. reiterat
ing his future policy towards the late rebellious
states. He fOreshsdowed nothing more than
derive from his speeches already published