Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-11-16

at their rooms, 467 1ith street, at IL O'clock
Present: Major Generals George H. Thomas,
(P1esident) w. s. Hancock and H. Terry,
and Judge Advocate General Holt, for the
Governments; the counsel for General Dyer,
Messrs. David Dudley Field, Lieut.. Col. s. V.
Benet, and w. A. De Caindry; aud the counsel
for the accusers, Messrs. Arrick and Kennon
The record OF last meeting having been read,
Mr.. Field hoped the word accused used or the
record when referring to General Dyer would
be dropped, and the word defendant used in.
stead; so ordered, no objection being made.
General Hancock thought 1t would be we'll
TO dispose OF the application of counsel for de-
fence few days since that the decision Of the
Court when made should ne publicly an
nounced as unanimous or not as the case might
be.
Mr.. Field said that General Dyer was very
anxious TO have the decision so announced, as
he desired the public to know how mis- brother
officers would dispose Of his case.
Judge Advocate General Holt thought the
precedents were against such proceedings, and
he did not know if the opinion could be SO an
nounced.
Mr.. Field said counsel for defence would not
press the matter. The Court could act as thew
should think proper.
Mr.. Arrick thought the Court was reviewing
an inquiry already made by Congressional
must be taken by this Court: because. if the
Court should decide adversely to the report Of
the committee, they would p at themselves in a
position antagonlstlc to the Congressional
committee. He was not here to defend the re-
port OF the committee, and diu not know which
side should open the case.
Mr.. Field said the report of the Congressional
committee was not testimony. He had nothing
to say against that report at present, but would
give it his attention at the proper time. That
report was e1 pdrte OF course, the doors of the
committee room closed, every one turned ont
except those whom the accusers wanted; and
was it possible that three gallant officers were
to he asked TO render verdict on this er p1rte
report!
Mr.. Arrick said the doors OF the Committee
room were closed against both sides, and ar
gued that the report of the Committee must be
taken by the Court.
Judge Advocate General Holt said every per.
son charged must be held to be innocent until
his guilt De proven.
General Thomas, President of the Court, an
nounced that the Court would require the ac-
Gus ers, or their counsel, to bring testimony TO
prove their accusations, as ii was the custom
in all Courts Martial, or Courts of Inquiry, to
compel accusors TO bring testimony 10 sustain
their charges
Mr.. ArrIck then read from the report of the
Congressional COMMITTEE, and offered in evl-
dence report of the Ordnance CommIttse
made III 1867.
Mr.. Field examined the same and objected
to It's admission, as the report was not attested,
and had nothing 70 show where il came from.
He further objected to 1t as General Dyer was
not at the head OF the Ordnance Bureau at that
time.
Mr.. Arrick argued that the report was taken
before the Congressional Committee aud con-
sidered as evidence.
Mr.. Field said he would show before he got
taken before the Congressional committee was
evidence He never heard of such thing rs
receiving paper in evidence without the same
being au thenticated.
General Thomas said the Court would require
that all documentary evidence be properly
authenticated or sworn 10 by some competent
witness.
Mr.. Arrick said he would prove it by the
clerk who made II.
Gen. Hancock thought the proper way to
proceed was to have the paper authenticated
by the records Of the War Department, and
not by clerk, who was In no way response
bic.
MIR. Arrick insisted upon proving ths paper
by the clerk who prepared the same.
The court was cleared for deliberation, and
upon re-opening, the President announced that
the document would be rejected for the precent,
j. 1t was not properly authenticated by the Of
fetal custodian, and all documents hereafter
presented as eyideE ce must be SO authenti.
Gated.
Mr.. Arrick said the report Of the committee
stated that some of the records from The Ord
nance Department came TO them mutilated, and
were sent by the accused. He attempted 10
read from the report, but was Interrupted by
the Court, W no notified him the paper must be
properly authenticated before il could be- re-
ceiyed by ithe court. He next proposed to
identify the projectIle adopted by the Ordnance
Board in lo6l.
General RoIman sworn and examined by Mr..
Arrick:-Witness was a member OF the Ord
nance Board in April, lsGl that Board con-
sldered the subject OF rifle projectile; could
identify the proJectile acted upon by that
BOARD. Witness was mere shown shell, hut
would not swear to 1t as the one adopted. Wit
ness was here shown another prolectle. but
testified it was not adopted by the Ordnance
Board IN 1861.
BY Mr.. Field:-The proiectiIe was not urged
upon the board by Gen. Dyer; projectile had
been adopted prior to 1861.
Mr.. Arrlck next proposed to offer in evidence
a report of an Ordnance Board of 1868, of which
Gen. Dyer was a member
Mr.. Field did not object, but would hold the
counsel 10 the ruling of the Court. The object
nt nah roof St Sfp tod md no NNnr
OF such report read as II was proposed TO put in
Mr. Arrick argued that it would be neces-
sary for h'm TO read the whole paper.
Mr.. Field argued that not one tenth part OF
the report proved TO be put in evidence had
any bearing upon this case. A man could not
offer a large book in evidence. He must state
the points bearing on the case.
Mr.. Arrck desired only TO read from the
report all matter bearing on rIfied prolectiles,
which was permitted. and he then read such
portions of the report as referred to that SUBJ
Iect, in Guiding the order under which the board
TO examine rified projectiles convened, also a
letter from the accused on the same subject,
some statements in which he thought he could
prove incorrect. He also read a letter from
Capt. Parrott in regard to the same subject.
Mr.. A. read the letter as the views OF Capt F.,
without claiming them TO be infallible, but
asked for them the consideration of the Court.
Mr.. Field read from the same report the en-
dorsement of the Secretary Of War on the letter
OF Gen. Dyer above referred to.
The Court then received IN evidence the por-
tiCns Of the report read.
ALL OTHER business in the Departments is
subordinate to the preparation by the different
Secretaries Of their annual reports. The most
of them are well along having been made up
with the aid Of briefs su omitted by heads OF
bureaus. The Cabinet officers in turn are now
preparing abstracts of their reports for the use
Of the President, who is beginning his annual
message. Most Of the bureau reports are al.
ready in the hands OF the public printer.
IMPORTATION has been received at the Treas
ury Department that James +. Watson, late
claim agent at Lafayette, Indiana, has been
sentenced to State prison for four years for for
gerry Of soldiers bounty claims and bounty
checks.
THE WHITE HoUsR.-But few visitors were
at the Executive Mansion to-day, all of whom
were admitted to see the President Secretary
Seward had a lengthy interview this forenoon.
Hon. ]. NJ. SCBOYIILD, Secretary OF War, re.
turned to the city this morning from Bslt-
more, and was discharging the duties OF his
Office to-day.
ORDERED TO THEIR CoMNANps.-The fol
lowing named officers have been ordered to
proceed witho ut delay to join their proper
commands: Brevet Maj. Gen. s. p. Heintzsl.
roav Nol nth infantry. Rrevot Ma; (aana-.