The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-04-25
THE sTANWIX HALL TRAGEDY.
Trial Of George w. Cole for The Mnraer oil La
Harris HiscOclk mt Aibany-eon'nunnon oil
tne Testimony for the Defence.

ALBANY, April "a, lo0S.
The court met this morning at the usual hour.
Edward r. Fox sworn and examined by Mr..
Mitchell reside at Rochester; first became ac-
snarted with the prisoner on September ., 1851 at
washington: Twas private in his company; re-
manned with him until May s. 1868; returned to him
in January 1864, and remained until October 1864;
rrjolned him in Texas at that time, and left him In
February 1866; that was the last saw of him; he
was IN excellent health and good spirits when first
Knew him. he was injured on two occasions first in
the last OF the summer OF 1862; he then went into
the hospital: think he left in the last of Noyem.
her or the first of December; he received the
second injury by his horse stumbling and falling
IN the night: was personal orderly under him;
the horse ie upon him the breasts he LEFT for
home on sick leave; he was frequently delirous and
cestive; was costve for two or three DAYS and his
bowels moved by medicine; there was a
hemorrhage OF the bowels generally upon evacua-
ton; ! next met him in January, 1894, at Fortress
honroe he was then in ftful spirits, sometimes
.jovial and at others melancholy; had to remain in
his tent at times from aiction of the breast and
her: at times when apparently jovial he would be-
come melancholy and would leave the room; the
never knew him to be excused from duty;
he frequently did duty while sick; met
snn to be in ftfh moods, jovai at times and then
melancholy; his detection would continue for one
or two days. his health was poor, his constipation
continued, his melancholy more frequent; in
june, 1894. he was completely Frustrated and was
SICK for two or three months; he always on
duty when an order came; have not seen him since
until now.
Cross.examlned by Mr.. smith, am twenty-four
years Of age and manufacturer OF boot patterns;
both injuries were caused by the falling OF horse;
he was cheerful when well; when sick was mean-
choly and dejected; have tried to make commu-
nication 10 him, when 1 unsuccessful, but /
never attempted to speak to him on business when
he was in that mood; he was in command Of a regi-
ment while we were on the James river.
Frank Garrett OF Syracuse, testified that he first
became acquainted with General Cole in the fail Of
ftNI t,.t
during August, 1882 sick leave from the effects of
injuries received previously; the General affected
10y those injuries when witness first joined his com
pany; the injuries seemed to grow on him; his sleep
was very much disturbed; saw him nights walking
around the camp instead Of sleeping; he seemed to
be IN pain. and especially after march; on the Tar
boro raid we were ffty-four hours in the saddle
without sleep eating or rest, except about
40 hour: when we came to halt at the end
OF the raid the General fell from his horse from
exhaustion and was unable to proceed further;
he seemed 10 suffer from severe paid internally,
and was sick for some time afterwards, suffering
much pain after returning TO camp; the Generals
mind seemed Judging from remarks made by him. to
be affected by the injuries he sustained on this rul
twas nearly two months after the raid before he
was able to mount horse; after reaching camp after
the raid the General, in answer to my questions, ap
peared childish and would turn the conversation
upon matters entirely foreign to my questions;
him afterwards at Norfolk In the fall OF 1854. and
manned with him during the greater part OF the win
ter OF 1864 and 1865; during that time he often
planned OF his old injuries and would frequently have
to 20 to hotel; found him at hotel lying in
bed with his head much lower than his breast, and
General his condition there was about the same be
did not DO any duty while in Texas witness came
home about a week before the General the latter
called at the store of witness frequently since their
return from the army. Witness noticed the General
had lost his pleasantly, seemed absent minded-so
much so that he would have to speak to him several
times 10 arouse him. he would rise up in the midst OF
conversation and abruptly leave the store: his
mind seemed unsettled; he was melancholy and de-
yected; at one time witness struck him famarly
the leg when the General said:"Don't strike me
there; that where | was wounded; >if il had
eniy been little higher up | would now be sleeping
under virginia soii;'' when witness would ask him
and appeared to be thinking of something else;
speaking OF his injuries the General said his wound
had s used him up; that he WAS Of no more good to
General spoke highly once or twice Of Mr.
Hiscock
ON cross-examnation witness testified that he
called on General Cole on business and once
or twice found him unit to transact bust
his stan from May 1865, to January, 1866: was
with the General all the time, both in Virginia
and Texas; never occupied the same quarters or
house with him; was with him on the vessel ON the
voyage To Texas; be seemed to be in good health
General Cole. heard that he went; his health
IN Texas was generally good, except when attacked
camp about week he had an attack which lasted
abont two weeks: had "A conversation with the Gen
eral shortly after arriving In Texas in which he said
ne was disappointed as he was so healthy the
voyage he had hoped he had recovered from his nu-
ries, but he found be had not; witness could not
detail any particular conversation which gave him
an Impression a. to the condition OF Coles mind
cept on one occasion, when he went to see him on
business IN relation 70 a muster roll: he could not
get the General to speak OF the business on which
he called, hut he talked of several different subjects
on another occasion remembered the General tryng
20 wri;e letter, but unable said he did not feel
well enough 10 write: can't state occasion when
TIE General was in good health when he was not
Jovlal and IN good humor the General came into my
store during The winter Of 1s66 and 1867 when con-
yersation occurred which gave an impression as
To the peculiar state OF his mind: he spoke OF going
10 California 70 Washington: spoke of his illness
and injuries and said he did not think he would get
over -; he was unsettled; did not answer several
questions put 10 him and finally LETT abruptly:
this conversation. together with former impression
hrst gave me AN indication as 10 the state OF his
mind
Joshua Rogers, Of Syracuse, sworn-First became
acquainted with General Cole previous to his going
into the army; was wen acquainted with him. ana
knew him Ia he strong athletic man, and or good
spirits: cOrresponded with him while he was In the
army; met liln after his return To syracuse and
Heed his change OF mind: found he had lost his
spirits. and Thought his melancholy grew upon him:
met the General in Washington the spring previous
10 the homicide: found him living on the floor In his
room at the Metropolitan Hotel, with his pants I'M
loustned, with towels wet with ice water between
BIS limbs and on his bowels: found him In great
pam, with hls bowels. protruding: the General said
he ial no desire to uve--didn't whether he
lVed or died: thought his injuries would Kill him: he
did not expect 70 live long any way; two or three
daysater was with theGenerai at the Senate Chamber
wen he mad another turn and was unable TO go TO
hs hotei, ana had To lie down n sofa in q commit
zee room; he appeared 20 be In agony and was very
liant; when ne was somewhat recovered went with
nun 10 his hotel, where he laid down: after his re-
tirn nom Washington met him at syracuse: he ap.
Pedicu tn W. uoWn-hedficd a. before and his CONVEX
Satlon Was oi the same melancholy character: the
expression ol MS cOuntenancc very sad and de.
spondent; Knew ihe Generals family II consisted Of
wile and Two children: The children we're ared
thirteen aud niteen; The relations between the Gene
IN anu ulS'ock were friendly: knew Hiscock's
family; he had son amt daughter the latter about
seventeen.
Guy Davis, Of syracuse tSStlaed that he became
acquainted with General Cole IN May. 1865: in con
versaiion with im thought he discovered something
singular about the man. great deal OF nervousness:
hs eyes had very peculiar cast seemed to he blood
Shot ana mad nervousness ahOnt them: he mentioned
his being thrown from his bOrse and said he was very
BADLY hurt about the LETT side: hai a subsequent con.
verssOn with him: he asked me tO walk in the
machine shop and supposed he was about to show
me ne establishment when he suddenly turned ana
went out again. leaving me abruptly; his conduct
wa very singular: from the actions speech and
manner ~ General Cole az that time witness formed
au opinion as to the condition of Coles mind; the