The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-12

clalmed TO nave Deen received HOLu Iue uiu-
tary commander. AS vindication Of himself
against the allegations, General Meade has
asked and received authority to publish an ac-
count of his doings. It appears that the muir
the Georgia Constitutional Convention, caused
great deal Of excitement, which ultimately
assumed the form Of political controversy.
1t was charged that General Meade and some
of his subordinates entered into the pursuit
and trial OF the alleged murderers in part for
the qualification Of partisans and to make poll
tical capital. The report, including exhibits,
is quite voluminous, but the great bulk of it
is made up of copies Of orders for arrest, and
returns Of officers thereon.
The report shows that the civil authorities
at Columbus had undertaken to ferret out and
bring to trial the persons that killed Ashburn,
quarters were in that place, at first commenced
the action of the civil officers, but afterwards
recommended that the military take the case
in hand Thereupon Major General Meade
ordered military commission to try such par
ties as might be arrested and charged with the
crime. A number of arrests we're made upon
the suggestion of various parties, but especial
lev and Reed, who were employed by the ad-
vice OF General Grant, and at the request OF
General Meade.
The officer in charge of Fort Pulaski certi-
fes, officially, that these detectives "came to
the fort with the prisoners in charge, with or
ders to have the sole control Of them; conse-
ouently I assumed no authority except to keep
them securely" To discover whether two
colored men, Wells and Staplar, were in pos
session of information material to the case, the
officer says, ''the detectives thought proper to
operate somewhat upon their feelings" This
operating upon their feelings consisted in lath-
ering their heads, prepal atory to shaving
them; blindfolding the prisoners and placing
them in q cesemate Of the fort; there the band
view there stood a soldier ready to fire off q
cannon which was pointed at the accus-
ed. Whilst these threatening operations
were going on, the detectives endeavor
ed to force the prisoners to make some
some disclosures about the murder, but IN
vain, for they protested they knew nothing OF
the killing. They we've then PLACED IN sweas es eat
fort, q little wider than the prisoners body,
the door closing within three inches OF his
breast. and The only air admitted being Though
a few auger-holes in the door. Here they were
left in the belief that they we're to be kept there
thirty DAYS, unless sooner they should disclose
important facts. They were allowed to remain
here thirty-three hours, during which time
they we're nearly suffocated, and again ques-
toned, but with no success. 1t is shown, also,
that neither Of the persons arrested-some
twenty odd-were permitted to consult coun-
sel or converse With anybody, and that they
were thrown into and incarcerated within the
prisons indiscriminately. lhe prisoners VINO
were confined for long time, and afterwards
discharged without trlal, describe their cells
as being some four by seven ieet-others two ,
feet ten inches wide, and dark; no ventilation;
that they had bad food, &c. Upon the matter
of the size OF cells, the report includes letter
of one of the prisoners to the military officer
in charge. setting forth that cells had been
reduced from six to two feet; that they could
scarcely breathe in them, &C., DC. This letter,
with others Of like character, was forwarded
to the Commanding General, who shortly after
gave instructions that il these prisoners Will
Give bonds not to attempt to escape, or to
hold intercourse with any persons but such as
are authorized by the commander OF the sub
district of Georgia, the prisoners can be re-
moved to the officers quarters, and be made
as comfortable as is consistent with their peing
under proper surveillance"
Another charge OF the released prisoners is
that they we're arrested without affidavit, or
warrant, or charge, and were not permitted to
confer with counsel or friends. The report
upon this point shows, that In the first IN
stance. and for some days, the order was that
the prisoners be not permitted to converse
with any person whatever, but that at q later
period they were allowed to confer with coun'
sel. -,
rest had been made, namely on the 3Oth OF
June last, General Meade informs General
Grant and the Secretary OF War that upon
leaving Washington he was Of opinion that
civil prisoners might and should be turn
to~; a Qd
mission of the State, but the Developments OF
the Ashburn murder case has modified this
opiniop. and he thinks that all military COM
Missions pending when the State 10 admitted
should be carried out by the military authorl-
ties. and asks if Congress can take action In
the matter. Four days prior to the foregoing
communication, namely 26th Of June, General
Meade sent to the Secretary Of War the folow-
ing communication
Il deem it Of the utmost importance, no'
oply for the ends OF justice, but for my per-
sonal y1ndication, that the Ashburn murderers
should be tried by military commission, and
have accordingly ordered the trial for MONDAY
next. Before going North I retained e1-
Governor Brown as counsel fur the gov
ernment. I deem his services OF great
Importance, not only for his legal ability, but
for the influence his position IN the State VIII
give the prosecution. He has been actively
EMPLOYED during my absence, but to-day, on
INV asking HIM what his fee would be, hs re-
plfed five thousand dollars stated did
not feel authorized to pay such an amount
without the sanction Of superior authority he
Expressed his vii ingness to withdraw, and not
to communicate any information he had OBJ
tanned"
Governor Brown IN view of the Importance OF
the case and the fear that defendants would
hire him, and concludes by saying the evi-
dence is Of the most positive kind, and leaves
no ground to- doubt the conviction OF tho prih-
oipal actors.