The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-07-29
famed herself with the grace Of an houri;" 30
Ed. Yereer said, "but captivated, perfectly
yanauished her."

fanped herself with the grace Of an houri;" 30
Ed. Yereer SAID. "but 1 captivated, perfectly
vanquished her"
It is convincing evidence to my mind that
Yerger is morally aud legally irresponsible for
the terrible deed he has committed, that
he has. as am credibly Informed, no realizing
seuee Of the heInousaes Of his offence. His
manner in the courtroom intere sted me. he
pretended to be reading newspaper most or
the time, but when some point IN tho testl-
mopy would arrest his attention, he would lit
his eyes over his glasses, as they were peIcneo
upon his nose, direct Them toward the witness
with sort OF halt inquiry. hall plying con
idiot say nextp" You could not say be was
in the least interested in the testimony; at
the same time he seemed not unconscious
that it was testimony that might save bus Ire.
I reached the courtroom before the opening
of the commission, and just as ferger, hls nve
or Six guards with fixed bayonets, ana the
officer OF the guard came marching into the
rocm, Yercer was hanlcuffed and manacled,
but the chain WIS long enough to permit toi-
cradle stride. Yereer came on, bolt upright,
c!ankiug his chain perfectly unabashed. neither
broken nor bent. caught bis eye, at least
have no doubt oft, but he deigned no recog-
milton. His handouts were removed as soon
"a he cine into court. No sane man, unless
hardened ip CRIME, which Yerger is not, could
bear no under this ordeal as this man does.
Colonel Yerger is fortunate in bis counsel.
The most striking circumstance IN the court
room, next 10 seeirg civilian and an old friend
tried by URited States officers IN bullion epau-
lettes, was the sIray OF counsel. Mississippi
might be searched 10 vain to match William
shall as lawyers. They are the pride and the
flower Of the Slate. And how admirably. how
patiently. how thoroughly they are managing
the easel All that ability and meaus can do Is
being done for Yerger, and, let me say, in the
interests of Law and justice.
Tie commission are apparently officers OF in
tcllgenco. Whatever their prejudces may
be, they look like men quite able to decide,
even IN an unusual case like this, with justice
and Judgment. The president OF tho commits
sion, General Swift, medical office. judge
Ly his green sash, aud probably selecled for
this reason lis man o. imposing appearance.
and Judging by few words heard from him
in callug the commission to order, is person
Of culture and ability. =,
The two Judge advocates, who represent the
government in the prosecution. showed no
lack Of zeal in epdeavoring to account for all
OF poor Yergers crazy tricks on the ground OF
intoxica Ion and GelIrium tremens. Those
who know Yer5er would never attempt the 30
luton Of the problem in this way. II ls not
your hard drinker, who, tor instance, delivers
o speech IN New Orleans. and is 30 overpleased
with his exploits that nothing Short OF presen-
ting himself with carriage, Oh bshalfof his
admirers, will satisfy him.
But enough. Poor Yerger should never have
baen allowed to commit this deed. Bis friends
are to blame that he should have been allowed
to be habitually armed. Justice will not per
NIT him to be hanged. but. for the rest OF his
ife he should be confined.
My gossip would be / complete wer, l to
omit saying that Colonel Yerger is not q type
Of Southern man, and is very far from being
dear to Southern 4earts. When conscription
was the Law OF our necessity, Colonel Yerger
forsook his friends, sought shelter ct the Fede::
raj headquarters ct Yicksburg, and betrayed
cowardics and disioyalty to his Sc 'tion by tell
ING all he knew or could learn OF the Con tede-
rate movements