The New York herald., 1872-10-02
TIlE EORREANIA MILITIA.
An Investigation Into the Railroad
Fight Commenced.
Statements II the Array Elected by Brigadier
General Ryder What the 0fHeers say-"0nly
Little Fight Among Themselves
Some Of the Wounds Were inflicted
A Drunken Sergeant Making War
on a Bogus Lieutenant

ment, NGS.N.Y., on board Harlem Railroad train
last Thursday, were commenced In the arm0ry Of
the latter company at Mer0se, Westchester county,
yesterday afternoon. The meeting, which was an
nounced as being altogether informal, was presided
over by Brigadier General Ryder, Inspector Gen.
eral McQuade, Lieutenant Colonel HATCH of the
Third regiment, and Major Cole, Of the Ord
nance Department, being also present.
Several OF the militia were also in
the apartment and as the investigation progressed
each one appeared as though he could not say
enough regarding the extraordinary merits and
rigid discipline OF his own particular company.
When General Ryder announced that the state
ments of the officers and Others about to be sub
mitted would not AFFECT the status OF either officers
privates as the information to be ELECTED would
only be used as the basis OF formal inquiry, the
militia element present seemed gratifed and a
member OF one OF the companies suggested that
each witness be placed under oath. This question
having been referred to General McQuade, that gen.
tleman at once replied that the administering Of an
oath under the circumstances would be
ENTIRELY wITnogT PRECEDENT.
1t was accordingly decided by General Ryder to
the companies at the time, OF any other soldier
or civilian Who was witness to the conduct OF the
none OF the train hands present, however, al, the
information ELECTED was given by officers and men,
pers o. tne companies indicated, who, while ap-
larsny Truthful yat cape unseT po ner ;n oUn ocs
session Of iuE knowledge OF all that transpireG in
the railroad car. Before the investigating body
assciapeG captain Suavan, whose features De-
token mixture OF discomfort and irascibity COM
menced
DEHunClAToRY TRADE
against Colonel Fay, charging him with inc0mpe.
tcnCy. As he was addressing himself TO Generai
McOuade that officer rebukcd him by saying that
y looked badly to hear him speak disIespectiuly o
was neither the tilne nor place to make such q
charge; and concluded by saying that suavans re,
marks were not calculated to set an example OF
discipline among his own men.
The first witness called was Captain Lambert, OF
Company G, who stated In substance as fOll0ws:-
That he accompanied the members Of his company
from Morrisana TO Mount Vernon on the morning
in question, and on their return nome saw tnem mem
the car. There were some six or eight passengers
in the Car when the militia entered, but the con. %
ductOr soon gave them car to themselves The
train had not proceeded lar when one Of The men
THERE WAS FIGHTING GOING ON
in the lower end OF the car, upon which he pro-
ceeded with overcoat on his arm, and separated
the two men who were lighting One OF these ne
took by the throat and compelled him to sit down,
while the intoxicated man was crying out that ne
must have satisfaction for the blows he had re-
continued, he observed August Brinckman and
some others with bayonets in their hands, ana az
once ordered the non,commissioned onlcers 10 take
who was drunk, refused to obey. orders. The mus.
kets were subsequently taken rom the men ana
those who had been lighting were placed under ar.
rest. He did moi see any stabbine done, although
Lot Hall, one Of the company, showed MN wound
behind his ear, which he said had been
INFLICTED BY BAYoNET
in the hands OF private named Loudcrbacn. All
the nghting took place between N WSoa!aWn ana ana
to collect all the fares, as many Of the men yet re-
tanned the tickets purchased 81 West Mount ver-
Brinckman, while trying to get into the forward car
to have revenge on the man who struck him, either
ting Ills arm irightfuily in three or four places. His
wounds bled freely, and as he, being
GROSSLY INTOXICATED,
could not be prevailed upon to sit still, went
through the car sprinkling the blood around the
foOr as well as on his companions. He did not ac-
thew were then all quiet, and he left the train in
order to find surgical aid for Brtnckman, whom he
took with him for that purpose. 1t should also be
stated that Captain Lambert emphatically denied
having drawn his sword on the occasion.
hoard The M train and took command of Company {,
after the Captain left them at Fordham He saw
man accidentally break lamp in the car with
his musket, and cOrrObOrated the trivial nature OF
the alleged fight as set forth by Captain Lambert.
In addition TO Brnckmans injuries, he saw q man
with a lump over his eye "half the size OF hens
egg.n He also saw
THE ALLEGED BAYoNET WOUND.
behind the ear OF Lieutenant Han. The latter party
ana Brinckman were very drunk, as was asS Ser
geant Vissenger who on being ordered to keep quiet
by Dieh made an effort to strike the latter with his
musket. Diehl took the latter from Vissenger but
he could not be prevailed upon to keep quiet. The
police at fremont ordered hm to take his men
out Of the car, and at his command they did 80 in
| an orderly manner. Only one OF them refused to
leave he said he had paid his fare to MOrrisania.
This man was arrested and taken TO the pclice
station.
| Upon inquiries made by General McQuade, it
| transpired that Dleil, who was acting a. first
lieutenant and for portion OF the day in command
Of the company, had
NEVER RECEIVED COMMISSION
and was, consequently, only private IN the ranks.
Under such circumstances he was not entitled to
any obedience on the part OF the men.
Captain Suavan, OF Company A, when asked 10
state what he knew regarding the conduct OF his
company on the train, could give no information
as, according to his own statement, his command
left Mount Vernon while he was partaking Of re-
freshments in lager beer saloon at that place.
During the investigation he cast
SAVAGE GLANCES
at the members OF the press, and In other respects
demonstrated that although he may be competent
to direct the movements OF his company he has not
vet learned to command himself
General Ryder expressed his readiness to hear
what any person present had TO say In addition to
what had been heard, and stated that he would have
been pleased TO have received the statements OF
any OF the train offlcials. He also said that the
Superintendent OF the Harlem Railroad had in
formed him that he had list OF witnesses to the
transaction, but none Of them put in an appear
ance.
At the suggestion Of General McQuade General
Ryder announced his intention OF instiuting an