Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1873-07-10
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS.

The Newark Advertiser, yesterday
contained long account of the late
courts-martial, and concluded by say
ing:
"The feeling among the members of
the National Guard is very bitter against
General DeIGart, and especially SO among
the members of tho Third regiment.
Company Il, of Plainfeld, has adopted
number of resolutions, among the
number being the following: That
the resignation Of General DeHart
would be hailed by the company with
satisfaction Company +, of Railway,
has decided to disband should the deci-
sion be against Colonel Drake and it
would result in the breaking up of the
regiment unless Governor Parker
should revoke it"
The Newark Courier of yesterday
says "The decision of the case is
awaited with interest 1t is the general
impression that Colonel Drake will not
be convicted"
The Elizabeth Herald wishes Col.
onel Drake good deliverance.
[From yesterdays Newark Register.l
Pursuant to an order from Major
General Mott, commanding the National
Guard of this State, there commenced
ut the headquarters of the Second regi-
ment yesterday q court martial to try
Col. J. Madison Drake, of the Third
Regiment, on 4 number of charges pre-
ferred by General Uriah DeHart, COM
manding the Second Brigade. 1t being
the first time in the history Of the Ma
tional Guard that division court mar
tial was held, the armory building was
full of military gentlemen. Brig-Gen.
Joseph w. Plume, President, called
the court to order promptly at. three
fo'clock, and read the order for the
court martial. There were present be
sides the President Brigalier General
Augustus Fay, Col. VIM. Ward, Col.
Dudley Steele and Judge Advocate Gen
ernl Frederick A. DeMott.
1t being necessary to have every Off
Ger detailed present, an order was dis
patched for Col. James Peckwell, who
had been detained by business engage
ments. When tho colonel of tho First
arrived the oath WAS administered to the
members of the court, and the prisoner
arraigned. He was attended by the
corporation attorney of Elizabeth, who,
by courtesy OF the court, was permitted
to cross-examine the witnesses. 10 the
charges and pecifcations-the prisoner
pied Us follows
Charge I, specification first.-Noi
guilty do, not guilty of the second and
third specifications.
Cha. GO Ii, specification first.-The
prisoner demands as follows: A want Of
specification, in this that the place Of
committing the breach of arrest is moi
specified. Under such specification nc
particular offence can be made.
Charge LII, specification first. Does
not state that General DeHart was il
command, only states CHS superior
officer"
Charge ~, specification first
Should state the name of aide-de-camp
and that the aide-de-camp made inquiry
by order of General DeHart, command
ing. Specification second.
because the articles are not set forth il
the charges, and do not admit of par
ticular defence.
Charge V, specification first. mo
such offence is known to law, etc.
The court, after consultation decid
ed to strike out all charges and 'specii
cations but the first and third, namely
disobedience of orders and conduct un.
} becoming an officer and gentleman.
A number of witnesses were then ex
amined for the state, namely, General
VIM. III. Sewell, commanding the Sixth
regiment, General DeHart and all Of
! his staff officers. On the part of the
;. defence, evidence was given by the
Colonel of the Seventh regiment, I
number of. officers Of the. Third, .pni
Colonel Drake was permitted to make ,
statement in his own behalf. He ex
plained the arrangements made to take
his regiment to Philadelphia on the 9tl
of June, asserted that during the review
at Camden he treated the Brigade
with tho utmost respect and marched
his regiment out of the line and wen
of, believing that the parade had bcei
dismissed, and on account OF his mel
being fatigued. He also produced the
permissions of the Governor of New
Jersey and Pennsylvania to take the re
giment to Philadelphia. At half.pas
eight o'clock the evidence was all il
and the members of the court retired /,
deliberate. The finding of the cour
will first be sent to Maior-General Mot
before it can be announced but thu
impression prevailed among those VIII,
heard the evidence that Col. Drak,
would neither be shot or hung.
= [From yesterdays New York Tribune
Col. J. Madison Drake of the Thi rt
regiment, N. j. N. G., was tried befor,
court-martial yesterday afternoon in til,
Second regiment armory. He was ar
raigned on complaint OF Brig. Gen. ID
Hart of the Second Brigade, wht
charges: First, disobedience of or
ders second, breach OF arrest third
conduct unbecoming an officer and ,
gentleman fourth, conduct to the pre-
iudice of good order and military disci
pline; fifth, making false returns
sixth, melting mutiny. Col. Drake
pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The officers composing the court-martia
are Brig, Gen. Plume, Brig. Gen. j.
Augustus Fay, Col. William Ward o.
, the Second regiment ; Col. Peckwell
Second regiment Col. Steele, Fourth
regiment Col. Fred. A. DeMott
Judge Advocate General.
Many witnesses were examined OF
both sides, and the impression seems tc
ba that Col. Drake will be acquitted o.
the most serious charges. Should he
be found guilty, however, he will be un
doubtedly dismissed from the service
In that event, Gov. Parker, it is thought
will interfere, and restore the Colone
to his command, as it was he who gave
him permission to- visit Philadelphia
June 0, which led to the other troubles
From yesterdays Newark Register.
The first Division Court-martial hello
in the State was in session at the Ar
mory yesterday. With the finding Of
the Court we have nothing to do unit
after that finding has been made public
One thing is certain, there seems to bt
u lamentable lack of discipline III oul
State militia-either in ignorance or 4
woful misunderstanding of the princi
pies by which men of war are governed
in the times of peace.
If the present trial should result il
making every man, officer as well as