The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-09
An ARMY SCANDAL.
The Trial and Sentence Of
Major Reno.
A STORY OF GARRISON LIFE.
Insult and Persecution Of q Brother
Officers Wife.
TESTIMONY OF THE LADY.
Religious Services Made the Base
of Petty Meanness.
TESTIMONY OF THE LADY.
A FINDING FOR DISMISSAL.
Mitigation by the President for Faithful
Services in the Past.
[Bx TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD. ]

[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
WASHINGTON, May 8, 1871
Unusual n not an excited feeling prevails TO-
night IN army circles here over tho finding OF the
court martial and nnai sentence IN the
OF Major Reno the comrade Of General
Custer nearly sharer or his tate in
The Big Horn massacre or last summer Major Reno,
viii be remembered, was court martiaed low
months ago on charges OF alleged improper insult
Ing advances to the wife OF brother officer Of his regi
msnt-viz.. Captain James Bell-durng the time
that . detachment OF the regiment in
winter quarters at Fort Abercrombie. Of which
post Major Reno senior officer, commandant
Captain Boil from Fort Abercrombie ut tho
time the offence OF Major Reno 10 said 70 have taken
place. The finding OF the court and sentence were
kept . secret and sent under seal 10 General
Sheridan at Chicago, who approved them and for
warded them General Sherman, who also added his
approval and transmitted tho papers TO Secretary
hccrary, who also approved them and laid them be-
fore the President Tho court found the accused
guilty. and sentenced him dismissal from the SER
vice.
MITIGATION SENTENCE
This fact only came to-day when the President
laid the matter before the Cabinet whore was the
subject OF protracted discussion, the result being
that the President decided to mitigate tho to
suspension from rank and pay for the term Of
two years. This modification OF tho original
severe sentence Is made out OF regard for the gallant
and heretofore honorable record OF Major Reno But
the sentence, even in Its modified form, far from
satisfying to the numerous friends OF Major
Reno here In Washington, who were taken
utterly by surprise on learning It's original
harsh terms According the laws OF
court martial the accused cannot testify hts be-
hail. and the circumstances In this Obviously
npp0h
70 himself His friends say that il was moth
Ing but garrison quarrel between proud
woman and proud man, and that the
latter in his efforts to resent aront which she had
put upon him pursued policy OF misjudged tyranny
which has been falsely interpreted against him.
They say that in all the testimony there
- not line to show that Major
Reno uttered an improper word in connection
with the alleged famliartics the nature OF which they
are willing to admit was simply misunderstood by the
lady. Hence the surprise they manifest at the orig
inal sentence Of dismissal from the service.
The leading witness in the alter Mrs. Bell 10 q
missionary, the Rev. Mr. Wainwright, whose evan
geiicai efforts in the garrison warmly seconded
by the lady became at tho Same time dstastefu to
Major Reno because or some alleged extravagant
features in tho shape Of psalm singing and
meodeon playing. The Major even went SO far as to
write to the clergy man asking HIM TO desist from
holding service In the garrison In, he wrote, tho
interests OF peace and harmony. This precIpitated
between the lady and tho Major but she tolls tho
whole story in her own testimony. which given as
follows:-
TESTIMONY BILL.
Mrs. Emily N. Bell testified follows
Ny name is Emily N. Bell; I reside at Fort Aber.
crombie D. t. and have resided there this past winter;
nay husband is Captain Joseph u. Bell, Of the
Seventh cavalry; have resided Ut Fort Abercrombie
since November Il, think. about that date:
was there during the month OF December last; Major
the post this officer docking at accused) Is here
present.; he arrived AZ commandant December lion
Sunday think shortly alter hrs arrival he called az
our house; he came house on several occasions
z. On or about the 18th OF Decemberf A. Yos, str,
no did; Il was Tuesday evening" tho 10Th; Monday
q. State what occurred at that intervew-anything
Of striking character. A. When Colonel Reno got
rose to go. and he took both my hands 10
his and attempted to pull mo toward him;
night, Mira Bel, and took nv hand ana Slipped his
nngers up toward my arm; ! said. "Coonel Keno, is
tina. the Masonic grpY" he said. yes have book
at home that tells all about t. would you like read
10 read it"'
q. That was as he was lcavingY A. Yes: he then
left the house and said good night; no again visited
me At our quarters; think he came in Wednesday;
occurred that Wednesday; no again visited me on
Thursday, about DUSK when Colonel Reno came
IN that time, was preparing TO go to.make cali
NrS Richardson she was going away, and | wanted
TO Did her goodby; l did not ask Colonel Reno
20 SIT down.. but asked MIN to accompany
Ia company with Captain and Mrs. Van Horne; Colo
ne Reno then said hc was going dinc; after VIC
turned did not ask him TO he SAID he thought
no would 60 10 dinner; asked him II no had changed
his dinner hour; he said, s'Yes, from three to
Six he started aud said, "Good night; - out and
closed the door; before then no had asked mo what
was going to do that evening; said was going
play whist at Mrs Van Hornes; he SAID. you won't
bo vt the club ro0my 7" said mo; did not tDink
any oil going to be down thcrc he then start
ed and said, GOOD evening"" went out and closed tho
door after i'm he feeling Tor the Storm door.
That II The latch OF the door, when opened the
other door OF my house SAID believed would go
10 Mrs. Van Horne's my door is lct handed pulled
my skirts away from being caught in tho door; us
was pulling tho door TO oii Colonel Reno's arms
around my waist; twisted myself out Of his embrace
aud got In front OF Mrs. Van Hornc's door, the
house enclosed both doors; turned him md said.
Colonel Reno don't you do That again !" he laughed
that again; Mrs Van Horne Is the wife OF Captain Van
Horne, OF the Seventeenth infantry. and they have
quarters adjoining ours; hcy arc IN the same build
Ing.
A SOCIAL GATHERING.
On Christmas night gave a social entertainment;
me Invitations were general to all tho officers and pco
PIE outside OF the enlisted men with one exception,
mat Of Marcus A. Reno, the commanding
!a.her was III al Altoona; he eis tho
lItn oil December; twas the same
day Major Reno assumed command; no ala not
sumo command until Two days aiterward; think he
came 70 the pos, al that time. December II; ! know
'svs wnwsh il, ne was not a. the post
Lncd to-; he came tho following Friday, the
Friday before New Years, In the afternoon, about
three O'Clock IN the stage from Fargo; that the
29h OF December; he came there 10 hold services
preach while he was there; that IS oil know he came
there TO hold religious services the post sunday
the 3lst OF DcccmDcr there were arrangements made
Tor music at the religious services; practscd Tor
Some time before that ana was to play tho organ.
NOT pEREirrED To PLAY.
did not play the organ. because Major Reno sent
an order that should not play.
T. How do you know thisg A. / heard Lieutenant
Robinson say no into quarters, 'You nave
music II Mrs. Bell does not pIny the organ.n
The accused, by counsel, moved 10 out tcs-
Imony US TO what Lieutenant Robinson said as hear.
say, &c.
Tho witness testified Lieutenant Robinson Is nrst
lieutenant OF the Seventh cavalry OF my husbands
company. and no Is adjutant Of the post
The Judge Advocate submitted TO tho Court that
Information given by Lieutenant Robinson of an
Official character &c. Objection not pressed
Witness rcsutned-I received the message from