The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-05-09
NEW YORK HERALD WEDNESDAY MAY g. ls77-TR1PLE SHEET
.nd also Lieu.snan.s sIocam ana rroxsI % also van

and also Lieuten Socum and Troxel: 10 also Van
Horne; yes all OF them
Now. 10 come down 10 the time that Mr. VAIN
wright came there there was pretty bad state OF
iseling between your friends and Reno' A. No. str;
they always did, Colonel Reno and had assumed
sntsgonistic feeling; they were all OF
social privileges asainss him and kn ns ,Sss my
tended TO, divine services are held In. think n Is
called the library IN the adjutants buildings u was
known beforehand that Wainwright was coming;
got letter. think II after my husband left: Inc
letter came from Mr. Wainwright 10 my husband; the
adjctant made the tho divine services;
that includes the furnishing OF the room and every
arrangement incidental u very likely; had been
practising, y had been generally understood that
was 70 play the organ every officer and lady had been
practising; don't know whether yhere was or NOS
people expected from the outside; soldiers
from McConleyvillc; from the thine Of my
party up 70 TINS time | met Colonel Reno, from time
did NOT undertake 90 salute me; cut MN then after
the party, IN the presence OF anybody; II ddnt mako
any difference don't know why did no. Gu!
didnb cut him until the sunday evening, the night
before Christmas that after he sent Tor his photo
graph; this organ belongs 10 the Quartermaster.s
clerk: forget his name
REV. wAIxwRIanr's TESTIMONY.
hev IN; Mr. Wanwrish, was the mex. witness He les
nnuancc OF divine service behalf Of in
mates Of The garrison; Major Reno SAID that IN
had been gossiped about guilty Of iewd
conduct subsequently, when Major Reno remon-
stTateu Win witness Tor staying ~ Captain BclPe
quarters. he said II not account OF Mrs Bells
reputation, when like spoiled egg and could
DC injured but on account OF the reverend profession
OF witness, Major Reno also said "Mrs. Bell vas
notorious character In the regiment and That several
OF tho officers had asked him to expel her."
EvIDkAcK or TIKI PosT TRADER
John Hazehurst, post trader al Fort Abercrompe.
testified that Mrs. Bell gave a social entertainment
about Christmas; Understood Major Roll was not In.
vited had conversation with him later In the
Ing after tho party he said IL meant war; was de-
ccidcd cut; he would make IT not Tor her;
did not hear the remark about the relations OF Airs
Bell and Mr.. wainrlght to latter by Major Reno
and said by him 10 have been mado witnesses pres
ence in tho club ROOM
WHAT LIEUTENANT ROBINSON KNEW.
Lieutenant Robinson, Of Tho Seventh Cavalry testi
ned that no such remark was made In his hearing In
the club room concerning Mrs. Bell and the minister;
something mad been said about the minister exclusive
Of The lady.
:, Licutenants slocum and Troxel and Captain Van
Horne testified that Mrs. Bell's
TONED on the occasion IN the club room whom tho min
ister's morality was questioned
CAPTAIN BExrEEN DEFENCE.
FOR the defence Captain Benteon testified that he
mad Informed Major Reno before they came 10 Fort
Abercrombie that be had frequently hoard the charac-
Yer OF MIS- Bell discussed IN disparaging terms by the
officers Of tho regiment
DIsPARAGiSG TO MRS. BELL
Lieutenant Wallace. adjutant OF the Seventh regi
ment OF cavalry, corroborated Captain Benteen to
this dsparagng discussion Of Mrs. Bell; tho remarks
were 10 tue effect that she truc wc.
Major Merrill testified that he had also heard tho un
favorable criticism OF Mrs. B0s character This closed
the
While great sympathy Is felt for Major Reno his
friends nave to acknowledge that he grossly ndis
Greet In his treatment Of the lady The fact tho
court General Sheridan, General Sherman and tho
Secretary OF War all conceded In thor ouinon OF hts
case must 60 far to Offset tho ecct OF this sympathy
ORDER OF THE SECRETARY or WAR.
Tho following Is the order OF the Secretary Of War
mitigating tho sentence OF dismissa:-
WAR DEPARTMENT., May 8. 1877.
Tho proceedings In this case, having boon forwarded
under tho l06th article Of war, 70 the Secretary or
War, have been most carefully considered and have
bcen submitted TO tho President, who approves
the finding and sentence, but ls pleased TO
mitigate the latter 10 suspension from rank
ana pay Tor two years IRON the 18th
OF May, 1877. Major Renos conduct toward the wife
OF AN absent officer using the whole forco OF his
power as commanding officer OF the post crafty his
resentment against her cannot 0e too strongly
demned. But, alter long elaboration upon all the
cumstances OF tho shown In the record OF
trial. II 10 thought that hts Offences grave they are
do not warrant tho sentence Of dismissal and all It's
consequences upon who has tor twenty years
borne the reputation OF brave aud honorable
officer and has maintained that reputation upon the
battle folds OF tho rebellion and Ia with Indi-
ans. The President has therefore modified tho SEN
tence and is hoped that Major Reno will appreciate
the clomeucy thus shown him. well tho very rop-
rehensible character OF the acts OF which found
guilty. GEORGE W. McCRARY, Secretary OF War.