The New York herald., 1879-02-12
THE BLAIR COURT MARTIAL.

THE BLAIR COURT MARTIAL.
EvExrruL CAREER OF THE AccusED-wAs HE
LEGALLY MARRIED TO 1.-THE GLASGOW wo-
MAN?"-HIs DEFENCE.
The general court martial which is trying Captain
Thomas Blair. Fifteenth infantry. United States
Army, on the charge of conduct unbecoming an off,
and gentleman. met yesterday in the non-com-
misioncl officers school OF artillery, Fort Column
bus. Govanor's Island The court met at eleven A.
NJ. and continued its session until haf-past two
PM.
A OF BIOGRAPHY
Captain Blair's fathers name Nichon, Presby.
terian minister deacon. who went with his wife at
an early period of their lives to the North of Ire
land where the Captain was born in the year 1910.
In his scventccnth he enlisted in the forces Of
the English East India Company. and after going
through the usual OF drill ut the companys
depot in England shipped to India. When the
scpoy mutiny broke out in 1857 he was under arms
aud served through the campaign. When. by the lapse
of the Fast India companys charter, its privileges
aud franchises reverted 10 the Crown and its troops
consolidated with those of the royal army. the
young roshman availed himself of the provisions Of
general order allowing him TO do so, and took his
discharge from the service.
WAS 1T MARRIAGE?
He returned 10 Great Britain and took mp his resi-
dence in 6lasgow. going to work in Tennents
such made the acquaintance of fellow foreman
named fsly. who introduced him TO his sister Ann.
u ceremony,
which the accused Captain now says did not consfi.
tute marriage. The couple lived together and had
two chiidrcn. now living.
the civil war and again eniistcd-this time In the
battalion of the United States Engineers. He now
Baiy; and second. that though he cohabitcd with
her hp Obliged to leave her account Of her
fsthfulncss 70 him; he accuses her Of too much
friendship for another man. This It is asserted,
was the reason why the prisoner came to adopt
AnSsrics ~ hts home and tho army second time ~
his profession.
rorI0wEp ny THE GLASGOW WOMAN
A. the civil terminated before the Captain en-
tered the United States service he called upon
" burn powder in the defence OF the Stars and
Stripes. lie was attentive to duty. studious aud
notion, Meanwhile the woman in Glssgow was not
content TO b. left alone with her two children She
had .e-umed ,hs name of rsir-thas Of hts mothcr-
and after while sho followed him to this country.
According TO rcport he wss in hts tent In camp
night among his comrades when person came in to
ask for him. saying that there woman ut head
quarters looking for him. He went out and met his
that night is not exactly known. but it is said he
induced her 10 return TO Scotland. II Is understood
that she now keeps grocery store I'm Glasgow.
LETTFrs EvIDExcK
Several letters produced Court yesterday.
which we're declared 20 have been written by the
ten At Mobile Ala. January IL. 1865 and addressed
70 MY Dear Ann. The cpistle went on TO ray that
he hsd received letter from her and fastened to
reply; he was glad the children well and
ported his promotion to the rank of irst lieutenant
post quartermas.rr; he would send his carte next
lciter condition that she would send hers, with
Rachcls and Bobs. in return: he thought ne would
send In his resignation by the end OF september
that he could go home. but then 10 might not be
cepted at once; he would send her the money again
in February. and told her 10 push the business rely
ing ON his principle Of quiek sales and speedy ro-
turns.
The lengthy letter OF which the foregoing il the
substance. bore the signature of Thomas B Nicholl
The sccond letter dated Fort stanton, Mexico.
juno :. Is7s. IL was addressed 70 his daughter
tl.uf
pretty much over. but the spark still thcro
and Il might be- famed into flame at any moment
IL nothing happened he would send the balance OF
the Go 10y September: he much pleased with
her success at schools said he loved them aud would
do an in h,s power TO AID them After expressing
hoped that her mother better. The letter closed
thus;-"May God bless aud keep you all. Affection
stcly. your father.
an ALLEGED BOGUS ORDER.
third document was communication addressed
by the prisoner to the Adiutan General Of the United
States Army when he in Europe year and half
ago on leave OF absence. Ii dated southport.
Lancashirc. Enaland, July 81. is7r. Tho paper in.
formed the Aiiasant Gcncral that the Captain
leave of absenc. by virtue OF surgeons certificate
on account OF disability and said that his address
Glasgow. This address is said 10 b. that OF tho
woman who declares she IN the wife OF the accused.
Mariana, was received In evidence Tho special order
pnrportns 10 bc issued from the Adjutans
Gcnerals Office a, NO. l's. which was
again brought up. purporiei 90 be- acceptance.
under date OF >cptsmb~r J. isss OF the resignation of
Cspts,n Thomas Blair. Fifteenth infantry. from tho
United states service. 90 take eject the ypsh cf tho
same month. making A known That he ceased a. be
of'iccr OF the United stasss Army. and granting
him leave OF tll the date when the rcsina.
ton 10 take effect. THIS order witch signed
with the name OF W. A. COLBY ~ adjutant general.
the prosecution expects o. show a bogus dccu-
ment made ont by the prisoner Ina order ~ dsceive
the In scotland 90 hts residence and 10
able him " marry the widow OF General Gordon
Granger. his former commanding Officer The prose-
cution declare that mo one by the name OF Colby
sdiutan general of the army. aud that there
is an officer of that name serving in one OF the srti
lcry regiments.
Endorsed on the document Of which tho above 10
the substance app~ars the follow under dss of
September g. ls7s. in writing which the Judge Advo-
cate claims IL also that Of the prisoner
vs. The sss's s.,s .ss.". ss Ss -, ,. .. -s
for,h no on. .sn tel Any sesrei f"s n~ VIII W. sseess
time God p.ssrr. .rrd y.n something 10 Ma y
TIM Kr~rrcgY ~sunisnr.
Soon after the date of this document the arrused
msrrfci. In kentncky. o. Mrs. Maria Csrancrr.
The lady IN scotlsnd s,'ms o. have hosri ~ the
marriage FOR she put herseif I'm communication with
the American authorities IN hc state aud War depart
mcnts aud the result ~ her Efforts is the prc-ent
trial. The Judge Advocate handed IN. BY way ~ Q
parting shot from his side OF the case. crr,incafs
OF the United states consul In Glasgow containing
mans ccrtincasc cf the marriage of Thomas Nichuii
and Ann baiiy. In Glasgow. on February ~. lssl.
such Is the cas-" OF the rrc-crusien.
Tllr rnf~n~Nxs rfr>
The prisoner yesterday pl-sici not guilty % The
charge aud rrcriiications. With regard tho hrst
specification. which cbsrgcs the accuse With hirsny
the defence proposes o. admit that sort %
ceremony was performed between thc parties In
scotland. but that u dd not amount - mafritno-
niai contract; that the socaIlrd certncafs IA ne
binding. ~ 10 wrs frsuduientiy obtained ~ the
brother OF Ann Bsily. the prisoners fotmer feilov
foreman.
Counsel for tho defence opposed the admission ~
the letters aud documents. but his uhifcftoBs were
all ovcrruls- and 70 deetei. nrxf that the Court
could take counizsnce ~ thu car. and second that
the papers submitted BY thu Judge Advocate
admissible
The brother of Mrs. or~nr~r wss IN court and