Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-02-13
Capt. Blair,S Trial.

CAPT. Blair-S Trial.
HE CLAIMS THAT HIS MARRIAGE IN SCOTLAND
WAS NOT LEGAL.
The New York SIN has an account OF the
proceedings on Tuesday in the trial OF Capt
Blair by court martial for bigamy and forgery
i0m which tie following IS an extract:
To the charge of conduct unbecoming an Of
hcer and gentleman, he answered: Not
guilty"
Then Gen. Mcmahon said that il vas abso-
ilteLy necessary that Capt. Blair should have
time to collect materials for his defence He
wanted time 10 go to Scotland and get the tes-
timony that he alone could get If this was
granted. he would show that he had not been
guilty OF conduct unbecoming an officer and a
gentleman.
The Judge advocate said that previous TO
discuss ing The request for delay he would offer
some documentary evidence, namely a letter
written by capt Blair to the Secretary OF War
On the 10th OF January, after his arrest II az
hn0Wledsed the receipt of the charges against
him, and asked leave Of absence for forty DAYS
70 go TO Scotland to get evidence TO establish
The TACT that the alleged marriage with Ann
Baiilie was not a legal marriage. aud would not
be so held by the courts OF that country which
alone had jurisdiction. That marriage, the cap
tam 3 letter proceeds to say. was obtained by
fraud and deceit brought about by the woman S
brother acting for her. '.If succeed. f" the cap
tan,S letter goes on 1.-The first specification Will
fall to the ground. and the sting be taken from
The second. II | do not succeed Will return
Just the same and stand my trial, for do not
wish TO add cOWardice to the crimes of which
uldN ut QteIiItu
- ofier this letter." the Judge Advocate said
. as Il link IN the chain OF circumSt antial evil
Gence that shall produce. TO show that the
accused captain married The woman in Scot
land"
Gen. Mcmahon said that the intent was an
important element IN the defence. They would
SNOW mat thefe was no marriage in Scotland
and that Capt. Blair did not believe himself to
be a married man when he married the widow
OF Major General Gordon Granger.
The court decided that the letter might be
used in evidence.
Next, the Judge Advocate introduced the
paper purporting 10 be the forged resignation
signed by "W. II. Kobbe" It was written in
regular form. but attached To II were these
words :-' The above explains itself | hope
you are now satisfied with what You have ac-
cOmpliSbed. What the future Will bring forth
cannot tell. Any search for HE will DE useless
shall not give you my address | Shall, from
time TO time, as God prospers me, send you
| something 10 No. 20 Arthur street, Dunbarton
| Road
Gen. Mcmahon objected to this document, but
| the court admitted it as evidence.
Other letters were admitted. despite Gen
| McMah0nS objections, one OF them being ad-
| dressed TO my Dear Ann" In 1t the writer
SAID that he was glad TO learn that she ana the
children were so well. He was still well thank
| god. The Judge Advocate also offered In evi-
| Gence VI hat putpoTted 10 be certified CODY OF
| Inc record OF the marriage OF Thomas Nicnoll
| md Ann Battle in Glasgow
| To this Gen. Mcmahon said lie should object
| seriously. principally on the ground that the
| original record was false. AS he wanted to
| make Az elaborate argument, the court ad-
iOurned until this morning